Method and apparatus for reducing power consumption in a mobile radio

Abstract

Methods and systems for generating timing signals in remote units which can be used in a radiocommunication system are described. A high accuracy clock can be used to provide a timing reference signal for a processor in the remote unit during times when highly accurate timing signals are required. During periods of low activity, the high accuracy clock can be turned off and a low accuracy clock can be used to generate the reference timing signals for the processor. Periodically, the accuracy of the low accuracy clock can be checked by determining a number of low accuracy clock pulses which are generated between system timing signals created based upon the high accuracy clock pulses. In this way, when the low accuracy clock is relied upon to create the system tuning signals, the accuracy is sufficient to enable the processor to recognize when it is time to again power up the high accuracy clock. Moreover, checking the accuracy of the low accuracy clock enables the processor to provide error compensation signals to a real time clock function which relies upon the low accuracy clock pulses for determining a current time.