Improving timing capabilities in 3G mobile networks

Various characteristics of time transfer over 3G mobile telecommunication networks are investigated. The investigation aims at the three typical regimes in which the modem can be operated: 1) UMTS logical CTCH (Common Traffic Channel) operating over the UMTS FACH (Forward Access Channel) physical channel; 2) UMTS data transfer logical DTCH (Dedicated Traffic Channel) operating over the UMTS DCH (Dedicated Channel) physical channel; 3) HSDPA data transfer logical DTCH (Dedicated Traffic Channel) operating over the HS-DSCH (High Speed Shared Data Channel) physical channel. It is found that the most important role in the quality of synchronization and time transfer is played by the network asymmetry, not the absolute delay time.