User Equipment Synchronization Frequency Skipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The time required for initial synchronization and band search in communication network systems, such as LTE and WCDMA, has increased due to the introduction of new bands and systems, leading to prolonged synchronization times.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for user equipment that measures signal strength at a specific frequency channel number, compares it to a predetermined threshold, and increments the frequency channel number by a minimum of 2 if the signal strength is below the threshold, repeating this process until synchronization is achieved or the maximum number of channels is reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the user equipment performs initial synchronization sequentially on every frequency channel, then the synchronization can be achieved with high reliability, but the time required for synchronization increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring signal strength at frequencies before attempting full synchronization. The UE first performs a quick signal strength measurement at the current frequency, and only if the signal is below the threshold does it skip to the next frequency. This preliminary filtering action reduces the number of full synchronization attempts needed while maintaining reliable synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements the skipping principle by allowing the UE to skip frequencies where signal strength is below the predetermined threshold. Instead of attempting synchronization at every frequency channel, the UE skips to frequencies with sufficient signal strength, thereby reducing synchronization time while maintaining reliability through selective frequency testing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the user equipment tries initial synchronization on every frequency channel in a wide band, then complete coverage is ensured, but the synchronization process becomes excessively slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring signal strength at each frequency and using this information to determine whether to proceed with full synchronization or skip to the next frequency. The signal strength measurement provides feedback that guides the synchronization process, allowing the UE to adapt its behavior based on real-time signal conditions and achieve both comprehensive coverage and fast synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of frequency step size dynamically based on signal strength conditions. When signal strength is below the threshold, the UE skips frequencies by incrementing the frequency channel number, effectively changing the search strategy parameter. This adaptive parameter adjustment enables the UE to maintain comprehensive frequency coverage while significantly improving synchronization speed.
3Measurement precision
If the user equipment increments frequency channel number by 1 for each step, then thorough search is performed, but the search time increases proportionally with the number of channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by not requiring the UE to check every single frequency channel with full synchronization. Instead, the UE performs partial checking by measuring signal strength and using threshold-based decision making. This partial action approach reduces the total number of synchronization operations needed while still ensuring thorough enough search to achieve reliable synchronization, thereby reducing search time.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for use by a user equipment of a communication network system, a signal strength received from a target signal which is transmitted from an access network of the communication network system, is measured at a frequency of a reception filter of the user equipment, the frequency corresponding to a frequency channel number. The signal strength measured is compared with a predetermined threshold. In case the signal strength measured is below the predetermined threshold, the frequency channel number is incremented by S, S being an integer equal to or greater than 2.