US 2023/0155796 A1 · Compact Timing Signal for Low-Complexity 5G/6G Synchronization

Abstract

Uplink messages in 5G and 6G are expected to arrive at the base station in alignment with the base station's resource grid, at the proper time and frequency. Disclosed are lean procedures and compact timing signals that can enable user devices to maintain synchronization with a base station's resource grid. Shaped timing signals are disclosed that, when measured by a receiver, can indicate whether the receiver's clock is synchronized with the transmitter's clock, or is in disagreement, and in which direction, and by how much. The receiver thereby determines the clock error by amplitude measurements only, since the timing signal is configured to convert the timing error into a readily determined amplitude value, which the receiver can quantify using normal amplitude-demodulation procedures. The receiver's amplitude resolution corresponds to the time resolution achievable. No special time-measurement signal processing is required. No synchronization messages or other legacy overhead are required.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for a wireless receiver to synchronize a clock, the method comprising:

a) receiving or determining a synchronization schedule;
b) receiving, according to the synchronization schedule, a timing signal comprising a wireless signal, wherein the wireless signal is received on a particular subcarrier and spans a plurality of symbol-times of a resource grid, wherein the resource grid comprises subcarriers in frequency and symbol-times in time, wherein the plurality of symbol-times comprises a first symbol-time and a last symbol-time;
c) determining, for each symbol-time of the timing signal, according to a receiver clock of the receiver, a measured amplitude comprising an average amplitude or an average power or a total energy received in the symbol-time;
d) calculating a ratio “R” comprising a numerator divided by a denominator, wherein the numerator comprises a sum or difference of the measured amplitudes in the first and last symbol-times, and the denominator comprises the measured amplitude in at least one symbol-time of the plurality.

1 more element

Non-transitory computer-readable media in a user device of a wireless network comprising a base station, the media containing instructions that when implemented in a computing environment cause a method to be performed, the method comprising:

a) according to a predetermined schedule or periodicity, receiving a first timing signal;
b) according to the predetermined schedule or periodicity, receiving a second timing signal, wherein each timing signal, of the first and second timing signal, comprises a wireless signal spanning exactly two or exactly three symbol-times of a resource grid, wherein the resource grid comprises subcarriers in frequency and symbol-times in time;
c) determining, according to the first timing signal, a first time error comprising a first time difference between a clock of the user device and a clock of the base station;
d) determining, according to the second timing signal, a second time error comprising a second time difference between the clock of the user device and the clock of the base station;
and
e) adjusting a clock rate or a frequency of the clock of the user device according to a difference between the first and second time errors.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compact Timing Signal for Low-Complexity 5G/6G Synchronization

Life of this patent

Compact Timing Signal for Low-Complexity 5G/6G Synchronization

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20