Multimode Frequency Correction Using a Shared System Clock
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile communication devices require redundant communication circuits to handle multiple radio access technologies, leading to increased size, cost, and reduced mean time between failures due to duplicate components.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing a single system clock for frequency synchronization, allowing a frequency synthesizer to synchronize with either the serving cell or adjacent cells without altering the system clock synchronization, thereby eliminating the need for redundant hardware and minimizing timing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If redundant communication circuits are added to support multiple radio access technologies, then the device can communicate with more networks, but the device size, manufacturing cost, and component failure risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal frequency correction device that can operate with multiple radio access technologies (CDMA, GSM, TDMA, etc.) by using a single system clock that can be frequency corrected to match different carrier frequencies. This eliminates the need for separate frequency correction devices for each technology, reducing component duplication while maintaining multi-technology compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple frequency correction functions into a single frequency correction device that shares the system clock. Instead of having separate frequency correction paths for different radio access technologies, the system uses one frequency correction device that can be dynamically adjusted to support various carrier frequencies and modulation schemes, thereby consolidating hardware resources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple system clocks are used to support different radio access technologies, then each technology can be optimized, but the device size increases and reliability decreases due to more failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal system clock that can be frequency corrected to operate with multiple radio access technologies. This single clock replaces multiple technology-specific clocks, reducing the total component count and potential failure points while maintaining the ability to support different carrier frequencies and modulation systems through software-controlled frequency adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for synchronizing a system clock with a serving cell (102) associated with a first radio access technology and monitoring an adjacent cell (104) associated with a second radio access technology is provided. A communication device (100) includes a first synchronization device (205) capable of synchronization with the serving cell (102) and a second synchronization device (206) capable of independently synchronizing with the adjacent cell (104). The first synchronization device (205) and second synchronization device (206) include independent frequency correction modules (207,208). Thus, the second frequency synchronization device (206) may be corrected per the adjacent cell (104) while the first synchronization device (205) remains synchronized with the serving cell (102). Thus, the same corrected system clock may be used between two radio access technologies.