Uplink Synchronization with Assisted mmWave eNB
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of wireless device users and data transmission demands in LTE networks exceed the available bandwidth, necessitating a higher node density and new connection procedures for efficient communication with mmWave nodes, which operate differently from standard cellular nodes.
Innovation Solution
A heterogeneous network architecture using a high-power macro node as an anchor for control information and low-power mmWave nodes for data transmission, where user equipment (UE) receives random access parameters from the anchor node for uplink synchronization with mmWave eNBs, employing directional communication and multiple RACH signal repeats for beamforming gain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If higher node density is implemented to accommodate increasing data transmission demands, then network capacity and bandwidth availability are improved, but device complexity and connection procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an anchor cell as an intermediary entity that mediates the connection between UEs and mmWave eNBs. The anchor cell provides control plane connectivity and assists in uplink synchronization, thereby simplifying the connection procedures despite high node density. This intermediary approach allows complex mmWave connections to be managed through a coordinating macro cell, reducing the burden on individual devices.
2Ease of operation
If standard cellular connection procedures are used with mmWave nodes, then ease of operation is maintained, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to different operational characteristics of mmWave nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing specialized connection procedures specifically for mmWave eNBs while maintaining standard procedures for legacy cells. The assisted uplink synchronization and directional random access are locally optimized for mmWave characteristics (such as beamforming and directional communication) without affecting the broader network. This allows communication efficiency to be improved for mmWave nodes while maintaining ease of operation through anchor cell assistance.
3Device complexity
If uplink synchronization is achieved without anchor cell assistance, then device complexity is reduced, but synchronization precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor cell serves as an intermediary that enhances uplink synchronization precision for mmWave eNBs. By providing reference signals and coordination through the anchor cell, the system achieves more accurate timing synchronization than direct UE-to-mmWave eNB synchronization would provide alone. The anchor cell mediates the synchronization process, improving measurement precision while distributing the complexity across network infrastructure rather than individual devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Technology to achieve uplink synchronization with a mmWave enhanced Node B (eNB) is disclosed. In an example, a user equipment (UE) can include circuitry configured to: receive selected random access (RA) parameters from an anchor eNB for uplink synchronization; identify a transmission direction for communication with the mmWave eNB based on a downlink synchronization of the UE with the mmWave eNB; and communicate a random access channel (RACH) transmission in the identified transmission direction for uplink synchronization of time, frequency, and beam direction with the mmWave eNB.