SYNCHRONIZATION SIGNAL DESIGN FOR WIRELESS DEVICES IN A LONG RANGE EXTENSION MODE.

摘要

Systems and methods related to a synchronization signal (18) particularly well suited for wireless devices (22) in an extended coverage area (16) of a cell (14) of a cellular communications network (10) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a base station (12) transmits a synchronization signal (18) including multiple repetitions of a basic synchronization block during a coherence time of a downlink channel over which the synchronization signal (18) is transmitted. The multiple repetitions of the basic synchronization block during the coherence time enable coherent combining during detection of the synchronization signal (18) at wireless devices (22) located in the cellular communications network (10). This coherent combining enables, for example, wireless devices (22) located in an extended coverage area (16) of a cell (14) served by the base station (12) to synchronize to the cell (14) using a shorter synchronization signal (18) than that which would be required if only non-coherent combining were used.