Wireless Station Timing Reports for Unsynchronized Cell Event Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
In unsynchronized cellular wireless communication networks, wireless stations operating in different cells lack a common reference time base, leading to inaccurate timing of events and position determination due to desynchronization between base stations.
Innovation Solution
A method and application server that instruct wireless stations to perform a cell-search procedure, retrieve synchronization data from multiple base stations, and report desynchronization, enabling an application server to calculate a common application time-base for precise timing correction across unsynchronized cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless stations operate in unsynchronized cellular networks with different base stations, then network coverage and service availability are improved, but timing accuracy and event location precision deteriorate due to lack of common reference time base
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a timing server as an intermediary component that collects timing synchronization data from multiple base stations and provides a common reference time base to wireless stations. This mediator enables wireless stations to obtain accurate timing information without requiring the base stations themselves to be synchronized, thus resolving the contradiction between network coverage and timing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where wireless stations report their measured timing synchronization data to the timing server. The timing server then uses this feedback to calculate and provide corrected timing information, creating a closed-loop system that continuously improves timing accuracy across the unsynchronized network.
2Measurement precision
If base stations are synchronized across the network, then common reference time base and timing accuracy are improved, but network complexity and synchronization maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The timing server acts as a centralized intermediary that handles all synchronization calculations and corrections. Individual base stations do not need to maintain complex synchronization relationships with each other; instead, they simply provide their timing data to the timing server, which then distributes corrected timing information to wireless stations. This significantly reduces the overall synchronization complexity of the network.
Solution Approach 2:
Wireless stations autonomously perform cell search procedures to identify base stations and measure timing synchronization data. They self-report these measurements to the timing server without requiring manual configuration or complex coordination between base stations, enabling the system to maintain timing accuracy through decentralized, automated operations.
3Measurement precision
If additional synchronization hardware is deployed to achieve common time base, then timing precision is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical synchronization hardware with a software-based timing server that operates over existing communication infrastructure. Instead of deploying additional synchronization equipment like GPS receivers or hardware clocks at each base station, the system uses software to collect, process, and distribute timing information, eliminating the need for complex hardware installations while achieving the same timing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing server is a multi-functional component that can serve multiple wireless stations across multiple base stations simultaneously. It handles timing synchronization for the entire network through a single platform, eliminating the need for separate synchronization hardware at each location and reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to determine a common application time-base for different positionally fixed wireless stations, which perform a timing application in different unsynchronized radio-access-network cells, a method comprises providing to the wireless stations a timing-report instruction. It instructs the wireless stations to perform a cell-search procedure and to determine a respective set of time synchronization information retrieved from any detected base station with reference to its respective time base. If more than one set of time synchronization information from a corresponding number of detected base stations has been retrieved, the wireless stations provides timing synchronization data indicative of the retrieved sets of time synchronization information from the detected base stations. An application server receives the at least one timing report and determines a common application time-base for the different detected base stations, using the different sets of timing synchronization data provided.