CN116847449A

CN116847449A - Time service method, communication device and communication system

Info

Publication number: CN116847449A
Application number: CN202210306010.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 臧昕; 周润泽; 王远
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-03-25
Filing date: 2022-03-25
Publication date: 2023-10-03
Also published as: WO2023179238A1

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a time service method, a communication device and a communication system. The method comprises the following steps: the access network equipment receives clock information from a time service network element; the access network equipment provides time service for the terminal equipment according to the clock information and the first residence time of the clock information in the access network equipment. According to the scheme, when the access network equipment provides time service for the terminal equipment, clock information from the time service network element is referred, and the residence time of the clock information in the access network equipment is considered, so that time service errors caused by the clock information in the access network equipment are reduced, the time service precision of the time service provided by the access network equipment for the terminal equipment is improved, and the clock synchronization precision of the terminal equipment can be improved.

Description

Time service method, communication device and communication system

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a time service method, a communications device, and a communications system.

Background

The time service capability of the fifth generation (5th generation,5G) network is a network function which can be opened to the outside. Taking an example that the terminal equipment requests 5G network time service, the terminal equipment sends a time service request to a clock management network element of a core network through an access network device, the clock management network element selects a proper time service network element according to the time service request, and then instructs the time service network element to provide time service for the terminal equipment, namely, the time service network element provides clock information with proper clock precision for the terminal equipment.

How to reduce time service errors and improve clock synchronization accuracy is to be solved.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a time service method, a communication device and a communication system, which are used for reducing time service errors and improving clock synchronization accuracy.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a time service method, which may be performed by an access network device or a module (e.g. a chip) in the access network device. Taking an access network device as an example, the method includes: the access network equipment receives clock information from a time service network element; the access network equipment provides time service for the terminal equipment according to the clock information and the first residence time of the clock information in the access network equipment.

According to the scheme, when the access network equipment provides time service for the terminal equipment, not only clock information from the time service network element is referred, but also the residence time brought by the clock information in the internal transmission of the access network equipment is considered, so that time service errors brought by the clock information in the internal transmission of the access network equipment are reduced, the time service precision of the time service provided by the access network equipment for the terminal equipment is improved, and therefore the clock synchronization precision of the terminal equipment can be improved.

In one implementation method, the access network device provides a time service for a terminal device according to the clock information and a first residence time of the clock information in the access network device, including: the access network equipment determines synchronous time according to the first residence time, a clock frequency ratio and the time service information, wherein the clock frequency ratio represents the ratio of clock frequencies between the access network equipment and the time service network element; the access network device sends time service information to the terminal device, wherein the time service information comprises the synchronization time, and the synchronization time is used for clock synchronization of the terminal device.

In one implementation method, the access network device provides a time service for a terminal device according to the clock information and a first residence time of the clock information in the access network device, including: the access network equipment determines second residence time of the clock information in the access network equipment according to the first residence time and the clock frequency ratio, wherein the clock frequency ratio represents the ratio of clock frequencies between the access network equipment and the time service network element, the first residence time represents residence time taking a clock domain of the access network equipment as a reference, and the second residence time represents residence time taking the clock domain of the time service network element as a reference; the access network device sends time service information to the terminal device, wherein the time service information comprises the clock information and the second residence time, and the time service information is used for clock synchronization of the terminal device.

In one implementation method, the access network device provides a time service for a terminal device according to the clock information and a first residence time of the clock information in the access network device, including: the access network device sends time service information to the terminal device, the time service information comprises the first residence time, a clock frequency ratio and the clock information, the clock frequency ratio represents the ratio of clock frequencies between the access network device and the time service network element, and the time service information is used for clock synchronization of the terminal device.

In one implementation, the first residence time includes a time when the access network device receives the clock information and a time when the access network device sends the clock information to the terminal device.

In one implementation method, the access network device receives indication information from a clock management network element, the indication information indicating to measure the clock frequency ratio; and the access network equipment measures the clock frequency ratio according to the indication information.

In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a time service method, which may be performed by an access network device or a module (e.g., a chip) in the access network device. Taking an access network device as an example, the method includes: the access network equipment sends a notification message to the clock management network element, wherein the notification message comprises first indication information and identification information of a clock source generating clock out-of-step, and the first indication information indicates the clock source to generate clock out-of-step; the access network equipment receives configuration information from the clock management network element, wherein the configuration information comprises second indication information and identification information of the time service network element, and the second indication information indicates time synchronization information between a clock on the access network equipment and a clock on the time service network element; and the access network equipment performs clock synchronization on the clock source according to the pair of time information.

According to the scheme, when a clock source on the access network equipment is out of step, the access network equipment actively requests the clock management network element to configure a time service network element for time service for the clock source, after time service information between the access network equipment and the time service network element is measured, the access network equipment completes clock time service (namely clock synchronization) with the clock source of the time service network element according to the time service information, so that the clock source of the subsequent access network equipment can provide accurate clock information for the terminal equipment, time service precision of time service provided by the access network equipment for the terminal equipment is improved, and clock synchronization precision of the terminal equipment can be improved.

In one implementation, the access network device measures the pair of time information according to the second indication information.

In one implementation, the pair of time information includes a deviation representing a deviation between a clock on the access network device and a clock on the time service network element; the access network device performs clock synchronization on the clock source according to the pair of time information, including: the access network equipment determines the time setting time according to the local time of the clock source and the deviation; the access network device performs clock synchronization on the clock source according to the pair of time.

In one implementation, the pair of time information includes a transmission delay, the transmission delay representing a transmission delay between a clock on the access network device and a clock on the time service network element; the access network device performs clock synchronization on the clock source according to the pair of time information, including: the access network equipment determines the time setting time according to the clock information from the time service network element and the transmission time delay; the access network device performs clock synchronization on the clock source according to the pair of time.

In one implementation, the access network device receives the clock information from the time service network element.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a time service method, which may be performed by a terminal device or a module (e.g. a chip) in the terminal device. Taking the terminal equipment to execute the method as an example, the method comprises the following steps: the method comprises the steps that a terminal device receives time service information from an access network device, wherein the time service information comprises clock information of a time service network element, and a first residence time and a clock frequency ratio of the clock information in the access network device, the first residence time represents residence time taking a clock domain of the access network device as a reference, and the clock frequency ratio represents a clock frequency ratio between the access network device and the time service network element; the terminal equipment determines synchronous time according to the first residence time, the clock frequency ratio and the clock information; the terminal device performs clock synchronization according to the synchronization time.

In one implementation method, the determining, by the terminal device, a synchronization time according to the first residence time, the clock frequency ratio, and the clock information includes: the terminal equipment determines second residence time of the clock information in the access network equipment according to the ratio of the first residence time to the clock frequency, wherein the second residence time represents residence time taking a clock domain of the time service network element as a reference; the terminal device determines the synchronization time based on the second dwell time and the clock information.

In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communications apparatus, which may be an access network device or a module (e.g., a chip) in an access network device. The apparatus has the function of implementing any implementation method of the first aspect or the second aspect. The functions can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, which may be a terminal device or a module (e.g. a chip) in a terminal device. The apparatus has a function of implementing any implementation method of the third aspect. The functions can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

In a sixth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communications apparatus comprising means for performing the steps of any of the implementing methods of the first to third aspects described above.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a processor coupled to a memory, the processor configured to invoke a program stored in the memory, to perform any implementation method of the first aspect to the third aspect. The memory may be located within the device or may be located external to the device. And the processor may be one or more.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface circuit, where the processor is configured to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit, and perform any implementation method of the first aspect to the third aspect. The processor includes one or more.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, including a processor and a memory; the memory is configured to store computer instructions that, when executed by the apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform any of the implementation methods of the first to third aspects described above.

In a tenth aspect, embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein which, when run on a communication device, cause any implementation method of the first to third aspects described above to be performed.

