Base Station Clock Synchronization via RF Interface Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless base station synchronization methods face challenges such as complexity in engineering installation, high cost, and low reliability due to the need for antennas and dedicated cables for clock synchronization between the radio frequency and base band modules.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses one or more time generators on the radio frequency module to generate and transmit synchronous signals to a time distributor on the base band module, which adjusts the clock signal for synchronization between the radio frequency and base band modules without relying on antennas or dedicated cables, utilizing a star, link, ring, or tree network topology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the clock source is located at the REC/BB and distributed to the RE/RFM through the base band radio frequency interface, then the synchronization between base band and radio frequency modules is achieved, but the engineering installation becomes complex and may even lead to network construction infeasibility due to antenna arrangement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional clock distribution architecture by placing the clock source at the RE/RFM side instead of the REC/BB side. The RE/RFM generates the clock signal locally and transmits it to the REC/BB through the base band radio frequency interface, eliminating the need for separate antenna arrangements at the REC/BB location and simplifying engineering installation while maintaining synchronization reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the base band radio frequency interface serve dual purposes: both data transmission and clock signal transmission. By embedding the clock signal within the existing interface protocol, the system eliminates the need for dedicated cable paths or separate antenna arrangements, reducing engineering complexity while maintaining reliable synchronization
2Reliability
If the time receiver (e.g., GPS) is set at the outside of the base band and the clock synchronous signals are transmitted through a dedicated cable, then the synchronization is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to additional cables and lightening-proof circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the clock signal transmission with the existing base band radio frequency interface, combining multiple functions (data transmission and clock synchronization) into a single interface. This eliminates the need for dedicated cable paths and associated lightening-proof circuits, reducing device complexity while maintaining synchronization reliability through the integrated interface
3Reliability
If the time receiver (e.g., GPS) is set at the outside of the base band and the clock synchronous signals are transmitted through a dedicated cable, then the synchronization is achieved, but the cost increases due to additional cables and circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges clock signal transmission with the existing base band radio frequency interface, eliminating the need for dedicated cable paths and associated lightening-proof circuits. This integration reduces the bill of materials and assembly requirements, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining synchronization reliability through the unified interface
Data Source
AI summary
A system for synchronizing clock, which is used to realize the synchronization between a radio frequency module and a base band module in a base station, comprises: one or more time generators, located on the radio frequency module side, configured to generate a synchronous signal according to an external clock signal, and to send the synchronous signal to a time distributor; the time distributor, located on the base band module side, configured to generate a synchronous clock according to a synchronous signal from one of the one or more time generators, and to adjust the synchronous clock according to a communication delay between the time generator which outputs the synchronous signal and the time distributor, and to send the synchronous clock adjusted to the radio frequency module and the base band module to realize the synchronization between the radio frequency module and the base band module.