Over-the-air synchronization for small cells in a wireless communication network

摘要

A timing offset value between at least one macro node and a common global navigation satellite system, GNSS, derived reference time is measured. The timing offset value is transmitted to at least a cell node that does not have a GNSS reference for transmission timing adjusting at the cell node. In some embodiments, where no small cell in a cluster has a GNSS reference time, a timing of a macro base station is used as a reference for synchronizing small cells in the cluster.

主权项

1. A method of synchronizing a plurality of nodes in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:
receiving a first measured timing offset value between a first node of a first type and a common global navigation satellite system, GNSS, reference time received from a first node of a second type having the GNSS reference time; determining a timing offset value based on the first measured timing offset value; and transmitting the determined timing offset value to a second node of the second type that does not have a GNSS reference time so that the second node of the second type is enabled to synchronize to timing of the first node of the first type.