Base station synchronization

• US 8,416,904 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2011
• Issued: 04/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dick, Stephen G., Zeira, Eldad
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US13/083,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20110190015A1
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 375/354, 375/356
• US Class Current: 375/356
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/7073 Synchronisation aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2201/70702 Intercell-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2668 Arrangements for Wireless Code-Division Multiple Access [CDMA] System Synchronisation, for code acquisition H04B1/7075, for code tracking H04B1/7085
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2687 Inter base stations synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/269 Master/slave synchronisation
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2696 Over the air autonomous synchronisation, e.g. by monitoring network activity H04B7/2693 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0641 Change of the master or reference, e.g. take-over or failure of the master
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/002 Mutual synchronization
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0065 using measurement of signal travel time
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0075 based on arrival time vs. expected arrival time

Abstract

A method and apparatus of time synchronizing a plurality of base stations in a wireless communication system includes receiving an indication of a timing associated with a synch burst, where the synch burst is from a mastercell having a better time synchronization quality than other cells and measured by at least one cell other than the mastercell. A request is sent to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) for a measurement of a base station time of arrival (BSTOA) value of the at least one cell other than the mastercell. The BSTOA value from the WTRU is received and a timing adjustment is sent to the at least one cell other than the mastercell.

Claims

1. A method of time synchronizing a plurality of base stations in a wireless communication system implemented in a radio network controller (RNC), comprising:

the RNC receiving an indication of a timing associated with a synch burst, wherein the synch burst is from a mastercell having a better time synchronization quality than other cells and measured by at least one cell other than the mastercell;

the RNC sending a request to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) for a measurement of a base station time of arrival (BSTOA) value of the at least one cell other than the mastercell;

the RNC receiving the BSTOA value from the WTRU; and

the RNC sending a timing adjustment to the at least one cell other than the mastercell.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the RNC updating a covariant matrix database.

3. A radio network controller (RNC), comprising:

circuitry configured to receive an indication of a timing associated with a synch burst, wherein the synch burst is from a mastercell having a better time synchronization quality than other cells and measured by at least one cell other than the mastercell;

circuitry configured to send a request to a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) for a measurement of a base station time of arrival (BSTOA) value of the at least one cell other than the mastercell;

circuitry configured to receive the BSTOA value from the WTRU; and

circuitry configured to send a timing adjustment to the at least one cell other than the mastercell.

4. The RNC of claim 3, further comprising circuitry configured to update a covariant matrix database.