Method to indicate synchronization lock of a remote station with a base

Abstract

A method for a wireless discrete tone communications system, synchronizes the remote station to the base station. The method begins with the step of generating a clock signal at the base station. The base station then derives a synchronization symbol pattern from the base station clock signal and spreads the it with spreading codes that distributes the symbol pattern over a plurality of discrete tones, forming a discrete tone signal. The base station then transmits the spread signal to the remote station. The remote station generates a first clock signal and samples the discrete tones using the remote station first clock signal, forming a first sampled signal. Then the remote station applies the first sampled signal to a matched filter bank, forming a frequency error signal. The method then adjusts a frequency of the remote station first clock signal using the frequency error signal, forming a second clock signal. Then the remote station samples the discrete tones using the remote station second clock signal, forming a second sampled signal. Then the remote station despreads the second sampled signal with despreading codes to extract the synchronization symbol pattern. Then the remote station compares the extracted synchronization symbol pattern with a reference symbol pattern at the remote station. If the comparing step is successful, then the remote station selectively processes traffic signals received from the base station using the second clock signal. If the comparing step is not successful, then the remote station selectively adjusts a time offset value of the remote station second clock signal forming a third clock signal. The remote station then samples the discrete tones using the remote station third clock signal, forming a third sampled signal. The remote station then despreads the third sampled signal with despreading codes to form a second extraction of the synchronization symbol pattern. The remote station then compares the second extraction of the synchronization symbol pattern with the reference symbol pattern at the remote station. If the step of comparing the second extraction is successful, then the remote station selectively processes traffic signals received from the base station using the third clock signal.