In an eleventh aspect, embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a communication device, cause any of the implementation methods of the first to third aspects described above to be performed.

In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, including: a processor configured to perform any implementation method of the first to third aspects.

In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, including a time service network element, and an access network device for performing any of the methods of the first aspect. The time service network element is configured to send clock information to the access network device.

In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application also provide a communication system comprising a clock management network element, and an access network device for performing any of the methods of the second aspect. The clock management network element is configured to receive a notification message from the access network device, where the notification message includes first indication information and identification information of a clock source that generates clock out-of-step, and the first indication information indicates that the clock source generates clock out-of-step; and sending configuration information to the access network equipment, wherein the configuration information comprises second indication information and identification information of the time service network element, and the second indication information indicates time synchronization information between a clock on the access network equipment and a clock on the time service network element.

Drawings

FIG. 1 (a) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a servitization architecture;

FIG. 1 (b) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface;

FIG. 2 (a) is a flowchart of a time service method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 (b) is a schematic diagram of a method for determining a clock frequency ratio according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 (a) is a flowchart of a time service method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 (b) is a schematic diagram of a method for determining a deviation and a transmission delay according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a time service method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a time service method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a time service method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 (a) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a servitization architecture. The 5G network architecture shown in fig. 1 (a) includes a Data Network (DN) and an operator network. The following provides a brief description of the functionality of some of the network elements.

The operator network comprises one or more of the following network elements: an authentication server function (Authentication Server Function, AUSF) network element (not shown in the figure), a unified data management (unified data management, UDM) network element, a unified database (Unified Data Repository, UDR) network element, a network storage function (Network Repository Function, NRF) network element (not shown in the figure), a network opening function (network exposure function, NEF) network element (not shown in the figure), an application function (application function, AF) network element, a policy control function (policy control function, PCF) network element, an access and mobility management function (access and mobility management function, AMF) network element, a session management function (session management function, SMF) network element, UPF network element, a radio access network (radio access network, RAN) device, a clock network function (timing network function, TNF) network element, etc. In the above-mentioned operator network, the network elements or devices other than the radio access network device may be referred to as core network elements or core network devices.

The access network device comprises a wired access network device and a wireless access network device. Wherein the radio access network device may be a base station (base station), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission and reception point (transmission reception point, TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a next generation base station in a sixth generation (6th generation,6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (wireless fidelity, wiFi) system, etc.; the present application may also be a module or unit that performs a function of a base station part, for example, a Central Unit (CU) or a Distributed Unit (DU). The radio access network device may be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node, or the like. The specific technology and specific device configuration adopted by the access network device in the embodiment of the application are not limited.

Terminal devices in communication with the RAN include terminals, user Equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminals, and the like. The terminal device may be widely applied to various scenes, for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-device (vehicle to everything, V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (internet of things, ioT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autopilot, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet personal computer, a computer with a wireless receiving and transmitting function, a wearable device, a vehicle, an unmanned aerial vehicle, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, intelligent household equipment and the like. The embodiment of the application does not limit the specific technology and the specific equipment form adopted by the terminal equipment.

The access network device and the terminal device may be fixed in location or may be mobile. The access network equipment and the terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; the device can be deployed on the water surface; but also on aerial planes, balloons and satellites. The embodiment of the application does not limit the application scene of the access network equipment and the terminal equipment.

The mobility management network element is a control plane network element provided by the operator network and is responsible for access control and mobility management of the terminal equipment accessing the operator network, for example, the mobility management comprises the functions of mobility state management, user temporary identity identification allocation, user authentication, user authorization and the like. In 5G, the mobility management element may be an AMF element, and in future communications such as the sixth generation (the 6th generation,6G), the mobility management element may still be an AMF element, or have other names, which is not limited by the present application.

The session management network element is a control plane network element provided by the operator network and is responsible for managing protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) sessions of the terminal devices. A PDU session is a channel for transmitting PDUs, and the terminal device needs to transmit PDUs to each other through the PDU session and DN. The PDU session is responsible for establishment, maintenance, deletion, etc. by the SMF network element. Session management network elements include session-related functions such as session establishment, modification and release, including tunnel maintenance between user plane network elements and access network devices, selection and control of user plane network elements, traffic and session continuity (Service and Session Continuity, SSC) mode selection, roaming, etc. In 5G, the session management network element may be an SMF network element, and in future communications such as 6G, the session management network element may still be an SMF network element, or have other names, which is not limited by the present application.

The user plane network element is a gateway provided by an operator, and is a gateway for the operator network to communicate with the DN. The UPF network element comprises functions related to user planes such as data packet routing and transmission, packet detection, traffic reporting, quality of service (Quality of Service, qoS) processing, lawful interception, uplink packet detection, downlink data packet storage and the like. In 5G, the user plane element may be a UPF element, and in future communications such as 6G, the user plane element may still be a UPF element, or have other names, which is not limited by the present application.

The data management network element is a control plane network element provided by an operator and is responsible for storing information such as a user permanent identifier (subscriber permanent identifier, SUPI), a trust (security context), subscription data and the like of an signing user in an operator network. This information stored by the data management network element may be used for authentication and authorization of the terminal device to access the operator network. The subscriber of the operator network may be a subscriber using a service provided by the operator network, for example, a subscriber using a mobile phone core card of chinese telecommunication, or a subscriber using a mobile phone core card of chinese mobile. The permanent subscription identifier (Subscription Permanent Identifier, SUPI) of the subscriber may be the number of the mobile phone core card, etc. The credentials and security context of the subscriber may be a small file stored in the encryption key of the mobile phone core card or information related to the encryption of the mobile phone core card, for authentication and/or authorization. The security context may be data (cookie) or token (token) stored on the user's local terminal (e.g., handset), etc. The subscription data of the subscriber can be the matched service of the mobile phone core card, such as the flow package of the mobile phone core card or the use network. It should be noted that, in the present document, the permanent identifier, the credentials, the security context, the authentication data (cookie), and the authentication and authorization related information such as the token are not distinguished or limited for convenience of description. Unless specifically stated, embodiments of the present application will be described by way of example in the context of security, but embodiments of the present application are equally applicable to authentication, and/or authorization information in other expressions. In 5G, the data management network element may be a UDM network element, and in future communications such as 6G, the data management network element may still be a UDM network element, or have other names, which is not limited by the present application.

The unified database network element is a control plane network element provided by an operator and comprises an access function for executing type data such as subscription data, policy data, application data and the like. In 5G, the unified database network element may be a UDR network element, and in future communications such as 6G, the unified database network element may still be a UDR network element, or have other names, which is not limited by the present application.

The network opening network element is a control plane network element provided by an operator. The network opening network element opens an external interface of the operator network to the third party in a secure manner. When the session management network element needs to communicate with the network element of the third party, the network opening network element can be used as a relay for the session management network element to communicate with the network element of the third party. When the network opens the network element as a relay, the network element can be used as the translation of the identification information of the contracted user and the translation of the identification information of the network element of a third party. For example, when the network opening element transmits the SUPI of the subscriber from the operator network to the third party, the SUPI may be translated into its corresponding external Identity (ID). Conversely, when the network element opens the network element to send the external ID (the network element ID of the third party) to the operator network, it may be translated into SUPI. In 5G, the network opening network element may be a NEF network element, and in future communications such as 6G, the network opening network element may still be a NEF network element, or have other names, which is not limited by the present application.

The application function network element is used for transmitting the requirement of the application side to the network side, such as QoS requirement or user state event subscription. The application function network element may be a third party function entity or an application server deployed by an operator. In 5G, the application function element may be an AF element, and in future communications such as 6G, the application function element may still be an AF element, or have other names, which is not limited by the present application.

