Timing Synchronization for Asynchronous LTE Device-to-Device Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, device-to-device discovery is challenging for UEs operating asynchronously, as they struggle to synchronize timing information across different base stations with asynchronous frame timings, hindering direct communication.
Innovation Solution
The method involves forwarding and managing timing information within a heterogeneous network of synchronous and asynchronous devices, where base stations transmit timing information to UEs, which then forward or detect this information to enable synchronization during reserved sub-frames, using modules like device-to-device discovery modules and management modules to ensure timely and accurate synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If UEs operate asynchronously with different base stations, then network flexibility and deployment ease are improved, but timing synchronization for device-to-device discovery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where a first UE receives timing information from its base station and forwards it to a second UE. This intermediary UE acts as a bridge between asynchronous base stations, enabling the second UE to synchronize its device-to-device discovery transmissions with the first UE despite operating under different asynchronous base stations. The intermediary forwards timing information including frame timing, subframe timing, and symbol timing to enable proper synchronization.
2Device complexity
If base stations operate with asynchronous frame timings, then deployment complexity is reduced, but device-to-device discovery capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the timing information into distinct components that can be independently managed and forwarded. The timing information is divided into frame timing, subframe timing, and symbol timing elements. This segmentation allows each timing component to be separately extracted, forwarded, and applied by the intermediary UE, making the overall synchronization process more manageable in asynchronous environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary UE receives segmented timing information from its base station and forwards the relevant components to the second UE. This intermediary mechanism enables device-to-device discovery between UEs served by different asynchronous base stations without requiring the base stations themselves to be synchronized, thus maintaining low deployment complexity while enabling discovery capability.
3Measurement precision
If timing information is forwarded between UEs, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential timing information components needed for device-to-device discovery synchronization from the complete base station timing data. The intermediary UE extracts and forwards specific elements such as frame timing, subframe timing, and symbol timing information that are directly relevant for discovery, omitting unnecessary data. This extraction approach maintains synchronization accuracy while minimizing the amount of information that needs to be communicated.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and devices are described for forwarding, managing, and/or detecting timing information for device-to-device discovery. Timing information may be received from a base station. A timing signal including the timing information may be transmitted. The timing signal may be transmitted during a sub-frame reserved for device-to-device discovery. Timing information for a base station may be transmitted to a user equipment (UE). Instructions to transmit a timing signal including the timing information during a sub- frame reserved for device-to-device discovery are also transmitted to the UE. Information indicating a timing of sub-frames reserved for device-to-device discovery by a neighboring base station may be received from a serving base station. A timing signal may be detected during at least one of the sub-frames reserved for device-to-device discovery. The timing signal may include timing information for the neighboring base station.