Synchronization Assistance via Timing Adjustment Values

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Solution Overview

Problem

Synchronization to a target cell in wireless communication networks is slow and prone to timing errors, especially in non-synchronized networks where pilot signals are not continuously transmitted, leading to increased computational load and risk of radio link failure.

Innovation Solution

A synchronizing assisting device and method that uses a reference signal interval to speed up synchronization by providing an adjustment value for the mobile station to synchronize to a target cell, reducing timing uncertainty and computational load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the mobile station performs synchronization without prior timing information in non-synchronized networks, then it can achieve basic signal detection, but the synchronization time becomes excessively long and computational load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming estimation accuracyVSAvoidsynchronization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The source base station performs preliminary timing measurements to the target base station and calculates adjustment values before the handover. These pre-computed timing adjustment values are provided to the mobile station to assist in rapid synchronization to the target cell, eliminating the need for the mobile station to perform exhaustive timing searches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The source base station acts as an intermediary that bridges the timing information gap between the mobile station and the target base station. By measuring timing to the target cell and providing adjustment values, the source base station mediates the synchronization process, enabling the mobile station to quickly align with the target cell without direct timing measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the mobile station performs exhaustive correlation search for synchronization, then it can find the correct timing, but the computational load and battery consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization reliabilityVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The source base station performs preliminary timing measurements and calculates optimal timing adjustment values before handover. These pre-computed values are provided to the mobile station, allowing it to directly synchronize to the target cell without performing exhaustive correlation searches, thereby reducing computational load and battery consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the mobile station to synchronize efficiently by providing it with self-service timing information. The timing adjustment values allow the mobile station to autonomously determine the correct synchronization point without requiring extensive processing or energy-intensive searches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If pilot signals are transmitted continuously from all base stations, then synchronization is simplified, but network resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization easeVSAvoidnetwork energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The source base station acts as an intermediary that provides timing assistance information to the mobile station for the target cell. This eliminates the need for the target base station to transmit continuous pilot signals, as the mobile station receives pre-computed timing adjustment values from the source base station, reducing network energy consumption while maintaining synchronization ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Timing measurements and adjustment value calculations are performed in advance by the source base station before handover occurs. This preliminary action eliminates the need for continuous pilot transmission during the synchronization process, reducing network energy consumption while maintaining ease of synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If timing measurements are performed without assistance in non-synchronized networks, then the system maintains simplicity, but timing uncertainty increases leading to false correlation peaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization system complexityVSAvoidtiming estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The source base station serves as an intermediary that provides accurate timing adjustment measurements to the mobile station. This assistance information enables the mobile station to accurately synchronize to the target cell without increasing the overall system complexity, as the source base station leverages its existing measurement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The source base station performs preliminary timing measurements to the target base station and calculates adjustment values before handover. These pre-computed accurate timing values are provided to the mobile station, enabling precise synchronization without requiring complex synchronization procedures or increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3216280B1Synchronization assistance to a mobile station
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3216280B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3216280B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3216280B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A synchronising assisting device (14) sends an adjustment value (AV) to a mobile station (12) for use when synchronising to a resource employed by the target cell (17), where the adjustment value (AV) is an estimate of the change in timing required to synchronise to a reference signal interval of the resource, and processes the adjustment value (AV) if an indication (IATC) of the actual change in timing required for synchronizing to the reference signal interval is received from the mobile station. The mobile station receives the adjustment value (AV), synchronises to the resource starting at a starting point set by the adjustment value (AV),detects a pilot signal in the reference signal interval,determines an actual change in timing required for synchronising to the reference signal interval, investigates the difference and sends an indication (IATC) of the required actual change in timing to the synchronising assisting device (14).