CN113709856B

CN113709856B - Method and device for processing TSN time synchronization service

Info

Publication number: CN113709856B
Application number: CN202010437603.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陶源
Original assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Current assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-05-21
Filing date: 2020-05-21
Publication date: 2023-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-21
Also published as: CN113709856A; WO2021232952A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a method and equipment for processing TSN time synchronization service, which comprises the following steps: before or after PDU conversation is established, acquiring a first message sent by an AF (automatic Forwarding) and requesting to create, update or delete TSN (time synchronization network) time synchronization information; obtaining a PCC rule according to the first message; and sending the PCC rule to the SMF so that the SMF informs the UPF or the terminal UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization, and/or sending the UE policy to the UE according to the PCC rule. In the embodiment of the invention, the TSN time synchronization service of one or a group of UE can be activated (created or updated)/deactivated (deleted) based on the AF request, thereby realizing flexible time configuration and management of one or a group of UE and ensuring time deterministic communication.

Description

Method and equipment for processing TSN time synchronization service

Technical Field

The embodiment of the invention relates to the technical field of communication, in particular to a method and equipment for processing time synchronization service of a Time Sensitive Network (TSN).

Background

Fifth generation mobile communication technology (5g) systems are capable of opening time synchronization capabilities to Application Functions (AFs) and enabling activation or deactivation of TSN time synchronization services based on AF requests. The main method is to create configuration activation information before the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session is established, and initiate a time synchronization process through a User Plane Function (UPF) after the PDU session is established. The way of deactivation is that the AF requests to delete Unified Data Management (UDM) configuration information and release the PDU session.

However, the prior art cannot dynamically configure a time synchronization activation state for an existing PDU session, and lacks a method for dynamically configuring supported time precision and synchronization mode (generic precision time protocol (gPTP) or PTP) in subscription information.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for processing a TSN time synchronization service, which solve the problem that the prior art cannot dynamically configure a time synchronization activation state for an existing PDU session.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a TSN time synchronization service, which is applied to a policy control function PCF, and is characterized in that the method includes:

before or after a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session is established, acquiring a first message sent by an Application Function (AF), wherein the first message requests to create, update or delete TSN time synchronization information;

obtaining a Policy Control and Charging (PCC) rule according to the first message;

and sending the PCC rule to a Session Management Function (SMF) so that the SMF informs a User Plane Function (UPF) or a terminal UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization, and/or sending a UE policy to the terminal UE according to the PCC rule.

Optionally, the first message carries one or more of the following combinations:

one or a group of UE identities;

PDU session type;

a TSN time synchronization activation indication;

TSN field number;

a clock identification;

clock accuracy;

uplink or downlink synchronization information;

synchronizing information;

the activation or deactivation information.

Optionally, the sending the PCC rule to a session management function SMF includes:

sending the PCC rule to the SMF by calling Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ UpdateNotify; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

sending the UE policy to the UE according to the PCC rules, including:

and updating the UE strategy according to the PCC rule, and sending the updated UE strategy to the UE through the UE configuration updating process.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a TSN time synchronization service, where the method is applied to an AF, and includes:

before or after the PDU session is established, a first message is sent to the PCF requesting the creation, updating or deletion of TSN time synchronization information.

one or a set of UE identities;

PDU session type;

a TSN time synchronization activation indication;

TSN field number;

a clock identification;

clock accuracy;

uplink or downlink synchronization information;

synchronizing information;

the activation or deactivation information.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a TSN time synchronization service, where the method is applied to an SMF, and includes:

receiving a PCC rule from a PCF;

notifying UPF and/or UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization according to the PCC rule;

wherein the PCC rule is obtained by the PCF according to a first message, the first message is sent by the AF to the PCF before or after PDU session establishment, and the first message requests creation, update, or deletion of TSN time synchronization information.

Optionally, the notifying, according to the PCC rule, the activation or deactivation of TSN time synchronization by the UPF and/or the UE includes:

and initiating a PDU session modification process according to the PCC rule, and informing the UPF and/or the UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization or updating the information of activating the TSN time synchronization.

Optionally, the notifying the UPF and/or the UE of activating time synchronization includes:

sending the activation time synchronization indication information to the UE;

and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

sending the activation time synchronization indication information to a UPF;

the activation time synchronization indication information includes information of a time source to which synchronization is required and/or a TSN time synchronization activation indication.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a TSN time synchronization service, where the method is applied to a UDM, and includes:

after PDU session establishment, obtaining a second message from an Application Function (AF), wherein the second message requests the UDM to create, or update, or delete TSN time synchronization information;

and according to the second message, obtaining the created or updated TSN time synchronization information, or deleting the existing TSN time synchronization information according to the second message.

Optionally, the method further comprises:

sending a third message to the SMF;

wherein the third message comprises: the UDM created or updated TSN time synchronization information,

or the third message informs the SMF of the TSN time synchronization information deleted by the UDM.

Optionally, the TSN time synchronization information includes one or more of the following combinations:

TSN field number;

a clock identification;

PDU session type;

synchronizing information; clock accuracy;

uplink or downlink synchronization information;

the activation or deactivation information.

one or a group of UE identities;

a data network name;

single network slice selection assistance information;

TSN field number;

a clock identification;

clock accuracy;

uplink or downlink synchronization information;

activation or deactivation information;

and synchronizing the information.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a TSN time synchronization service, where the method is applied to an AF, and the method includes:

after the PDU session is established, sending a second message to the UDM;

wherein the second message requests the UDM to create or update TSN time synchronization information, or the first message requests to delete TSN time synchronization information.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a TSN time synchronization service, where the method is applied to an SMF, and includes:

receiving a third message from the UDM after the PDU session setup;

Optionally, the method further comprises:

initiating a PDU session modification process, and informing the UPF and/or the UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization;

alternatively, the first and second liquid crystal display panels may be,

a PDU session release procedure is initiated.

