| 摘要 |
A system, apparatus and corresponding method for time synchronization, using cellular signal bursts, of for example a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. To synchronize a main module, with access to a clock, to the reference time provided by a cellular communication system via a cellular communication signal, the method includes the steps of: a) having a cellular module respond to the cellular communication signal indicating a time-stamp, by providing a trigger pulse derived from the data component of the cellular communication signal, and also by providing information indicating a time-mark relating the trigger pulse to a universal time; b) having the main module, with access to the clock that provides a signal indicating local time, respond to the information indicating the time-mark; c) communicating the trigger pulse to a timing register coupled to the main module, the communicating being performed via a special hardware path that provides the trigger pulse without substantial random delay; d) having the timing register respond to the signal indicating local time, and also respond to the trigger pulse, by holding information indicating, in local time, when the trigger pulse is received by the timing register; and e) having the main module access the timing register and so obtain the time when the trigger arrives, and further having the main module determine the difference between when the information indicating the time-mark arrives and when the trigger arrives. |
