Patent ID: 10104714

Abstract:
A wireless communication system (10) comprises multiple groups (12) of wireless communication devices (14). The devices (14) within any given group (12) are synchronized to the same timing reference and devices (14) in different groups (12) are not synchronized to the same timing reference. A device (14) transmits direct control signaling to other devices (14) according to the timing reference of its group (12). A method in the system (10) is implemented by a radio node (16) associated with one of the groups (12). The method includes generating (110) a message that indicates, for each of one or more of the groups (12), a range of possible values for misalignment between the timing reference of that group (12) and a common timing reference. This range accounts for uncertainty in that misalignment. The method also entails transmitting (120) the message from the radio node (16).