WO2023104123A1

WO2023104123A1 - Communication method and apparatus, and device

Info

Publication number: WO2023104123A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/137355
Authority: WO
Inventors: 臧昕; 周润泽; 王远
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2021-12-09
Filing date: 2022-12-07
Publication date: 2023-06-15
Also published as: CN116261212A

Abstract

The present application discloses a communication method and apparatus, and a device, used for determining a time service provider for providing time information. The method comprises: after obtaining time service capability information of one or more network devices, a clock network function may select, according to time requirement information of a first communication device and the time service capability information of the one or more network devices, a first network device that provides time information for the first communication device. By means of the method, the clock network function may determine a time service provider for providing time information.

Description

A communication method, device and equipment

Cross References to Related Applications

This application claims the priority of the Chinese patent application with the application number 202111497791.X and the application title "a communication method, device and equipment" filed with the China Patent Office on December 09, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference in In this application.

technical field

The present application relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular to a communication method, device and equipment.

Background technique

In a mobile communication system (for example, from the fifth generation (5 ^th generation, 5G) mobile communication system), a communication device including a clock (ie, a timing provider) can provide time information for other communication devices (ie, a timing demander). Wherein, the timing provider may be a communication device inside the mobile communication system, and the timing demander may be a communication device inside or outside the mobile communication system.

Currently, a mobile communication system may include multiple timing providers. How to determine the timing provider that provides time information is a problem that needs to be solved.

Contents of the invention

Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, device, and equipment to determine a timing provider that provides time information.

In a first aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method includes:

The clock network function may acquire timing capability information of one or more network devices, where the timing capability information may be used to indicate the capability of the network device to provide time information. Then, the clock network function may select a first network device that provides time information for the first communication device according to the time requirement information of the first communication device and the timing capability information of the one or more network devices.

Through this method, after the clock network function obtains the timing capability information of one or more network devices, it can be selected according to the time requirement information of the first communication device and the timing capability information of the one or more network devices. The first network device through which the first communication device provides time information, that is, determines the timing provider for providing time information. In addition, through this method, when there are multiple network devices capable of providing time information, the clock network function may select the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device.

In a possible design, before selecting a first network device that provides time information for the first communication device, the clock network function may receive the first information. Wherein, the first information may be used to indicate that the second network device currently providing time information for the first communication device cannot provide services.

Through this design, when the second network device currently providing time information for the first communication device cannot provide services, the second network device can send the first information to the clock network function; After the first information, a network device that provides time for the first communication device may be reselected according to the timing capability information of the one or more network devices. In this way, the continuity and accuracy of providing time information for the first communication device can be guaranteed.

In a possible design, the clock network function may receive the first information from a network storage function or a session management function. Through this design, the clock network function can flexibly acquire the first information.

In a possible design, the clock network function may acquire timing capability information of the one or more network devices from a network storage function.

In a possible design, after the first network device that provides time information for the first communication device is selected, the clock network function may send configuration information to the first communication device. Wherein, the configuration information may include at least one of the following: information used to indicate the time domain resources used by the first network device to send time information, information used to indicate frequency domain resources used by the first network device to send time information , the encryption information that the first network device encrypts the time information sent, the frequency of the first network device sending the time information, and the information used to indicate the area where the first network device sends the time information.

With this design, the clock network function can send configuration information to the first communication device. In this way, the first communication device can receive time information from the first network device according to the configuration information, thereby preventing the first communication device from constantly detecting time information from the first network device, thereby reducing Energy consumption of the first communication device.

In a possible design, after selecting a first network device that provides time information for the first communication device, the clock network function may send a first indication to the first network device. Wherein, the first indication may instruct the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device.

Through this design, the clock network function can timely notify the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device.

In a possible design, the first indication may include at least one of the following: information for indicating a location of the first communication device, and a time accuracy requirement of the first communication device.

In a possible design, after selecting the first network device that provides time information for the first communication device, the clock network function may generate a clock for the first communication device according to the time accuracy requirement of the first communication device Billing information of a communication device.

Optionally, the clock network function may generate charging information for the first communication device according to the time accuracy requirement of the first communication device and the subscription data of the first communication device.

Through this design, the clock network function can accurately determine the charging information for the first communication device.

In a possible design, the timing capability information of any network device may include at least one of the following:

The time accuracy of the time information provided by the network device, the service range of the network device, the frequency of sending the time information by the network device, and the encryption information of the time information by the network device.

In a possible design, the time requirement information may include at least one of the following: a time accuracy requirement, a frequency of receiving time information, and information for indicating a location of the first communication device.

In a second aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method includes:

After receiving the first indication from the clock network function, the first network device sends time information to the first communication device. Wherein, the first indication may be used to instruct the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device, and the first network device is the clock network function according to the time requirements of the first communication device information and timing capability information of one or more network devices; the timing capability information of one or more network devices may be used to indicate the capability of the one or more network devices to provide time information.

