WO2010078800A1

WO2010078800A1 - Method, apparatus and system for determining clock source

Info

Publication number: WO2010078800A1
Application number: PCT/CN2009/075794
Authority: WO
Inventors: 赵元魁
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2008-12-29
Filing date: 2009-12-21
Publication date: 2010-07-15
Also published as: CN101771661A

Abstract

A method for determining clock source includes: a clock source information receiving entity receives clock source information sent by a clock source information distributing entity (S1); a clock source is selected according to the clock source information (S2). A communication apparatus and system are also provided by the invention. Applying the invention can solve the problem that a clock source information receiving entity can only use a random, default, or ordinal method to blindly connect to one clock source among numerous clock sources, but can not select a clock source according to different qualities or levels.

Description

Clock source determining method, device and system The present application claims priority to Chinese patent application filed on December 29, 2008, the Chinese Patent Office, Application No. 200810189481. X, entitled "Clock Source Determination Method, Apparatus and System" The entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a clock source determining method, apparatus, and system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Clock synchronization technology is a basic technology of communication networks. Clock synchronization is also called "clockwise". It is necessary to align the clocks distributed around the world and synchronize them. A standard clock can be used to move the clock so that the clocks everywhere are aligned with the standard clock. Or, make the clock first align with the system's standard clock, and then compare the other clocks in the system with the clock, so that the other clocks of the system are synchronized with the system's unified standard clock. The so-called synchronization of the clocks in the system does not require that each clock be completely aligned with the unified standard clock. It is only required to know the clock difference between each clock and the system standard clock at the time of comparison and the drift correction parameter of the relative standard clock after comparison, without dialing the clock.

The clock source is used to provide a frequency stable and level matched square wave clock pulse signal to the ring pulse generator. It usually consists of a quartz crystal oscillator and a positive feedback oscillator circuit consisting of a NAND gate, the output of which is sent to a ring pulse generator.

In the prior art, the clock source can be manually specified and automatically designated. For automatic designation, a protocol can be considered, such as the IEEE1588 PTPv2 protocol. However, how to obtain the clock source is currently not specified in the protocol. For wireless mobile networks, how to determine the clock source is a key feature. The clock source of the NTP (Network Time Protocol) can be obtained through the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) process, but the Home NodeB (Home Node Base Station) does not run the Dynamic Host Allocation Protocol. , unable to get the clock source address.

In the process of implementing the above clock source determination, the inventors have found that at least the following problems exist in the prior art - among a plurality of clock sources, the clock source information receiving entity can only adopt a random, default, sequential method to the clock source. Make blind connections. Summary of the invention

Embodiments of the present invention provide a clock source determining method, apparatus, and system, which can avoid blindness to a clock source. Connected.

In one aspect, the embodiment of the present invention provides a clock source determining method, including: a clock source information receiving entity receiving clock source information sent by a clock source information distributing entity;

A clock source is selected according to the clock source information.

In the clock source determining method provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the clock source information receiving entity is capable of receiving related information of each clock source from the clock source information distribution entity, and selecting each clock source according to the related information. Therefore, among the numerous clock sources in the network, the clock source information receiving entity can effectively select each clock source according to the attributes of the clock source to avoid blind connection.

In another aspect, the embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication apparatus, including: a receiving unit, configured to receive clock source information sent by a clock source information distribution entity;

And a selecting unit, configured to select a clock source according to the clock source information received by the receiving unit.

The communication device provided by the embodiment of the present invention is capable of receiving relevant information from each clock source of the clock source information distribution entity, and selecting each clock source according to the related information. Therefore, among the numerous clock sources in the network, the communication device can effectively select each clock source according to the attribute of the clock source to avoid blind connection.

In addition, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication system, including:

a clock source information receiving entity, configured to obtain clock source information, and select a clock source according to the clock source information; the clock source information is sent by a clock source information distributing entity.

