Timing adjustment in multi-hop communication system

Abstract

A timing adjustment method for use in a multi-hop communication system is provided. The system includes a source apparatus, a destination apparatus and one or more intermediate apparatuses, said source apparatus being operable to transmit information along a series of links forming a communication path extending from the source apparatus to the destination apparatus via the or each intermediate apparatus, and the or each intermediate apparatus being operable to receive information from a previous apparatus along the path and to transmit the received information to a subsequent apparatus along the path, the system being configured to transmit information in a plurality of consecutive labelled intervals. The method includes transmitting information in a first labelled interval from a first said apparatus along a plurality of consecutive links of said path via one or more said intermediate apparatuses to a second said apparatus, said information including a reference to a particular one of said labelled intervals and the transmission of that information incurring a delay such that the transmitted information, or information derived therefrom, is received by said second apparatus in a second labelled interval a number of such intervals after the first labelled interval. The method also includes adjusting said reference to form an adjusted reference referring to a further labelled interval the or another number of such intervals before or after the particular labelled interval.