Optionally, the notifying the UPF and/or the UE to activate time synchronization includes:

sending the activation time synchronization indication information to the UE;

and/or the presence of a gas in the atmosphere,

sending the activation time synchronization indication information to the UPF;

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a PCF, including:

a first sending module, configured to obtain a first message sent by an AF before or after a PDU session is established, where the first message requests to create, update, or delete TSN time synchronization information;

the first processing module is used for obtaining a PCC rule according to the first message;

a second sending module, configured to send the PCC rule to an SMF, so that the SMF notifies a user plane function UPF or a terminal UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization, and/or send a UE policy to the UE according to the PCC rule.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a PCF, including: a first transceiver and a first processor;

the first transceiver transmits and receives data under control of the first processor;

the first processor reads a program in a memory to perform the following operations: before or after PDU conversation is established, acquiring a first message sent by an AF (automatic data processing), wherein the first message requests to create, update or delete TSN (time synchronization network) time synchronization information; obtaining a PCC rule according to the first message; and sending the PCC rule to the SMF so that the SMF informs a User Plane Function (UPF) or a terminal UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization, and/or sending a UE policy to the UE according to the PCC rule.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an AF, including:

and a third sending module, configured to send a first message to the PCF before or after the PDU session is established, where the first message requests to create, update, or delete the TSN time synchronization information.

In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an AF, including: a second transceiver and a second processor;

the second transceiver transmits and receives data under the control of the second processor;

the second processor reads a program in the memory to perform the following operations: before or after the PDU session is established, a first message is sent to the PCF requesting the creation, updating or deletion of TSN time synchronization information.

In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an SMF, including:

a first receiving module, configured to receive a PCC rule from a PCF;

a notification module, configured to notify the UPF and/or the UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization according to the PCC rule;

In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an SMF, including: a third transceiver and a third processor;

the third transceiver transmits and receives data under the control of the third processor;

the third processor reads a program in the memory to perform the following operations: receiving a PCC rule from a PCF; notifying UPF and/or UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization according to the PCC rule;

In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a UDM, including:

a first obtaining module, configured to obtain a second message from an AF after a PDU session is established, where the second message requests the UDM to create, or update, or delete TSN time synchronization information;

and the second processing module is used for obtaining the created or updated TSN time synchronization information according to the second message, or deleting the existing TSN time synchronization information according to the second message.

In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a UDM, including: a fourth transceiver and a fourth processor;

the fourth transceiver transmits and receives data under the control of the fourth processor;

the fourth processor reads a program in the memory to perform the following operations: after PDU conversation is established, acquiring a second message from AF, wherein the second message requests the UDM to create, or update or delete TSN time synchronization information; and according to the second message, obtaining the created or updated TSN time synchronization information, or deleting the existing TSN time synchronization information according to the second message.

In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an AF, including:

a fourth sending module, configured to send the second message to the UDM after the PDU session is established;

In a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an AF, including: a fifth transceiver and a fifth processor;

the fifth transceiver transmits and receives data under the control of the fifth processor;

the fifth processor reads a program in the memory to perform the following operations: after the PDU session is established, sending a second message to the UDM; wherein the first message requests the UDM to create or update TSN time synchronization information, or the second message requests to delete TSN time synchronization information.

In a seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an SMF, including:

a second receiving module for receiving a third message from the UDM after the PDU session is established; wherein the third message comprises: TSN time synchronization information created or updated by the UDM, or the third message informs the SMF of TSN time synchronization information deleted by the UDM.

In an eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an SMF, including: a sixth transceiver and a sixth processor;

the sixth transceiver transmits and receives data under the control of the sixth processor;

the sixth processor reads a program in the memory to perform the following operations: receiving a third message from the UDM after the PDU session setup; wherein the third message comprises: TSN time synchronization information created or updated by the UDM, or the third message informs the SMF of TSN time synchronization information deleted by the UDM.

In a nineteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a communication apparatus, including: a processor, a memory and a program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, which when executed by the processor, performs steps comprising the method as described above.

In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a readable storage medium, on which a program is stored, which when executed by a processor implements steps comprising the method as described above.

In the embodiment of the invention, the TSN time synchronization service of one or a group of UE can be activated (created or updated)/deactivated (deleted) based on the AF request, the dynamic configuration of the TSN time synchronization information such as the activation state, the clock precision, the time source and the like for one or a group of UE is realized, and the uplink and downlink time synchronization is realized through the UE/DS-TT and the UPF/NW-TT, so that the flexible time configuration and management for one or a group of UE are realized, and the time deterministic communication is ensured.

Drawings

Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Also, like reference numerals are used to refer to like parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a bridge architecture in a 5G system;

FIGS. 2a and 2b are schematic diagrams of a TSN End Station implementing time synchronization via a 5G system;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for processing TSN time synchronization services according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a second flowchart of a method for processing TSN time synchronization services according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a third flowchart of a method for processing TSN time synchronization services according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a fourth flowchart illustrating a method for processing TSN time synchronization services according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a fifth method of processing TSN time synchronization services according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a sixth flowchart of a method for processing TSN time synchronization services in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a seventh flowchart of a method of processing TSN time synchronization services in an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is an eighth flowchart of a method of processing TSN time synchronization services in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is one of the schematic diagrams of a PCF in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a second schematic diagram of a PCF in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is one of the schematic diagrams of AF in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a second schematic diagram of AF in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is one of the schematic diagrams of SMF in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a second schematic diagram of an SMF according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a UDM in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a second schematic diagram of a UDM in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is one of the schematic diagrams of AF in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a second schematic diagram of AF in the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a third exemplary diagram of an SMF according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a fourth illustration of SMF in an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 23 is a schematic diagram of a communication device in an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Currently, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.1 Time Sensitive Network (TSN) is becoming the standard ethernet technology for industrial 4.0 aggregation networks. The 5G and TSN can coexist in a factory deployment and meet major requirements such as flexibility of 5G and extremely low latency of TSN. But it is foreseeable that the 5G TSN technology will be widely applied in the fields of industrial control, machine manufacturing, high definition audio and video transmission, etc.

The 5G TSN technology has modification requirements for a terminal, a base station, a transmission network, and a core network, and a terminal and a User Plane Function (UPF) need to support a TSN converter (TT) Function. The 5G system (5G system, 5gs) can be regarded as a Bridge (Bridge) consisting of a port on the UPF (PDU session anchor, PSA) Side, a user plane tunnel between the UE and the UPF, and a port on the Device-Side TSN converter (DS-TT) Side. Fig. 1 is a system architecture presented as Bridge at 5GS, with the main network functions introduced as follows:

CNC: centralized Network Configuration, can be applied to Network devices (bridges).

And (4) CUC: centralized User Configuration, can be applied to User equipment (End Station).

AMF: access and Mobility Management Function, registration, connection Management, and the like.

UPF: user Plan Function, user plane Function. An external PDU session node interconnected to the data network, message routing and forwarding.

SMF: session Management Function, session Management Function. Session establishment, deletion, user plane selection and control, UE IP allocation and the like.

