Method and apparatus for wireless network timekeeping and synchronization
OwnerStephen William Edge, Yaser Abdel Reheminventors
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Abstract
A system, method, apparatus, and means for generating timing information in a wireless communication network comprises detecting, at a mobile unit, accurate timing information, wherein the mobile unit is in a cell area serviced by a base station. Association data is generated which associates the accurate timing information with base station timing information maintained by the base station. Network timing information is updated by using or storing the association data. Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, the association data is stored and maintained at a central network authority from where it may be disseminated to mobile units and base stations in the network.
Claims24
A method for updating timing information in a wireless communication network of base stations, where each base station maintains timing information, comprising:
- receiving, at at least one mobile unit in an area serviced by a base station,
- the timing information maintained by the respective base station;
- and
- signal data containing accurate timing information, from a source other than a base station;
- deriving accurate timing information from the signal data received at the mobile unit;
- for each mobile unit, creating an association comprising the accurate timing information and the timing information received from the base station;
- and
- in response to the association, updating the timing information maintained by at least one base station.
A network timing system for a wireless communication network of base stations where each base station maintains timing information, comprising:
- at least one mobile unit in an area served by a base station, the mobile unit comprising
- a first receiver comprising means for receiving timing information maintained by the respective base station;
- and
- a second receiver comprising means for receiving signal data from a source other than a base station, the signal data comprising accurate timing information;
- a processing device comprising means for deriving accurate timing information from the signal data received at the mobile unit;
- and
- a central network authority comprising
- means for receiving the accurate timing information and the timing information received by the mobile unit from the base station;
- means for creating an association between the accurate timing information and the timing information received from the base station;
- and
- means, responsive to the association, for updating the timing information maintained by at least one base station.
A network timing method for a network comprising a central network authority and a plurality of areas each serviced by at least one base station, where the base station maintains timing information, comprising:
- receiving, at a mobile unit in one of the areas,
- the timing information maintained by the base station;
- and
- global positioning satellite signal data;
- deriving, at the mobile unit or the central network authority, global positioning satellite timing information from the signal data;
- creating an association comprising the global positioning satellite timing information and the timing information received from the base station;
- and
- in response to the association, updating the timing information maintained by the base station.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.