The policy control network element is a control plane function provided by the operator for providing the session management network element with policies for PDU sessions. Policies may include charging related policies, qoS related policies, and authorization related policies, among others. In 5G, the policy control network element may be a PCF network element, and in future communications, such as 6G, the policy control network element may still be a PCF network element, or have other names, which is not limited by the present application.

The network storage function network element can be used for providing a network element discovery function and providing network element information corresponding to the network element type based on the request of other network elements. Network storage function the network element also provides network element management services such as network element registration, updating, deregistration, network element state subscription and push, etc. In 5G, the network storage function element may be an NRF element, and in future communications such as 6G, the network storage function element may still be an NRF element, or have other names, which is not limited by the present application.

The clock management network element may be configured to manage clock information of one or more clock sources of the 5G network, and may provide clock information of the clock sources to the outside through its own port, for example, directly or indirectly provide clock information to a terminal device, an access network device, a core network device, or a third party application function network element. Wherein, the clock information represents time, moment or time point of the clock, and the clock information can also be called time information; the clock management network element can also select a corresponding time service network element according to the time service request of the time service request party, wherein the time service network element can be a UPF network element, a base station and the like, or the clock management network element itself, and then the clock management network element indicates the time service network element to provide time service for the time service request party. In 5G, the clock management network element may be a TNF network element, and in future communications such as 6G, the clock management network element may still be a TNF network element, or have other names, and the present application is not limited thereto. In one implementation, a time sensitive communication and time synchronization function (Time Sensitive Communication and Time Synchronization Function, TSCTSF) network element defined by 3GPP, such as a TSCTSF network element defined by the 3GPP r17 standard, may be used to support implementing some or all of the functions of TNF network elements in embodiments of the present application.

The DN is a network outside the operator network, the operator network can be accessed to a plurality of DNs, a plurality of services can be deployed on the DNs, and services such as data and/or voice can be provided for the terminal equipment. For example, the DN is a private network of an intelligent plant, the sensors installed in the plant of the intelligent plant may be terminal devices, a control server of the sensors is disposed in the DN, and the control server may serve the sensors. The sensor may communicate with the control server, obtain instructions from the control server, transmit collected sensor data to the control server, etc., according to the instructions. For another example, DN is an internal office network of a company, where a mobile phone or a computer of an employee of the company may be a terminal device, and the mobile phone or the computer of the employee may access information, data resources, etc. on the internal office network of the company.

Npcf, nufr, nudm, naf, namf, nsmf in fig. 1 (a) are service interfaces provided by the PCF network element, the UDR network element, the UDM network element, the AF network element, the AMF network element, and the SMF network element, respectively, and are used for invoking corresponding service operations. N1, N2, N3, N4, and N6 are interface serial numbers, and the meaning of these interface serial numbers is as follows:

1) N1: the interface between the AMF network element and the UE may be used to communicate non-access stratum (non access stratum, NAS) signaling (e.g., including QoS rules from the AMF network element) to the UE, etc.

2) N2: the interface between the AMF network element and the radio access network device may be used to transfer radio bearer control information from the core network side to the radio access network device, etc.

3) N3: the interface between the wireless access network device and the UPF network element is mainly used for transmitting uplink user plane data and/or downlink user plane data between the wireless access network device and the UPF network element.

4) N4: the interface between the SMF network element and the UPF network element can be used for transferring information between the control plane and the user plane, including controlling the issuing of forwarding rules, qoS rules, flow statistics rules and the like facing the user plane and the information reporting of the user plane.

5) N6: and the interface of the UPF network element and the DN is used for transmitting uplink user data flow and/or downlink user data flow between the UPF network element and the DN.

Fig. 1 (b) is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface, where the description of the functions of the network elements may refer to the description of the functions of the corresponding network elements in fig. 1 (a), and will not be repeated. The main difference between fig. 1 (b) and fig. 1 (a) is that: the interfaces between the individual control plane network elements in fig. 1 (a) are served interfaces and the interfaces between the individual control plane network elements in fig. 1 (b) are point-to-point interfaces.

In the architecture shown in fig. 1 (b), the interface names and functions between the network elements are as follows:

1) The meaning of the N1, N2, N3, N4 and N6 interfaces may be referred to the foregoing description.

2) N5: the interface between the AF network element and the PCF network element can be used for issuing application service requests and reporting network events.

3) N7: the interface between PCF network element and SMF network element can be used to deliver protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) session granularity and traffic data flow granularity control policies.

4) N8: the interface between the AMF network element and the UDM network element can be used for the AMF network element to acquire subscription data and authentication data related to access and mobility management from the UDM network element, and the AMF network element to register terminal equipment mobility management related information and the like from the UDM network element.

5) N9: the user interface between UPF network elements is used for transmitting uplink user data flow and/or downlink user data flow between UPF network elements.

6) N10: the interface between the SMF network element and the UDM network element may be used for the SMF network element to obtain session management related subscription data from the UDM network element, and the SMF network element to register terminal device session related information from the UDM network element.

7) N11: the interface between the SMF network element and the AMF network element may be used to transfer PDU session tunnel information between the radio access network device and the UPF network element, transfer control information sent to the terminal device, transfer radio resource control information sent to the radio access network device, and so on.

8) N15: the interface between the PCF network element and the AMF network element may be used for issuing terminal device policies and access control related policies.

9) N35: the interface between the UDM network element and the UDR network element may be used for the UDM network element to obtain the user subscription data information from the UDR network element.

10 N36): the interface between the PCF network element and the UDR network element may be used for the PCF network element to obtain policy related subscription data and application data related information from the UDR network element.

It will be appreciated that the network elements or functions described above may be either network elements in a hardware device, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). Alternatively, the network element or the function may be implemented by one device, or may be implemented by a plurality of devices together, or may be a functional module in one device, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

In the embodiment of the present application, a TNF network element, a base station, and a UE are described as specific examples of a clock management network element, an access network device, and a terminal device, respectively, and the TNF network element is abbreviated as TNF.

Fig. 2 (a) is a flowchart of a time service method according to an embodiment of the present application, where the method includes the following steps:

In step 201, the time service network element sends clock information to the base station.

The time service network element may be TNF, UPF, SMF, etc., and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to the time service network element.

The clock information represents the time, moment or point of time of the clock, which may also be referred to as time information.

The clock information is provided by a clock source in the time service network element, and the clock information is based on a clock domain of the time service network element.

In step 202, the base station provides time service for the UE according to the clock information and the first residence time of the clock information in the base station.

The first dwell time represents a dwell time referenced to a clock domain of the base station. The first dwell time may include a time when the base station receives the clock information and a time when the base station transmits the clock information to the UE, for example, the base station receives the clock information at time T1 and transmits the clock information to the UE at time T2, and then the first dwell time is T2-T1.

According to the scheme, when the base station provides time service for the UE, not only clock information from the time service network element is referred, but also the residence time of the clock information in the base station is considered, so that time service errors caused by the clock information in the base station are reduced, the time service precision of the base station providing time service for the UE is improved, and the clock synchronization precision of the UE can be improved.

Three different implementations of the base station providing time service to the UE in step 202 are described below.

According to the first method, a base station determines synchronization time according to first residence time, a clock frequency ratio and time service information, then the base station sends the time service information to UE, the time service information comprises the synchronization time, and the UE performs clock synchronization according to the synchronization time. Wherein the clock frequency ratio represents the ratio of clock frequencies between the base station and the time service network element.

In one implementation, prior to step 202, the base station further receives indication information from the TNF, the indication information indicating that the base station measures a clock frequency ratio between the base station and the time service network element, and then the base station measures the clock frequency ratio according to the indication information.

