Patent ID: 11564188

Abstract:
A method of operating a distributed MIMO system is disclosed. The distributed MIMO system is configured to serve a plurality of wireless communication devices (u1, . . . , uN). The distributed MIMO system comprises a number of access points (A1, . . . , AK), each comprising a time circuit (180) configured to keep track of a local time of the access point (A1, . . . , AK). The method comprises performing (210) an intra-group synchronization procedure for a group (G1) of at least three access points (A1-A3). The intra-group synchronization procedure comprises, for each access point (Ai) in the group (G1), transmitting (Ti), from that access point (Ai), a synchronization signal and obtaining (Oi) a transmission time indicator indicating a transmission time of that synchronization signal in the local time of that access point (Ai). Furthermore, the intra-group synchronization procedure comprises receiving (Rim, Rin), by each of the other access points (Am, An) in the group, the synchronization signal and obtaining (Oim, Oin) reception time indicators indicating reception times, in the local times of the other access points (Am, An), when the synchronization signal was received by the other access points (Am, An) in the group.