AF: application Function, application Function. Interact with the 3GPP core network to provide services. Based on operator deployment, trusted AFs can interact directly with the relevant NFs, whereas untrusted AFs cannot interact directly with NFs, but should do so through NEFs using an external public framework. The TSN AF is an AF that interacts with the 5G system control plane on behalf of the TSN domain (including CUC/CNC).

PCF: policy Control Function, policy Control Function. A unified policy framework is supported to manage network behavior, providing policy rules for control plane NF enforcement.

UDM: unified Data Management, unified Data Management. Information of the UE, such as subscription information, information that the PDU session has been established, is stored.

NEF: network Exposure Function, network open Function. Providing for securely exposing services and capabilities provided by a 3GPP network to external network related functions.

UDR: unified Data Repository, unified database UDR. Storage of subscription information (alternatively referred to as subscription data), and retrieval of subscription information by the UDM FE. Storage of policy information, and retrieval of policy information by the PCF.

5G defines an Application Function that sends an AF Request (Request) to a non-trusted domain (NEF) or to a trusted domain (PCF), which contains a series of parameters including a target Data Network Name (DNN), an Application ID, N6 routing requirements, an Application location, etc. The PCF generates Policy Control and Charging (PCC) rules for the service flow of the target PDU Session (PDU Session) according to the information parameters provided by the AF in combination with its own Policy Control, and selects a suitable UPF for it through the SMF. The TSN AF can interact with the 5G system control plane on behalf of the TSN domain (including CUC/CNC).

Based on the third Generation Partnership project (3 rd Generation Partnership project,3 gpp) standard, the 5G system acts as a transparent transport Bridge (Bridge) for TSN networks, and the entire 5G system is considered a time-aware system. The UE/DS-TT and the UPF/Network side TSN converter (NW-TT) are required to be able to implement the TSN Translator, which satisfies all functions defined by IEEE 802.1AS, for example, support Precision Time Protocol (PTP), timestamp, best Master Clock Algorithm (BMCA), and the like. The synchronization of the UE, the gNB and the UPF to the internal clock (5G GM) of the 5G system is realized, the synchronization of the network entity is kept, and the synchronization with the TSN domain is realized, so that the time synchronization of end-to-end downlink and uplink is achieved.

Fig. 2a and fig. 2b are schematic diagrams of two End TSN End Station implementing time synchronization through a 5G system. The 5G system, as a network element of the TSN system, needs to receive a synchronization message ((G) PTP) transmitted from a time source (End Station) of the TSN and update time information according to a time delay consumed by processing and transmitting a data packet in the 5G system. Moreover, all the updating processing of the time information is currently performed at the edge of the 5G system, namely, by DS-TT or NW-TT.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are some, but not all, embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, in the description and claims of this application are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not necessarily limited to those steps or elements explicitly listed, but may include other steps or elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the use of "and/or" in the specification and claims means that at least one of the connected objects, such as a and/or B, means that three cases, a alone, B alone, and both a and B, exist.

In the present embodiments, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "e.g.," an embodiment of the present invention is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present concepts related in a concrete fashion.

The techniques described herein are not limited to Long Time Evolution (LTE)/LTE Evolution (LTE-Advanced) systems, and may also be used for various wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), and other systems.

The terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably. CDMA systems may implement Radio technologies such as CDMA2000, universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), and so on. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, WCDMA) and other CDMA variants. TDMA systems may implement radio technologies such as Global System for Mobile communications (GSM). The OFDMA system may implement radio technologies such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), evolved-UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are parts of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). LTE and higher LTE (e.g., LTE-A) are new UMTS releases that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE-A, and GSM are described in documents from an organization named "third Generation Partnership project" (3 rd Generation Partnership project,3 GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization named "third generation partnership project 2" (3 GPP 2). The techniques described herein may be used for both the above-mentioned systems and radio technologies, as well as for other systems and radio technologies.

Referring to fig. 3, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a TSN time synchronization service, where an execution subject of the method may be a PCF, and the method includes the specific steps of: step 301, step 302 and step 303.

Step 301: before or after PDU conversation is established, acquiring a first message sent by an AF (automatic Forwarding) and requesting to create, update or delete TSN (time synchronization network) time synchronization information;

step 302: obtaining Policy Control and Charging (PCC) rules according to the first message;

step 303: and sending the PCC rule to the SMF so that the SMF informs a user plane function UPF or a terminal UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization, and/or sending a UE policy to the UE according to the PCC rule.

For example, the PCC rule is sent to the SMF by calling Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ UpdateNotify;

or updating the UE policy according to the PCC rule, and sending the updated UE policy to the UE through the UE configuration updating process.

In some embodiments, the first message carries one or more of the following combinations: (1) one or a group of UE identities; (2) a PDU session type; (3) a TSN time synchronization activation indication; (4) TSN field number; (5) A clock identifier, which may indicate a certain TSN domain clock (different clocks are indicated according to the TSN domain number), or a 5G system clock, for example, the clock identifier indicates 5GS, and then selects a 5GS clock; (6) clock accuracy; (7) synchronizing information; (8) activating or deactivating the information.

In the embodiment of the invention, TSN time synchronization information such as activation state, clock precision, time source and the like can be dynamically configured for one or a group of UE, and uplink and downlink time synchronization is realized through the UE/DS-TT and the UPF/NW-TT, so that flexible time configuration and management are realized for one or a group of UE, and time deterministic communication is ensured.

Referring to fig. 4, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a TSN time synchronization service, where an execution subject of the method may be an AF, and the method includes: step 401.

Step 401: before or after the PDU session is established, a first message is sent to the PCF requesting the creation, updating or deletion of TSN time synchronization information.

In some embodiments, the first message carries one or more of the following combinations: (1) one or a group of UE identities; (2) a PDU session type; (3) a TSN time synchronization activation indication; (4) TSN field number; (5) clock identification; (6) clock accuracy; (7) synchronizing information; and (8) activating or deactivating the information.

Referring to fig. 5, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a TSN time synchronization service, where an execution subject of the method may be an SMF, and the method includes the specific steps of: step 501 and step 502.

Step 501: receiving a PCC rule from a PCF;

step 502: notifying UPF and/or UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization according to the PCC rule;

wherein the PCC rule is obtained by the PCF according to a first message, the third message is sent by the AF to the PCF before or after the PDU session is established, and the first message requests creation, update, or deletion of TSN time synchronization information.

