Network Node Timing Synchronization via Propagation Delay Bias Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ultra-dense networks, achieving backhaul link synchronization between access nodes is challenging due to propagation delays, which lead to timing and phase errors, and conventional solutions increase signaling overhead, especially with a large number of nodes.
Innovation Solution
A method and network node that iteratively update timing values based on synchronization signals from neighboring nodes, determine when the timing value is in a stable state, calculate a bias due to propagation delays, and correct the timing value to mitigate the effect of these delays without increasing signaling overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If timing advance update is used to mitigate propagation delay, then timing synchronization accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the propagation delay component from the timing update process by using a two-stage approach: first obtaining initial timing values from synchronization signals, then separately calculating and removing the propagation delay effect through timing difference computation between consecutive iterations, thereby achieving accurate synchronization without requiring additional timing advance signaling
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing synchronization signaling infrastructure to achieve propagation delay mitigation. By utilizing the synchronization signals already being exchanged between access nodes and computing timing differences across iterations, the system self-corrects for propagation delays without requiring external timing advance commands or additional signaling overhead
2Adaptability or versatility
If distributed synchronization is implemented in ultra-dense networks, then synchronization coverage is improved, but propagation delay effects worsen timing accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an iterative feedback mechanism where timing values are continuously refined across multiple iterations. Each access node uses feedback from its own timing value evolution and from neighboring nodes' synchronization signals to progressively reduce timing errors and compensate for propagation delay effects, achieving both wide coverage and high accuracy in ultra-dense networks
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a method for facilitating timing synchronization in a network. The method comprises, at a network node: updating a timing value of the network node iteratively based on synchronization signals from neighboring network nodes; determining that the timing value is in a stable state; calculating a bias due to propagation delays of the synchronization signals based on a number of timing values obtained in iterations of said updating; and correcting the timing value based on the bias.