Patent ID: 7742779

Claim:
A method for synchronizing a radio communication system divided up into radio cells, comprising: transmitting data by a timeslot multiple access method with each radio cell having a base station for providing radio coverage to a plurality of mobile stations assigned to the radio cell; receiving at each base station signals from mobile stations assigned to the radio cell of the base station and signals from mobile stations assigned to adjacent radio cells; determining the number of mobile stations at the base station, on the basis of the signals received from the mobile stations and comparing the number at the base station with a predefined threshold value; if the number of mobile stations is below the threshold value, then using a first synchronization method for synchronizing the base station and the mobile stations assigned to the base station, the first synchronization method corresponding to an assigned transmission standard of the radio communication system; if the number of mobile stations exceeds the threshold value, then using a second synchronization method in which the base station evaluates the signals received from the mobile stations to determine a time synchronization value and a frequency synchronization value to which the base station synchronizes itself; if the number of mobile stations exceeds the threshold value, then receiving at the mobile station a signal from the base station of the radio cell to which the mobile station is assigned and signals from base stations of adjacent radio cells; and if the number of mobile stations exceeds the threshold value, then evaluating the base station signals received at the mobile station to determine a time synchronization value and a frequency synchronization value to which the mobile station synchronizes itself.