Method and apparatus for synchronizing a wireless network with an external timing source
A communications device synchronizes itself with respect to an external reference signal, e.g., a GPS signal. The communications device detects timing reference signals, e.g., beacon signals, from a communications network. If the communications device determines that the network is not synchronized to the external timing reference signal, the communications device operates as a master timing control device. In various embodiments, when operating as a master timing control device the wireless communications device communicates time stamps, e.g., in beacon signals, which indicate a greater passage of time than the actual passage of time. When operating as a master timing control device the communications device transmits network timing reference signals at a higher rate than is being used by the network to seize control of network timing and become the master timing control device. The communications device drives the network timing to synchronize network timing to the external timing reference.
QUALCOMM Incorporated
H
H04W
inventional
Thomas J. Hemanth Simone Junyi Nilesh N. Saurabh Santosh Paul Zhibin
Richardson Sampath Merlin Li Khude Tavildar Abraham Wu