Through this method, the clock network function selects the first network device (that is, determines the time information for providing time information) according to the time requirement information of the first communication device and the timing capability information of the one or more network devices. After that, the first indication may be sent to the first network device, so as to instruct the first network device to send time information to the first communication device. In addition, through this method, when there are multiple network devices capable of providing time information, the clock network function may instruct the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device.

In a possible design, when the first indication includes information indicating the location of the first communication device, the first network device may information, determining an area for sending time information to the first communication device; and sending time information to the first communication device within the area.

With this design, the first network device can determine the area for sending time information according to the location of the first communication device. In this way, the first network device can only send time information in some cells without sending time information in all cells, thereby saving resources for sending time information and avoiding waste of resources.

In a possible design, when the first indication includes the time accuracy requirement of the first communication device, the first network device may determine to send the time accuracy requirement to the first communication device according to the time accuracy requirement The time precision of the time information; and sending the time information with the time precision to the first communication device.

Through this design, the first network device can determine the time accuracy of the time information sent by the first network device according to the time accuracy requirements of the first communication device, so as to provide time information for the first communication device in a targeted manner .

In a possible design, before receiving the first indication from the clock network function, the first network device may send the timing capability information of the first network device to the network storage function.

With this design, the first network device can send the timing capability information of the first network device to the clock network function. In this way, the clock network function can manage the first network device. For example, the clock network function may select the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device according to the timing capability information of the first network device.

In a possible design, after sending time information to the first communication device, the first network device may send first information to the clock network function; where the first information is used to indicate the The first network device cannot provide the service.

Through this design, when the first network device currently providing time information for the first communication device cannot provide services, the first network device can send the first information to the clock network function; After the first information, the network device that provides time for the first communication device may be reselected according to the locally stored timing capability information of the one or more network devices. In this way, the continuity and accuracy of providing time information for the first communication device can be guaranteed.

In a possible design, the first network device may send the first information to the clock network function through a network storage function or a session management function. With this design, the first network device can flexibly send the first information to the clock network function.

In a possible design, after receiving the first indication from the clock network function, the first network device may send configuration information to the clock network function. Wherein, the configuration information may include at least one of the following: information used to indicate the time domain resources used by the first network device to send time information, information used to indicate frequency domain resources used by the first network device to send time information , the encryption information that the first network device encrypts the time information sent, the frequency of the first network device sending the time information, and the information used to indicate the area where the first network device sends the time information.

With this design, the first network device can send configuration information to the clock network function. In this way, the clock network function can forward configuration information to the first communication device, so that the first communication device receives time information from the first network device according to the configuration information, thereby avoiding the first The communication device always detects the time information from the first network device, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the first communication device.

In a possible design, the timing capability information of any network device may include at least one of the following: the time accuracy of the time information provided by the network device, the service range of the network device, and the time information sent by the network device. Frequency, encryption information of the time information by the network device.

In a third aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a unit configured to perform each step in any one of the above aspects.

In a fourth aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including at least one processing element and at least one storage element, wherein the at least one storage element is used to store programs and data, and the at least one processing element is used to read and execute The program and data stored in the storage element enable the method provided by any one of the above aspects of the present application to be realized.

In the fifth aspect, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, including: a clock network function for performing the method provided in the first aspect, and one or more of the first network devices for performing the method provided in the second aspect indivual.

In a sixth aspect, the embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program, which, when the computer program is run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method provided in any one of the above aspects.

In the seventh aspect, the embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, where a computer program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer executes any one of the above-mentioned method provided.

In an eighth aspect, the embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, the chip is used to read a computer program stored in a memory, and execute the method provided in any one of the above aspects.

In a ninth aspect, the embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, where the chip system includes a processor, configured to support a computer device to implement the method provided in any one of the above aspects. In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory, and the memory is used to store necessary programs and data of the computer device. The system-on-a-chip may consist of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

The technical effects that can be achieved by any one of the above-mentioned third to ninth aspects can be described with reference to the technical effects that can be achieved by any possible design of any one of the above-mentioned first or second aspects, and the repetition will not be discussed .

Description of drawings

FIG. 1A is an architecture diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 1B is an architecture diagram of another communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 1C is an architecture diagram of another communication system provided by the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of another communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

The present application provides a communication method, device and equipment for determining a timing provider who provides time information for a timing requester. Among them, the method, device and equipment are based on the same technical conception. Since the principles of solving the problems are similar, the implementation of the device, device and method can be referred to each other, and the repetition will not be repeated.

Through the solution provided by the embodiment of this application, after the clock network function obtains the timing capability information of one or more network devices, it can, according to the time requirement information of the first communication device and the timing capability information of the one or more network devices, Selecting the first network device that provides time information for the first communication device means determining the timing provider that provides time information. In addition, when there are multiple network devices capable of providing time information, the clock network function may select the first network device from among the multiple network devices to provide time information for the first communication device.

