IoE Device Synchronization via D2D Multi-Hop Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
IoE devices face challenges in power-efficient synchronization due to their low power resources and the need for frequent updates in timing synchronization, which affects mesh routing and MAC scheduling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
IoE devices establish device-to-device links to communicate updated synchronization timing instructions through a multi-hop forwarding scheme, utilizing a routing scheme based on listening and learning procedures, and prioritize synchronization timing based on global applicability, allowing opportunistic synchronization with UE or base stations to maintain or update synchronization across groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IoE devices periodically wake up to deliver data and maintain synchronization, then timing synchronization is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic wake-up schedules where IoE devices wake up at predetermined intervals to exchange synchronization information. Devices transition between sleep and active states periodically, allowing them to maintain timing synchronization while minimizing power consumption by remaining in low-power mode during non-synchronization periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables peer-to-peer synchronization where IoE devices autonomously exchange timing information with each other without requiring continuous communication with centralized infrastructure. Devices self-organize synchronization groups and perform mutual timing adjustments, eliminating the need for frequent wake-ups to communicate with central servers or base stations.
2Measurement precision
If IoE devices frequently update synchronization timing, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective synchronization updates where devices perform full synchronization procedures only when necessary based on drift thresholds or event triggers. Between full synchronizations, devices use partial update mechanisms or extrapolate timing information, achieving sufficient accuracy without the power cost of frequent complete synchronization cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where devices monitor their timing drift and only initiate synchronization updates when drift exceeds predetermined thresholds. This event-driven approach allows devices to maintain synchronization accuracy by performing updates reactively rather than proactively at fixed intervals, significantly reducing unnecessary power consumption.
3Productivity
If IoE devices establish mesh routing among synchronized devices, then communication efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the IoE network into multiple synchronization groups, each with its own mesh routing structure. Devices only need to understand and navigate the routing within their local group rather than the entire network, significantly reducing routing table sizes and computational complexity while maintaining efficient communication through hierarchical group-to-group routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces synchronization group leaders or gateway devices that act as intermediaries between different synchronization groups and between IoE devices and external networks. These intermediary devices handle complex routing decisions and protocol translations, allowing ordinary IoE devices to use simplified routing logic while still achieving efficient network-wide communication through the intermediary layer.
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to distributed synchronization of “internet of everything” (IoE) devices to a common timing through opportunistic synchronization with user equipment (UE). Multiple IoE devices within proximity to each other establish device to device (D2D) links. When an IoE device receives an updated timing synchronization signal from a UE, the IoE device can broadcast the updated timing synchronization signal to other IoE devices directly or via a multi-hop forwarding scheme via the D2D links. Multiple groups of IoE devices can be synchronized to the same timing synchronization signal such that if and when IoE devices from the different groups come into proximity, the IoE devices will find each other and can merge into a larger group of synchronized IoE devices with minimal searching overhead and, therefore, minimal power consumption.