Inter-Station Synchronization Using Timing Advance Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inter-station synchronization methods in wireless communications face accuracy issues due to long distances between stations, leading to decreased synchronization accuracy and lack of absolute time synchronization.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a synchronization station listening to a reference signal from a source station, sending a second reference signal, and calculating a time difference to adjust its own time, ensuring absolute synchronization by using the source station's time as a reference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network listening method is used for synchronization, then synchronization can be maintained between base stations, but synchronization accuracy decreases when stations are far apart due to non-negligible transmission time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a timing advance value as an intermediary parameter that compensates for transmission time delays. The source base station calculates the timing advance based on distance and transmits it to the synchronization base station, which then uses this value to adjust its timing, effectively mediating the synchronization accuracy issue caused by long transmission distances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating the timing advance value before actual signal transmission. The source base station determines the timing advance based on expected transmission distance and characteristics, and provides this compensation value in advance to the synchronization base station, allowing the latter to pre-adjust its timing before receiving and transmitting signals
2Reliability
If existing synchronization method is used, then relative time synchronization can be achieved, but absolute time synchronization is not implemented because the synchronization station's own time is not adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the source base station calculate and provide timing advance information to the synchronization base station. The synchronization base station receives this feedback about its timing offset and adjusts its local clock accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that achieves both relative and absolute time synchronization
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization base station performs self-service by autonomously adjusting its own time based on the timing advance value received from the source base station. Rather than relying on external time sources, the system enables each base station to self-correct its timing using the provided reference information
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
An inter-station synchronization method, a base station, and a control network element are provided. The inter-station synchronization method includes: listening, by a first synchronization station, to a first reference signal sent by a source station, and sending a second reference signal to the source station; obtaining, by the first synchronization station, a time difference Δt1 between the first synchronization station and the source station, where Δt1 is obtained by the first synchronization station, the source station, or a control network element according to a first time parameter of the first reference signal and a second time parameter of the second reference signal, the first time parameter includes a transmit time point t1 and a receive time point t2 of the first reference signal, and the second time parameter includes a transmit time point t3 and a receive time point t4 of the second reference signal; and adjusting, by the first synchronization station, current time of the first synchronization station according to Δt1. With the present invention, accuracy of synchronization between stations can be improved, and absolute time synchronization can be implemented between stations.