Abstract
In distributed device-to-device (D2D) communications, no common reference time is available and the devices must employ distributed synchronization techniques. In this context, pulse-based synchronization, which can be implemented by distributed phase-locked loops is preferred due to its scalability. Several factors degrade the performance of pulse-based synchronization, such as duplexing scheme, clock skew and propagation delays. Furthermore, in distributed networks, devices should be aware of the synchronization status of others in order to initiate data communications. To address these prevailing issues, we first introduce a half-duplex timing-advance synchronization algorithm wherein each device alternates between being a transmitter and receiver in their exchange of synchronization pulses at each clock period. Based on this algorithm, we propose a novel fully-distributed pulse-based synchronization protocol for half-duplex D2D communications in 5G wireless networks. The protocol allows participating devices to become aware of the global synchronization status, so that they can complete the synchronization process ideally at the same time and proceed to data communication. In simulation experiments over multi-path frequency selective channels, the proposed synchronization protocol is shown to outperform a benchmark approach from the recent literature over a wide range of conditions, e.g., clock skew, number of devices, and network topology.
Highlights
T HE FIFTH generation (5G) of wireless networks is currently being actively deployed in various parts of the world
CONTRIBUTION AND PAPER ORGANIZATION In this article, motivated by the above considerations, we first introduce a timing-advance synchronization algorithm wherein each device alternates between the transmitter and receiver modes in their exchange of synchronization pulses at each clock period
Is the set of pairs formed by the index of transmitter devices and the path indices contributing to the received signal of the jth receiver device during the reception period centered at its νth clock tick
Summary
T HE FIFTH generation (5G) of wireless networks is currently being actively deployed in various parts of the world. KARATALAY et al.: DISTRIBUTED PULSE-BASED SYNCHRONIZATION PROTOCOL FOR HALF-DUPLEX D2D COMMUNICATIONS can coordinate the devices during communication to compensate for propagation delays by adjusting their clocks, a technique known as timing-advance. CONTRIBUTION AND PAPER ORGANIZATION In this article, motivated by the above considerations, we first introduce a timing-advance synchronization algorithm wherein each device alternates between the transmitter and receiver modes in their exchange of synchronization pulses at each clock period Based on this algorithm, we propose a novel fully-distributed pulse-based synchronization protocol for half-duplex D2D communications in 5G networks. After the network is synchronized, the devices can either initiate data communication or stay idle and only operate as a receiver to conserve power At this point, to maintain synchronization in the network without exchanging timing pulses, the devices predict their relative clock time based on estimated values of the synchronization parameters. Tij[ν] can be interpreted (for this ideal case) as the synchronization error between the devices i and j
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