Abstract: A group of radio network nodes (14) performs automatic synchronization source selection using Radio-interface Based Synchronization, based on the exchange of clock-attribute information between respective nodes (14) via inter-node connections. Access to the clock-attribute information for other nodes (14) in the same domain or subdomain allows a given node (14) to select the best or most preferred synchronization source for use in synchronizing its own clock (44), based on a combined or joint evaluation of parameters or metrics that include the reception quality of OTA signals from respective ones of the candidate nodes (14) and the corresponding clock-attribute information. Further parameters or metrics may be evaluated in the selection, such as neighbor-relation considerations. The combined use of OTA synchronization signaling and clock-attribute information exchanges, e.g.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a network node (e.g., a base station) collects information pertaining to components that form a Maximum Received Timing Difference (MRTD). For instance, the network node determines TAE. The network node then evaluates, for a particular UE, whether a certain MRTD requirement (MRTDR) for a specific coordinated service (CS) can be fulfilled. If the requirement can be met, then the network node may initiate the specific CS for the UE (or continue providing the CS), and if the requirement cannot be met, then the network node may stop or modify the CS for the UE.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided. In an example aspect, a method (300, 400, 500) of estimating a location of a User Equipment (UE) is provided. The method comprises determining (302) whether a signal transmitted between the UE and a first network node has a line-of-sight (LoS) path between the UE and the first network node, and estimating (304) the location of the UE based on the signal received at the first network node and based on whether the signal has a LoS path.

Abstract: A method performed by a system of a wireless communication network is disclosed. The method relates to provisioning of a time-sensitive service related to a wireless device. The wireless communication network comprises a plurality of antenna reference points, ARPs, of one or more radio access network nodes of the wireless communication network. The method comprises obtaining information that a first ARP and a second ARP of the plurality of ARPs are to provide the time-sensitive service to the wireless device, determining, by inter-ARP radio signalling between ARPs of one or more pairs of the plurality of ARPs, one of the one or more pairs including the first ARP and one of the one or more pairs including the second ARP, a relative timing error between the first ARP and the second ARP, and taking the determined relative timing error into consideration when providing the service to the wireless device.

Abstract: A method performed by a system of a wireless communication network is disclosed. The method relates to provisioning of a time-sensitive service related to a wireless device. The wireless communication network comprises a plurality of antenna reference points, ARPs, of one or more radio access network nodes of the wireless communication network. The method comprises obtaining information that a first ARP and a second ARP of the plurality of ARPs are to provide the time-sensitive service to the wireless device, determining, by inter-ARP radio signalling between ARPs of one or more pairs of the plurality of ARPs, one of the one or more pairs including the first ARP and one of the one or more pairs including the second ARP, a relative timing error between the first ARP and the second ARP, and taking the determined relative timing error into consideration when providing the service to the wireless device.

Abstract: A group of radio network nodes (14) performs automatic synchronization source selection using Radio-interface Based Synchronization, based on the exchange of clock-attribute information between respective nodes (14) via inter-node connections. Access to the clock-attribute information for other nodes (14) in the same domain or subdomain allows a given node (14) to select the best or most preferred synchronization source for use in synchronizing its own clock (44), based on a combined or joint evaluation of parameters or metrics that include the reception quality of OTA signals from respective ones of the candidate nodes (14) and the corresponding clock-attribute information. Further parameters or metrics may be evaluated in the selection, such as neighbor-relation considerations. The combined use of OTA synchronization signaling and clock-attribute information exchanges, e.g.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a network node (e.g., a base station) collects information pertaining to components that form a Maximum Received Timing Difference (MRTD). For instance, the network node determines TAE. The network node then evaluates, for a particular UE, whether a certain MRTD requirement (MRTDR) for a specific coordinated service (CS) can be fulfilled. If the requirement can be met, then the network node may initiate the specific CS for the UE (or continue providing the CS), and if the requirement cannot be met, then the network node may stop or modify the CS for the UE.

Abstract: A method, user equipment (UE) and location server for estimating position of a UE based on observed angles of arrival. According to one embodiment, angles of arrival of signals from a plurality of base stations are received by a UE are observed by scanning for position reference signals (PRS) by adjusting a phase difference between antennas to cause a null of a beam of the UE to be incremented through an angular sector. For each of a plurality of base stations, an angle of arrival at which the null is steered when a PRS is suppressed by the null and a reference signal time difference, RSTD, are determined. Each angle of arrival and corresponding RSTD is transmitted to a location server which estimates UE position based on the observed angles of arrival. Further, the location server may instruct the UE to suppress a non-line-of-sight PRS signal.

Abstract: A method, user equipment (UE) and location server for estimating position of a UE based on observed angles of arrival. According to one embodiment, angles of arrival of signals from a plurality of base stations are received by a UE are observed by scanning for position reference signals (PRS) by adjusting a phase difference between antennas to cause a null of a beam of the UE to be incremented through an angular sector. For each of a plurality of base stations, an angle of arrival at which the null is steered when a PRS is suppressed by the null and a reference signal time difference, RSTD, are determined. Each angle of arrival and corresponding RSTD is transmitted to a location server which estimates UE position based on the observed angles of arrival. Further, the location server may instruct the UE to suppress a non-line-of-sight PRS signal.

