Synthetic Wide Area Base Station Sync for Scalable mmWave Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks face challenges in efficiently scaling to large numbers of nodes without significant latency and interference, particularly in millimeter-wave frequency ranges, due to issues with phase coherence, interference, and complex equalization processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a digital Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter in the digital domain after analog-to-digital conversion, combined with a direct conversion architecture and phase synchronization mechanisms, to achieve coherent signal transmission and reduce interference in a millimeter-wave frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional communication networks are scaled to large numbers of nodes in millimeter-wave frequency ranges, then network coverage and capacity are improved, but phase coherence is lost and interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network is divided into multiple synchronization domains, each with its own reference clock. Nodes are segmented into different domains based on their geographic location and timing requirements. This allows phase coherence to be maintained within each domain while enabling large-scale network expansion across multiple domains without requiring global phase coherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing parameter by introducing asynchronous operation between synchronization domains. Instead of requiring all nodes to operate with synchronized clocks, domains can operate with different timing references. This parameter change allows the network to scale to large numbers of nodes while maintaining reliability within each domain through local phase coherence.
2Quantity of substance
If more nodes are added to the network, then network capacity is improved, but latency increases due to complex equalization processes
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the network into synchronization domains with local timing references, the patent eliminates the need for complex global equalization processes. Each domain can independently manage its timing, reducing processing complexity and latency while supporting network expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces domain boundary nodes as intermediaries that handle timing synchronization between domains. These intermediary nodes perform minimal equalization and timing adjustment functions, reducing overall network latency compared to traditional approaches that require complex equalization across the entire network.
3Reliability
If traditional synchronization methods are used across large networks, then phase coherence is maintained, but device complexity and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization system is segmented into independent domains, each with its own reference clock and timing management. This eliminates the need for complex global synchronization mechanisms while maintaining phase coherence within each domain. The complexity is reduced from O(n²) in traditional global synchronization to O(n) in the domain-based approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local timing quality within each synchronization domain rather than requiring uniform global timing quality. Each domain can optimize its timing characteristics locally, reducing the complexity of synchronization while maintaining high phase coherence within domains. Boundary nodes provide sufficient coordination between domains without requiring complex inter-domain synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises a wireless network comprising (1) first nodes that serve as a synthetic wide area base station for communicating data with a mobile handset and (2) second nodes that serve as a repeater network for propagating the data going to or from the synthetic wide area base station. The mobile handset includes multiple antennas that point in different directions. Different ones of the first nodes communicate the data to or from the mobile handset via wireless signals in accordance with the antennas' directionality. The wireless signals share the same frequency, encode the data, and are (1) respectively received by the different first nodes from different ones of the antennas or (2) respectively transmitted by the different first nodes for reception by different ones of the antennas. The nodes propagate the data via multiple paths through the wireless network as millimeter wave wireless signals that provide time-shifted representations of the data.