In some embodiments, the first message carries one or more of the following combinations: (1) one or a group of UE identities; (2) a PDU session type; (3) TSN time sync activation indication; (4) TSN field number; (5) clock identification; (6) clock accuracy; (7) synchronizing information; (8) activating or deactivating the information.

In some embodiments, the SMF initiates a PDU session modification procedure according to the PCC rules, informing the UPF and/or the UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization or to update information, e.g., update time accuracy, of activating TSN time synchronization to different TSN domains.

Such as: sending the activation time synchronization indication information to the UE; and/or sending the activation time synchronization indication information to the UPF;

wherein, the activation time synchronization indication information includes one or more of the following combinations:

(1) Information of the time source to which synchronization is required;

(2) A TSN time synchronization activation indication;

(3) The synchronization precision;

(4) Uplink or downlink synchronization information.

In the embodiment of the invention, the TSN time synchronization service of one or a group of UE can be activated (created or updated)/deactivated (deleted) based on the AF request, the TSN time synchronization information such as the activation state, the clock precision, the time source and the like can be dynamically configured for one or a group of UE, and the uplink and downlink time synchronization can be realized through the UE/DS-TT and the UPF/NW-TT, so that the flexible time configuration and management can be realized for one or a group of UE, and the time deterministic communication can be ensured.

Referring to fig. 6, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a TSN time synchronization service, where an execution subject of the method may be a UDM, and the method includes: step 601 and step 602.

Step 601: after PDU conversation is established, acquiring a second message from an AF (automatic data management), wherein the second message requests the UDM to create, or update or delete TSN (time synchronization information);

that is, the second message may request to create or update the TSN time synchronization information, that is, the second message may request to activate the TSN time synchronization information, or the second message may request to delete the existing TSN time synchronization information, that is, the second message may request to deactivate the TSN time synchronization information.

Optionally, the TSN time synchronization information comprises subscription information, and the second request requests the UDM to create, update or delete the subscription information.

Optionally, the parameters in the subscription information include one or more of the following: (1) GPSI; (2) DNN; (3) S-NSSAI; (4) TSN Domain number/5GS; (5) clock accuracy; (6) UL/DL synchronization information; (7) an activation/deactivation indication; (8) Synchronization information (PTP or (g) PTP, this parameter being 5GS GM clock only for time source); (9) PDU session type.

Step 602: and according to the second message, obtaining the created or updated TSN time synchronization information, or deleting the existing TSN time synchronization information according to the second message.

In some embodiments, after step 602, the method shown in fig. 6 may further include: sending a third message to the SMF; wherein the third message comprises: TSN time synchronization information created or updated by the UDM, or the third message informs the SMF of TSN time synchronization information deleted by the UDM.

In some embodiments, the TSN time synchronization information may include one or more of the following in combination: (1) TSN field number; (2) clock identification; (3) PDU session types, such as Internet Protocol (IP), ethernet (Ethernet); (4) synchronizing information; (5) clock accuracy; (6) uplink or downlink synchronization information; and (7) activating or deactivating the information.

In some embodiments, the second message may carry one or more of the following combinations: (1) one or a group of UE identities (such as GPSI); (2) a Data Network Name (DNN); (3) single network slice selection assistance information; (4) TSN field number; (5) clock identification; (6) clock accuracy; (7) uplink or downlink synchronization information; (8) activating or deactivating information; and (9) synchronizing the information.

Referring to fig. 7, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a TSN time synchronization service, where an execution subject of the method may be an AF, and the method includes: and step 701.

Step 701: after the PDU session is established, sending a second message to the UDM;

wherein the second message requests the UDM to create or update TSN time synchronization information, or the second message requests to delete TSN time synchronization information.

Referring to fig. 8, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing a TSN time synchronization service, where an execution subject of the method may be an SMF, and the method includes the specific steps of: step 801.

Step 801: receiving a second message from the UDM after the PDU session establishment;

wherein the second message comprises: TSN time synchronization information created or updated by the UDM, or the second message informs the SMF of TSN time synchronization information deleted by the UDM.

In some embodiments, prior to step 501, the method further comprises:

subscribing to UDMs for subscription information updates for one or a group of UEs or a particular TSN domain.

Optionally, the parameters in the subscription information include one or more of the following: (1) GPSI; (2) DNN; (3) S-NSSAI; (4) TSN Domain number/5GS; (5) clock accuracy; (6) UL/DL synchronization information; (7) an activation/deactivation indication; (8) Synchronization information (PTP or (g) PTP, this parameter being 5GS GM clock only for time sources); (9) PDU session type.

In some embodiments, after step 501, the method further comprises: initiating a PDU session modification process, and informing the UPF and/or the UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization; alternatively, a PDU session release procedure is initiated.

The following describes a flow of the method for processing the TSN time synchronization service in the embodiment of the present invention with reference to the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

The first embodiment is as follows: the AF dynamically configures the activated TSN time synchronization information by adding subscription information to the UDM.

Referring to fig. 9, it includes: step 0 to step 13.

Step 0: UE/DS-TT obtains a time source TSN domain 1GM clock, a 5GS GM clock; obtaining TSN domain 2GM clock, TSN domain 3GM clock and 5GS GMclock by UPF/NW-TT.

Step 1: the UE establishes a PDU session to the TSN network.

Step 2: the SMF calls the numm _ SDM _ Subscribe request to Subscribe to the UDM for subscription information update of one or a group of UEs or a specific TSN domain (domain).

The subscription information may comprise one or more of the following in combination:

(1)DNN；

(2) Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI);

(3) One or a group of UE identities (e.g., generic Public Subscriber Identifier (GPSI));

(4) PDU session type (e.g., internet Protocol (IP), ethernet (Ethernet));

(5) TSN time synchronization activation/deactivation indication;

(6)TSN domain number/5GS；

(7) Clock accuracy;

(8) Uplink or downlink (Up Link/Down Link, UL/DL) synchronization;

(9) Synchronization information (PTP or (g) PTP, this parameter is 5GS GM clock only for time source).

And step 3: the AF invokes the Nnef _ ParameterProvision _ Create or the Nnef _ ParameterProvision _ Update service operation, sends the creation or Update information of the TSN time synchronization parameter to the NEF, requesting the creation or Update of subscription information at the UDM.

