Base Station Timing Synchronization via UE-Assisted Round Trip Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems, particularly in LTE and LTE-Advanced networks, face challenges with timing synchronization between base stations, especially for indoor stations that cannot receive GPS signals and require costly outdoor antennas, and are limited by the range and protocol requirements of current synchronization methods like IEEE 1588 and wireless interface synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A user equipment (UE) is introduced to assist unsynchronized base stations in achieving timing synchronization by exchanging information and measuring signal stability among UEs, allowing the base stations to adjust their timing errors and synchronize without relying on GPS or the IEEE 1588 protocol, and enabling synchronization over longer distances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS-based timing synchronization is used, then base stations can achieve accurate timing synchronization, but indoor base stations cannot receive GPS signals and additional outdoor antennas increase cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces user equipment (UE) as an intermediary to establish timing synchronization between base stations. The UE acts as a mediator that receives reference signals from one base station, measures the round trip time, and transmits timing information to another base station, enabling indoor base stations to synchronize without direct GPS access
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic signal system with a terrestrial wireless communication-based timing synchronization system. Instead of relying on space-based GPS signals that cannot penetrate buildings, the system uses wireless communication signals that can be received by indoor base stations through normal communication channels
2Measurement precision
If IEEE 1588 protocol is used for timing synchronization, then timing can be synchronized, but the back-end network must support PTP protocol and wired network with bidirectional symmetry capability is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing synchronization function from the complex back-end network infrastructure requirements of IEEE 1588. By using UE-assisted measurement, the system achieves timing synchronization through simple wireless communication exchanges between base stations and UEs, eliminating the need for PTP protocol support in the back-end network and bidirectional symmetry in wired networks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables base stations to perform self-synchronization by having UEs measure and report round trip times directly. The base stations use these measurements to calculate and adjust their timing offsets autonomously, without requiring external network infrastructure support or complex protocol implementations
3Measurement precision
If wireless interface synchronization mechanism is used, then base stations can perform timing synchronization, but the distance between base stations cannot exceed 500 meters or four stratum levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the synchronization range by changing the measurement dimension. Instead of relying on stratum level hierarchy limits, the system uses UE-assisted round trip time measurements that can span larger geographical distances. The UE acts as a mobile reference point that can measure timing between base stations separated by distances exceeding 500 meters
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication system, a base station, a user equipment (UE), and a timing synchronization method for the base station thereof are provided. The communication system includes a first base station, a second base station and the user equipment. The UE is located within coverage of the first base station and the second base station. The first base station and the second base station respectively measure signal stability of the user equipment so that the second base station selects the user equipment based on the measurements for the stability of the signals. The first base station computes a first timing error for transmitting or receiving message between the first base station and the user equipment then transmits the first timing error to the second base station. The second base station adjusts a timing difference between the first base station and the second base station through the first timing error.