Wireless Repeater Synchronization Using PCell Timing for SCells

Solution Overview

Problem

In high-frequency wireless networks, such as those operating in the sub-Terahertz band, signals experience high propagation loss and limited coverage, necessitating repeaters to extend network coverage. However, synchronization with secondary cells (SCells) using only SCell signals can be time-consuming and power-intensive, leading to communication errors and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A repeater system that utilizes primary cell (PCell) synchronization to facilitate rapid synchronization with secondary cells (SCells) by leveraging PCell timing references, reducing latency and power consumption through a progressive synchronization approach.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If synchronization with SCells is performed using only SCell signals, then the SCell can operate independently, but the synchronization process becomes time-consuming and power-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidsynchronization latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The repeater performs preliminary synchronization with the PCell before SCell operations. The PCell provides advance timing references and synchronization signals that prepare the repeater's timing infrastructure, so when SCell synchronization is needed, the repeater already has established timing relationships and can quickly align with SCell signals without performing a complete synchronization procedure from scratch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The PCell acts as an intermediary between the network and the SCell for synchronization purposes. Instead of the repeater directly synchronizing with SCell signals alone, the PCell provides timing references and synchronization information that mediate the synchronization process, enabling the repeater to achieve SCell synchronization more efficiently by leveraging the already-established PCell timing relationship.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If synchronization with SCells is performed using only SCell signals, then the SCell can operate independently, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The repeater performs preliminary synchronization with the PCell before SCell operations. The PCell provides advance timing references and synchronization signals that prepare the repeater's timing infrastructure, so when SCell synchronization is needed, the repeater already has established timing relationships and can quickly align with SCell signals without performing a complete synchronization procedure from scratch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The PCell acts as an intermediary between the network and the SCell for synchronization purposes. Instead of the repeater directly synchronizing with SCell signals alone, the PCell provides timing references and synchronization information that mediate the synchronization process, enabling the repeater to achieve SCell synchronization more efficiently by leveraging the already-established PCell timing relationship.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If repeaters are deployed to extend coverage in high-frequency networks, then network coverage is improved, but signal propagation loss remains a limiting factor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoidsignal propagation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The repeater serves as an intermediary node between the base station and remote user equipment. It receives signals from the base station, amplifies them, and retransmits them to extend coverage to areas that would otherwise be unreachable due to high propagation loss at millimeter wave frequencies. The same applies in reverse for uplink signals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication link is segmented into multiple hops: base station to repeater, and repeater to user equipment. This segmentation allows the total propagation loss to be distributed across multiple shorter links rather than one extremely long link, making coverage extension feasible in high-frequency networks where signal attenuation is severe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12556205B2Repeater

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a repeater may receive control information via a user equipment (UE) entity of the repeater, the control information associated with operation of a wideband entity and a narrowband entity of the repeater. The repeater may receive synchronization information via the narrowband entity, the synchronization information associated with synchronization of wideband communications of the wideband entity. The repeater may receive and forwarding the wideband communications via the wideband entity and based at least in part on the control information and the synchronization information. Numerous other aspects are described.