OFDM Symbol Timing for Precise Ranging and Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing OFDM-based wireless communication systems face challenges in achieving precise ranging, angle measurement, and positioning due to synchronization phase errors, leading to inaccuracies in measurement results.

Innovation Solution

Implementing fixed intervals between signal transmission and reception start points for OFDM symbols to reduce synchronization errors, allowing for precise channel estimation and correction of measurement results, thereby improving the accuracy of ranging, angle measurement, and positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If OFDM signal processing is used for wireless communication, then communication speed and data transmission capability are improved, but synchronization phase errors are introduced leading to poor measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidranging and positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and setting fixed time intervals (first preset duration and second preset duration) between signal transmission and reception. This predetermined timing arrangement allows the receiving device to accurately determine when to sample the incoming OFDM signal, compensating for synchronization phase errors before they degrade measurement precision. The fixed intervals are established in advance to align the receiving window with the actual signal arrival time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the time parameter by introducing fixed duration intervals between transmission and reception operations. Instead of using arbitrary or dynamically adjusted timing, the system employs predetermined time offsets (first preset duration for transmitter, second preset duration for receiver) that are carefully selected to compensate for known synchronization delays in OFDM processing, thereby improving measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If any point in the cyclic prefix of an OFDM symbol is used as the receiving start point, then operation flexibility is improved, but synchronization errors increase leading to large measurement errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceiving start point selection flexibilityVSAvoidranging result accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by designating a specific, optimized receiving start point within the cyclic prefix region rather than allowing arbitrary selection. The fixed second preset duration is calculated to position the receiving window at the optimal location where synchronization phase errors are minimized. This localized optimization of the receiving start point maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary action by pre-calculating the optimal receiving start point position (second preset duration) before signal transmission. This predetermined timing offset is established based on expected synchronization delays, allowing the receiving device to be pre-configured with the correct sampling window position, thereby eliminating the need for dynamic adjustment while achieving high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If fixed intervals are implemented between transmission and reception time points, then synchronization error is reduced improving measurement precision, but system complexity increases due to precise timing control requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel estimation accuracyVSAvoidtiming control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the timing parameters by introducing fixed duration intervals (first preset duration and second preset duration) that are carefully calculated to compensate for synchronization delays. These parameter changes transform the timing control from a complex dynamic adjustment system into a simpler fixed-offset system, reducing the computational burden while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies self-service by having each device (transmitter and receiver) independently apply its own fixed time offset (first preset duration for transmitter, second preset duration for receiver) to its operations. This decentralized approach eliminates the need for complex centralized timing coordination, allowing each device to autonomously compensate for synchronization errors using predetermined values, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4694215A1Communication system, communication processing method, and related device
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4694215A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4694215A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4694215A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A communication system, a communication processing method, and a related apparatus are provided. The communication system includes a first node and a second node. The first node is configured to send a first OFDM symbol to the second node, where a sending start time point of the first OFDM symbol is a first time point. The second node is configured to receive the first OFDM symbol, where a receiving start time point of the first OFDM symbol is a second time point. The second node is configured to start to send a second OFDM symbol to the first node at a third time point, where there is an interval of first preset duration between the third time point and the second time point. The first node is configured to start to receive the second OFDM symbol at a fourth time point, where the fourth time point serves as a receiving start time point at which the first node receives the second OFDM symbol, and there is an interval of second preset duration between the fourth time point and the first time point. The first OFDM symbol and the second OFDM symbol are used for ranging, angle measurement, or positioning. According to embodiments of this application, measurement precision can be improved.