In the following, some terms used in the embodiments of the present application are explained, so as to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art.

1) Communication equipment, generally refers to equipment with communication functions. Exemplarily, the communication device may be, but not limited to, a terminal device, an access network (access network, AN) device, an access point, a core network (core network, CN) device, and the like.

2) Network equipment generally refers to communication equipment located in a network of a mobile communication system. Exemplarily, the network device may be, but not limited to, an AN device, an access point, a CN device, and the like.

3) Time precision, also called time granularity, means the smallest unit to which time information is accurate. For example, the time precision may be 1 microsecond (us) or 500 nanoseconds (ns), etc.

In the embodiments of the present application, as for the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, it means "singular noun or plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. "And/or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there may be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and/or B may indicate: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists independently. "At least one (individual) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items (individuals), including any combination of a single item (individuals) or a plurality of item (individuals).

In addition, it should be understood that in the description of this application, words such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish the purpose of description, and should not be interpreted as indicating or implying relative importance, nor should they be understood as To indicate or imply an order.

The communication system applied in the embodiment of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is an architecture diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application, which shows a fifth generation (the 5th generation, 5G) network architecture based on a service architecture. The 5G network architecture shown in FIG. 1A may include terminal equipment (for example, UE), access network equipment, and core network equipment. The terminal device accesses the data network (data network, DN) through the access network device and the core network device. Among them, the core network equipment includes some or all of the following network elements: unified data management (unified data management, UDM) network elements, unified database (unified data repository, UDR) network elements, network exposure function (network exposure function, NEF) Network element (not shown in the figure), application function (application function, AF) network element, policy control function (policy control function, PCF) network element, access and mobility management function (access and mobility management function, AMF) Network element, session management function (session management function, SMF) network element, user plane function (user plane function, UPF) network element, network storage function (network repository function, NRF) network element (not shown in the figure), clock Network function (timing network function, TNF) network element.

The terminal equipment (also called user equipment, UE) of this application is a device with wireless transceiver function, which can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as ships, etc.); can also be deployed in the air (such as aircraft, balloons and satellites, etc.). The terminal device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (pad), a computer with a wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (virtual reality, VR) terminal, an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) terminal, an industrial control (industrial control ), wireless terminals in self driving, wireless terminals in remote medical, wireless terminals in smart grid, wireless terminals in transportation safety , wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc.

The above-mentioned terminal device can establish a connection with the operator network through an interface provided by the operator network (such as N1, etc.), and use services such as data and/or voice provided by the operator network. The terminal device can also access the DN through the operator's network, and use the operator's service deployed on the DN, and/or the service provided by a third party. Wherein, the above-mentioned third party may be a service party other than the operator's network and the terminal device, and may provide other services such as data and/or voice for the terminal device. Among them, the specific form of expression of the above-mentioned third party can be determined according to the actual application scenario, and is not limited here.

The access network device is a device that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices. Access network equipment includes, but is not limited to: a next-generation base station (g nodeB, gNB) in 5G, an evolved node B (evolved node B, eNB), a radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), a node B ( node B, NB), base station controller (base station controller, BSC), base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), home base station (for example, home evolved nodeB, or home node B, HNB), baseband unit (baseBand unit , BBU), transmission point (transmitting and receiving point, TRP), transmission point (transmitting point, TP), mobile switching center, etc.

Access network equipment and terminal equipment can be fixed or mobile. Access network equipment and terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; they can also be deployed on aircraft, balloons and artificial satellites in the air. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the access network device and the terminal device.

In this application, the mobility management network element is a control plane network element provided by the operator network, which is responsible for access control and mobility management of terminal equipment accessing the operator network, such as including mobility status management, assigning user temporary identities, Functions such as authenticating and authorizing users. In 5G, the mobility management network element can be an AMF network element. In future communications such as the 6th generation (6G), the mobility management network element can still be an AMF network element, or have other names. Applications are not limited.

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

In this application, the user plane network element is a gateway provided by an operator, and is a gateway for communication between the operator's network and the DN. UPF network elements include data packet routing and transmission, packet detection, service usage reporting, Quality of Service (QoS) processing, lawful interception, uplink packet detection, downlink data packet storage, and other user-plane-related functions. In 5G, the user plane network element can be a UPF network element. In future communication such as 6G, the user plane network element can still be a UPF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application.

