US 9,867,153 B2 · Distributed synchronization of IoE devices

Abstract

This application relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to distributed synchronization of “internet of everything” (IoE) devices to a common timing through opportunistic synchronization with user equipment (UE). Multiple IoE devices within proximity to each other establish device to device (D2D) links. When an IoE device receives an updated timing synchronization signal from a UE, the IoE device can broadcast the updated timing synchronization signal to other IoE devices directly or via a multi-hop forwarding scheme via the D2D links. Multiple groups of IoE devices can be synchronized to the same timing synchronization signal such that if and when IoE devices from the different groups come into proximity, the IoE devices will find each other and can merge into a larger group of synchronized IoE devices with minimal searching overhead and, therefore, minimal power consumption.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A method for communicating with a wireless network, comprising:

discovering, by a wireless communication device, a first wireless communication device;
receiving, at the wireless communication device during a first listening interval, an updated timing synchronization signal from the first wireless communication device after discovering the first wireless communication device;
transitioning, by the wireless communication device, from the first listening interval to a second listening interval, the second listening interval being based on an interval for transmission of the updated timing synchronization signal from the first wireless communication device, and the second listening interval being less than the first listening interval;
communicating, by the wireless communication device, the updated timing synchronization signal to at least one other wireless communication device;
and
synchronizing, by the wireless communication device, timing with the at least one other wireless communication device based on the updated timing synchronization signal.

3 more elements

A wireless communication device, comprising:

a sensor configured to generate data from a detected event;
a transceiver configured to:
discover a first wireless communication device;
receive, during a first listening interval, an updated timing synchronization signal from the first wireless communication device after the discovery;
and
communicate the updated timing synchronization signal to at least one other wireless communication device;
and
a processor configured to:
transition from the first listening interval to a second listening interval, the second listening interval being based on an interval for transmission of the updated timing synchronization signal from the first wireless communication device, and the second listening interval being less than the first listening interval;
and
synchronize timing with the at least one other wireless communication device based on the updated timing synchronization signal.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Distributed synchronization of IoE devices

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Distributed synchronization of IoE devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26