FIELD

The present disclosure is generally related to the synchronization of communication devices in a wireless communication system.

BACKGROUND

In a communication system, each communication device has an internal clock. The internal clock of the communication device needs to be synchronized with reference to an external clock, such as a global positioning system (GPS) clock or a coordinated universal time (UTC) clock. Synchronizing each communication device in the communication system requires a network time protocol (NTP) server. In addition to the NTP server, several gateway servers may also be required. The NTP server and gateway servers required for synchronizing internal clocks of the communication devices increase the complexity of the communication system and the total cost of the communication system.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device is disclosed. The communication device may include a clock, a first transceiver coupled with an antenna, a second transceiver coupled with a transducer, a memory, and at least one processor that is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory. The instructions cause the at least one processor to perform operations including receiving at least one message from a second communication device of a plurality of communication devices over a preconfigured time duration. The at least one message received at the communication device of the plurality of communication devices from the second communication device may include first timing information that indicates a sync-time of the second communication device. The operations may include determining a first local time of the clock of the communication device at which the at least one message from the second communication device is received and determining the sync-time of the second communication device based on the at least one message received from the second communication device. The operations may include mapping the sync-time of the second communication device to a second local time of the clock of the communication device based on the first local time, and the determined sync-time of the second communication device. The operations may include adjusting a sync-time of the communication device based on the second local time. In embodiments, the sync-time of the communication device may correspond with a first configurable offset within which a first data may be transmitted from the communication device to the plurality of communication devices, and the sync-time of the second communication device may correspond with a second configurable offset within which a second data may be transmitted from the second communication device to the plurality of communication devices. The first data may include location information of the communication device, and the second data may include location information of the second communication device. The communication device and the second communication device may be base stations. In embodiments, the first transceiver is a radio frequency transceiver, and the second transceiver is an acoustic transceiver or an infrared transceiver.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is disclosed. The method steps may be performed by a first communication device of a plurality of communication devices. The method may include receiving, at the first communication device, at least one message from a second communication device of the plurality of communication devices over a preconfigured time duration. The at least one message from the second communication device may include first timing information that indicates a sync-time of the second communication device. The method may include determining a first local time of a clock of the first communication device at which the at least one message from the second communication device is received and determining the sync-time of the second communication device based on the at least one message received from the second communication device. The method may include mapping the sync-time of the second communication device to a second local time of the clock of the first communication device based on the first local time, and the determined sync-time of the second communication device. The method may include adjusting a sync-time of the first communication device based on the second local time. In embodiments, the sync-time of the first communication device may correspond with a first configurable offset within which a first data may be transmitted from the first communication device to the plurality of communication devices, and the sync-time of the second communication device may correspond with a second configurable offset within which a second data may be transmitted from the second communication device to the plurality of communication devices. The first data may include location information of the first communication device, and the second data may include location information of the second communication device. The first communication device and the second communication device may be base stations.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable media (CRM) including computer instructions, is disclosed. The computer instructions may be executed by one or more processors of a communication device of a plurality of communication devices, and cause the one or more processors to receive at least one message from a second communication device of the plurality communication devices over a preconfigured time duration. The at least one message from the second communication device may include first timing information that indicates a sync-time of the second communication device. The computer instructions may cause the one or more processors to determine a first local time of a clock of communication device at which the at least one message from the second communication device is received and the sync-time of the second communication device based on the at least one message received from the second communication device. The computer instructions may cause the one or more processors to map the sync-time of the second communication device to a second local time of the clock of the communication device based on the first local time, and the determined sync-time of the second communication device. The computer instructions may cause the one or more processors to adjust a sync-time of the communication device based on the second local time. In embodiments, the sync-time of the communication device may correspond with a first configurable offset within which a first data may be transmitted from the communication device to the plurality of communication devices, and the sync-time of the second communication device may correspond with a second configurable offset within which a second data may be transmitted from the second communication device to the plurality of communication devices. The first data may include location information of the communication device, and the second data may include location information of the second communication device. The communication device and the second communication device may be base stations.