Optionally, the parameters in the subscription information may include one or more of the following:

(1)GPSI；

(2)DNN；

(3)S-NSSAI；

(4) TSN field number (domain number)/5 GS;

(5) Clock accuracy;

(6) UL/DL synchronization information;

(7) An activation/deactivation indication;

(8) Synchronization information (PTP or (g) PTP, this parameter is 5GS GM clock only for time sources).

And 4, step 4: if the information provided by the AF is authorized by the NEF, the NEF will send Create/Update subscription Request information (Nnef _ parameterprovisioning _ Create/Update Request) to the UDM.

And 5: if the information provided by the AF is authorized by the UDM, the UDM creates/updates subscription information accordingly.

Alternative schemes are as follows:

scheme 1) adding the subscription information for the TSN Domain in the UDM, wherein the subscription information comprises the subscription information in the step 2;

scheme 2) adding new parameters to 5G VN Group (virtual network Group) information in the UDM, wherein the new parameters comprise one or more of the following items: (1) TSN domain number; (2) clock accuracy; (3) UL/DL synchronization information; (4) an activation/deactivation indication; (5) Synchronization information (PTP or (g) PTP, this parameter is 5GS GM clock only for time source).

Step 6: the UDM replies to the NEF with Create/Update subscription Response information (numdm _ parameterprovisioning _ Create/Update Response).

And 7: NEF replies to AF with a Nnef _ ParameterProvision _ Create/Update Response.

And step 8: and the UDM calls Nudm-SDM-Notification service operation and informs the SMF of the updated TSN time synchronization information, wherein the information comprises the created/updated TSN time synchronization information.

And step 9: SMF initiates PDU conversation modifying course to inform UPF/UE to activate time synchronization. The method comprises the following steps:

1) When the AF requests uplink time synchronization, the SMF sends activation time synchronization indication Information to the UE (DS-TT) through NAS-SM Information (if the PDU session type requested is IP or a PTP synchronization frame is requested to be generated), or through a Port Management Information Container (PMIC), where the indication Information includes a time source (e.g., TSN domain 1gmclock,5gs GM clock) to be synchronized;

2) When the AF requests downlink time synchronization, the SMF sends an activation time synchronization indication message to the UPF (NW-TT) via the N4Session Modification request message or the PMIC included in the message, the indication message including a time source (e.g., TSN domain 2gmclock,5gs GM clock) to which synchronization is required.

Step 10: and the DS-TT/NW-TT transmits a synchronization frame (PTP/gPTP) according to the received time synchronization information, and realizes uplink/downlink time synchronization through the conventional uplink/downlink time synchronization mechanism.

The following is the deactivation of TSN time synchronization operations:

step 11: and the AF calls an Nnef _ ParameterProvision _ Delete service operation to the NEF, sends TSN time synchronization information deletion information and deletes the existing time synchronization information.

Step 12: in the same step 4 and step 5, after being authorized, the UDM deletes the subscription information correspondingly, and notifies the SMF that the subscription information has been deleted.

Step 13: the SMF performs one of the following operations:

1) And the SMF initiates a PDU Session Modification process, and informs the UE through the NAS-SM or PMIC, or informs the UPF to deactivate TSN time synchronization through N4Session Modification. For example, the operations related to the time synchronization maintenance are no longer performed.

2) SMF initiates a PDU session release process to release the PDU session.

The second embodiment: and requesting to activate TSN time synchronization by using a method of influencing routing through AF (automatic routing), and dynamically configuring time synchronization information.

Referring to fig. 10, it includes: step 0 to step 14.

Step 0: the UE/DS-TT obtains time sources TSN domain 1GM clock,5GS GM clock, UPF/NW-TT obtains TSN domain 2GM clock, TSN domain 3GM clock, and 5GS GMclock.

Step 1: the AF invokes the Nnef _ trafficinfilue _ Create service operation to Create an AF request.

Optionally, the request information includes one or more of the following combinations: (1) one or a group of UE identities (e.g., GPSI); (2) PDU session type (e.g., IP, ethernet); (3) a TSN time synchronization activation indication; (4) TSN domain number/5GS; (5) clock accuracy; (6) Synchronization information (PTP or (g) PTP, this parameter is only for time source 5GS GM clock) and so on.

And 2, step: AF sends request information to NEF, NEF stores AF request to UDR, PCF subscribes to change of AF request from UDR, and obtains information of AF request from notification information. Alternatively, the AF sends the information directly to the PCF.

And step 3: the PCF generates a new PCC rule based on the AF request, including the information requested by the AF in step 2.

Step 4a: PCF sends PCC rule to SMF by calling Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ UpdateNotify;

and 4b: and if uplink synchronization is requested, updating the UE strategy according to the PCC rule, and sending the updated UE strategy to the UE through the UE configuration updating process.

It will be appreciated that steps 1-4a, 4b occur prior to PDU session establishment.

And 5: the UE initiates a PDU session setup procedure to the TSN network.

In the PDU session establishment process, the SMF selects a corresponding PCF and informs the UPF/UE to activate time synchronization, which comprises the following steps:

mode 1: when the AF requests uplink time synchronization, the SMF sends activation time synchronization indication Information to the UE (DS-TT) through NAS-SM Information (if the PDU session type requested is IP or a PTP synchronization frame is requested to be generated), or through a Port Management Information Container (PMIC), optionally, the activation time synchronization indication Information may include a time source (e.g., TSN domain 1GM clock, 5gm gs clock) to be synchronized;

mode 2: when the AF requests downlink time synchronization, the SMF sends an activation time synchronization indication message to the UPF (NW-TT) via the N4Session Modification request message or the PMIC included in the message, the indication message including a time source (e.g., TSN domain 2gmclock,5gs GM clock) to which synchronization is required.

Step 6a, 6b: and the DS-TT/NW-TT transmits a synchronization frame (PTP/gPTP) according to the received time synchronization information, and realizes uplink/downlink time synchronization through the conventional uplink/downlink time synchronization mechanism.

The following is the time synchronization information update operation for the TSN:

and 7: the AF calls an Nnef _ Trafficinfluence _ Create service operation to Create an AF request;

the requested information may include one or more of the following: (1) one or a group of UE identities (e.g., GPSI); (2) PDU session identification; (3) The synchronization parameters that need to be updated, e.g., tsndoman number/5GS, clock accuracy, UL/DL synchronization information.

It is understood that steps 1-7 are procedures for establishing a PDU session according to the information of the AF request and instructing different activated TSN time synchronizations.

And 8: AF sends request information to NEF, NEF stores AF request to UDR, PCF subscribes change of AF request to UDR, and obtains information of AF request from notice information. Or the AF sends the information directly to the PCF.