In this application, the data management network element is the control plane network element provided by the operator, which is responsible for storing the subscriber permanent identifier (SUPI), credential, and security context of the subscriber in the operator's network. context), signing data and other information. The information stored by the data management network element can be used for authentication and authorization of terminal equipment to access the operator's network. Wherein, the subscribers of the above-mentioned operator network may specifically be users who use services provided by the operator network, such as users who use China Telecom's mobile phone chip card, or users who use China Mobile's mobile phone chip card. The Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI) of the above-mentioned subscriber can be the number of the mobile phone chip card, etc. The credential and security context of the above-mentioned contracted user may be small files stored in the encryption key of the mobile phone chip card or information related to the encryption of the mobile phone chip card for authentication and/or authorization. The aforementioned security context may be data (cookie) or token (token) stored on the user's local terminal (such as a mobile phone). The subscription data of the above-mentioned subscribers can be the supporting services of the mobile phone chip card, such as the data package or network usage of the mobile phone chip card. It should be noted that permanent identifiers, credentials, security contexts, authentication data (cookies), and tokens are equivalent to information related to authentication and authorization. In this application document, for the convenience of description, no distinction or limitation is made. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiment of the present application will be described by taking the security context as an example, but the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to authentication and/or authorization information expressed in other ways. In 5G, the data management network element can be a UDM network element. In future communication such as 6G, the data management network element can still be a UDM network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application.

In this application, the unified database network element is a control plane network element provided by an operator, and includes the access function for executing contract data, policy data, application data and other types of data. In 5G, the unified database network element can be a UDR network element. In future communications such as 6G, the unified database network element can still be a UDR network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application.

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

In this application, the application function network element is used to transfer the requirements from the application side to the network side, for example, QoS requirements or user status event subscription. The application function network element can be a third-party functional entity, or an application server deployed by an operator. In 5G, the application function network element can be an AF network element. In future communications such as 6G, the application function network element can still be an AF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application.

In this application, the policy control network element is a control plane function provided by the operator, and is used to provide the policy of the PDU session to the session management network element. Policies may include accounting-related policies, QoS-related policies, and authorization-related policies. In 5G, the policy control network element can be a PCF network element. In future communications such as 6G, the policy control network element can still be a PCF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application.

In this application, the network element with the network storage function may be used to provide the network element discovery function, and provide network element information corresponding to the network element type based on the request of other network elements. The network element with the network storage function also provides network element management services, such as network element registration, update, de-registration, and network element status subscription and push. In 5G, the network storage function network element may be an NRF network element. In future communications such as 6G, the network storage function network element may still be an NRF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application.

In this application, the clock network function network element can be used to manage the information of one or more clocks in the 5G network, and can provide clock time information externally through its own port, such as directly or indirectly to terminal equipment, access network equipment, core Network devices or third-party application function network elements provide clock time information. Wherein, the time information represents the time, moment or time point of the clock. In 5G, the clock network function network element can be a TNF network element. For example, the clock network function network element can be a time-sensitive communication and time synchronization function (time sensitive communication&time synchronization function, TSCTSF) (for example, TSCTSF defined by the 3GPP version 17 (R17) standard); in future communications such as 6G, the clock network function network element can still be a TNF network element, or have other names, this application No limit.

DN is a network outside the operator's network. The operator's network can access multiple DNs, and various services can be deployed on the DN, which can provide data and/or voice services for terminal equipment. For example, DN is a private network of a smart factory. The sensors installed in the workshop of the smart factory can be terminal devices. The control server of the sensor is deployed in the DN, and the control server can provide services for the sensor. The sensor can communicate with the control server, obtain instructions from the control server, and transmit the collected sensor data to the control server according to the instructions. For another example, DN is a company's internal office network, and the mobile phone or computer of the company's employees can be a terminal device, and the employee's mobile phone or computer can access information and data resources on the company's internal office network.

Npcf, Nudr, Nudm, Naf, Namf, Nsmf, and Ntnf in Figure 1A are the service interfaces provided by the above PCF, UDR, UDM, AF, AMF, SMF, and TNF, respectively, and are used to call corresponding service operations. N1, N2, N3, N4, and N6 are interface serial numbers, and the meanings of these interface serial numbers may refer to the description in FIG. 1B.

Figure 1B is an architecture diagram of another communication system provided by the embodiment of the present application, which shows a 5G network architecture based on a point-to-point interface, and the introduction of the functions of the network elements can refer to the function of the corresponding network elements in Figure 1A Introduction, no more details. The main difference between FIG. 1B and FIG. 1A is that: the interface between each control plane network element in FIG. 1A is a service interface, and the interface between each control plane network element in FIG. 1B is a point-to-point interface.

In the architecture shown in FIG. 1B, the interface names and functions between each network element are as follows:

1), N1: the interface between the AMF and the terminal device, which can be used to transmit NAS signaling (such as including QoS rules from the AMF) to the terminal device.

2), N2: the interface between the AMF and the RAN, which can be used to transfer radio bearer control information from the core network side to the RAN.

3), N3: the interface between the RAN and the UPF, mainly used to transfer the uplink and downlink user plane data between the RAN and the UPF.

4), N4: The interface between SMF and UPF, which can be used to transfer information between the control plane and the user plane, including controlling the distribution of forwarding rules, QoS control rules, traffic statistics rules, etc. Information reporting.

5), N5: the interface between the AF and the PCF, which can be used for sending application service requests and reporting network events.

6), N6: the interface between UPF and DN, used to transfer the uplink and downlink user data flow between UPF and DN.

