Beam-Scan Time Indicator

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to transmitting synchronization signals and in particular to so called beam sweep. In particular the disclosure relates to methods for providing synchronization using synchronization sequences that are transmitted at different points in time. The disclosure also relates to corresponding devices and computer programs. A method in a network node, for transmitting synchronization sequences of a synchronization signal to one or more receiving wireless devices, comprises determining multiple synchronization sequences, such that each synchronization sequence comprises a respective timing indication, whereby each synchronization sequence enables determination of a time of an event in a receiving wireless device and transmitting the synchronization sequences to the one or more wireless devices, at different points in time.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method implemented by a network node, for transmitting synchronization sequences of a synchronization signal to one or more receiving wireless devices, the method comprising:
 determining multiple synchronization sequences, such that each synchronization sequence comprises a respective timing indication, whereby each synchronization sequence enables determination of a time of an event in a receiving wireless device; and   transmitting the synchronization sequences to the one or more wireless devices, at different points in time.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the multiple synchronization sequences are time dependent versions of a synchronization signal referring to one particular event. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a time of the event. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the synchronization sequences are transmitted in different directions. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the transmission of the synchronization sequences constitutes a beam sweep. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the timing indications are relative to a time of transmission of the respective synchronization sequence. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the timing indications are relative to a reference clock. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the event is a time of a reserved time slot where the wireless device is allowed to transmit. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the reserved time slot is a random access window. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the event is a time of a further transmission from the network node. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the timing indications are encoded into the synchronization sequence. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the synchronization sequences are determined to comprise a synchronization sequence from a set of dissimilar synchronization sequences, and wherein each of the dissimilar synchronization sequences in the set is mapped to a respective point in time or to a timing. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each synchronization sequence is mapped to a time or timing by an index. 
     
     
         14 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program comprising program instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry in a network node, configures the network node for transmitting synchronization sequences of a synchronization signal to one or more receiving wireless devices, the computer program comprising program instructions causing the network node to:
 determine multiple synchronization sequences, such that each synchronization sequence comprises a respective timing indication, whereby each synchronization sequence enables determination of a time of an event in a receiving wireless device; and   transmit the synchronization sequences to the one or more wireless devices, at different points in time.   
     
     
         15 . A method implemented by a wireless device, for receiving one or more synchronization sequences of a synchronization signal, the method comprising:
 monitoring a spectrum for synchronisation sequences; and   when a first synchronisation sequence is detected then:
 obtaining, by analysing the content of the detected first synchronisation sequence, a timing indication defining a time of an event. 
   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the method comprises receiving a second synchronization sequence, wherein the first and the second synchronization sequences define the same time. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising performing a transceiver operation at the time defined by the timing indication. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the timing indications are relative times to a time of a transmission of the respective synchronization sequence. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the timing indications are relative to a reference clock. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the event is a time of a reserved time slot where the wireless device is allowed to transmit. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the reserved time slot is a random access window. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the event is a time when the wireless device is requested to listen for further transmission from the network node. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the timing indications are encoded into the synchronization sequences and wherein the analyzing comprises decoding the synchronization sequence. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the wireless device monitors the spectrum for several dissimilar synchronization sequences, and wherein each of the dissimilar synchronization sequences is mapped to a respective point in time or to a timing. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein each synchronization sequence is mapped to a time or timing by an index and wherein the obtaining comprises retrieving a time of timing using the index. 
     
     
         26 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a computer program comprising program instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry in a wireless device, configures the wireless device for receiving one or more synchronization sequences of a synchronization signal, the computer program comprising program instructions causing the wireless device to:
 monitor a spectrum for synchronisation sequences; and   when a first synchronisation sequence is detected then:
 obtain, by analysing the content of the detected first synchronisation sequence, a timing indication defining a time of an event. 
   
     
     
         27 . A network node in a cellular communication network configured for transmitting synchronization sequences of a synchronization signal to one or more receiving wireless devices, the network node, comprising:
 a communication interface; and   processing circuitry configured to cause the network node to:
 determine multiple synchronization sequences, such that each synchronization sequence comprises a respective timing indication, whereby each synchronization sequence enables determination of a time of an event in a receiving wireless device; and 
 transmit the synchronization sequences to the one or more wireless devices, at different points in time. 
   
     
     
         28 . A wireless device being configured for receiving one or more synchronization sequences of a synchronization signal, the wireless device comprising:
 circuitry communication interface; and   processing circuitry configured to cause the wireless device to:
 monitor a spectrum for synchronisation sequences; and 
 when a first synchronisation sequence is detected then:
 obtain, by analysing the content of the detected first synchronisation sequence, a timing indication defining a time of an event.