Methods and apparatus for supporting synchronization between groups of devices
US8483196B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jul 9, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 12, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W92/10
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus related to supporting rapid synchronization between groups of wireless communications devices are described. Described methods and apparatus are well suited for use in peer to peer wireless communications systems in which a plurality of ad hoc peer to peer networks may be formed, each ad hoc network operating with its own notion of time. As two groups of devices, having different notions of time, come within proximity of one another, a wireless communications device of a first group detects the presence of a member of a second group. The wireless device determines that network timing re-synchronization is to be performed by one of the first and second groups and transmits a re-synchronization alert signal on a dedicated resource. Subsequently, the wireless device transmits a timing synchronization signal in accordance with new timing. Intended devices, which detect the alert signal and timing synchronization signal, adjust their internal timing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.