LTE eNB Synchronization via Discovery State Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
In uncoordinated deployments of local area eNBs in LTE networks, existing synchronization methods can lead to issues where eNBs that have not yet synchronized or detected a new eNB cannot receive over-the-air communication messages, resulting in potential disruptions and resource inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method where a new access device is temporarily set into a discovery state and broadcasts identification signals, allowing surrounding devices to detect and synchronize with it, with a state machine controlling transitions between discovery and communication states based on timer operations and acknowledgments, ensuring synchronization only when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a new eNB is added to an uncoordinated network without global synchronization, then deployment cost is reduced, but synchronization reliability deteriorates causing transmission conflicts and detection failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cell search and system information decoding before the new eNB begins normal operations. This preliminary synchronization preparation ensures that the new eNB is properly integrated into the network timing structure before it starts transmitting data, preventing transmission conflicts while avoiding the need for expensive global synchronization infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary synchronization mechanism where the new eNB temporarily transmits synchronization signals and system information to allow existing eNBs to detect and synchronize with it. This intermediary approach enables mutual synchronization establishment without requiring pre-configured global timing references
2Productivity
If existing eNBs continue normal transmission while a new eNB is being synchronized, then network continuity is maintained, but message reception reliability deteriorates because existing eNBs cannot detect the new eNB
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission states of eNBs during the synchronization process. Existing eNBs temporarily switch to a reception state when detecting a new eNB's synchronization signals, allowing reliable detection and synchronization establishment. After synchronization is achieved, normal dynamic transmission operations resume, maintaining network productivity while ensuring reliable integration of the new eNB
3Reliability
If synchronization is performed continuously between all eNBs, then synchronization reliability is improved, but network resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous synchronization, the system implements periodic synchronization actions triggered by specific events such as when a new eNB is added to the network. The synchronization process is activated periodically when needed, allowing eNBs to return to normal operational modes between synchronization events, thereby reducing overall network resource consumption while maintaining necessary synchronization reliability
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to methods, apparatuses, a system, and a computer program product for synchronizing to an uncoordinated access network. A new access device added to the access network is temporarily set into an over-the-air discover state and identification signals are broadcast from the new access device. Operating access devices are set into an discovery state in response to a detection of the identification signal, wherein their inter access device over-the-air transmission is stopped during the discovery state and an identity of the new access device is searched.