Frame Synchronization in Hybrid Communications Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-low frequency hybrid communications systems, user equipment (UE) faces challenges in synchronizing with base stations due to uncertainty about the synchronization point of high-frequency frames, leading to incomplete data reception.
Innovation Solution
The UE determines the synchronization point of low-frequency frames using a low-frequency synchronization signal and calculates the receive time difference between low-frequency and high-frequency frames to synchronize with the high-frequency frames, ensuring timely reception of high-frequency data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE scans a receive beam at a moment between the start moment and end moment at which the base station scans a transmit beam, then the UE can receive the high-frequency signal, but the UE cannot continuously receive a complete signal and achieve frame synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a low-frequency synchronization signal as an intermediary to establish timing reference. The UE first synchronizes with the base station using the low-frequency signal, then uses this timing information to determine when to scan receive beams for high-frequency frames, ensuring complete signal reception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary synchronization using low-frequency signals before high-frequency communication. The UE determines the timing of high-frequency frames based on the previously established low-frequency synchronization, allowing the UE to prepare and scan receive beams at the correct moments before high-frequency data transmission begins.
2Power
If the UE uses narrow-beam scanning alignment between transmit end and receive end, then the antenna gain is maximized, but the coverage area is limited and synchronization becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The low-frequency synchronization signal serves as a mediator that simplifies the synchronization process. Instead of directly synchronizing narrow high-frequency beams which is complex, the system uses the broader low-frequency signal to establish timing, then applies this timing information to the high-frequency beam scanning, reducing complexity while maintaining high gain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the synchronization process into two parts: first, coarse synchronization using low-frequency signals to establish basic timing alignment; second, fine synchronization using this timing information to coordinate narrow high-frequency beam scanning. This segmentation reduces the overall complexity of synchronizing narrow beams.
3Quantity of substance
If the UE operates in a high-low frequency hybrid communications system, then bandwidth resources are rich, but the UE is uncertain about the synchronization point of high-frequency frames
Solution Approach 1:
The low-frequency synchronization signal acts as an intermediary reference that provides precise timing information. The UE uses this low-frequency timing reference to accurately determine when high-frequency frames are transmitted, eliminating uncertainty about synchronization points while operating in the hybrid frequency system with rich bandwidth resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary timing establishment using low-frequency signals before high-frequency data transmission. This preliminary action provides the UE with accurate synchronization information in advance, allowing the UE to precisely locate high-frequency frame boundaries without uncertainty.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the communications field, and provides a frame synchronization method, user equipment, and a base station, to implement frame time synchronization in a high-low frequency hybrid communications system. The method includes: determining, by user equipment, a first moment at which a first frequency frame is received; obtaining a receive time difference, where the receive time difference is a time difference between a moment at which the user equipment receives a second frequency frame and the moment at which the user equipment receives the first frequency frame; determining, according to the receive time difference and the first moment, a start moment for scanning a receive beam corresponding to the second frequency frame; scanning the receive beam at the start moment; and receiving data sent by using the second frequency frame, to complete synchronization of the second frequency frame.