In the communication system provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the clock source information receiving entity is capable of receiving related information of each clock source from the clock source information distribution entity, and selecting each clock source according to the related information. Therefore, among the many clock sources in the network, the clock source information receiving entity can effectively select each clock source according to the attribute of the clock source to avoid blind connection. DRAWINGS

1 is a flow chart of a method for determining a clock source according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a schematic flowchart of a method for determining a clock source according to another embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a structural block diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a structural block diagram of a communication device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a structural block diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a structural block diagram of a communication system according to another embodiment of the present invention. detailed description

Embodiments of the present invention provide a clock source determining method, apparatus, and system that can avoid blind connection to a clock source.

The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1 , a clock source determining method provided by an embodiment of the present invention includes:

51. The clock source information receiving entity receives the clock source information sent by the clock source information distribution entity.

52. Select a clock source according to the clock source information.

A clock source determining method provided by another embodiment of the present invention can avoid blind connection to a clock source. As shown in Figure 2, the method includes:

5201. The clock source information distribution entity sends the clock source information to the clock source information receiving entity by using the protocol signaling/message.

The clock source information may include a clock source identifier and a clock source attribute information, where the clock source identifier may be an IP address or a domain name information, and the clock source attribute information may be a port, an accuracy, a delay, a quality, a reliability, a priority, and a clock source. Types and the like can reflect any combination of one or more of the information of the clock source attributes.

In this step, the clock source information distribution entity may actively send the clock source information to the entity. For example, when the clock source information receiving entity accesses the network, it receives the clock source information sent by the clock source information distribution entity, and does not need the clock. The source information receiving entity sends the clock source request information. Optionally, the clock source information distribution entity may also send the clock source information to the clock source information receiving entity after receiving the request of the clock source information requesting entity, and may further include step S202 before step S201;

S202, the clock source information receiving entity sends the clock source request information to the clock source information distribution entity by using the protocol signaling/message;

Through the clock source request information, the clock source information receiving entity may request the clock source information distribution entity to allocate a clock source for the clock source information receiving entity to perform selection confirmation or to allocate a specific clock source.

The clock source information receiving entity selects a clock source according to the clock source information sent by the clock source information distribution entity, and selects a clock source that can meet the requirements of the clock source information receiving entity;

The clock source receiving entity may select a clock source as a primary clock source according to the clock source information, optionally, The clock source receiving entity can also select and set an alternate clock source. When the master clock source contacts the interrupt, the time synchronization can be performed by the alternate clock source.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the clock source information receiving entity may allocate a protocol client, a terminal, a router, an authenticator, etc. for the dynamic host; the clock source information distribution entity may allocate a protocol server, a security gateway, a router, and an AAA (Authorization) for the dynamic host. ^ Authentication and Accounting, Authorization, Authentication and Accounting) Server, Home Agent, etc.;

The protocol signaling/message may be Internet Key Exchange Protocol signaling, dynamic host allocation protocol signaling, routing information, AAA protocol, and the like.

In the embodiment of the present invention, from the perspective of the protocol, the method provided by the embodiment of the present invention may be implemented by using different protocols, for example, the clock source information publishing entity is a DHCP server, and the clock source information receiving entity is a DHCP client. Alternatively, the clock source information publishing entity is a security gateway, and the clock source information receiving entity is an Internet key exchange client, etc.; from a logical entity perspective, it can be implemented by cooperation between different network elements, for example, clock source information is released. The entity is an access network gateway, the clock source information receiving entity is a base station or a base station controller, or the clock source information publishing entity is a GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node), and the clock source information receiving entity is a base station or a base station. The controller and the like; the clock source information publishing entity is a router, and the clock source information receiving entity is a terminal or a router including a mobile host and a fixed host.

