Communication unit and method for frequency synchronizing in a cellular communication network

An integrated circuit comprising a signal processor arranged to:

• receive radio frequency (RF) signals from at least one wireless serving communication unit;
• decode system information within received RF signals transmitted by the at least one wireless serving communication unit;
• determine from the decoded system information as to whether the wireless serving communication unit supports a restricted access communication cell;
• decide whether the RF signals received from the wireless serving communication unit are suitable as a timing signal source when synchronizing an operating frequency of the communication unit based at least partly on the determination;
• synchronize the operating frequency of the communication unit to the received RF signal of the at least one wireless serving communication unit if it is decided that RF signals received from the wireless serving communication unit are suitable as a timing signal source;
• and
• if it is determined that the at least one wireless serving communication unit does not support a restricted access communication cell, utilize RF signals received from the at least one wireless serving communication unit as a timing signal source when synchronizing an operating frequency of the communication unit.

A wireless communication system comprising a communication unit comprising receiver circuitry for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals from at least one wireless serving communication unit, and a signal processor;

• the signal processor arranged to:
• decode system information within received RF signals transmitted by the at least one wireless serving communication unit;
• determine whether the at least one wireless serving communication unit supports a restricted access communication cell based on decoded system information;
• decide whether the RF signals received from the at least one wireless serving communication unit are suitable as a timing signal source when synchronizing an operating frequency of the communication unit based at least partly on the determination;
• and
• upon determining that the at least one wireless serving communication unit does not support a restricted access communication cell, utilize RF signals received from the at least one wireless serving communication unit as a timing signal source when synchronizing an operating frequency of the communication unit.

A method for frequency synchronizing a wireless communication unit, the method comprising:

• receiving a Radio Frequency (RF) signal from at least one wireless serving communication unit;
• decoding system information within the received RF signal;
• determining whether the at least one wireless serving communication unit supports a restricted access communication cell based on decoded system information;
• deciding whether the RF signals received from the at least one wireless serving communication unit are suitable as a timing signal source when synchronizing an operating frequency of the communication unit based at least partly on the determination;
• and
• upon determining that the at least one wireless serving communication unit does not support a restricted access communication cell, utilizing RF signals received from the at least one wireless serving communication unit as a timing signal source when synchronizing an operating frequency of the communication unit.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage element having a computer-readable code stored thereon for programming a signal processing logic module to perform frequency synchronizing at least one wireless serving communication unit, the code operable for:

• receiving a Radio Frequency (RF) signal from at least one wireless serving communication unit;
• decoding system information within the received RF signal;
• determining whether the at least one wireless serving communication unit supports a restricted access communication cell based on the decoded system information;
• deciding whether RF signals received from the at least one wireless serving communication unit are suitable as a timing signal source when synchronizing an operating frequency of the communication unit based at least partly on the determination;
• and
• upon determining that the at least one wireless serving communication unit does not support a restricted access communication cell, utilizing RF signals received from the at least one wireless serving communication unit as a timing signal source when synchronizing an operating frequency of the communication unit.