Method of issuing a time information signal via a satellite station of a transmission system

• US 6,230,027 B1
• Filed: 05/13/1998
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Habib, Elia
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): GELIN, JEAN ALLAND
• Application Number:
  US09/078,232
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 455/427, 455/70, 455/552, 455/553, 455/566, 455/466, 455/230, 455/231, 455/31.1, 455/31.2, 455/31.3, 455/32.1, 455/68, 368/47, 368/10, 368/46, 368/49, 340/825.2, 340/825.4
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: G04R 40/02 by phase locking
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2125 Synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A transmission system is disclosed having a base station and a satellite station. A transmitter of the base station transmits a time information signal. The base station transmitter is activated for a period of time which is shorter than or equal to the precision with which the time information is issued.

Claims

1. A transmission system comprising:

a satellite station; and

a base station which transmits time information to said satellite station;

wherein said satellite station receives said time information for use as successive satellite time information;

said satellite station not updating said successive satellite time information using means internal to said satellite station so that energy consumption of said satellite station is reduced;

wherein said successive satellite time information has a precision and said base station transmits said time information with a periodicity which is shorter or equal to said precision.

2. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said satellite station does not include an internal clock circuit.

3. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said periodicity is shorter but not equal to said precision.

4. The transmission system of claim 1, wherein said transmission system is a radio communication system according to ETACS or AMPS standard, and wherein said time information signal is transmitted in a Local Control type message defined in said ETACS or AMPS standard.

5. A base station comprising:

transmission means for transmitting time information to a satellite station for use as successive satellite time information having a precision; and

control means for activation said transmission means with a periodicity which is shorter or equal to said precision so that said satellite station does not update said successive satellite time information using means internal to said satellite station in order to reduce energy consumption of said satellite station.

6. The base station of claim 5, wherein said base station is part of a radio communication system according to ETACS or AMPS standard, and wherein said time information signal is transmitted in a Local Control type message defined in said ETACS or AMPS standard.

7. A satellite station comprising reception means for receiving time information from a base station for use as successive satellite time information;

said satellite station not updating said successive satellite time information using means internal to said satellite station so that energy consumption of said satellite station is reduced;

wherein said successive satellite time information has a precision and said base station transmits said time information with a periodicity which is shorter or equal to said precision.

8. The satellite station of claim 7, wherein said satellite station does not include an internal clock circuit.

9. The satellite station of claim 7, wherein said periodicity is shorter but not equal to said precision.

10. The satellite station of claim 7, wherein said satellite station is part of a radio communications system according to ETACS or AMPS standard, and wherein said time information signal is received in a Local Control type message defined in said ETACS or AMPS standard.

11. The satellite station of claim 7, wherein said satellite station does not generate any time information between said successive satellite time information.

12. A mobile radio station comprising reception means for receiving time information from a base station for use as successive satellite time information;

said mobile radio station not updating said successive satellite time information using means internal to said mobile radio station so that energy consumption of said mobile radio station is reduced;

wherein said successive satellite time information has a precision and said base station transmits said time information with a periodicity which is shorter or equal to said precision.

13. The mobile radio station of claim 12, wherein said mobile radio station does not include an internal clock circuit so that space requirement of said mobile radio is reduced.

14. The mobile radio station of claim 12, wherein said periodicity is shorter but not equal to said precision.

15. The mobile radio station of claim 12, wherein said mobile radio station is part of a radio communications system according to ETACS or AMPS standard, and wherein said time information signal is received in a Local Control type message defined in said ETACS or AMPS standard.

16. A method of communicating between a base station and a satellite station including transmitting time information from said base station to said satellite station;

wherein said satellite station receives said time information for use as successive satellite time information;

said satellite station not updating said successive satellite time information using means internal to said satellite station so that energy consumption of said satellite station is reduced;

wherein said successive satellite time information has a precision; and

the transmitting act is performed with a periodicity which is shorter or equal to said precision.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said periodicity is shorter but not equal to said precision.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein said base station and said satellite station are part of a radio communication system according to ETACS or AMPS standard, and wherein said time information signal is transmitted in a Local Control type message defined in said ETACS or AMPS standard.