RF Time Offset Detection for Fronthaul Fault Handling

Solution Overview

Problem

In distributed base station architectures, manual operation and test instruments are required for fault handling due to transmission path issues, leading to high operation and maintenance costs and low efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A communication method that synchronizes time information through both fronthaul and air interfaces to determine clock offsets, enabling automated fault handling without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual operation and test instruments are used for fault handling, then measurement precision can be ensured, but operation and maintenance costs increase and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime synchronization measurement precisionVSAvoidfault handling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically comparing time information from the air interface with synchronized time information from the fronthaul interface to detect transmission path faults, eliminating the need for manual intervention and external test instruments while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors time synchronization status by comparing time information obtained through different interfaces and uses the feedback from this comparison to automatically trigger fault handling procedures, improving both measurement precision and fault handling efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If manual operation and test instruments are used for fault handling, then measurement precision can be ensured, but operation and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime synchronization measurement precisionVSAvoidoperation and maintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically comparing time information from the air interface with synchronized time information from the fronthaul interface to detect transmission path faults, eliminating the need for manual intervention and external test instruments while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The time synchronization mechanism serves dual purposes: it maintains clock synchronization between radio frequency devices and simultaneously provides a diagnostic tool for detecting transmission path faults, eliminating the need for separate test instruments and reducing operational costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If manual operation and test instruments are used for fault handling, then measurement precision can be ensured, but fault handling time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime synchronization measurement precisionVSAvoidfault handling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically comparing time information from the air interface with synchronized time information from the fronthaul interface to detect transmission path faults, eliminating the need for manual intervention and external test instruments while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors time synchronization status in the background, performing preliminary detection of time offsets before faults affect service quality, enabling early intervention and reducing fault handling time when issues arise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250344168A1Communication method and apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

This application discloses a communication method and apparatus. A radio frequency device receives first time information transmitted through an air interface and second time information transmitted through a fronthaul interface, and the radio frequency device sends clock offset information, where the clock offset information indicates an offset between the first time information and the second time information. The clock offset information may be applied to fault handling of the fronthaul interface.