Single-Clock Frequency Correction for Multimode Cell Synchronization

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile communication devices require redundant circuitry to communicate with multiple radio access technologies, leading to increased size, cost, and reduced mean time between failures due to duplicate components.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus utilizing a single system clock for frequency synchronization, allowing a frequency synthesizer to synchronize with either the serving cell or adjacent cells without altering the system clock synchronization, thereby eliminating the need for redundant hardware and minimizing timing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If redundant communication circuitry is added to support multiple radio access technologies, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to communicate with multiple radio access technologiesVSAvoidnumber of duplicate components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal frequency correction device that can operate with multiple radio access technologies (CDMA, GSM, TDMA, etc.) by using a single system clock and frequency synthesizer. The frequency correction device is configured to work with different carrier frequencies and modulation systems through software control rather than hardware duplication, allowing one device to perform multiple functions across different network types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters (carrier frequency, modulation type, synchronization settings) of a single frequency correction device to adapt to different radio access technologies. The system clock and frequency synthesizer can be reconfigured through control logic to match the specific parameters of whichever network type is being accessed, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware for each technology

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If redundant communication circuitry is added to support multiple radio access technologies, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to communicate with multiple radio access technologiesVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal frequency correction device that can operate with multiple radio access technologies (CDMA, GSM, TDMA, etc.) by using a single system clock and frequency synthesizer. The frequency correction device is configured to work with different carrier frequencies and modulation systems through software control rather than hardware duplication, allowing one device to perform multiple functions across different network types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of physically duplicating hardware components for each radio access technology, the patent uses software-based configuration and control logic to create virtual copies of the frequency correction functionality. The same physical hardware can be programmed to emulate different technology-specific behaviors, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining multi-technology support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If redundant communication circuitry is added to support multiple radio access technologies, then adaptability is improved, but mean time between failures decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to communicate with multiple radio access technologiesVSAvoidmean time between failures

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal frequency correction device that can operate with multiple radio access technologies (CDMA, GSM, TDMA, etc.) by using a single system clock and frequency synthesizer. The frequency correction device is configured to work with different carrier frequencies and modulation systems through software control rather than hardware duplication, allowing one device to perform multiple functions across different network types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential frequency correction functionality from technology-specific hardware implementations and consolidates it into a single universal device. By removing the need for duplicate components and reducing the overall component count, the system eliminates potential failure points while maintaining the capability to support multiple radio access technologies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP1919103B8Method and apparatus for automatic frequency correction in a multimode device

Publication Date: 2016.11.30 GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for synchronizing a system clock with a serving cell associated with a first radio access technology and monitoring an adjacent cell associated with a second radio access technology is provided. A communication device includes a first synchronization device (205) capable of synchronization with the serving cell and a second synchronization device (206) capable of independently synchronizing with the adjacent cell. The first synchronization device (205) and second synchronization device (206) include independent frequency correction modules (207,208). Thus, the second frequency synchronization device (206) may be corrected per the adjacent cell while the first synchronization device (205) remains synchronized with the serving cell. Thus, the same corrected system clock may be used between two radio access technologies.