For example, the clock source information receiving entity may be a DHCP client, and the clock source information distribution entity may be a DHCP server, and the DHCP client may send a clock source request message to the DHCP server through DHCP signaling, and the DHCP server sends the DHCP client to the DHCP client through DHCP signaling. The terminal sends the clock source information. Alternatively, the clock source information receiving entity may be a terminal, and the clock source information distributing entity may be a security gateway, and the terminal may send clock source request information to the security gateway through the Internet key exchange protocol signaling, and the security gateway passes the Internet key exchange protocol signaling. Send clock source information to the terminal. Alternatively, the clock source information receiving entity may be a terminal, and the clock source information distributing entity may be a router, and the terminal may send the clock source request information to the router through the routing message, and the router sends the clock source information to the terminal by using the routing message.

The method provided by the embodiment of the present invention is applicable not only to the above enumerated cases, but also to the protocol signaling/message between the clock source information receiving entity and its clock source information distributing entity that can be conceived by those skilled in the art. The methods provided by the embodiments of the present invention to determine the clock source are all within the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present invention, and are not enumerated herein.

In step S201, if the clock source information sent by the clock source information distribution entity is domain name information, the clock source information receiving entity needs to obtain the IP address information of the selected clock source through the domain name information, so as to connect the domain name information, The method provided in this embodiment further includes step S204 and step S205. If the clock source information sent by the clock source information distribution entity is an IP address, step S206 is directly executed.

5204. The clock source information receiving entity sends the domain name information of the selected clock source to the domain name server, and queries an IP address of the selected clock source.

5205. The domain name server returns an IP address of the selected clock source to the clock source information receiving entity.

S206. The clock source information receiving entity establishes a connection with the selected clock source according to the IP address of the selected clock source. In the clock source determining method provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the clock source information receiving entity is capable of receiving related information of each clock source from the clock source information distribution entity, and selecting each clock source according to the related information. Therefore, among the numerous clock sources in the network, the clock source information receiving entity can effectively select each clock source according to the attributes of the clock source to avoid blind connection.

Furthermore, the clock source information receiving entity can be instantiated as a dynamic host allocation protocol client, terminal, router, authenticator, etc., and the clock source information distribution entity can be instantiated as a dynamic host allocation protocol server, a security gateway, a router, an AAA server, Home agents, etc., can meet the various needs of the existing network and are suitable for a variety of scenarios.

Third, the clock source information receiving entity and the clock source information distributing entity can send and receive information through the Internet key exchange protocol signaling, the dynamic host allocation protocol signaling, the routing request message, the AAA protocol, etc., and can satisfy the existing network. Needs, suitable for a variety of scenarios.

Fourth, the clock source information receiving entity sends the relevant information of each clock source to any combination of all the information that can be provided, so that the clock source information receiving entity can obtain all the information required to select the clock source, and can maximize the compliance. The choice of its requirements.

The identifier of each clock source sent by the clock source information distribution entity may be domain name information, because the clock source information receiving entity can obtain the IP address of each clock source from the domain name server.

Finally, the clock source receiving entity selects the clock source that meets the requirements, records and sets the alternate clock source, and can cope with the interruption of the main clock source to ensure uninterrupted clock synchronization.

The communication device provided by the embodiment of the invention can avoid blind connection to the clock source. As shown in FIG. 3, the method includes: a receiving unit 301, configured to receive clock source information sent by a clock source information distribution entity;

The selecting unit 302 is configured to select a clock source according to the clock source information received by the receiving unit 301.

Further, the communication device provided by another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, may also be based on the foregoing Includes:

The sending unit 303 is configured to send, to the clock source information distribution entity, clock source request information that requires a clock source to be allocated. The query unit 304 is configured to query the domain name server to obtain the IP address information of the clock source when the clock source information included in the receiving unit 301 includes the clock source domain name information.

The communication device provided by the embodiment of the present invention can send request information to the clock source information distribution entity, and can convert the domain name information of the selected clock source into an IP address, thereby enabling connection.

