UE Self-Synchronization Signal Selection for Wireless Coverage Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, User Equipments (UEs) cannot communicate effectively without a Base Station (BS) synchronization signal, especially during emergency or disaster situations where the BS is unavailable, leading to a lack of synchronization and impaired communication between UEs.

Innovation Solution

UEs configure self-synchronization using first and second synchronization signals, determining which signal to transmit based on availability and quality, allowing them to maintain communication even beyond BS coverage or during BS outages, enabling both broadcast and unicast transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UEs rely on BS synchronization signal for communication, then communication quality is improved, but communication capability deteriorates when BS is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables UEs to perform self-synchronization by selecting and processing synchronization signals from available sources (BS or other UEs) without requiring continuous BS control. This self-service mechanism allows UEs to maintain communication capability independently when BS becomes unavailable, resolving the contradiction between relying on BS for quality and needing adaptability when BS is absent

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic synchronization source selection where UEs can switch between BS synchronization signals and UE-generated synchronization signals based on BS availability. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain optimal communication quality when BS is available while transitioning to alternative synchronization methods when BS is unavailable, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If UEs establish self-synchronization independently, then adaptability is improved, but synchronization precision deteriorates compared to BS-based synchronization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication adaptabilityVSAvoidsynchronization precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary synchronization signal generation and transmission by selected UEs before actual data communication begins. This preliminary action establishes a reference synchronization framework that other UEs can align to, providing sufficient precision for communication while maintaining the adaptability of independent UE-based synchronization in the absence of BS

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges BS synchronization signals and UE-generated synchronization signals into a unified synchronization framework. When both are available, the system combines them to maintain high precision; when only UE signals are available, the system adapts to provide sufficient precision for communication, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If UEs transmit synchronization signals continuously, then synchronization reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic synchronization signal transmission instead of continuous transmission. Selected UEs transmit synchronization signals at regular intervals, which maintains synchronization reliability for ongoing communication while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous transmission. This periodic action resolves the contradiction between reliability and energy usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3595373B1Synchronization method and apparatus for device to device communication in wirelss communication system
Publication Date: 2022.05.18 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3595373B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3595373B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3595373B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed is a method of transmitting/receiving a signal by a transmission device in a mobile communication system. The method includes: receiving information related to synchronization signals from a Base Station (BS); transmitting a first synchronization signal based on the received information; and receiving a second synchronization signal corresponding to the first synchronization signal based on the received information. When a UE cannot receive a synchronization signal from the BS or is located beyond a coverage of the BS, or when the BS cannot operate due to an emergency or disaster situation, UEs can configure self synchronization therebetween in a predetermined area without any assistance from the BS and thus broadcast and unicast transmission are possible between the UEs based on the synchronization.