Methods for synchronizing macro cell and small cell systems

摘要

Example embodiments are directed to a method including transmitting, by a small cell, a pilot signal to a user equipment (UE) based on a first training signal received from the UE, and receiving, by the small cell, a second training signal from the UE. The second training signal is offset by a time based on the pilot signal transmitted by the small cell. The time offset represents a difference in time between the UE receiving a reference signal transmitted by a macro cell and the UE receiving the pilot signal transmitted by the small cell. The small cell adjusts a local reference timing based on the second training signal.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
transmitting, by a small cell, a pilot signal to a user equipment (UE) based on a first training signal received from the UE; receiving, by the small cell, a second training signal from the UE, the second training signal being offset by a time based on round trip information, the round trip information including a first propagation delay between the UE and small cell for the first training signal and a second propagation delay between the small cell and the UE for the pilot signal transmitted by the small cell, the time offset representing a difference in time between the UE receiving a reference signal transmitted by a macro cell and the UE receiving the pilot signal transmitted by the small cell; adjusting, by the small cell, a reference timing of the small cell directly based on the second training signal; wherein the transmitting transmits the pilot signal based on the reference timing of the small cell; and wherein the time offset is one half of a round trip delay.