Radio Receiver Timing Synchronization With Low-Power Clocking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional radio receivers in cellular networks, particularly in LTE systems, face challenges with timing precision due to asynchronous analogue-to-digital converter sample rates, leading to power inefficiencies and signal demodulation issues, especially in low-power applications.
Innovation Solution
A radio receiver device with an analogue-to-digital converter clocked by a first clock signal, a digital processing unit clocked by a second clock derived from the first, and a network timer for precise synchronization, allowing the receiver to operate based on a local reference of an external network clock, thereby improving timing precision and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the analogue-to-digital converter is clocked at a high frequency to achieve precise timing synchronization with the network, then timing precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the clock frequency adaptive rather than fixed. The ADC clock frequency is dynamically adjusted based on the required timing precision and network conditions. The system can operate at higher frequencies when precise timing is needed and at lower frequencies when power saving is prioritized, resolving the contradiction between timing precision and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the clock frequency parameter dynamically. By varying the ADC sampling frequency according to network requirements and power availability, the system achieves precise timing when needed while consuming less power during normal operation. This parameter adjustment resolves the trade-off between timing accuracy and energy usage.
2Measurement precision
If digital signal processors are used at high power to synchronize with network time base, then timing synchronization is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simpler, lower-power timing mechanism instead of high-power digital signal processors. The system employs a basic clock synchronization approach using the ADC's internal timing resources, which are sufficient for the required precision but consume significantly less power than dedicated high-performance DSPs would require.
Solution Approach 2:
The ADC and digital processing units utilize their own internal timing resources and clock domains to achieve synchronization without requiring external high-power processing. The system serves its own timing needs through integrated clock management, eliminating the need for separate high-consumption synchronization hardware.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the receiver operates asynchronously with network time base to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but timing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic clock domain management where the receiver can switch between synchronous and asynchronous operation modes. When power efficiency is prioritized, the system operates asynchronously with reduced timing requirements. When precise timing is needed, it synchronizes with the network time base, dynamically adapting to resolve the contradiction between power efficiency and timing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial synchronization rather than full continuous synchronization. The receiver synchronizes with the network time base only when necessary for specific operations or at lower precision levels during normal operation, achieving adequate timing precision while maintaining power efficiency through selective rather than continuous synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio receiver device comprises an analogue-to-digital converter clocked by a first clock signal which receives a radio signal. A digital circuit portion receives a digital signal produced by the analogue-to-digital converter and comprises digital processing units clocked by a second clock derived from the first clock and which produce an output signal at an output sample rate. A counter clocked by the second clock counts samples at the output sample rate. A network timer clocked by a reference of a network clock produces a receiver enable flag synchronised to the first clock. The counter is enabled when the flag is set and sets a trigger flag when the count exceeds a predetermined threshold. A buffer receives the output signal and is enabled when the trigger flag is set.