Abstract: A method and nodes for wireless timing synchronization of a target node and a source node. In some embodiments, a request is sent to a source node for time synchronizing the target node with the source node. A first time, T1, indicative of time of transmission of a first radio signal from the source node to the target node is determined. A second time, T2, indicative of time of receipt of the first radio signal at the target node is determined. A third time, T3, indicative of time of transmission of a second radio signal from the target node to the source node is determined. A fourth time, T4, indicative of time of receipt of the second radio signal at the source node is determined. A clock offset based on T1, T2, T3 and T4 for use in time synchronizing the target node with the source node is determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a location of a wireless device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of operation of a central processing node for a shared cell of a cellular communications network includes obtaining signal strength measurements for a signal received from a wireless device at multiple Reception/Transmission (R/T) points in the shared cell. The signal strength measurements are simultaneous signal strength measurements made on signal discrimination space resources in an uplink of the shared cell. Further, the signal discrimination space resources are matched to capabilities of power meters utilized to generate the signal strength measurements. The method further includes identifying one or more of the R/T points having the best signal strength measurements and estimating a location of the wireless device based on known locations of the identified R/T point(s).

Abstract: A method and nodes for wireless timing synchronization of a target node and a source node. In some embodiments, a request is sent to a source node for time synchronizing the target node with the source node. A first time, T1, indicative of time of transmission of a first radio signal from the source node to the target node is determined. A second time, T2, indicative of time of receipt of the first radio signal at the target node is determined. A third time, T3, indicative of time of transmission of a second radio signal from the target node to the source node is determined. A fourth time, T4, indicative of time of receipt of the second radio signal at the source node is determined. A clock offset based on T1, T2, T3 and T4 for use in time synchronizing the target node with the source node is determined.

Abstract: Networks, network devices and methods of synchronization using transfer of synchronization packets are provided. Some network devices are configured to use either a timing reference extracted based on GPS signals or an imported timing reference, as an operative time reference. A network device from which to import the time reference is selected and may be updated to meet a selection rule related to the quality of receiving the transfer of synchronization packets.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a location of a wireless device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of operation of a central processing node for a shared cell of a cellular communications network includes obtaining signal strength measurements for a signal received from a wireless device at multiple Reception/Transmission (R/T) points in the shared cell. The signal strength measurements are simultaneous signal strength measurements made on signal discrimination space resources in an uplink of the shared cell. Further, the signal discrimination space resources are matched to capabilities of power meters utilized to generate the signal strength measurements. The method further includes identifying one or more of the R/T points having the best signal strength measurements and estimating a location of the wireless device based on known locations of the identified R/T point(s).

Abstract: A method, user equipment (UE) and location server for estimating position of a UE based on observed angles of arrival. According to one embodiment, angles of arrival of signals from a plurality of base stations are received by a UE are observed by scanning for position reference signals (PRS) by adjusting a phase difference between antennas to cause a null of a beam of the UE to be incremented through an angular sector. For each of a plurality of base stations, an angle of arrival at which the null is steered when a PRS is suppressed by the null and a reference signal time difference, RSTD, are determined. Each angle of arrival and corresponding RSTD is transmitted to a location server which estimates UE position based on the observed angles of arrival. Further, the location server may instruct the UE to suppress a non-line-of-sight PRS signal.

Abstract: Networks, network devices and methods of synchronization using transfer of synchronization packets are provided. Some network devices are configured to use either a timing reference extracted based on GPS signals or an imported timing reference, as an operative time reference. A network device from which to import the time reference is selected and may be updated to meet a selection rule related to the quality of receiving the transfer of synchronization packets.

Abstract: Networks, network devices and methods of synchronization using transfer of synchronization packets are provided. Some network devices are configured to use either a timing reference extracted based on GPS signals or an imported timing reference, as an operative time reference. A network device from which to import the time reference is selected and may be updated to meet a selection rule related to the quality of receiving the transfer of synchronization packets.

Abstract: Networks, network devices and methods of synchronization using transfer of synchronization packets are provided. Some network devices are configured to use either a timing reference extracted based on GPS signals or an imported timing reference, as an operative time reference. A network device from which to import the time reference is selected and may be updated to meet a selection rule related to the quality of receiving the transfer of synchronization packets.

Abstract: Networks, network devices and methods of synchronization using transfer of synchronization packets are provided. Some network devices are configured to use either a timing reference extracted based on GPS signals or an imported timing reference, as an operative time reference. A network device from which to import the time reference is selected and may be updated to meet a selection rule related to the quality of receiving the transfer of synchronization packets.

Abstract: Networks, network devices and methods of synchronization using transfer of synchronization packets are provided. Some network devices are configured to use either a timing reference extracted based on GPS signals or an imported timing reference, as an operative time reference. A network device from which to import the time reference is selected and may be updated to meet a selection rule related to the quality of receiving the transfer of synchronization packets.