Delay control method

Abstract

The invention is directed to a method for controlling delays in a cellular telecommunications network. The delay control method according to the invention is based on a hierarchical structure of delay controlling entities, which preferably communicate only with entities directly above or below them in the hierarchy. In the downlink direction, an entity receiving data, such as a base station or a splitting unit, sends a timing report to the entity sending the data if the data is received too early or too late, whereafter the sending entity may adjust the sending time of data. The same reporting and adjusting process may be repeated through all levels of the control hierarchy, resulting in a collective control of delays from the top of the hierarchy, for example from a RNC, to the bottom, for example to a base station. In the uplink direction, a higher level entity receiving data from a lower level entity may command the lower level entity to adjust the sending time, if the data is received too early or too late. When the same action is repeated in all levels of the hierarchy, a collective control of delays is achieved for the link between the lowest level, e.g. the base station, and the highest level, e.g. a RNC.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.