Wherein, the synchronization time=t3+ (T2-T1) ratio determined by the base station, where T3 is a time corresponding to clock information provided by the time service network element, ratio represents a clock frequency ratio, T2-T1 is a first dwell time, which represents an internal delay (or dwell time) of the base station based on a clock domain of the base station, T2 represents a time when the base station transmits the clock information to the UE, T1 represents a time when the base station receives the clock information, (T2-T1) ratio represents an internal delay of the base station based on a clock domain of the time service network element, that is, an internal delay of the base station based on a clock domain of the time service network element is converted into an internal delay of the base station based on a clock domain of the time service network element, and the (T2-T1) ratio is also referred to as a second dwell time, where the second dwell time still represents a time of the clock information in the base station based on the clock domain of the time service network element.

The second method comprises the steps that the base station determines second residence time of clock information in the base station according to the ratio of the first residence time to the clock frequency, then the base station sends time service information to the UE, the time service information comprises clock information of a time service network element and the second residence time, the UE performs clock synchronization according to the clock information of the time service network element and the second residence time, namely, the UE performs clock synchronization according to the clock information of the time service network element and the second residence time to determine synchronization time, and performs clock synchronization according to the synchronization time. Wherein the clock frequency ratio represents the ratio of clock frequencies between the base station and the time service network element.

Wherein the second dwell time represents a dwell time (or internal delay) with reference to the clock domain of the time service network element, which second dwell time still represents a dwell time of the clock information within the base station, but which second dwell time is represented with reference to the clock domain of the time service network element.

Specifically, the UE calculates synchronization time=t3+second residence time. Wherein T3 is a time corresponding to clock information provided by the time service network element.

The second residence time is calculated by the base station, and the second residence time= (T2-T1) ×ratio, where ratio represents a clock frequency ratio, T2-T1 is a first residence time, which represents an internal delay (or residence time) of the base station with reference to a clock domain of the base station, T2 represents a time when the base station transmits clock information to the UE, and T1 represents a time when the base station receives the clock information.

The base station sends time service information to the UE, wherein the time service information comprises first stay time, a clock frequency ratio and clock information, and the UE determines synchronization time according to the first stay time, the clock frequency ratio and the clock information and performs clock synchronization according to the synchronization time. Wherein the clock frequency ratio represents the ratio of clock frequencies between the base station and the time service network element.

Specifically, the UE calculates a synchronization time=t3+ (T2-T1) ratio. Wherein, the meaning of T3 and (T2-T1) ratio can be referred to the description in method one.

The method for determining the clock frequency ratio (ratio) in the above-described method one to method three is described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 2 (b) is a schematic diagram of a method for determining a clock frequency ratio according to an embodiment of the application. The method comprises the following steps:

time t 1: a time service network element (such as SMF, UPF, TNF, etc.) sends a message 1 to a base station, wherein the message header of the message 1 carries the sending time t1 of the message 1, and the t1 is the time recorded by taking the clock domain of the time service network element as a reference;

time t 2: the base station receives the message 1 at the time t2, wherein t2 is the time recorded by taking the clock domain of the base station as a reference, and the base station records t2 and t1;

time t 3: the time service network element sends a message 2 to the base station at the time t3, wherein the message header of the message 2 carries the sending time t3 of the message 2, and the t3 is the time recorded by taking the clock domain of the time service network element as a reference;

time t 4: the base station receives the message 2 at the time t4, wherein t4 is the time recorded by taking the clock domain of the base station as a reference, and the base station records t4 and t3.

The base station calculates a ratio= (t 4-t 2)/(t 3-t 1), wherein the ratio represents a clock frequency ratio between the base station and the time service network element.

Fig. 3 (a) is a flowchart of a time service method according to an embodiment of the present application, where the method includes the following steps:

In step 301, the base station sends a notification message to the TNF, where the notification message includes first indication information and identification information of a clock source that generates a clock loss, and the first indication information indicates that the clock source generates the clock loss.

That is, when a clock source on a base station is out of sync for some reason (such as a fault, building shelter, etc.), the base station sends a notification message to TNF to inform TNF: the clock source on the base station is out of sync.

In step 302, the base station receives configuration information from TNF, where the configuration information includes second indication information and identification information of the time service network element, and the second indication information indicates time synchronization information between a clock on the measurement base station and a clock on the time service network element.

After receiving the notification message, TNF selects a time service network element (such as UPF, SMF, TNF, etc.) for the base station for time synchronization, and then sends configuration information to the base station, where the configuration information includes identification information of the time service network element, and further includes second indication information for indicating the base station to measure time synchronization information between a clock on the base station and a clock on the time service network element.

In step 303, the base station performs clock synchronization on the clock source according to the time synchronization information.

After receiving the configuration information, the base station measures time synchronization information between the clock on the base station and the clock on the time service network element according to the second indication information, and performs clock synchronization on the clock source with the clock out-of-step on the base station according to the time synchronization information, so that normal operation of the clock source is realized.

According to the scheme, when a clock source on the base station is out of step, the base station actively requests the TNF to configure a time service network element for time service for the clock source, after the base station measures time service information between the base station and the time service network element, the base station completes clock time (i.e. clock synchronization) with the clock source of the time service network element according to the time service information, so that the clock source of the subsequent base station can provide accurate clock information for the UE, time service precision of the base station for providing time service for the UE is improved, and clock synchronization precision of the UE can be improved.

Or, in another implementation method, the base station may also store the time synchronization information between the clock on the base station and the clock on the time service network element in advance, and the configuration information in the step 302 may not carry the second instruction information, so after the base station receives the configuration information, the base station does not need to temporarily measure the time synchronization information between the clock on the base station and the clock on the time service network element, but obtains the time synchronization information between the clock on the base station and the clock on the time service network element from the local, and then the base station performs clock synchronization on the clock source according to the time synchronization information. The time synchronization information between the clock on the base station and the clock on the time service network element, which is pre-stored by the base station, may be sent to the base station by the time service network element, or may be measured by the base station in step 301, which is not limited in the present application.

In the implementation method, the base station locally stores the time synchronization information between the clock on the base station and the clock on the time service network element in advance, and the configuration information in the step 302 carries the second instruction information, so that the base station measures the time synchronization information between the clock on the base station and the clock on the time service network element according to the second instruction information. If the difference between the value of the time setting information measured by the base station and the value of the time setting information stored locally by the base station is larger than a preset threshold, the base station determines that the clock on the time service network element is likely to be faulty, so that the base station can inform the TNF to reselect one time service network element to provide time setting service, or the base station sends a notification message to the TNF, and the notification message is used for notifying the clock on the time service network element to be faulty or abnormal.

The following describes two different implementation methods for the base station to perform clock synchronization on the clock source with out-of-step on the base station according to the time synchronization information.

In the first method, the time synchronization information between the clock on the base station and the clock of the time service network element measured by the base station comprises deviation, and the deviation represents the deviation between the clock on the base station and the clock of the time service network element. The base station determines the time setting time according to the local time of the clock source with the clock out-of-step on the base station and the deviation, and then the base station performs clock synchronization on the clock source according to the time setting time.

For example, time=t1+offset, where T1 represents the local time of the clock source at which the clock out-of-step occurs, and offset represents the offset.

In the second method, the time setting information between the clock on the base station and the clock of the time service network element measured by the base station comprises a transmission time delay, and the transmission time delay represents the transmission time delay between the clock on the base station and the clock of the time service network element. And the base station determines the time setting time according to the clock information from the time service network element and the transmission delay, and then the base station performs clock synchronization on the clock source according to the time setting time.

For example, time=t2+delay, where T2 is the time corresponding to the clock information of the time service network element, and delay represents the transmission delay.

