Mixed OFDM Sub-Carrier Synchronization via Coordination Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current OFDM wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in time and frequency synchronization when handling mixed sub-carrier spacings, leading to excessive power consumption and complexity due to the need for separate synchronization procedures for different numerologies.
Innovation Solution
A method for a wireless communication device to determine whether OFDM signals with different sub-carrier spacings are coordinated, allowing it to derive synchronization offsets for one signal based on the other, thereby reducing the need for separate synchronization procedures and minimizing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate synchronization procedures are used for each sub-carrier spacing numerology, then synchronization accuracy is maintained, but power consumption and processing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple synchronization procedures for different sub-carrier spacing numerologies into a single unified synchronization procedure. By detecting synchronization signals and determining time and frequency offsets once, the system can serve multiple numerologies (e.g., 15 kHz and 60 kHz) simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate synchronization procedures and thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining synchronization accuracy across all numerologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization mechanism is designed to be universal and multi-functional, capable of handling multiple sub-carrier spacing numerologies with a single procedure. The system determines time offsets and frequency offsets that are applicable across different numerologies, allowing one synchronization process to serve multiple functions and multiple numerology types, thus reducing the overall power consumption and processing load.
2Reliability
If separate synchronization procedures are used for each sub-carrier spacing numerology, then synchronization reliability is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple synchronization procedures into one unified process that handles different sub-carrier spacing numerologies simultaneously. By merging the detection of synchronization signals and the determination of time and frequency offsets into a single procedure, the system maintains synchronization reliability for all numerologies while significantly reducing processing complexity and device resource requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization system is designed as a universal multi-functional mechanism that can reliably synchronize multiple numerologies through a single procedure. This universal approach maintains the reliability needed for different sub-carrier spacing configurations while avoiding the complexity of implementing separate specialized procedures for each numerology type.
3Measurement precision
If independent frequency and timing monitoring is performed for each numerology, then synchronization precision is maintained, but unnecessary power consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges independent frequency and timing monitoring operations for different numerologies into a single unified monitoring procedure. By detecting synchronization signals and determining time and frequency offsets once for all numerologies, the system maintains the precision needed for accurate synchronization while eliminating the redundant power consumption associated with performing separate monitoring operations for each numerology type.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent synchronization procedures are implemented, then coverage of all numerologies is ensured, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal synchronization procedure that can handle multiple sub-carrier spacing numerologies simultaneously. This single multi-functional procedure provides coverage for all numerology types (e.g., 15 kHz, 60 kHz) without requiring multiple independent procedures, thereby maintaining adaptability and versatility while significantly reducing system complexity and the number of synchronization procedures needed.
Data Source
Figure 1a~2b
Figure 3a~3c
Figure 3d~3e
AI summary
A wireless communication device receives OFDM radio signals having different numerologies (i.e. different sub-carrier spacing) and determines whether the transmission, by one or more transmitting nodes, of the OFDM signals are coordinated. The meaning of "coordinated" is to be understood as the OFDM signals are time- synchronized and the determination of whether the OFDM signals are coordinated may involve such actions as reading broadcast or receiving configuration message transmitted in the system, determining a relation (for instance cell/access point beam identity) between transmitted synchronization or reference signals. If the OFDM signals are determined to be coordinated, time and/or frequency offset for the second OFDM signal having the second subcarrier spacing is derived based on the time and/or frequency offset associated with the first OFDM signal having the first subcarrier spacing.