Sidelink Groupcast Timing Synchronization with Dynamic PD Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G systems face challenges in achieving accurate time synchronization due to propagation delay compensation errors, particularly in scenarios where UEs are not fully synchronized with gNB timing, leading to potential inaccuracies in time synchronization for industrial internet of things (IIoT) and time sensitive communications (TSC) services.
Innovation Solution
A device-to-device (D2D) assisted mechanism using sidelink (SL) groupcast communication to determine whether propagation delay (PD) compensation is necessary by exchanging PD information over SL control channels and receiving acknowledgements or non-acknowledgements from group members, enabling or disabling PD compensation based on similarity of PD among UEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If propagation delay compensation is enabled based on timing advance methods, then time synchronization is attempted, but synchronization accuracy deteriorates when UEs are not fully synchronized with gNB timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sidelink communication as an intermediary mechanism between UEs for direct timing information exchange. Instead of relying solely on gNB-mediated timing advance commands, UEs use SL control channels to share propagation delay information and timing data directly, enabling more accurate mutual synchronization that compensates for limitations in traditional uplink/downlink timing advance methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where UEs exchange timing information and propagation delay data through sidelink control channels. Receiving UEs provide feedback about their timing status and propagation characteristics, allowing transmitting UEs to adjust their timing compensation dynamically. This closed-loop feedback system enables continuous refinement of synchronization accuracy based on actual measured conditions rather than static timing advance commands
2Measurement precision
If propagation delay information is exchanged among all UEs in the group, then synchronization accuracy improves, but device complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having each UE transmit its specific propagation delay information and timing characteristics only to relevant receiving UEs through sidelink control channels. Instead of universal broadcasting to all group members, the mechanism enables targeted, localized information exchange between specific UE pairs or subsets, reducing overall signaling complexity while maintaining synchronization precision where needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the timing synchronization process into multiple independent sidelink communication channels and message types. Different UEs can participate in different synchronization groups or pairs, with timing information exchanged through dedicated SL control channel resources. This segmentation allows the system to scale from simple two-UE synchronization to complex multi-UE groups without requiring all UEs to process all timing information, reducing individual device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for device-to-device (D2D) assisted 5G timing synchronization by enabling or disabling time compensation are provided. One method may include determining to initiate a procedure to determine whether to enable or disable propagation delay (PD) compensation for acquiring 5G system (5GS) timing with a sidelink (SL) group of user equipment. When it is determined to initiate the procedure, the method may include transmitting propagation delay (PD) information of the user equipment as a sidelink (SL) groupcast message over a sidelink (SL) control channel to at least one of the group of user equipment, receiving at least one of acknowledgement or nonacknowledgement from one or more of the group of user equipment, and determining whether to enable or disable the propagation delay (PD) compensation based on the received acknowledgement or nonacknowledgement from the group of user equipment.