The method for determining the deviation and the transmission delay in the above method is described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 3 (b) is a schematic diagram of a method for determining a deviation and a transmission delay according to an embodiment of the present application. The method comprises the following steps:

time t 1: the base station sends a message 1 to a time service network element (such as SMF, UPF, TNF) at a time t1, wherein a message header of the message 1 carries a sending time t1 of the message 1, and the t1 is a time recorded by taking a clock domain of the base station as a reference;

time t 2: the time service network element receives the message 1 at the time t2, wherein t2 is the time recorded by taking the clock domain of the time service network element as a reference;

time t 3: the time service network element sends a message 2 to the base station at the time t3, wherein the message header of the message 2 carries the receiving time t2 of the message 1 and the sending time t3 of the message 2, and the t3 is the time recorded by taking the clock domain of the time service network element as a reference;

time t 4: the base station receives the message 2 at the time t4, wherein t4 is the time recorded by taking the clock domain of the base station as a reference, and the base station records t1, t2, t3 and t4.

The base station calculates an offset= ((ratio t2-t 1) - (t 4-ratio t 3))/2, and a delay= ((ratio t2-t 1) + (t 4-ratio t 3))/2, wherein the offset represents a deviation between a clock of the base station and a clock of the time service network element, and the delay represents a transmission delay between the clock of the base station and the clock of the time service network element.

Wherein, when ratio=1, the clock frequency between the base station and the time service network element is the same, then offset= ((t 2-t 1) - (t 4-t 3))/2, delay= ((t 2-t 1) + (t 4-t 3))/2. For example, when the clock source of the base station and the clock source of the timing network element have the same timing precision, ratio=1.

The embodiments of fig. 2 (a) and 3 (a) described above will be described in detail with reference to the following embodiments. The following embodiments of fig. 4 and 5 are specific implementations of the embodiment of fig. 2 (a) described above, and the following embodiment of fig. 6 is specific implementation of the embodiment of fig. 3 (a) described above.

Fig. 4 is a schematic flow chart of a time service method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method comprises the following steps:

in step 401a, the base station sends a request message to the NRF, the request message including identification information of the base station and timing accuracy of one or more clock sources on the base station.

If there is only one clock source on the base station, the request message includes the timing accuracy of the one clock source. If there are multiple clock sources on the base station, the request message may include the timing accuracy of one or more of the clock sources.

Step 401b, the UPF sends a request message to the NRF, the request message including identification information of the UPF and timing accuracy of one or more clock sources on the UPF.

If there is only one clock source on the UPF, the request message includes the timing accuracy of that one clock source. If there are multiple clock sources on the UPF, the request message may include the timing accuracy of one or more of the clock sources.

Optionally, if other network elements are also deployed with clock sources, the other network elements may also send the identification information of the other network elements and the timing accuracy of one or more clock sources on the other network elements to the NRF in the above manner. The other network element may be, for example, a network element such as an SMF, PCF, etc.

The time service accuracy in the step 401a and the step 401b refers to a unit to which time service information can be accurate, for example, nanoseconds (ns), microseconds (us), and the like.

In one implementation, the Request message in the step 401a and the step 401b may be an NG Setup Request message.

The order of execution between the steps 401a and 401b is not limited.

In step 402a, tnf sends a subscription request message to the NRF, where the subscription request message is used to subscribe to the time service precision of the clock network element.

The time service precision of the clock network element refers to the time service precision of a clock source in the clock network element.

In step 402b, the nrf sends a notification message to the TNF, where the notification message includes identification information of the clock network element and timing accuracy of the clock network element.

The clock network element here includes, but is not limited to, a base station, UPF. The timing accuracy of each clock network element may be one or more.

The steps 402a to 402b describe that TNF obtains the time service precision of each clock network element through subscription. As an alternative implementation method, the NRF may actively send the time service precision of each clock network element to TNF.

In step 403, the UE sends a timing request message to the TNF, where the timing request message includes identification information of the UE, identification information of the base station, and timing accuracy required by the UE.

The identification information of the base station is the identification information of the serving base station of the UE.

In one implementation, the timing request message may be a NAS message or a PDU Session Establishment Request message.

In step 404a, the tnf sends a query request message to the UDM, the query request message including identification information of the UE, the query request message being used to request for querying timing accuracy of the subscription of the UE.

In step 404b, the udm sends a query response message to the TNF, the query response message including the timing accuracy of the UE subscription.

The above steps 404a and 404b are optional steps.

In step 405, tnf determines the clock network element that meets the timing accuracy required by the UE.

If the above steps 404a and 404b are executed, the step 405 specifically includes: if the time service precision of the UE subscription is higher than or equal to the time service precision required by the UE, the TNF determines a clock network element meeting the time service precision required by the UE. If the time service precision of the UE subscription is lower than the time service precision required by the UE, the TNF does not determine a clock network element for the UE.

The clock network element here may be a base station, UPF, TNF or other network element. The TNF determines that the clock network element meeting the time service precision required by the UE is the TNF, and indicates that when the time service precision of the clock source of the TNF meets the time service precision required by the UE, the TNF can also determine to provide time service for the UE by itself.

If the TNF in step 405 determines that the clock network element satisfying the timing accuracy required by the UE is the TNF, steps 406 to 407 are performed after step 405, i.e. the TNF provides the timing service for the UE.

In step 406, the TNF sends timing configuration information to the base station, where the timing configuration information includes UE identification information, TNF clock information, and indication information indicating measurement of a clock frequency ratio between the base station and the TNF.

The time service precision corresponding to the clock information of the TNF is the same as the time service precision required by the UE.

After receiving the time service configuration information, the base station records the time T1 for receiving the time service configuration information. And the base station measures the clock frequency ratio between the base station and the TNF according to the indication information, wherein the ratio is expressed by ratio.

In step 407, the base station transmits timing information to the UE.

In an implementation method, after the ratio is calculated by the base station, time service information is sent to the UE, where the time service information includes clock information of TNF, T1, T2, and the ratio, and T2 is a sending time of the base station to send the time service information to the UE. After receiving the timing information, the UE calculates a synchronization time=t3+ (T2-T1) ratio, where T3 is a time corresponding to the clock information of TNF, T2-T1 represents an internal delay of the base station based on the clock domain of the base station, and (T2-T1) ratio represents an internal delay of the base station based on the clock domain of TNF, that is, the internal delay of the base station based on the clock domain of the base station is converted into an internal delay of the base station based on the clock domain of TNF. Subsequently, the UE implements clock synchronization according to the synchronization time.

In another implementation method, after calculating the ratio, the base station further determines a transmission time (denoted by T2) when the base station transmits time service information to the UE, calculates an internal time delay of the base station based on a clock domain of TNF according to T1, T2 and the ratio, and then includes the clock information of TNF and the internal time delay of the base station based on the clock domain of TNF in the time service information transmitted to the UE, wherein the internal time delay= (T2-T1) of the base station based on the clock domain of TNF. After the UE receives the timing information, the UE calculates to obtain a synchronization time=t3+an internal delay of the base station with reference to the clock domain of TNF, where T3 is a time corresponding to the clock information of TNF. Subsequently, the UE implements clock synchronization according to the synchronization time.

In another implementation method, after calculating the ratio, the base station further determines a transmission time (denoted by T2) when the base station transmits time service information to the UE, calculates an internal time delay of the base station based on a clock domain of TNF according to T1, T2 and the ratio, and calculates a synchronization time=t3+the internal time delay of the base station based on the clock domain of TNF, where T3 is a time corresponding to the clock information of TNF, and the internal time delay of the base station based on the clock domain of tnf= (T2-T1). And then the base station includes the synchronization time in the time service information sent to the UE. Subsequently, the UE implements clock synchronization according to the synchronization time.

According to the scheme, the TNF selects the clock network element for providing the time service for the UE, the clock network element provides the clock information meeting the time service precision required by the UE for the UE, and the clock information providing the proper time service precision for the UE can be realized. In addition, when the scheme calculates the synchronization time for the clock synchronization of the UE, not only the clock information provided by the clock network element is referred, but also the time delay of the clock information provided by the clock network element in the internal transmission of the base station is referred, so that the error caused by the clock information provided by the clock network element in the transmission process can be reduced, and the clock synchronization precision of the UE is improved.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a time service method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method comprises the following steps:

step 501a is the same as step 401a described above.

