Hybrid timing for a GNSS receiver

摘要

Synchronization of a time base at a local clock to a reference time. Initially, correction data (e.g., synchronization data) may be derived from packet data received over an asynchronous packet-switched network (e.g., the internet). Correction data derived from the packet data may be used to correct at least a portion of the time base (e.g., a frequency component). In turn, once the time base is corrected (e.g., to better than a predetermined quality threshold), the source of synchronization data may change to an alternate (e.g., more accurate source) such as positioning signals from a positioning system. In this regard, the corrected time base may be used to assist in acquiring such positioning signals to allow for higher accuracy correction. Furthermore, use of the positioning system may allow for correction of a phase of the time base (e.g., to align the phase to the positioning system. In turn, an accurate time base may be utilized (e.g., for location determination using the positioning system) and/or other contexts such as a downstream communication operation. For instance, a device employing the synchronization techniques described herein may be an LTE base station used to facilitate downstream communication with another device by use of the synchronized time base.

主权项

1. A system for synchronizing a local clock at a device, comprising:
a local reference oscillator operative to generate a time base for the device; a network interface device in operative communication with an asynchronous packet-switched communication network to receive a synchronization data communication of synchronization data from the asynchronous packet-switched communication network; a positioning system receiver operative to receive at least on positioning system signal from a positioning system; and a synchronization module in operative communication with the network interface module and the positioning system receiver and configured to synchronize the local reference oscillator using the synchronization data communication from the network interface module in a first time period and the at least one positioning system signal from the positioning system receiver in a second time period; wherein the positioning system receiver acquires the at least one positioning system signal based on the local reference oscillator in the first period in which the local reference oscillator is corrected using the synchronization data communication from the network interface device.