Frequency error estimation during split repetitive uplink message transmission

A method of controlling radio transmission in a cellular network, the method comprising:

• sending by a base station of the cellular network at least one downlink signal to a half-duplex radio device;
• and
• receiving by the base station a repetitive transmission of an uplink message from the half-duplex radio device,
• wherein the repetitive transmission of the uplink message is split by the half-duplex radio device into a sequence of multiple transmit periods and at least one measurement gap being configured between the transmit periods in accordance with pre-configured rules configured in the half-duplex radio device, the pre-configured rules defining a duration of the multiple transmit periods and of the at least one measurement gap,
• wherein the half-duplex radio device temporarily switches in the measurement gap from sending the repetitive transmission of the uplink message to receiving at least one downlink signal from the base station for estimating a frequency error of a reference frequency source of the half-duplex radio device.

A radio device, comprising:

• a half-duplex radio interface operable to connect the radio device with an associated cellular network;
• a reference frequency source;
• and
• one or more processors configured to:
• generate a repetitive transmission of an uplink message to a base station of the associated cellular network;
• split the repetitive transmission of the uplink message into a sequence of multiple transmit periods in accordance with pre-configured rules configured in the radio device, the pre-configured rules defining a duration of the multiple transmit periods and of the at least one measurement gap;
• and configure at least one measurement gap between the transmit periods;
• transmit by the half-duplex radio interface in the transmit periods, the repetitive transmission to the base station;
• temporarily switch the half-duplex radio interface in the at least one measurement gap configured between the transmit periods, from the sending to receiving at least one downlink signal from the base station;
• and
• estimate a frequency error of the reference frequency source based on the received at least one downlink signal signal.

A base station for a cellular network, the base station comprising:

• a radio interface operable to connect the base station with a half-duplex radio device;
• and
• one or more processors configured to:
• send at least one downlink signal to the half-duplex radio device;
• and
• receive a repetitive transmission of an uplink message from the half-duplex radio device,
• wherein the repetitive transmission of the uplink message is split by the half-duplex radio device into a sequence of multiple transmit periods and at least one measurement gap being configured between the transmit periods in accordance with pre-configured rules configured in the half-duplex radio device, the pre-configured rules defining a duration of the multiple transmit periods and of the at least one measurement gap,
• wherein the half-duplex radio device temporarily switches in the measurement gap from sending the repetitive transmission of the uplink message to receiving the at least one downlink signal from the base station for estimating a frequency error of a reference frequency source of the half-duplex radio device.