Wireless Device Synchronization via Time Offset Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication networks face challenges in synchronizing devices without Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) capability or coverage, particularly when macro base stations are asynchronous, leading to interference issues and deployment hurdles.
Innovation Solution
Devices and network entities determine and use time offsets based on receive times and Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) measurements to set transmit times, compensating for asynchronous base station timing relative to a reference time like UTC, enabling synchronization even without GNSS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If devices use GNSS for synchronization, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity and deployment cost increase due to GNSS requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces macro base stations as intermediary nodes to establish a synchronization relay path. Instead of direct GNSS-to-device synchronization, the system uses macro base stations equipped with GNSS as intermediate mediators that receive timing from GNSS and distribute synchronized timing to small base stations and devices, thereby eliminating the need for GNSS receivers in each device while maintaining synchronization accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct GNSS receiver hardware in devices with a software-based timing distribution mechanism. The synchronization function is transferred from individual device GNSS receivers to network-based timing distribution through macro base stations, substituting physical GNSS hardware with a communication-based timing reference system
2Adaptability or versatility
If macro base stations are asynchronous, then deployment flexibility is improved, but interference increases and synchronization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary timing adjustment by having macro base stations pre-calculate and distribute time offset values to small base stations before transmission occurs. The network entity determines the timing difference between macro base stations in advance and provides compensation parameters to devices, allowing them to proactively adjust their transmit timing to avoid interference despite asynchronous base station operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the transmit timing parameter of devices based on the operational state of macro base stations. By changing the timing parameter (transmit time offset) according to the asynchronous characteristics of macro base stations, the system maintains synchronization and minimizes interference while preserving deployment flexibility
3Adaptability or versatility
If devices determine time offsets using TDOA measurements, then synchronization is achieved without GNSS, but measurement precision and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables devices to perform self-synchronization by autonomously measuring TDOA values from multiple macro base stations and calculating their own time offsets. Devices independently determine receive times from different base stations, compute time differences, and adjust their transmit timing without requiring external synchronization assistance, achieving GNSS-independent operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where devices report measured TDOA values and receive time information to the network entity. The network entity uses this feedback to determine accurate time offsets for macro base stations and provides correction information back to devices, iteratively improving measurement precision and synchronization accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for synchronizing devices in a wireless network are described. In an aspect, a device determines a receive time for a base station, obtains a time offset for the base station from a network entity, and sets its transmit time based on the receive time and the time offset for the base station. The time offset compensates for the degree by which the base station is asynchronous with respect to a reference time, e.g., UTC time. In another aspect, a device determines and sends time difference information (e.g., a time offset or a TDOA measurement) for at least one base station to support synchronization of other devices. In yet another aspect, a network entity supports synchronization of devices, receives time difference information for at least one base station, and determines at least one time offset for the at least one base station based on the time difference information.