7), N7: the interface between PCF and SMF, which can be used to deliver protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) session granularity and service data flow granularity control policy.

8), N8: the interface between AMF and UDM, which can be used for AMF to obtain subscription data and authentication data related to access and mobility management from UDM, and for AMF to register information related to current mobility management of terminal equipment with UDM.

9), N9: a user plane interface between UPF and UPF, used to transmit uplink and downlink user data flows between UPFs.

10), N10: the interface between SMF and UDM, which can be used for SMF to obtain session management-related subscription data from UDM, and for SMF to register current session-related information of terminal equipment with UDM.

11), N11: the interface between SMF and AMF, which can be used to transfer PDU session tunnel information between RAN and UPF, transfer control messages sent to terminal devices, transfer radio resource control information sent to RAN, etc.

12), N15: the interface between PCF and AMF, which can be used to issue terminal device policies and access control related policies.

13), N35: the interface between UDM and UDR, which can be used for UDM to obtain user subscription data information from UDR.

14), N36: the interface between PCF and UDR, which can be used for PCF to obtain policy-related subscription data and application data-related information from UDR.

It can be understood that the above-mentioned network element or function may be a network element in a hardware device, or a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualization function instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform). As a possible implementation method, the foregoing network element or function may be implemented by one device, or jointly implemented by multiple devices, or may be a functional module in one device, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 1C shows the architecture of another possible communication system to which the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is applicable. As shown in FIG. 1C, the communication system includes three parts: a terminal station in a time sensitive network (TSN), a 5G network, and a TSN server.

Among them, the 5G network can be a TSN bridge device (TSN bridge), and the service data packets of the TSN network can be sent uplink/downlink through the mobile communication system. That is to say, the terminal station of TSN and the TSN server can interact through the 5G network.

For the specific content of the 5G network, reference may be made to the description of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B , and repeated descriptions will not be repeated. Only the differences are described below.

The 5G network includes a 5G master clock (Grand Master clock, GM). The clock signal of the 5G master clock can come from the Global Positioning System (Global Positioning System, GPS) plugged into the AN device, or from a terrestrial high-precision clock connected through a terrestrial cable. The 5G network is used as a non-transparent clock system (which can be used as a boundary clock or an ordinary clock), and can serve time for TSN nodes (eg, terminal stations, TSN servers) through the 5G master clock.

In addition, there is a TSN adapter at the border where the 5G network and TSN are connected to process point-to-point (point to point, PTP) protocol-related messages or TSN service data packets. For example, the TSN adapter may include: a device-side TSN adapter (Device-side TSN Translator, DS-TT) connected to the UE in Figure 1C, and a NW-TT connected to the UPF in Figure 1C. Wherein, DS-TT may also be called UE-TT or other names, and the TSN adapter may be a device connected to the UE, or a logical function in the UE. Correspondingly, the NW-TT can be a device connected to the UPF, or a logical function in the UPF.

A possible manner in which the 5G network provides timing for a TSN node (for example, a terminal station or a TSN server) is described below.

The AN device completes 5G time synchronization with the UE through the air interface; then, the UE can convert the message including the 5G time into the message format of the TSN domain through the DS-TT (the specific value of the time is not changed, but the format is converted), and sent to the TSN In the terminal station, the time of the terminal station is synchronized with the 5G time. The AN device completes the 5G time synchronization with the UPF through a wired connection; then, the UPF can convert the message including the 5G time into the message format of the TSN domain through the NW-TT (the specific value of the time is not changed, but the format is converted), Send it to the TSN server to synchronize the time of the TSN server with the 5G time.

It should be noted that the communication systems shown in FIG. 1A-FIG. 1C do not limit the applicable communication systems of the embodiments of the present application. Therefore, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to communication systems of various standards, such as: LTE communication system, 5G communication system, 6G communication system and future communication system, vehicle to everything (V2X), long-term Evolution - Internet of Vehicles (LTE-vehicle, LTE-V), Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V), Internet of Vehicles, Machine Type Communications (Machine Type Communications, MTC), Internet of Things (Internet of Things, IoT), long-term Evolution - machine to machine (LTE-machine to machine, LTE-M), machine to machine (machine to machine, M2M), Internet of Things, etc. In addition, it should be noted that the embodiment of the present application does not limit the names of the network elements in the communication system. For example, in communication systems of different standards, each network element may have other names; When elements are fused in the same physical device, the physical device can also have other names.

The solutions provided by the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to the communication system shown in FIG. 1A-FIG. 1C. Referring to the flow chart shown in FIG. 2 , taking TNF as the clock management function network element, NRF as the network storage function network element, and SMF as the session management function network element as examples, the flow of the method will be described in detail.

S201: TNF acquires timing capability information of one or more network devices.

Wherein, any network device may be an AN device, a UPF, a NW-TT, or a control plane network element, etc.

