Secondary Cell Synchronization Using Primary-Cell Timing Offsets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently synchronizing secondary cells with primary cells, particularly in environments with varying network conditions, which can impact communication efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
The method involves obtaining synchronization with a secondary cell (SCell) based on an offset between its reference signal and the reference time of a primary cell (PCell), using an indication to activate the SCell, and communicating via the SCell based on this synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional synchronization methods are used for SCell, then synchronization can be achieved independently of PCell, but communication efficiency and reliability deteriorate due to lack of coordinated timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the synchronization processes of PCell and SCell by establishing a timing relationship where SCell synchronization is derived from PCell synchronization. The network device coordinates both cells' synchronization signals and reference signals, ensuring unified timing across carrier frequencies, which resolves the contradiction between independent synchronization and communication efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The network device acts as an intermediary that transmits configuration information about synchronization signal positions and reference signal offsets to the terminal device. This intermediary coordination ensures that the terminal can efficiently synchronize with both PCell and SCell while maintaining reliable timing relationships, improving both synchronization reliability and communication efficiency.
2Productivity
If SCell activation indication is transmitted, then SCell can be activated for communication, but synchronization accuracy may be compromised without proper timing offset configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The network device performs preliminary configuration by transmitting information about synchronization signal positions and reference signal offsets before activating the SCell. This preliminary setup ensures that when the SCell is activated, the terminal device already has the necessary timing information to achieve accurate synchronization, thus maintaining both communication efficiency and synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by configuring specific timing offsets between synchronization signals on different carrier frequencies and adjusting reference signal positions. These parameter adjustments enable the terminal to accurately determine timing relationships when SCell is activated, ensuring synchronization accuracy is maintained while enabling efficient communication.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a wireless communication device may obtain synchronization with a primary cell of a wireless network. The wireless communication device may receive an indication to activate a secondary cell of the wireless network. The wireless communication device may receive a reference signal (RS) of the secondary cell. The wireless communication device may obtain synchronization with the secondary cell based at least in part on an offset between the RS of the secondary cell and a reference time of the primary cell, the reference time based at least in part on the synchronization with the primary cell. The wireless communication device may communicate via the secondary cell based at least in part on the synchronization with the secondary cell. Numerous other aspects are described.