Synchronization sequences and carrier type detection

A wireless device for operation in a cellular communications network, comprising:

• a transceiver;
• a processor associated with the transceiver;
• and
• memory containing software instructions executable by the processor whereby the wireless device is operative to:
• receive, via the transceiver, a carrier signal transmitted by a radio access node of the cellular communications network;
• detect, in the carrier signal, a first physical signal that primarily supports synchronization and cell identification and a second physical signal that supports a functionality other than synchronization and cell identification, wherein a time-domain spacing between the first physical signal and the second physical signal is a function of a characteristic of the carrier signal;
• and
• determine the characteristic of the carrier signal based on the time-domain spacing between the first physical signal and the second physical signal detected in the carrier signal.

A radio access node in a cellular communications network, comprising:

• a transceiver;
• a processor associated with the transceiver;
• and
• memory containing software instructions executable by the processor whereby the radio access node is operative to transmit a carrier signal comprising a first physical signal that primarily supports synchronization and cell identification and a second physical signal that supports a functionality other than synchronization and cell identification such that a time-domain spacing between the first physical signal and the second physical signal is a function of a characteristic of the carrier signal.