Step 501b is the same as step 401b described above.

The order of execution between the above-described step 501a and step 501b is not limited.

Step 502a is similar to step 402a described above.

Step 502b is the same as step 402b described above.

Step 503 is similar to step 403 described above.

Step 504a is similar to step 404a described above.

Step 504b is similar to step 404b described above.

Step 505 is the same as step 405 described above.

If the TNF determines in step 505 that the clock network element satisfying the timing accuracy required by the UE is a UPF, steps 506 to 509 are performed after step 505, i.e., the UPF provides the timing service for the UE.

In step 506, tnf sends timing configuration information to the UPF, where the timing configuration information includes identification information of the UE, identification information of the base station, timing precision required by the UE, and indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate the UPF to provide timing service for the UE.

In step 507, tnf sends timing configuration information to the base station, where the timing configuration information includes UE identification information, UPF identification information, and indication information, where the indication information indicates measurement of a clock frequency ratio between the base station and the UPF.

The base station measures the clock frequency ratio between the base station and the TNF according to the indication information, and the ratio is expressed by ratio.

The execution sequence of the steps 506 and 507 is not limited.

In step 508, the UPF sends timing information 1 to the base station, where the timing information 1 includes identification information of the UE and clock information of the UPF.

The timing precision corresponding to the clock information of the UPF is the same as the timing precision required by the UE.

After receiving the time service information 1, the base station records the time T1 when the time service information 1 is received.

In step 509, the base station sends timing information 2 to the UE.

In an implementation method, after receiving time service information 1 from the UPF, the base station sends time service information 2 to the UE, where the time service information 2 includes clock information of the UPF, T1, T2, and ratio, and T2 is a time when the base station sends the time service information 2 to the UE. After receiving the timing information 2, the UE calculates synchronization time=t3+ (T2-T1) ratio, where T3 is a time corresponding to the clock information of the UPF, T2-T1 represents an internal delay of the base station based on the clock domain of the base station, and (T2-T1) ratio represents an internal delay of the base station based on the clock domain of the UPF, that is, the internal delay of the base station based on the clock domain of the base station is converted into an internal delay of the base station based on the clock domain of the UPF. Subsequently, the UE implements clock synchronization according to the synchronization time.

In another implementation method, after receiving time service information 1 from the UPF, the base station further determines a transmission time (denoted by T2) when the base station transmits time service information 2 to the UE, calculates an internal time delay of the base station based on a clock domain of the UPF according to T1, T2 and ratio, and then includes the clock information of the UPF and the internal time delay of the base station based on the clock domain of the UPF in the time service information 2 transmitted to the UE, where the internal time delay of the base station based on the clock domain of the upf= (T2-T1) ratio. After receiving the time service information 2, the UE calculates to obtain a synchronization time=t3+an internal time delay of the base station taking the clock domain of the UPF as a reference, where T3 is a time corresponding to the clock information of the UPF. Subsequently, the UE implements clock synchronization according to the synchronization time.

In another implementation method, after receiving time service information 1 from the UPF, the base station further determines a time (denoted by T2) when the base station transmits time service information 2 to the UE, calculates an internal delay of the base station based on a clock domain of the UPF according to T1, T2 and ratio, and calculates a synchronization time=t3+the internal delay of the base station based on the clock domain of the UPF, where T3 is a time corresponding to the clock information of the UPF, and the internal delay= (T2-T1) of the base station based on the clock domain of the UPF. The synchronization time is then included in the timing information 2 sent by the base station to the UE. Subsequently, the UE implements clock synchronization according to the synchronization time.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a time service method according to an embodiment of the present application. The clock source on the base station is out of step, for example, the clock source cannot receive clock information for time synchronization, so that the clock source of the base station cannot continuously provide time service for the UE.

The method comprises the following steps:

step 601a is the same as step 401a described above.

Step 601b is the same as step 401b described above.

The execution order between the steps 601a and 601b is not limited.

Step 602a is similar to step 402a described above.

Step 602b is similar to step 402b described above.

In step 603a, the base station provides time service for the UE.

The specific process of the step is as follows: the UE sends a time service request message to the base station, wherein the time service request message comprises the identification information of the UE and time service precision required by the UE. The base station sends the time service request message to the AMF, and the AMF sends the time service request message to the TNF. TNF determines that the base station meets the time service precision required by the UE, and then the base station is informed to provide time service for the UE, so that the base station sends clock information of the base station to the UE, and then the UE realizes clock synchronization according to the clock information.

In step 603b, the clock source on the base station is out of step, and cannot continue to provide time service for the UE, and then the base station sends out of step notification message to the TNF, where the out of step notification message includes indication information, identification information of the clock source that is out of step, and identification information of the base station.

The indication information is used for indicating the clock source of the base station to generate clock desynchronization. The reason why the clock is out of step may be that the clock signal for synchronization received by the base station is blocked, so that the base station cannot perform clock synchronization on the clock source according to the clock information in the clock signal. For example, the clock source of the base station is synchronized by receiving global navigation satellite system (global navigation satellite system, GNSS) signals, and if the base station cannot receive the GNSS signals, the clock source of the base station cannot be synchronized according to clock information in the GNSS signals.

The identification information of the clock source where the clock out-of-step occurs may be a clock domain number of the clock source.

It should be noted that, if there is only one clock source on the base station, that is, the clock source that generates the clock out-of-step, the clock out-of-step notification message may not carry the identification information of the clock source that generates the clock out-of-step. TNF can know the clock source of the clock out-of-step according to the identification information of the base station.

In step 604, tnf determines, according to the identification information of the clock source from which the clock loss occurs, a clock network element that provides a time synchronization service for the base station.

The clock network element for providing time synchronization service for the base station is configured with a target clock source, the target clock source can provide target time service precision, and the target time service precision is the same as the time service precision corresponding to the clock source generating the clock out-of-step.

Taking TNF as an example to determine that the clock element providing the base station with the time setting service is a UPF, the following steps 605 to 608 are executed after step 604, i.e. the UPF provides the base station with the time setting service.

In step 605, tnf sends to the UPF time tick configuration information including identification information of the base station, time service accuracy, and indication information for indicating the UPF to provide time tick service for the base station.

The time service precision is the time service precision corresponding to the clock source with the clock out-of-step on the base station.

In step 606, the tnf sends to the base station time tick configuration information including identification information of the UPF, time service accuracy, and indication information indicating the time tick information between the clock on the base station and the clock on the UPF.

The base station measures time synchronization information between the clock on the base station and the clock on the UPF according to the indication information. In one implementation, the pair of time information includes a bias. In another implementation, the pair of time information includes a transmission delay.

The execution order of the steps 605 and 606 is not limited.

In step 607, the UPF sends timing information to the base station, where the timing information includes clock information of the UPF.

This step 608 is an optional step.

The timing accuracy corresponding to the clock information of the UPF is the same as the timing accuracy of the clock source generating the clock out-of-step on the base station.

In step 608, the base station completes clock synchronization with the UPF according to the time synchronization information.

In an implementation method, when the above step 607 is not performed and the pair time information determined by the base station includes a deviation, the step 608 is specifically: and the base station determines the time setting time according to the local time of the clock source with the clock out-of-step and the deviation, and completes the clock synchronization with the UPF according to the time setting time. Where time=t1+offset, where T1 represents the local time of the clock source where the clock out-of-step occurs, and offset represents the offset.