And step 9: the PCF generates a new PCC rule or updates an existing PCC rule according to the AF request, including the information requested by the AF in step 7.

Step 10: the PCF sends the PCC rule to the SMF by calling Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ UpdateNotify.

Step 11: the SMF initiates a PDU session modification procedure according to the PCC rules and informs the UPF/UE to activate time synchronization, modes 1) and 2) of synchronization step 5).

It should be noted that, in step 7-11, after the PDU session is established, the synchronization status of the existing PDU session is updated.

The following is the deactivation of TSN time synchronization operations:

step 12: the AF calls an nfe _ trafficinfilue _ Create service operation to Create an AF request, and information of the request may include one or more of the following combinations: (1) one or a group of UE identities (e.g., GPSI); (2) PDU session identification; and (3) deactivating the identification.

Step 13: and step 2-4, sending the information of the AF request to the SMF.

Step 14: the SMF performs one of the following operations:

2) SMF initiates a PDU session release process to release the PDU session.

It should be noted that, in steps 12-14, after the PDU session is established, the synchronization status of the existing PDU session is deactivated.

Referring to fig. 11, an embodiment of the present invention provides a PCF1100, comprising:

a first sending module 1101, configured to obtain a first message sent by an AF before or after a PDU session is established, where the first message requests to create, update, or delete TSN time synchronization information;

a first processing module 1102, configured to obtain a PCC rule according to the first message;

a second sending module 1103, configured to send the PCC rule to the SMF, so that the SMF notifies the UPF or the UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization, and/or send the UE policy to the UE according to the PCC rule.

For example, the second sending module 1103 sends the PCC rule to the SMF by calling Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ UpdateNotify; or updating the UE policy according to the PCC rule, and sending the updated UE policy to the UE through the UE configuration updating process.

In some embodiments, the first message carries one or more of the following combinations: (1) one or a group of UE identities; (2) a PDU session type; (3) a TSN time synchronization activation indication; (4) TSN field number; (5) clock identification; (6) clock accuracy; (7) synchronizing information; (8) activating or deactivating the information.

The PCF provided in the embodiment of the present invention may execute the method embodiment shown in fig. 3, which has similar implementation principles and technical effects, and this embodiment is not described herein again.

Referring to fig. 12, an embodiment of the present invention provides a PCF1200, including: a first transceiver 1201 and a first processor 1202;

the first transceiver 1201 transmits and receives data under the control of the first processor 1202;

the first processor 1202 reads a program in the memory to perform the following operations: before or after PDU conversation is established, acquiring a first message sent by an AF (automatic data processing), wherein the first message requests to create, update or delete TSN (time synchronization network) time synchronization information; obtaining a PCC rule according to the first message; and sending the PCC rule to the SMF so that the SMF notifies UPF or UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization, and/or sending UE strategy to the UE according to the PCC rule.

For example, the PCC rule is sent to the SMF by calling Npcf _ SMPolicyControl _ UpdateNotify; or, updating the UE policy according to the PCC rule, and sending the updated UE policy to the UE through the UE configuration updating process.

The PCF provided in the embodiment of the present invention may implement the method embodiment shown in fig. 3, which has similar implementation principles and technical effects, and this embodiment is not described herein again.

Referring to fig. 13, an embodiment of the present invention provides an AF, the AF1300 including:

a third sending module 1301, configured to send a first message to the PCF before or after the PDU session is established, where the first message requests to create, update, or delete the TSN time synchronization information.

The AF provided by the embodiment of the present invention may implement the method embodiment shown in fig. 4, which has similar implementation principles and technical effects, and this embodiment is not described herein again.

Referring to fig. 14, an embodiment of the invention provides an AF, where the AF1400 includes: a second transceiver 1401 and a second processor 1402;

the second transceiver 1401 transmits and receives data under the control of the second processor 1402;

the second processor 1402 reads the program in the memory to perform the following operations: before or after the PDU session is established, a first message is sent to the PCF requesting the creation, updating or deletion of TSN time synchronization information.

Referring to fig. 15, an embodiment of the present invention provides an SMF, where the SMF1500 includes:

a first receiving module 1501, configured to receive a PCC rule from a PCF;

a notification module 1502 configured to notify the UPF and/or the UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization according to the PCC rule;

Optionally, the notifying module 1502 is further configured to initiate a PDU session modification procedure according to the PCC rule, and notify the UPF and/or the UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization.

In some embodiments, the notification module 1502 is further configured to send activation time synchronization indication information to the UE; and/or sending the activation time synchronization indication information to the UPF;

(1) Information of the time source to which synchronization is required;

(2) A TSN time synchronization activation indication;

(3) The synchronization precision;

(4) Uplink or downlink synchronization information.

The SMF provided in the embodiment of the present invention may implement the method embodiment shown in fig. 5, which has similar implementation principles and technical effects, and this embodiment is not described herein again.

Referring to fig. 16, an embodiment of the present invention provides an SMF, where the SMF1600 includes: a third transceiver 1601 and a third processor 1602;

the third transceiver 1601 transmits and receives data under the control of the third processor 1602;

the third processor 1602 reads the program in the memory to perform the following operations: receiving a PCC rule from a PCF; notifying UPF and/or UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization according to the PCC rule;

the PCF obtains the PCC rule according to a first message, wherein the first message is sent to the PCF by the AF before or after the PDU session is established, and the first message requests to create, update or delete the TSN time synchronization information.

In some embodiments, the third processor 1602 reads the program in the memory to further perform the following operations: sending the activation time synchronization indication information to the UE; and/or sending the activation time synchronization indication information to the UPF;

(1) Information of the time source to which synchronization is required;

(2) A TSN time synchronization activation indication;

(3) The synchronization precision;

(4) Uplink or downlink synchronization information.

Referring to fig. 17, an embodiment of the present invention provides a UDM, where the UDM1700 includes:

a first obtaining module 1701, configured to obtain a second message from an AF before or after the PDU session is established, where the first message requests the UDM to create, or update, or delete TSN time synchronization information;

a second processing module 1702, configured to obtain created or updated TSN time synchronization information according to the second message, or delete existing TSN time synchronization information according to the second message.

In some embodiments, the UDM1700 further comprises:

a fifth sending module, configured to send the third message to the SMF; wherein the third message comprises: TSN time synchronization information created or updated by the UDM, or the third message informs the SMF of TSN time synchronization information deleted by the UDM.

