Uplink Synchronization via Enhanced Random Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication systems, especially in TDD systems, user equipment often experiences uplink out-of-synchronization issues due to prolonged periods of inactivity, leading to resource wastage and delayed data transmission, as existing synchronization methods are inefficient and lack communication between uplink and downlink schedulers.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that detect uplink out-of-synchronization states and trigger an enhanced random access synchronization process, allowing interaction between uplink and downlink scheduling entities to restore synchronization efficiently, utilizing existing enhanced random access technology to reduce delay and improve resource utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If periodic synchronization maintenance is implemented, then uplink synchronization is maintained, but system resources are wasted for low activity services
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization maintenance mechanism transitions from a static periodic approach to a dynamic event-driven approach. The system now adapts its behavior based on service activity levels: for low activity services, synchronization is maintained only when needed (event-triggered), while for high activity services, periodic maintenance continues. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making resource consumption proportional to actual service needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of synchronization maintenance based on service characteristics. By monitoring service activity coefficients and adjusting whether periodic synchronization is applied or event-triggered synchronization is used, the system optimizes the balance between maintaining reliability and reducing resource waste for different service types.
2Reliability
If enhanced random access process is introduced, then uplink synchronization is restored, but downlink data transmission cannot be performed due to lack of communication between schedulers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges previously separate functions into a unified scheduler architecture. The uplink scheduler and downlink scheduler are integrated to share user equipment state information and coordination mechanisms. This allows the enhanced random access process to restore uplink synchronization while simultaneously enabling the downlink scheduler to perform data transmission, eliminating the bottleneck caused by inter-scheduler communication delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified scheduler acts as an intermediary that coordinates between uplink and downlink operations. When enhanced random access is triggered, the scheduler manages both the synchronization restoration process and the subsequent data transmission coordination, ensuring that uplink and downlink operations are properly synchronized without requiring complex inter-scheduler communication protocols.
3Reliability
If normal random access is employed, then uplink synchronization is obtained, but synchronization delay increases and signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions to prepare for potential synchronization needs. The unified scheduler proactively monitors uplink synchronization status and pre-configures enhanced random access parameters. When synchronization is needed, the pre-prepared mechanisms enable faster synchronization compared to normal random access, reducing both delay and signaling overhead by avoiding the full normal random access procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The enhanced random access process allows the system to skip unnecessary steps of the normal random access procedure. By using pre-configured resources and simplified signaling paths, the system rushes through the essential synchronization steps more quickly, obtaining uplink synchronization faster while reducing the signaling overhead associated with complete normal random access procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A synchronization method and synchronization apparatus are disclosed. The method includes: detecting if user is out of synchronization status in uplink; if yes, downlink dispatch entity triggering uplink enhanced random access synchronization procedure; uplink dispatch entity obtaining the user identifier transmitted by user who is triggered uplink synchronization, and informing that user already restored uplink synchronization by interaction with downlink dispatch entity. The method and apparatus may shorten effectively synchronization delay, improve transmission efficiency of data and utilization rate of system resource, and ensure natural sending and transmission by using enhanced random access technique of system in prior art and by interaction between uplink dispatch entity and downlink dispatch entity to finish uplink synchronization.