Patent ID: 11812398

Abstract:
A group of radio network nodes (14) performs automatic synchronization source selection using Radio-interface Based Synchronization, based on the exchange of clock-attribute information between respective nodes (14) via inter-node connections. Access to the clock-attribute information for other nodes (14) in the same domain or subdomain allows a given node (14) to select the best or most preferred synchronization source for use in synchronizing its own clock (44), based on a combined or joint evaluation of parameters or metrics that include the reception quality of OTA signals from respective ones of the candidate nodes (14) and the corresponding clock-attribute information. Further parameters or metrics may be evaluated in the selection, such as neighbor-relation considerations. The combined use of OTA synchronization signaling and clock-attribute information exchanges, e.g., according to IEEE 1588 PTP, enables the group of nodes (14) to carry out Best Master Clock Selection (BMCS) or Alternate BMCS algorithms on an automatic basis.