Timing Synchronization with RTT Compensation for 5G IIoT
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in outdoor scenarios with 5G-capable IIoT devices, achieving precise timing synchronization between base stations and user equipment (UEs) is challenging due to large propagation delays, which can exceed the ≤1 μs accuracy required by IEEE1588v2/Precision Time Protocol, leading to interference and data loss if not accurately compensated.
Innovation Solution
A method where base stations send timing information to UEs with Round-Trip Time (RTT) compensation, allowing UEs to adjust their local clocks for high precision synchronization, while also configuring different timing correction granularities for various UEs to meet the synchronization accuracy parameter, enabling precise timing synchronization in outdoor scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RTT compensation is applied to achieve high precision timing synchronization (≤1 μs) for IIoT UEs in outdoor scenarios, then timing synchronization accuracy is improved, but system complexity and overhead increase due to additional compensation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different timing correction granularities to different UE types. IIoT UEs receive high-precision RTT compensation (≤1 μs) to meet industrial synchronization requirements, while other UEs use standard timing without RTT compensation. This local differentiation allows high precision where needed without universally increasing system complexity across all UEs.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station performs RTT measurement and compensation calculation in advance before actual timing synchronization is needed. The base station measures round-trip time, calculates the compensation value, and prepares timing information with pre-computed corrections, reducing real-time processing complexity during actual synchronization operations.
2Measurement precision
If RTT compensation is implemented for outdoor scenarios with large propagation delays, then timing synchronization accuracy is improved, but the overhead for timing information transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
RTT compensation and enhanced timing information are transmitted only to IIoT UEs that require high precision synchronization, rather than to all UEs. This selective approach minimizes overhead by delivering detailed compensation data only where propagation delays are significant and synchronization accuracy is critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the granularity parameter of timing information based on UE requirements. For IIoT UEs, the timing information includes fine-grained RTT compensation at ≤1 μs precision, while other UEs receive coarser timing information. This parameter adaptation reduces information overhead by matching the level of detail to actual operational needs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different timing correction granularities are configured for various UEs, then adaptability to different synchronization requirements is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station configures different timing correction granularities locally for different UE types. IIoT UEs receive high-precision timing correction (≤1 μs) to meet industrial requirements, while other UEs receive standard timing correction. This localized configuration approach enables adaptability without requiring complex unified handling of all UE types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts timing correction parameters based on UE identification and requirements. The base station determines the appropriate granularity level (high precision for IIoT, standard for others) and applies it accordingly. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to handle diverse synchronization needs without pre-configuring complex parameters for all scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication system is provided allowing a base station to indicate RTT compensation for UEs to adjust their local time clocks to correct propagation delay timing errors and synchronize with the global clock of a base station. A base station sends a downlink transmission including timing information to a UE and receives an uplink transmission from the UE after the downlink transmission. The base station determines a RTT compensation associated with the timing information based on a RTT between the downlink transmission and the uplink transmission. The base station then transmits the RTT compensation to the UE. UEs are thus allowed to synchronize at a high precision with the time clock of the base station. UEs may be configured with different resolutions or granularities in timing correction so that certain UEs can achieve high precision timing correction while other UEs can adjust their time clocks with less precision.