In some embodiments, the TSN time synchronization information may include one or more of the following in combination: (1) TSN field number; (2) clock identification; (3) a PDU session type; (4) synchronizing information; (5) clock accuracy; (6) uplink or downlink synchronization information; (7) activating or deactivating the information.

In some embodiments, the first message may carry one or more of the following combinations: (1) one or a group of UE identities; (2) a Data Network Name (DNN); (3) single network slice selection assistance information; (4) TSN field number; (5) clock identification; (6) clock accuracy; (7) uplink or downlink synchronization information; (8) activating or deactivating information; and (9) synchronizing the information.

The UDM provided in the embodiment of the present invention may implement the method embodiment shown in fig. 6, which has similar implementation principles and technical effects, and this embodiment is not described herein again.

Referring to fig. 18, an embodiment of the present invention provides a UDM1800, including: a fourth transceiver 1801 and a fourth processor 1802;

the fourth transceiver 1801 transmits and receives data under the control of the fourth processor 1802;

the fourth processor 1802 reads a program in a memory to perform the following operations: before or after PDU conversation is established, obtaining a second message from AF, the second message requests the UDM to create, or update, or delete TSN time synchronization information; and according to the second message, obtaining the created or updated TSN time synchronization information, or deleting the existing TSN time synchronization information according to the first message.

In some embodiments, the fourth processor 1802 reads a program in memory to further perform the following operations: sending a third message to the SMF; wherein the third message comprises: TSN time synchronization information created or updated by the UDM, or the third message informs the SMF of TSN time synchronization information deleted by the UDM.

In some embodiments, the TSN time synchronization information may include one or more of the following in combination: (1) TSN field number; (2) clock identification; (3) PDU session types, such as Internet Protocol (IP), ethernet (Ethernet); (4) synchronizing information; (5) clock accuracy; (6) uplink or downlink synchronization information; (7) activating or deactivating the information.

In some embodiments, one or more of the following combinations may be carried in the second message: (1) one or a group of UE identities; (2) a Data Network Name (DNN); (3) single network slice selection assistance information; (4) TSN field number; (5) clock identification; (6) clock accuracy; (7) uplink or downlink synchronization information; (8) activating or deactivating information; and (9) synchronizing the information.

Referring to fig. 19, an embodiment of the present invention provides an AF, the AF1900 including:

a fourth sending module 1901, configured to send the second message to the UDM before or after the PDU session is established;

The AF provided by the embodiment of the present invention may implement the method embodiment shown in fig. 7, which has similar implementation principles and technical effects, and this embodiment is not described herein again.

Referring to fig. 20, an embodiment of the present invention provides an AF, the AF2000 including: a fifth transceiver 2001 and a fifth processor 2002;

the fifth transceiver 2001 transmits and receives data under the control of the fifth processor 2002;

the fifth processor 2002 reads a program in the memory to perform the following operations: sending a second message to the UDM before or after the PDU session is established; wherein the second message requests the UDM to create or update TSN time synchronization information, or the second message requests to delete TSN time synchronization information.

The AF provided in the embodiment of the present invention may implement the method embodiment shown in fig. 7, which has similar implementation principles and technical effects, and this embodiment is not described herein again.

Referring to fig. 21, an embodiment of the present invention provides an SMF, where the SMF2100 includes:

a second receiving module 2101 to receive a third message from the UDM before or after the PDU session setup; wherein the third message comprises: TSN time synchronization information created or updated by the UDM, or the third message informs the SMF of TSN time synchronization information deleted by the UDM.

In some embodiments, the SMF2100 further comprises:

the initiating module is used for initiating a PDU session modification process and informing the UPF and/or the UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization; alternatively, a PDU session release procedure is initiated.

The SMF provided in the embodiment of the present invention may implement the method embodiment shown in fig. 8, which has similar implementation principles and technical effects, and is not described herein again.

Referring to fig. 22, an embodiment of the present invention provides an SMF, where the SMF2200 includes: a sixth transceiver 2201 and a sixth processor 2202;

the sixth transceiver 2201 transmits and receives data under the control of the sixth processor 2202;

the sixth processor 2202 reads a program in a memory to perform the following operations: receiving a third message from the UDM before or after the PDU session setup; wherein the third message comprises: TSN time synchronization information created or updated by the UDM, or the third message informs the SMF of TSN time synchronization information deleted by the UDM.

In some embodiments, the sixth processor 2202 reads the program in the memory to further perform the following operations: initiating a PDU session modification process, and informing the UPF and/or the UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization; alternatively, a PDU session release procedure is initiated.

The SMF provided in the embodiment of the present invention may implement the method embodiment shown in fig. 8, which has similar implementation principles and technical effects, and this embodiment is not described herein again.

Referring to fig. 23, fig. 23 is a structural diagram of a communication device applied in the embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 23, the communication device 2300 includes: a processor 2301, a transceiver 2302, a memory 2303 and a bus interface, wherein:

in one embodiment of the present invention, the communication device 2300 further comprises: a program stored on the memory 2303 and operable on the processor 2301, the program when executed by the processor 2301 implementing the steps in the embodiments of figures 3-10.

In FIG. 23, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with one or more processors represented by the processor 2301 and various circuits of the memory represented by the memory 2303 being linked together in particular. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, and the like, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 2302 may be a number of elements including a transmitter and a receiver providing a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium, it being understood that the transceiver 2302 is an optional component.

The processor 2301 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 2303 may store data used by the processor 2301 in performing operations.

The communication device provided in the embodiment of the present invention may execute the method embodiments shown in fig. 3 to fig. 10, which implement the principle and the technical effect similar to each other, and this embodiment is not described herein again.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the disclosure herein may be embodied in hardware or in software instructions executed by a processor. The software instructions may consist of corresponding software modules that may be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, registers, hard disk, a removable hard disk, a compact disk, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC may reside in a core network interface device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a core network interface device.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in one or more of the examples described above, the functions described in this invention may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a readable medium. Readable media includes computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

The above-mentioned embodiments, objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention are further described in detail, it should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are only exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements and the like made on the basis of the technical solutions of the present invention should be included in the scope of the present invention.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, and the like) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

Embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the embodiments of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, the present invention is also intended to encompass such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A method for processing time-sensitive network TSN time synchronization service is applied to a policy control function PCF, and is characterized by comprising the following steps:

after a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session is established, acquiring a first message sent by an Application Function (AF), wherein the first message requests to create, update or delete TSN time synchronization information;

sending the PCC rule to a Session Management Function (SMF) so that the SMF informs a User Plane Function (UPF) or a terminal UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization, and/or sending a UE policy to the terminal UE according to the PCC rule;

the first message carries: one or a group of UE identities.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message further carries one or more of the following combinations:

PDU session type;

a TSN time synchronization activation indication;

a clock identification;

clock accuracy;

and synchronizing the information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the PCC rule to a Session Management Function (SMF) comprises:

sending the UE policy to the UE according to the PCC rule, comprising:

4. A method for processing TSN time synchronization service, applied to AF, is characterized by comprising:

after PDU conversation is established, a first message is sent to PCF, and the first message requests to create, update or delete TSN time synchronization information;

the first message carries: one or a group of UE identities.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first message further carries one or more of the following combinations:

PDU session type;

a TSN time synchronization activation indication;

a clock identification;

clock accuracy;

and synchronizing the information.