In another implementation method, when the step 607 is performed and the pair time information determined by the base station includes a transmission delay, the step 608 is specifically: and the base station determines the time setting time according to the time corresponding to the clock information of the UPF and the transmission delay, and completes the clock synchronization with the UPF according to the time setting time. Wherein, time=t2+delay, where T2 is the time corresponding to the clock information of the UPF, and delay represents the transmission delay.

According to the scheme, when the clock source in the base station is out of step, the base station informs the TNF to select the clock network element for providing the time synchronization service for the base station, and then the clock network element provides the time synchronization service for the base station, so that the accuracy of the clock of the base station is kept.

It will be appreciated that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the access network device or the terminal device includes corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules that perform the respective functions. Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and method steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented as hardware or computer software driven hardware depends upon the particular application scenario and design constraints imposed on the solution.

Fig. 7 and 8 are schematic structural diagrams of possible communication devices according to an embodiment of the present application. These communication devices may be used to implement the functions of the access network device or the terminal device in the above method embodiments, so that the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments may also be implemented. In the embodiment of the application, the communication device may be an access network device or a terminal device, or may be a module (such as a chip) in the access network device or a module (such as a chip) in the terminal device.

The communication device 700 shown in fig. 7 includes a processing unit 710 and a transceiving unit 720. The communication device 700 is configured to implement the functions of the access network device or the terminal device in the above-described method embodiment. The transceiver unit 720 may be used to implement corresponding communication functions. The transceiver unit 720 may also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit. The processing unit 710 may be adapted to implement corresponding processing functions. Optionally, the communication apparatus 700 further includes a storage unit, where the storage unit may be configured to store instructions and/or data, and the processing unit 710 may read the instructions and/or data in the storage unit, so that the communication apparatus 700 implements actions of a terminal device (such as a UE) or an access network device (such as a base station) in the foregoing method embodiments.

When the communication apparatus 700 is configured to implement the function of the access network device in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 720 is configured to receive clock information from the time service network element; and the processing unit 710 is configured to provide a time service for the terminal device according to the clock information and the first residence time of the clock information in the access network device.

In one implementation method, the processing unit 710 is specifically configured to determine a synchronization time according to the first residence time, a clock frequency ratio, and the time service information, where the clock frequency ratio represents a ratio of clock frequencies between the access network device and the time service network element; and sending time service information to the terminal device through the transceiver unit 720, where the time service information includes the synchronization time, and the synchronization time is used for clock synchronization of the terminal device.

In one implementation, the processing unit 710 is specifically configured to determine, according to the first residence time and the clock frequency ratio, a second residence time of the clock information in the access network device, where the clock frequency ratio indicates a ratio of clock frequencies between the access network device and the time service network element, the first residence time indicates a residence time based on a clock domain of the access network device, and the second residence time indicates a residence time based on a clock domain of the time service network element; and sending time service information to the terminal device through the transceiver unit 720, where the time service information includes the clock information and the second residence time, and the time service information is used for clock synchronization of the terminal device.

In one implementation method, the processing unit 710 is specifically configured to send, through the transceiver unit 720, time service information to the terminal device, where the time service information includes the first residence time, a clock frequency ratio, and the clock information, the clock frequency ratio indicates a ratio of clock frequencies between the access network device and the time service network element, and the time service information is used for clock synchronization of the terminal device.

In one implementation, the transceiver unit 720 is further configured to receive indication information from a clock management network element, where the indication information indicates to measure the clock frequency ratio; the processing unit 710 is further configured to measure the clock frequency ratio according to the indication information.

When the communication apparatus 700 is configured to implement the function of the access network device in the foregoing method embodiment, the transceiver unit 720 is configured to send a notification message to the clock management network element, where the notification message includes first indication information and identification information of a clock source that generates clock out-of-step, and the first indication information indicates that the clock source generates clock out-of-step; receiving configuration information from the clock management network element, wherein the configuration information comprises second indication information and identification information of a time service network element, and the second indication information indicates time synchronization information between a clock on the access network device and a clock on the time service network element; and a processing unit 710, configured to perform clock synchronization on the clock source according to the pair of time information.

In one implementation, the processing unit 710 is further configured to measure the pair of time information according to the second indication information.

In one implementation, the pair of time information includes a deviation representing a deviation between a clock on the access network device and a clock on the time service network element; the processing unit 710 is specifically configured to determine a time setting time according to the local time of the clock source and the deviation; and according to the pair of time, clock synchronization is carried out on the clock source.

In one implementation, the pair of time information includes a transmission delay, the transmission delay representing a transmission delay between a clock on the access network device and a clock on the time service network element; the processing unit 710 is specifically configured to determine a time setting time according to the clock information from the time service network element and the transmission delay; and according to the pair of time, clock synchronization is carried out on the clock source.

In one implementation, the transceiver unit 720 is further configured to receive the clock information from the time service network element.

When the communication apparatus 700 is configured to implement the function of the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiment, the transceiver unit 720 is configured to receive timing information from an access network device, where the timing information includes clock information of a timing network element, a first residence time of the clock information in the access network device and a clock frequency ratio, where the first residence time represents residence time based on a clock domain of the access network device, and the clock frequency ratio represents a ratio of clock frequencies between the access network device and the timing network element; a processing unit 710, configured to determine a synchronization time according to the first residence time, the clock frequency ratio, and the clock information; clock synchronization is performed based on the synchronization time.

In one implementation method, the processing unit 710 is specifically configured to determine, according to the ratio of the first residence time to the clock frequency, a second residence time of the clock information in the access network device, where the second residence time represents a residence time based on a clock domain of the time service network element; the synchronization time is determined based on the second dwell time and the clock information.

The more detailed description of the processing unit 710 and the transceiver unit 720 may be directly obtained by referring to the related description in the above method embodiments, which is not repeated herein.

The communication device 800 shown in fig. 8 includes a processor 810 and an interface circuit 820. Processor 810 and interface circuit 820 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 820 may be a transceiver or an input-output interface. Optionally, the communication device 800 may further comprise a memory 830 for storing instructions to be executed by the processor 810 or for storing input data required by the processor 810 to execute instructions or for storing data generated after the processor 810 executes instructions.

When the communication device 800 is used to implement the above-mentioned method embodiment, the processor 810 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned processing unit 710, and the interface circuit 820 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned transceiver unit 720.

It is to be appreciated that the processor in embodiments of the application may be a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), other general purpose processor, digital signal processor (digital signal processor, DSP), application specific integrated circuit (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC), field programmable gate array (field programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, it may be any conventional processor.

The method steps in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by executing software instructions by a processor. The software instructions may be comprised of corresponding software modules that may be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read only memory, programmable read only memory, erasable programmable read only memory, electrically erasable programmable read only memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, 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. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The processor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in a base station or terminal.

In the above embodiments, it may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, a base station, a UE, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer program or instructions may be transmitted from one website site, computer, server, or data center to another website site, computer, server, or data center by wired or wireless means. The computer readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that integrates one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium, e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, tape; but also optical media such as digital video discs; but also semiconductor media such as solid state disks. The computer readable storage medium may be volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage medium.

In various embodiments of the application, where no special description or logic conflict exists, terms and/or descriptions between the various embodiments are consistent and may reference each other, and features of the various embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logic.

In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "and/or", describes an association relationship of an association object, and indicates that there may be three relationships, for example, a and/or B, and may indicate: a alone, a and B together, and B alone, wherein a, B may be singular or plural. In the text description of the present application, the character "/", generally indicates that the associated objects are an or relationship; in the formula of the present application, the character "/" indicates that the front and rear associated objects are a "division" relationship.

It will be appreciated that the various numerical numbers referred to in the embodiments of the present application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The sequence number of each process does not mean the sequence of the execution sequence, and the execution sequence of each process should be determined according to the function and the internal logic.