The timing capability information of the one or more network devices may be used to indicate the capability of the one or more network devices to provide time information. Optionally, the timing capability information of any network device includes at least one of the following:

1) The time accuracy of the time information provided by the network device: it is the minimum accurate unit of the time information that the network device can provide, and can represent the error between the clock of the network device and the master clock. For example, the error may be 1 us or 500 ns and so on. Wherein, the master clock may be one or more of the clocks managed by the TNF.

2) The service range of the network device (also referred to as the timing range of the communication device): Indicates the range in which the network device can provide time information, for example, in the form of a public land mobile network (PLMN) The service area defined by the granularity, or the service area defined by the tracking area (tracking area, TA) list granularity.

3) The frequency (that is, the period) at which the network device sends time information: for example, the frequency may be 1 us or 2 us.

4) Encryption information of the time information by the network device: for example, the encryption information may be an encryption key or the like.

In S201, the TNF may acquire timing capability information of the one or more network devices from the NRF. Specifically, the TNF may obtain, but is not limited to, the timing capability information of the one or more network devices from the NRF through the following implementation manners.

Implementation manner 1: the TNF may receive the timing capability information of the one or more network devices from the NRF after sending a request to the NRF to obtain the timing capability information.

Optionally, in this first implementation, before sending the timing capability information of the one or more network devices to the TNF, the NRF acquires the timing capability information of the one or more network devices in the following manner .

Manner A: each of the one or more network devices sends the timing capability information of the network device to the NRF through the AMF. Correspondingly, the NRF may receive the timing capability information of each network device through the AMF.

For example, the one or more network devices include a first AN device and a second AN device. The AMF sends a first RAN capability registration request to the NRF after receiving a first next generation (next generation, NG) setup request (NG setup request) from the first AN device. Wherein, the first NG setup request and the first RAN capability registration request include timing capability information of the first AN device. The AMF sends a second RAN capability registration request to the NRF after receiving the second NG setup request from the second AN device. Wherein, the second NG setup request and the second RAN capability registration request include timing capability information of the second AN device.

Manner B: Each of the one or more network devices may send the timing capability information of the network device to the NRF through a service interface. Correspondingly, the NRF may receive the timing capability information of the network device from each network device through the service interface.

In the above method 1 and method 2, each network device may send the timing capability information of the network device to the NRF when it is powered on or registered to the mobile communication system to which the NRF belongs.

Optionally, after acquiring the timing capability information of the one or more network devices, the NRF may store the timing capability information of the one or more network devices.

Implementation manner 2: after the NRF acquires the timing capability information of the network device from each of the one or more network devices, it may send the received timing capability information of the network device to the TNF. Wherein, the manner in which the NRF obtains the timing capability information of each network device may refer to the implementation manner 1, which will not be repeated here.

Optionally, in the foregoing implementation manners 1 and 2, after acquiring the timing capability information of the one or more network devices, the TNF saves the timing capability information of the one or more network devices.

Through the above two implementation manners, the TNF can obtain the timing capability information of one or more network devices including clocks, so as to manage the one or more network devices including clocks in the network.

Optionally, any of the above timing capability information may be carried in an existing message (for example, NG setup request (NG setup request), registration request (registration request) or RAN capability registration request), or in a new message (For example, a message used for the NRF to notify the TNF of the clock capability), this application does not limit this.

S202: The TNF selects a first network device that provides time information for the first communication device according to the time requirement information of the first communication device and the timing capability information of the one or more network devices.

Wherein, the first communication device may be one of the following: a communication device in a mobile communication system (for example, a 5G mobile communication system) (for example, a terminal device, an AN device or a CN device, etc.), a third-party application, a slave terminal device Devices that obtain time information (for example, campus devices, etc.). Wherein, the third-party application may be a device (for example, a server, etc.) that belongs to a third party (for example, a financial industry or an electric power industry, etc.) and needs time information.

Wherein, when the first network device is an AN device, the first network device may be an AN device accessed by the first communication device (that is, the serving AN device of the first communication device), or may not be The AN device accessed by the first communication device (that is, the non-serving AN device of the first communication device).

Optionally, the time requirement information includes at least one of the following:

1. Time accuracy requirement: indicates the time accuracy that the first communication device wishes to obtain, for example, 1 us or 500 ns.

2. Frequency of receiving time information: indicates the frequency at which the first communication device wishes to receive time information, for example, 1 us or 2 us.

3. Information for indicating the location of the first communication device. For example, the information used to indicate the location of the first communication device may include at least one of the following: location information of the first communication device (for example, global position system (global position system, GPS) information), the first The identifier of the AN device accessed by the communication device, the address information of the AN device accessed by the first communication device, the identifier of the cell accessed by the first communication device (for example, the serving cell identifier of the first communication device (serving cell ID)).

