Radio Relay Time Synchronization via Embedded Clock Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio relays face challenges in synchronizing transmitting and receiving devices, especially when transmission parameters change rapidly, requiring precise clock synchronization and additional control information for secure and efficient radio signal forwarding, particularly in mobile applications where weight and complexity are concerns.

Innovation Solution

A method for time-locked coupling of receiving and transmitting devices in a radio relay involves reading control information and time schedules from received signals, transmitting them to the transmitting device, and using this information to synchronize the devices without a separate clock signal connection, thereby eliminating the need for additional cabling and reducing weight and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a separate clock signal connection is used to synchronize transmitting and receiving devices, then synchronization precision is improved, but device complexity and material costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the clock signal transmission with the control information transmission by embedding the clock signal within the control information frames. This merging eliminates the need for a separate clock connection while maintaining synchronization precision, directly resolving the contradiction between synchronization accuracy and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control information connection serves dual purposes: it transmits both control information and clock synchronization signals. This multi-functionality approach allows the same communication channel to fulfill multiple roles, reducing the need for additional dedicated clock wiring and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If a separate clock signal connection is used to synchronize transmitting and receiving devices, then synchronization precision is improved, but material costs and testing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the clock signal into the control information transmission channel, the patent eliminates the need for separate clock cables and associated connectors. This reduction in physical components directly lowers material costs and simplifies assembly and testing procedures, addressing the manufacturing cost concern while preserving synchronization precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If transmission parameters are changed rapidly to increase security, then encryption integrity is improved, but clock synchronization difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveencryption integrityVSAvoidclock synchronization difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds the clock signal in advance within the control information frames that are continuously transmitted. This preliminary inclusion of timing information allows the receiving device to maintain accurate synchronization even when transmission parameters change rapidly, as the clock reference is already available in the incoming data stream without requiring additional processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2152042B1Method and radio relay with rigid time coupling between a receiving and a transmitting device
Publication Date: 2014.03.19 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2152042B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The method involves receiving a radio signal on a receiving device (2), and reading-out control information of the radio signal in the receiving device. A time schedule of the radio signal is determined in the receiving device, where the schedule and information are transmitted and read-out from the receiving device to a transmitting device (3) in a signal by adjusting the transmitted information in the determined schedule. A time structure of the transmitted information is analyzed and underlying schedule is determined, and the transmitting device is synchronized at the determined schedule. An independent claim is also included for a radio relay for time synchronized transmission during transmission of a radio signal.