Autonomous time synchronization among radio ports in wireless personal communications

The implications for local exchange networks of wireless technology alternatives that could provide access to those networks are discussed. A practical "over-the-air" algorithm which is autonomously performed by individual ports and hierarchically controlled by the ports having the most reliable timing is described. This process involves only small overhead for demodulating special timing bits transmitted by other ports and adjusting timing accordingly. Computer simulations based on a TDMA (time division multiple access) system with port spacing of 2000-3000 ft and 500-kb/s transmission rate are used as an example to evaluate possible impacts on wireless access