Software-Defined Radio Network Positioning Technology Design. Synchronization Subsystem

Synchronization subsystem development and validation continues experimental research, devoted to Software-Defined Radio (SDR) network positioning technology design. User Equipment (UE) positioning accuracy depends on several factors, and synchronization subsystem is of fundamental importance. Reasonable UE location estimation accuracy below 3 m requires eNodeB (eNB) and gNodeB (gNB) synchronization below 10 ns, which is a challenge in existing 4G LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and emerging 5G NR (New Radio) cellular wireless networks. Current investigation observes state of the art trends in synchronization approaches of SDR-based transceivers. Then it formalizes factors, defining UE positioning accuracy. Finally, it proposes synchronization layout and reports experimentally validated attainable timing accuracy less than 10 nanoseconds in laboratory conditions. Contribution of current research is substantiation of synchronization subsystem for subsequent SDR network positioning technology validation in the field conditions.