Through this method, after acquiring the timing capability information of one or more network devices, the TNF can select the first communication device according to the time requirement information of the first communication device and the timing capability information of the one or more network devices. The first network device that provides the time information is the timing provider determined to provide the time information. In addition, through this method, when there are multiple network devices capable of providing time information, the TNF may select the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device.

Optionally, before S202, the TNF may receive the time requirement information from the first communication device.

Wherein, the time requirement information can be carried in an existing message (for example: a registration request (registration request), a protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) session establishment request (PDU session establishment request) or a connection establishment request, etc. In-stratum (non-access-stratum, NAS) message), may also be carried in a new message.

This application does not limit the execution order of receiving the time requirement information and acquiring the timing capability information of one or more network devices (ie S201). For example, the TNF may first receive the time requirement information, and then obtain the timing capability information of one or more network devices; or may first obtain the timing capability information of one or more network devices, and then receive the time requirement information.

In some possible implementation manners, the TNF may execute S202 after receiving the time requirement information of the first communication device. In other words, the time requirement information may trigger the TNF to select a first network device that provides time for the first communication device from among the one or more network devices.

In some other possible implementation manners, the TNF may execute S202 after receiving the first information. In other words, the first information may trigger the TNF to select a first network device that provides time for the first communication device from among the one or more network devices.

Wherein, the first information may be used to indicate that the second network device currently providing time information for the first communication device cannot provide services. The scenario where the second network device fails to provide services may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a clock failure on the second network device, disconnection of the second network device from the first communication device, and the like.

The first information may be carried in an existing message (for example, RAN configuration update (RAN configuration update), RAN capability update request), or may be carried in a new message (for example, a message for updating timing capabilities) .

Optionally, the first information includes: an indication that the service cannot be provided (for example, the first indication field is the first value), and information used to indicate the second network device. Wherein, the information used to indicate the second network device may include at least one of the following: an identifier of the second network device, and address information of the second network device. For example, when the first information includes a first indication field whose value is the first value and the identifier of the device 1, the first information indicates that the device 1 cannot provide the service.

The TNF may, but is not limited to, receive the first information in the following manner.

Way 1: The second network device sends the first information to the TNF through the NRF. Correspondingly, the TNF receives the first information from the second network device through the NRF.

Optionally, when providing time information to the first communication device, the second network device finds that the second network device cannot provide the service. At this time, the second network device may send the first information to the NRF through the AMF; or, the second network device may send the first information to the NRF through a service interface. After receiving the first information, the NRF sends the first information to the TNF.

Optionally, in manner 1, the second network device is an AN device or a control plane network element. Wherein, when the second network device is an AN device, the second network device may be an AN device accessed by the first communication device (that is, the serving AN device of the first communication device), or may not be The AN device accessed by the first communication device (that is, the non-serving AN device of the first communication device).

Manner 2: The second network device sends the first information to the TNF through the SMF. Correspondingly, the TNF receives the first information from the second network device through the SMF.

Optionally, when providing time information to the first communication device, the second network device finds that the second network device cannot provide the service. Then, the second network device may send the first information to the TNF through the SMF.

Optionally, in mode 2, the second network device is UPF or NW-TT.

In this way, when the second network device currently providing time information for the first communication device cannot provide services, the second network device can send the first information to the TNF; after the TNF receives the first information The network device that provides time for the first communication device may be reselected according to the locally stored timing capability information of the one or more network devices. In this way, the continuity and accuracy of providing time information for the first communication device can be guaranteed.

Optionally, after S202, when the first network device fails to provide the service, the first network device may send the first information to the TNF, so as to trigger the TNF to send the first information from the one or more A network device that provides time for the first communication device is selected among the network devices.

Wherein, the first network device may send the first information to the TNF through NRF or SMF.

Wherein, the manner in which the first network device sends the first information may refer to the manner in which the second network device sends the first information, except that the second network device is replaced by the first network device; the For a manner in which the TNF selects a network device that provides time for the first communication device from the one or more network devices, reference may be made to S202, which will not be repeated here.

The implementation of S202 will be described in detail below.

The TNF may select a network device (that is, the first network device) whose timing capability meets the requirement indicated by the time requirement information from the one or more network devices. The following example illustrates how the TNF selects the first network device that provides time information for the first communication device from the one or more network devices.

For example, when the time requirement information includes the location information of the first communication device, the TNF may select a network device whose service scope includes the location indicated by the location information from the one or more network devices. An example is: the location information of the first communication device is an identifier of a third AN device accessed by the first communication device, and the TNF selects a service range from the one or more network devices including the third AN device. A network device in the service range of the three AN devices (that is, the first network device).

For another example, when the time requirement information includes a time precision requirement, the TNF may select a network device whose time precision meets the time precision requirement from the one or more network devices. An example is: when the time accuracy requirement is 1us, the time accuracy of the time information provided by the fourth AN device is 2us, and the time accuracy of the time information provided by the fifth AN device is 50ns, the TNF may select the fifth AN A device (ie, the first network device) provides time information to the first communication device.

