Cell Timing Synchronization Via Network Listening

摘要

The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for performing timing synchronization via network listening. The system and method can be implemented in a non-synchronized base station to receive Cell-Specific Reference Signals (CRSs) of a synchronized base station during guard periods of special subframes. To allow the non-synchronized base station to receive the CRSs, the non-synchronized base station can configure one or more of its special subframes to have a shorter downlink part than corresponding special subframes of the synchronized base station. The system and method of the present disclosure can use the received CRSs to synchronize the timing of the non-synchronized base station to the timing of the synchronized base station. To prevent a substantial loss in downlink throughput due to the non-synchronized base station using a shorter DwPTS part, tracking can be performed on a once per multiple radio frame basis.

主权项

1. A method for performing timing synchronization in a cellular network comprising:
determining a synchronization stratum of a timing donee base station; configuring a special subframe of the timing donee base station with a shorter downlink portion than a special subframe of a primary synchronization source base station every N frames in a plurality of frames, wherein N is an integer greater than one that is determined based on the synchronization stratum of the timing donee base station; receiving a reference signal during special subframes of the timing donee base station that are in the plurality of frames and configured with the shorter downlink portion; and adjusting a phase of a clock used by the timing donee base station to upconvert symbols for downlink transmission based on the reference signal.