Research on compact discovery reference signal for future synchronized network

Dynamic on/off switching is a key Rel-12 feature of small cell enhancements for energy saving. When in “offmode”, the small cell needs to transmit a Discovery Reference Signal (Discovery-RS) periodically to notify its existence. In legacy sense, Discovery-RS consists of multiple signals, and Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS) could be involved to establish coarse time synchronization for User Equipment (UE). However in the future synchronized network, the legacy coarse time synchronization procedure for UE through PSS may be no longer needed, then we can propose a compact Discovery-RS structure that consists of only one signal to significantly reduce system overhead of radio-interface resource, as well as the interference between cells. A thoroughly preceding research and algorithm demonstration were then presented to analyze the feasibility of this approach. Theoretical analysis and computer simulation results show that this approach is practicable in the future synchronized network.