Synchronizable base stations of a wireless multi-cell telecommunication system and a method of synchronizing same

• US 6,272,118 B1
• Filed: 03/27/1998
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Biedermann, Rolf, Wewers, Otger
• Primary Examiner(s): Hsu, Alpus H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HO, DUC CHI
• Application Number:
  US09/043,941
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 370/350, 370/337, 370/328, 370/339, 370/329, 370/503, 370/510, 370/512, 370/509, 370/522, 370/524, 370/310, 370/347, 370/330, 375/356, 375/363, 375/364, 455/502, 455/442, 455/426, 455/422, 455/443
• US Class Current: 370/330
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2693 Centralised synchronisation, i.e. using external universal time reference, e.g. by using a global positioning system [GPS] or by distributing time reference over the wireline network

Abstract

The base stations of a wireless multi-cell telecommunication system receive a time signal radio message sent by a time transmitter, with which the base station-specific function executions of the base stations oriented to a telecommunication standard for the wireless telecommunication in the multi-cell telecommunication system can be controlled synchronized in time.

Claims

1. A method for synchronizing a plurality of base stations of a wireless multi-cell telecommunication system, comprising the steps of:

allocating each of the plurality of base stations to one of a plurality of radio cells of the multi-cell telecommunication system;

connecting the plurality of base stations to a switching system;

receiving at each of the plurality of base stations a time signal radio message which includes both a carrier signal and first time information data wherein the first time information data is modulated onto the carrier signal in a periodic time spacing;

prescribing a respective first time measure for each of the plurality of base stations, the first time measure based on a telecommunication standard that measures function executions in each respective base station;

matching each respective first time measure to a first frequency defined by the carrier signal;

receiving at each of the plurality of base stations second time information data which includes a clock information determinant for a connection between each respective base station and the switching system;

prescribing at least one respective second time measure for each of the plurality of base stations, the second time measure based on the standard that measures function executions in each respective base telecommunication station; and

matching each respective second time measure to both a second frequency defined by the first time information data and a third frequency defined by the second time information data.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

repeating the step of matching each respective first time measure on a periodic basis; and

repeating the step of matching each respective second time measure on a periodic basis.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

providing DECT/GAP—

specific cordless base stations as the base stations;

providing a DECT/GAP—

specific cellular cordless telecommunication system as the telecommunication system;

providing a DECT/GAP standard as the telecommunication standard;

providing a DECT/GAP bit clock as part of the first time measure and as part of the at least one second time measure; and

providing either a DECT/GAP time slot or a DECT/GAP time frame as part of the at least one second time measure.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

connecting the base stations to an S₀ bus; and

providing an S₀ time frame on the S₀ bus as the second time information data.

5. A base station arranged in a radio cell of a wireless multi-cell telecommunication system, the base station being connected to a switching system and having function executions oriented to a wireless telecommunication standard of the multi-cell telecommunication system, the base station comprising:

a receiver for receiving a time signal radio message which includes both a carrier signal and first time information data wherein the first time information data is modulated onto the carrier signal in a periodic time spacing;

a controller connected to the receiver;

a first time measure prescribed by a telecommunication standard that measures function executions in the base station, wherein the controller matches the first time measure to a first frequency defined by the carrier signal;

at least one second time measure prescribed by the telecommunication standard that measures function executions in the base station, wherein the controller matches the at least one second time measure to a second frequency defined by the first time information data; and

an interface device connected to the controller for receiving second time information data which includes a clock information determinant for a connection between the base station and the switching system, and wherein the controller matches the second time measure to a third frequency defined by the second time information data.

6. A base station as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

an S₀ bus to which the interface device is connected, wherein the second time information data is an S₀ time frame transmitted on the S₀ bus.

7. A base station as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:

a DECT/GAP—

specific cordless base station as the base station;

a DECT/GAP—

specific cellular cordless telecommunication system as the telecommunication system;

a DECT/GAP standard as the telecommunication standard;

a DECT/GAP bit clock as part of the first time measure and part of the at least one second time measure; and

either a DECT/GAP time slot or DECT/GAP time frame as part of the at least one second time measure.