Terminal Time Synchronization Using Shorter Timestamp Ranges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems consume excessive power due to the use of 64-bit timestamp information, which is unnecessary for most terminal devices and not conducive to energy saving, especially for zero power devices relying on ambient power harvesting.
Innovation Solution
Configuring a shorter time range for timestamp information indicated by the network device, allowing for power-efficient time synchronization without losing synchronization with the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If 64-bit timestamp information is used for time synchronization, then time synchronization accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary portion of timestamp information needed for time synchronization. Instead of transmitting full 64-bit timestamps, the system transmits only the difference between current timestamp and previous timestamp (which is much smaller), thereby extracting only the essential time delta information while discarding redundant data, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining synchronization accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation from absolute 64-bit timestamps to relative time differences. By transforming the time synchronization mechanism from using large absolute values to using small relative differences, the system reduces the amount of data transmission and processing required, thereby reducing power consumption while preserving the necessary time synchronization precision
2Loss of information
If 64-bit timestamp information is transmitted, then complete time information is provided, but data transmission volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential time difference information from the complete timestamp data. By transmitting only the delta between timestamps rather than the full 64-bit timestamp values, the system extracts the minimum necessary information for time synchronization, reducing data transmission volume while maintaining time information completeness for synchronization purposes
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of transmitting the original large 64-bit timestamp values, the patent creates a simplified copy representing only the time difference. This copied representation contains the essential time information needed for synchronization but occupies much less space, thereby reducing data transmission volume while preserving the functional equivalence of the original time information
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments of the present application provide an information indication method. The information indication method includes: receiving by a terminal device, an indication for time information from a network device, where a time range corresponding to the time information is configured by the network device.