6. A method for processing TSN time synchronization service, which is applied to SMF, is characterized by comprising the following steps:

receiving a PCC rule from a PCF;

the PCF obtains the PCC rule according to a first message, wherein the first message is sent to the PCF by the AF after the PDU session is established, and the first message requests to create, update or delete the TSN time synchronization information; the first message carries: one or a group of UE identities.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the notifying UPF and/or UE of activating or deactivating TSN time synchronization according to the PCC rule comprises:

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the notifying the UPF and/or the UE to activate time synchronization comprises:

sending the activation time synchronization indication information to the UE;

and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

sending the activation time synchronization indication information to the UPF;

9. A method for processing TSN time synchronization service, which is applied to Unified Data Management (UDM), is characterized by comprising the following steps:

according to the second message, obtaining the created or updated TSN time synchronization information, or deleting the existing TSN time synchronization information according to the second message;

the second message carries: one or a group of UE identities.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

sending a third message to the SMF;

11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the TSN time synchronization information comprises one or more of the following in combination:

a clock identification;

PDU session type;

synchronizing information;

the clock accuracy.

12. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the second message further carries one or more of the following combinations:

a data network name;

single network slice selection assistance information;

a clock identification;

clock accuracy;

and synchronizing the information.

13. A method for processing a TSN time synchronization service, applied to an AF, the method comprising:

after the PDU session is established, sending a second message to the UDM;

wherein the second message requests the UDM to create or update TSN time synchronization information, or the second message requests to delete TSN time synchronization information; the second message carries: one or a group of UE identities.

14. A method for processing TSN time synchronization service, which is applied to SMF, is characterized by comprising the following steps:

receiving a third message from the UDM after the PDU session setup;

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

a PDU session release procedure is initiated.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the notifying the UPF and/or the UE to activate time synchronization comprises:

sending the activation time synchronization indication information to the UE;

and/or the presence of a gas in the atmosphere,

sending the activation time synchronization indication information to the UPF;

17. A PCF, comprising:

a first sending module, configured to obtain a first message sent by an AF after a PDU session is established, where the first message requests to create, update, or delete TSN time synchronization information;

a second sending module, configured to send the PCC rule to an SMF, so that the SMF notifies a user plane function UPF or a terminal UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization, and/or send a UE policy to the UE according to the PCC rule; the first message carries: one or a group of UE identities.

18. A PCF, comprising: a first transceiver and a first processor;

the first processor reads a program in a memory to perform the following operations: after PDU conversation is established, acquiring a first message sent by AF, wherein the first message requests to create, update or delete TSN time synchronization information; obtaining a PCC rule according to the first message; sending the PCC rule to SMF so that the SMF informs a User Plane Function (UPF) or a terminal UE to activate or deactivate TSN time synchronization, and/or sending a UE policy to the UE according to the PCC rule; the first message carries: one or a group of UE identities.

19. An AF, comprising:

a third sending module, configured to send a first message to the PCF after the PDU session is established, where the first message requests to create, update, or delete TSN time synchronization information; the first message carries: one or a group of UE identities.

20. An AF, comprising: a second transceiver and a second processor;

the second processor reads a program in the memory to perform the following operations: after PDU conversation is established, a first message is sent to PCF, and the first message requests to create, update or delete TSN time synchronization information; the first message carries: one or a group of UE identities.

21. An SMF, comprising:

a first receiving module, configured to receive a PCC rule from a PCF;

22. An SMF, comprising: a third transceiver and a third processor;

23. A UDM, comprising:

a first obtaining module, configured to obtain a second message from an AF after a PDU session is established, where the second message requests the UDM to create, update, or delete TSN time synchronization information;

a second processing module, configured to obtain created or updated TSN time synchronization information according to the second message, or delete existing TSN time synchronization information according to the second message; the second message carries: one or a group of UE identities.

24. A UDM, comprising: a fourth transceiver and a fourth processor;

the fourth processor reads a program in the memory to perform the following operations: after PDU conversation is established, acquiring a second message from AF, wherein the second message requests the UDM to create, or update or delete TSN time synchronization information; according to the second message, obtaining created or updated TSN time synchronization information, or deleting the existing TSN time synchronization information according to the second message; the second message carries: one or a group of UE identities.

25. An AF, comprising:

26. An AF, comprising: a fifth transceiver and a fifth processor;

the fifth processor reads a program in the memory to perform the following operations: after the PDU session is established, sending a second message to the UDM; wherein the second message requests the UDM to create or update TSN time synchronization information, or the second message requests to delete TSN time synchronization information; the second message carries: one or a group of UE identities.

27. An SMF, comprising:

a second receiving module for receiving a third message from the UDM after the PDU session is established; wherein the third message comprises: TSN time synchronization information created or updated by the UDM, or the third message informs the SMF of TSN time synchronization information deleted by the UDM; the third message carries: one or a group of UE identities.

28. An SMF, comprising: a sixth transceiver and a sixth processor;

the sixth transceiver transmits and receives data under control of the sixth processor;

the sixth processor reads a program in the memory to perform the following operations: receiving a third message from the UDM after the PDU session setup; wherein the third message comprises: TSN time synchronization information created or updated by the UDM, or the third message informs the SMF of TSN time synchronization information deleted by the UDM; the third message carries: one or a group of UE identities.

29. A communication device, comprising: processor, memory and program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, which when executed by the processor implements steps comprising a method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16.

30. A readable storage medium, characterized in that it has stored thereon a program which, when being executed by a processor, carries out steps comprising the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.