Low Power Synchronization in Wireless Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), machine type communication devices face challenges in reducing power consumption while monitoring physical downlink control channels, which is crucial for extending battery life and improving device efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The method involves transitioning an electronic device from a low power mode to a pre-synchronization mode with a sleep phase, where the sleep phase duration is set based on the quality of synchronization signals, including SNR, carrier frequency offset, and timing, to minimize power consumption by reducing active receiver and processor usage during synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the device transitions to pre-synchronization mode with a sleep phase to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the synchronization time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-synchronization mode is segmented into multiple phases: a first phase for initial synchronization signal detection and quality assessment, and a second phase for completing synchronization based on the quality results. This segmentation allows the device to spend minimal time in the higher-power first phase only when necessary, while utilizing the lower-power second phase for the remainder of synchronization, thereby reducing overall power consumption without excessively extending synchronization time.
Solution Approach 2:
The duration of the sleep phase in the pre-synchronization mode is dynamically adjusted based on the detected quality of synchronization signals. When signal quality is good, the sleep phase duration is reduced or eliminated, allowing faster transition to working mode. When signal quality is poor, the sleep phase duration is extended to allow sufficient time for synchronization. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the trade-off between power consumption and synchronization time based on real-time conditions.
2Reliability
If the device monitors synchronization signals continuously to ensure reliable synchronization, then synchronization reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the device employs periodic monitoring of synchronization signals during specific phases of the pre-synchronization mode. The first phase includes periodic detection of synchronization signal quality parameters, and the second phase continues periodic monitoring until synchronization is achieved. This periodic approach maintains synchronization reliability by regularly checking signal quality while allowing the device to enter low-power states between monitoring intervals, thereby reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
3Measurement precision
If the device uses multiple quality parameters for synchronization signal detection to improve accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies different quality parameter detection strategies to different phases and signal conditions. In the first phase, the device detects multiple quality parameters including signal-to-noise ratio, carrier frequency offset, and timing offset. Based on the results of this local quality assessment, the device then determines the appropriate sleep phase duration and proceeds to the second phase with targeted synchronization efforts. This localized, phased approach to quality parameter detection improves measurement precision while avoiding the need to continuously monitor all parameters simultaneously, thereby controlling device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure provide methods and device for low power synchronization in wireless communication. The method waking an electronic device that communicates with a network from a low power mode to a working mode. The method may include transitioning from the low power mode to a pre-sync mode that includes a first phase having a first phase duration and a sleep phase having a sleep phase duration. A quality of synchronization signals transmitted on a first network carrier of the network during the first phase of the pre-sync mode can be detected, and the sleep phase duration of the sleep phase can be set based on at least the detected quality of the synchronization signals. During the pre-sync mode, the operation mode can transition from the first phase to the sleep phase when the sleep phase duration is greater than a sleep threshold.