Method and Apparatus for Time Synchronisation in Wireless Networks
AssigneeImagination Technologies Limited
InventorIan R. Knowles
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Abstract
A wireless media distribution system is provided comprising an access point (6) for broadcasting media and a plurality of stations (2) for reception and playback of media. Each station is configured for receiving and decoding a timestamp in a beacon frame transmitted repeatedly from the access point. This is used to control the output signal of a station physical layer clock (12) which is then used as a clock source for an application layer time synchronisation protocol. This application layer time synchronisation protocol can then be used in the station to control an operating system clock (8) for regulating playback of media.
Claims20
A wireless station comprising:
- a physical layer clock comprising a counter configured to increment in dependence on a clocking signal;
- and
- receive and decode circuitry configured to:
- receive and decode a timestamp included in a broadcast beacon frame;
- and
- overwrite the counter with a value in the received timestamp.
A method for synchronising a physical layer clock of a wireless station to a physical layer clock of an access point, the method comprising:
- receiving and decoding a broadcast beacon frame and a timestamp included therein;
- incrementing a counter in dependence on a clocking signal;
- and
- overwriting the counter with the value in the received timestamp.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.