Claims

1. A method of time service, comprising:

the access network equipment receives clock information from a time service network element;

and the access network equipment provides time service for the terminal equipment according to the clock information and the first residence time of the clock information in the access network equipment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the access network device provides a time service for a terminal device based on the clock information and a first residence time of the clock information within the access network device, comprising:

the access network equipment determines synchronous time according to the first residence time, a clock frequency ratio and the time service information, wherein the clock frequency ratio represents the ratio of clock frequencies between the access network equipment and the time service network element;

the access network equipment sends time service information to the terminal equipment, wherein the time service information comprises the synchronization time, and the synchronization time is used for clock synchronization of the terminal equipment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the access network device provides a time service for a terminal device based on the clock information and a first residence time of the clock information within the access network device, comprising:

The access network equipment determines second residence time of the clock information in the access network equipment according to the first residence time and the clock frequency ratio, wherein the clock frequency ratio represents the ratio of clock frequencies between the access network equipment and the time service network element;

the access network equipment sends time service information to the terminal equipment, wherein the time service information comprises the clock information and the second residence time, and the time service information is used for clock synchronization of the terminal equipment.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the access network device provides a time service for a terminal device based on the clock information and a first residence time of the clock information within the access network device, comprising:

the access network equipment sends time service information to the terminal equipment, the time service information comprises the first residence time, a clock frequency ratio and the clock information, the clock frequency ratio represents the ratio of clock frequencies between the access network equipment and the time service network element, and the time service information is used for clock synchronization of the terminal equipment.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first dwell time includes a time at which the access network device receives the clock information and a time at which the access network device transmits the clock information to the terminal device.

6. The method of any one of claims 2 to 5, further comprising:

the access network equipment receives indication information from a clock management network element, wherein the indication information indicates to measure the clock frequency ratio;

and the access network equipment measures the clock frequency ratio according to the indication information.

7. A method of time service, comprising:

the access network equipment sends a notification message to a clock management network element, wherein the notification message comprises first indication information and identification information of a clock source generating clock out-of-step, and the first indication information indicates the clock source to generate clock out-of-step;

the access network equipment receives configuration information from the clock management network element, wherein the configuration information comprises second indication information and identification information of a time service network element, and the second indication information indicates time synchronization information between a clock on the access network equipment and a clock on the time service network element;

and the access network equipment performs clock synchronization on the clock source according to the time synchronization information.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

and the access network equipment measures the time setting information according to the second indication information.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the time tick information comprises a deviation representing a deviation between a clock on the access network device and a clock on the time service network element;

the access network device performs clock synchronization on the clock source according to the time synchronization information, and the method comprises the following steps:

the access network equipment determines time setting time according to the local time of the clock source and the deviation;

and the access network equipment performs clock synchronization on the clock source according to the time setting time.

10. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the time tick information comprises a transmission delay representing a transmission delay between a clock on the access network device and a clock on the time service network element;

the access network equipment determines time setting time according to the clock information from the time service network element and the transmission delay;

11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

The access network equipment receives the clock information from the time service network element.

12. A method of time service, comprising:

the method comprises the steps that a terminal device receives time service information from an access network device, wherein the time service information comprises clock information of a time service network element, first stay time of the clock information in the access network device and a clock frequency ratio, and the clock frequency ratio represents the ratio of clock frequencies between the access network device and the time service network element;

the terminal equipment determines synchronous time according to the first residence time, the clock frequency ratio and the clock information;

and the terminal equipment performs clock synchronization according to the synchronization time.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining, by the terminal device, a synchronization time based on the first dwell time, the clock frequency ratio value, and the clock information, comprises:

the terminal equipment determines second residence time of the clock information in the access network equipment according to the first residence time and the clock frequency ratio;

and the terminal equipment determines the synchronous time according to the second residence time and the clock information.

14. A communication device, comprising:

the receiving and transmitting unit is used for receiving clock information from the time service network element;

and the processing unit is used for providing time service for the terminal equipment according to the clock information and the first stay time of the clock information in the access network equipment.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the processing unit is specifically configured to determine a synchronization time according to the first residence time, a clock frequency ratio, and the time service information, the clock frequency ratio representing a ratio of clock frequencies between the access network device and the time service network element; and sending time service information to the terminal equipment through the receiving and transmitting unit, wherein the time service information comprises the synchronization time, and the synchronization time is used for clock synchronization of the terminal equipment.

16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine a second residence time of the clock information in the access network device based on the first residence time and the clock frequency ratio, the clock frequency ratio representing a ratio of clock frequencies between the access network device and the time service network element; and sending time service information to the terminal equipment through the receiving and transmitting unit, wherein the time service information comprises the clock information and the second residence time, and the time service information is used for clock synchronization of the terminal equipment.

17. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the processing unit is specifically configured to send time service information to the terminal device through the transceiver unit, where the time service information includes the first residence time, a clock frequency ratio, and the clock information, where the clock frequency ratio indicates a ratio of clock frequencies between the access network device and the time service network element, and the time service information is used for clock synchronization of the terminal device.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first dwell time includes a time at which the access network device received the clock information and a time at which the access network device sent the clock information to the terminal device.

19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive indication information from a clock management network element, the indication information indicating to measure the clock frequency ratio;

the processing unit is further used for measuring the clock frequency ratio according to the indication information.

20. A communication device, comprising:

the receiving and transmitting unit is used for sending a notification message to the clock management network element, wherein the notification message comprises first indication information and identification information of a clock source generating clock out-of-step, and the first indication information indicates that the clock source generates clock out-of-step; receiving configuration information from the clock management network element, wherein the configuration information comprises second indication information and identification information of a time service network element, and the second indication information indicates time synchronization information between a clock on the access network device and a clock on the time service network element;

And the processing unit is used for carrying out clock synchronization on the clock source according to the time synchronization information.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the processing unit is further configured to measure the time tick information based on the second indication information.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 or 21, wherein the time tick information comprises a deviation representing a deviation between a clock on the access network device and a clock on the time service network element;

the processing unit is specifically configured to determine a time setting time according to the local time of the clock source and the deviation; and according to the time setting time, carrying out clock synchronization on the clock source.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 or 21, wherein the time tick information comprises a transmission delay representing a transmission delay between a clock on the access network device and a clock on the time service network element;

the processing unit is specifically configured to determine a time setting time according to clock information from the time service network element and the transmission delay; and according to the time setting time, carrying out clock synchronization on the clock source.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive the clock information from the time service network element.

25. A communication device, comprising:

the receiving and transmitting unit is used for receiving time service information from access network equipment, wherein the time service information comprises clock information of time service network elements, first residence time of the clock information in the access network equipment and a clock frequency ratio, and the clock frequency ratio represents the ratio of clock frequencies between the access network equipment and the time service network elements;

the processing unit is used for determining synchronous time according to the first residence time, the clock frequency ratio and the clock information; and carrying out clock synchronization according to the synchronization time.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine a second residence time of the clock information within the access network device based in particular on the first residence time and the clock frequency ratio; and determining the synchronous time according to the second stay time and the clock information.

27. A computer program product comprising a computer program which, when executed by a communication device, implements the method of any of claims 1 to 13.

28. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that the storage medium has stored therein a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method of any of claims 1 to 13.

29. A communication system comprising a time service network element and an access network device for performing the method of any of claims 1 to 6;

the time service network element is configured to send clock information to the access network device.

30. A communication system comprising a clock management network element and an access network device for performing the method of any of claims 7 to 11;

the clock management network element is configured to receive a notification message from the access network device, where the notification message includes first indication information and identification information of a clock source that generates clock out-of-step, and the first indication information indicates that the clock source generates clock out-of-step; and sending configuration information to the access network equipment, wherein the configuration information comprises second indication information and identification information of a time service network element, and the second indication information indicates time synchronization information between a clock on the access network equipment and a clock on the time service network element.