Sidelink Synchronization Signals for Precise D2D OFDM Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently establishing device-to-device synchronization for direct communications, particularly in scenarios where existing synchronization signals and methods do not provide adequate precision or efficiency, leading to suboptimal system performance and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of sidelink synchronization signals that include a first synchronization signal providing coarse synchronization and a second signal providing fine synchronization, along with an identifier, allowing UEs to establish synchronized sidelink communications efficiently. These signals leverage existing reference signals like SRS, CSI-RS, PBCH, PDCCH, PSS, and SSS, minimizing additional complexity for UEs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single synchronization signal is used for D2D communication, then the signal structure is simple, but the synchronization precision is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization precisionVSAvoidsignal structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization signal is divided into two distinct parts: a first synchronization signal (PSSS) providing coarse timing synchronization and a second synchronization signal (SSSS) providing fine timing synchronization and cell identity information. This segmentation allows each signal to be optimized for its specific function, achieving high synchronization precision without requiring a single overly complex signal structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple synchronization signals are transmitted, then synchronization reliability is improved, but the complexity of signal processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization reliabilityVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The two-stage synchronization approach segments the synchronization process into coarse acquisition followed by fine adjustment. The receiving device first detects the PSSS for coarse timing, then uses this information to efficiently search for the SSSS. This segmentation improves reliability through multiple detection stages while controlling processing complexity by using the first signal's results to guide the second signal's detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first synchronization signal (PSSS) is transmitted and detected before the second synchronization signal (SSSS). The coarse timing information obtained from PSSS detection serves as a preliminary action that narrows the search space for SSSS detection, making the overall process more efficient and reliable while managing computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing reference signals are reused for synchronization, then UE complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different communication scenarios is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescenario adaptabilityVSAvoidUE implementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reuses existing UE capabilities and signal structures (PSSS and SSSS formats similar to cellular PSS/SSS) for D2D synchronization. This universal approach allows UEs to leverage their existing synchronization algorithms and hardware, reducing implementation complexity while maintaining adaptability through flexible configuration of these signals for different D2D scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3984298B1Device-to-device synchronization in wireless communications
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3984298B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3984298B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3984298B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described in which synchronization of one or more direct communications links between a user equipment (UE) and one or more other UEs is provided by one or more sidelink synchronization signals. The sidelink synchronization signals may include a first sidelink synchronization signal that provides a relatively coarse synchronization (e.g., providing rough timing information about the start of the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, without providing any information identifying the source of the signal) that may be used to identify a search space for a second sidelink synchronization signal that provides relatively fine synchronization (e.g., identifying more precisely the OFDM symbol boundaries) and an identifier of the device that is transmitting the sidelink synchronization signals.