Base station oscillator regulation independent of transport network clocks in cellular telecommunications network

Abstract

Synchronization is effected in a cellular telecommunications network between a timing unit located at control node (e.g., RNC) of the network and a slave timing unit (STU) located at a controlled node (e.g., base station) of the network. Upon determining that a synchronization adjustment of the slave timing unit is necessary, an adjustment signal (e.g., voltage signal) is caused to be input to the oscillator of the slave timing unit in order to change the frequency of the slave's oscillator. Frame counter(s), in communication with the oscillator at the slave timing unit, will thus follow the oscillator continuously with smooth phase adjustments. By avoiding a direct adjustment of the frame counter(s), undesirable phase jumps or steps are avoided that can potentially disturb the air-interface between a base station and mobile station (MS).