V2V Timing Synchronization via Fingerprint Database

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems face challenges in maintaining timing synchronization, especially when Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are unreliable, leading to potential service outages and interference issues.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a computationally simple method for establishing and maintaining timing synchronization through the use of timing fingerprints, which store SFN-DFN offsets and synchronization source information, allowing devices to switch between synchronization sources and correct for timing inconsistencies, thereby minimizing service outages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If GNSS-based timing synchronization is used in V2V communications, then timing synchronization accuracy is improved, but service reliability deteriorates when GNSS signals are unavailable or unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming synchronization accuracyVSAvoidservice reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores timing offsets between GNSS time and network time before GNSS signal failure occurs. When GNSS becomes unavailable, the UE can immediately switch to using the pre-stored timing offset with network time, avoiding service interruption and maintaining synchronization reliability without sacrificing accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Network time serves as an intermediary synchronization source when GNSS is unavailable. The patent introduces a timing offset mechanism that mediates between network time and the required V2V synchronization timing, allowing the system to maintain accurate timing through the intermediary network time source rather than failing completely without direct GNSS signals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If advanced synchronization features like SIB-21 are implemented, then synchronization capability is improved, but device complexity and network upgrade requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing SIB-20 timing offset information serve multiple functions: it provides both the primary timing offset for normal operation and acts as a fallback synchronization source when GNSS fails. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate SIB-21 implementation while maintaining comprehensive synchronization capability across different operating conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own existing timing offset information stored in SIB-20 to serve itself during GNSS failure conditions, rather than requiring external network upgrades or additional complex synchronization infrastructure. The UE autonomously switches to using the pre-stored timing offset, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding increased device or network complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3747221B1Systems and methods for timing synchronization and synchronization source selection for vehicle-to-vehicle communications
Publication Date: 2022.01.19 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3747221B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3747221B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3747221B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for communication includes obtaining a timing signal from a timing synchronization reference source, computing a system frame number (SFN) direct frame number (DFN) offset, creating a timing fingerprint using the timing signal and the SFN-DFN offset, the timing fingerprint also comprising additional timing information, entering the timing fingerprint into a database, continually updating the timing fingerprint, determining whether the timing signal remains within a threshold, if the timing signal exceeds the threshold, iterating the timing fingerprint, verifying the timing fingerprint to determine whether there is a timing inconsistency between a most recent timing fingerprint and current time, if the timing fingerprint is verified, using the SFN-DFN offset to derive current DFN timing to decode a sidelink control information (SCI) communication, and if the SCI communication is decoded, using the timing signal for communicating over a sidelink communication channel.