System and method for timing synchronization
First Claim
1. A method in a network access equipment of maintaining uplink synchronization with a user equipment, the method comprising:
- defining, by the network access equipment, a burst period for sending a plurality of timing signals, the burst period being defined within a timing advance (TA) adjustment period, the TA adjustment period including a quiet period during which the timing signals are not sent, wherein the quiet period includes a plurality of sub-frames;
sending, by the network access equipment, a first timing signal instruction message to the user equipment, wherein the first timing signal instruction message comprises a timing signal parameter, wherein the timing signal parameter is one or more of the burst period, a number of timing signals required per burst period to maintain synchronization, or an interval between ones of the timing signals in the burst period; and
receiving timing signals from the user equipment in accordance with the timing signal parameter; and
processing the timing signals in order to maintain synchronization.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for timing synchronization. Uplink synchronization is a necessary component of a UE operating in a mobile, wireless network. Reliable uplink synchronization generally requires regular uplink transmission containing reference signals. A method is provided that defines a burst period for sending the reference signals, determines an interval between the reference signals, and sends a timing instruction message that includes the burst period and the determined interval. A second method is provided that receives the timing instruction message and sends the reference signals in accordance with the timing instruction.
31 Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A method in a network access equipment of maintaining uplink synchronization with a user equipment, the method comprising:
-
defining, by the network access equipment, a burst period for sending a plurality of timing signals, the burst period being defined within a timing advance (TA) adjustment period, the TA adjustment period including a quiet period during which the timing signals are not sent, wherein the quiet period includes a plurality of sub-frames; sending, by the network access equipment, a first timing signal instruction message to the user equipment, wherein the first timing signal instruction message comprises a timing signal parameter, wherein the timing signal parameter is one or more of the burst period, a number of timing signals required per burst period to maintain synchronization, or an interval between ones of the timing signals in the burst period; and receiving timing signals from the user equipment in accordance with the timing signal parameter; and processing the timing signals in order to maintain synchronization. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A network access equipment configured for maintaining uplink synchronization with a user equipment, the network access equipment comprising:
-
a processor; and memory storing instructions executable by the processor such that, when executed, the network access equipment is caused to; define a burst period for sending a plurality of timing signals, the burst period being defined within a timing advance (TA) adjustment period, the TA adjustment period including a quiet period during which the timing signals are not sent, the quiet period including a plurality of sub-frames; send a first timing signal instruction message to the user equipment, wherein the first timing signal instruction message comprises a timing signal parameter, wherein the timing signal parameter is one or more of the burst period, a number of timing signals required per burst period to maintain synchronization, or an interval between ones of the timing signals in the burst period; receive timing signals from the user equipment in accordance with the timing signal parameter; and process the timing signals in order to maintain synchronization. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A user equipment (UE) comprising:
-
a processor; and memory storing instructions executable by the processor such that, when executed, the UE is caused to; receive a timing signal instruction message from a network access equipment, wherein the timing signal instruction message comprises a timing signal parameter, wherein the timing signal parameter is one or more of a burst period, a number of timing signals required per burst period to maintain synchronization, or an interval between ones of the timing signals in the burst period; and transmit a plurality of timing signals to the network access equipment in accordance with the timing signal parameter during the defined burst period in order to maintain synchronization, the burst period being defined within a timing advance (TA) adjustment period, the TA adjustment period including a quiet period during which the UE does not transmit the timing signals, wherein the quiet period includes a plurality of sub-frames. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A method in a user equipment (UE) of maintaining uplink synchronization with a network access equipment, the method comprising:
-
receiving a timing signal instruction message from the network access equipment, wherein the timing signal instruction message comprises a timing signal parameter, wherein the timing signal parameter is one or more of a burst period, a number of timing signals required per burst period to maintain synchronization, or an interval between ones of the timing signals in the burst period; and transmitting a plurality of timing signals to the network access equipment in accordance with the timing signal parameter during the defined burst period in order to maintain synchronization, the burst period being defined within a timing advance (TA) adjustment period, the TA adjustment period including a quiet period during which the UE does not transmit the timing signals, wherein the quiet period includes a plurality of sub-frames. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
Specification