The communication system provided by the embodiment of the present invention can prevent the blind connection of the clock source by the clock source information receiving entity. As shown in FIG. 5, the method includes:

The clock source information receiving entity 701 is configured to obtain clock source information, and select a clock source according to the clock source information; the clock source information is sent by the clock source information distributing entity 702.

The configuration of the clock source information receiving entity 701 in the communication system provided by the embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the communication device in the above embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

In the communication system provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the clock source information receiving entity is capable of receiving related information of each clock source from the clock source information distribution entity, and selecting each clock source according to the related information. Therefore, among the many clock sources in the network, the clock source information receiving entity can effectively select each clock source according to the attribute of the clock source to avoid blind connection.

Further, the communication system provided by another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6, may further include: a domain name server 704 connected to the clock source information receiving entity 701 on the basis of the foregoing communication system.

The communication system provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes a domain name server 704, which can convert the domain name information of the clock source selected by the clock source information receiving entity into IP address information, so that the clock source information receiving entity can be connected with the clock source.

A person skilled in the art can understand that the clock source determining method is implemented, and the related hardware can be instructed by a program, and the program can be stored in a clock source information distributing entity, a clock source information receiving entity, and the like.

The above is only the specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present invention. It should be covered by the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

Rights request

A clock source determining method, comprising:

The clock source information receiving entity receives the clock source information sent by the clock source information distribution entity;

A clock source is selected according to the clock source information.

The clock source determining method according to claim 1, wherein the clock source information comprises a clock source identifier and each clock source attribute information.

3. The clock source determining method according to claim 2, wherein:

The clock source identifier includes an IP address or domain name information of the clock source;

The clock source attribute information includes any combination of port, precision, delay, quality, reliability, priority, clock source type, or any combination of information.

The clock source determining method according to claim 3, wherein, if the clock source identifier is domain name information of a clock source, the method further comprises: the clock source information receiving entity sending the domain name to a domain name server Information, obtaining IP address information of the clock source.

The clock source determining method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the selecting a clock source according to the clock source information comprises selecting a primary clock source and an alternate clock source.

The clock source determining method according to claim 1, wherein the clock source information receiving entity before receiving the clock source information sent by the clock source information distributing entity includes: the clock source information receiving entity to the clock The source information distribution entity sends clock source request information.

The clock source determining method according to claim 6, wherein the clock source information receiving entity transmits the information to the server through an Internet key exchange protocol signaling, a dynamic host allocation protocol signaling, a routing request message, or an AAA protocol. The clock source information distribution entity sends the clock source request information;

The clock source information distribution entity transmits the clock source information to the clock source information receiving entity through an Internet key exchange protocol signaling, a dynamic host allocation protocol signaling, a route broadcast message, or an AAA protocol.

The clock source determining method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the clock source information receiving entity comprises: a dynamic host allocation protocol client, a terminal, a router, and an authenticator.

The clock source determining method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the clock source information distribution entity comprises: a dynamic host allocation protocol server, a security gateway, a router, an authorized authentication and accounting AAA server, and a hometown. proxy.

10. A communication device, characterized in that it comprises - a receiving unit, configured to receive clock source information sent by the clock source information distribution entity, and a selecting unit, configured to select a clock source according to the clock source information received by the receiving unit.

The communication device according to claim 10, further comprising: a sending unit, configured to send, to the clock source information distributing entity, clock source request information requesting the clock source to be allocated.

The communication device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the device further comprises: a query unit, configured to: when the clock source information received by the receiving unit includes clock source domain name information, to the domain name server Perform a query to obtain the IP address information of the clock source.

13. A communication system, comprising:

The communication system according to claim 13, wherein the clock source information receiving entity sends the clock source request information to the clock source information publishing entity before the clock source information publishing entity sends the clock source information. .

The communication system according to claim 13 or 14, wherein when the clock source information received by the clock source receiving entity includes the clock source domain name information, the domain name server is queried to obtain the IP address of the clock source. information.