For another example, when the time requirement information includes the frequency of receiving time information, the TNF may select from the one or more network devices that the frequency of sending time information is higher than or equal to the frequency of receiving time information. degree of network equipment. An example is: when the frequency of receiving time information is receiving time information every 1us, the frequency of sending time information of the sixth AN device is sending time information every 2us, and the frequency of sending time information of the seventh AN device is every 1us When sending time information once, the TNF may select the seventh AN device (that is, the first network device) to provide time information for the first communication device.

For another example, when the time requirement information includes the time accuracy requirement and the location information of the first communication device, the TNF may select a network device that satisfies the following conditions from the one or more network devices (that is, the The first network device): the service scope includes the location indicated by the location information, and the time accuracy meets the time accuracy requirement.

Optionally, when there are at least two network devices whose timing capabilities meet the requirements indicated by the time requirement information, the TNF may select performance (for example, time accuracy, signal Quality, etc.) of a network device (that is, the first network device) with the best quality, or randomly select a network device (that is, the first network device) from the at least two network devices.

In this way, the TNF can select a suitable timing device for the first communication device from one or more network devices according to the timing capability information and the time requirement information.

Optionally, in some possible implementation manners of the embodiment of the present application, the method further includes S203-S204, which will be described in detail below.

S203: The TNF sends a first indication to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the first indication from the TNF.

Wherein, the first indication may be used to instruct the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device. The first indication may be a message for instructing the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device, or may be an information element in the message. Specifically, when the first information is an information element, the first information may reuse an information element in an existing message, or may be a new information element in an existing message. For example, the information element may be a second indication field, and when the field takes a second value, it may instruct the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device.

Optionally, the first indication includes at least one of the following: information for indicating the location of the first communication device, and a time accuracy requirement of the first communication device.

Optionally, the first indication is carried in a request message for configuring timing. After the TNF sends the request message to the first network device, the first network device may send a response message to the TNF to the request message. Wherein, the response message may carry a confirmation for the time accuracy requirement of the first communication device, that is, the first network device confirms that the time information provided by it satisfies the time accuracy requirement of the first communication device.

S204: The first network device sends time information to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives time information from the first network device.

Wherein, the first network device may directly send time information to the first communication device, or may send time information to the first communication device through other devices connected to the first communication device. For example, when the first communication device is a terminal device, the terminal device accesses a first AN device, and the first network device is a second AN device, the second AN device may pass through the first AN device The device sends time information to the terminal device.

In some possible implementation manners, the time information may be a specific time, for example, may be the time of a clock in the first network device. The implementation method of the time information will be described below with an example. For example, the time information is represented by a field in the following format:

ReferenceTime-r16::=SEQUENCE{

refDays-r16 INTEGER(0..72999),

refSeconds - r16 INTEGER(0..86399),

refMilliSeconds - r16 INTEGER(0..999),

refTenNanoSeconds-r16 INTEGER(0..9999-9)

}

Among them, the refDays-r16 field is used to indicate "days" in the time information, the refSeconds-r16 field is used to indicate "seconds" in the time information, the refMilliSeconds-r16 field is used to indicate "milliseconds" in the time information, and refTenNanoSeconds-r16 field is used to indicate "ten nanoseconds" in time information. For example, when the values of the four fields are: 10950, 36066, 500, and 10, the corresponding time information may be: 10:1:6, 500 milliseconds, 100 nanoseconds on December 26, 2000. After the first communication device receives the ReferenceTime-r16 information, it can calculate the time information according to the conversion rule as: December 26, 2000, 10:01:6, 500 milliseconds, 100 nanoseconds.

In some other possible implementation manners, the time information may also be related information used to determine time, for example, it may be the time between the time of the clock in the first network device and the time of the first communication device difference. The first communication device may calibrate the time of the first communication device according to the difference and the time of the first communication device.

Optionally, in S204, the first network device sends time information to the first communication device according to the first indication from the TNF. This will be described in detail below.

In some possible implementation manners, when the first indication includes information indicating the location of the first communication device, the first network device may information, determining an area for sending time information to the first communication device; and sending time information to the first communication device within the area.

Optionally, the first network device may select a cell whose service range includes the location of the first communication device, and send time information to the first communication device in the selected cell.

For example, the location information of the first communication device is the identifier of the third AN device accessed by the first communication device, and the first network device has three cells, namely cell a, cell b and cell c. When the service range of cell c includes the service range of the third AN device, the first network device determines that the area for sending time information to the first communication device is cell c, and transmits to the first network device in cell c The communication device transmits time information.

In this manner, the first network device can determine an area for sending time information according to the location of the first communication device. In this way, the first network device can only send time information in some cells without sending time information in all cells, thereby saving resources for sending time information and avoiding waste of resources.

In some possible implementation manners, when the first indication includes the time accuracy requirement of the first communication device, the first network device may determine to send the time accuracy requirement to the first communication device according to the time accuracy requirement The time precision of the time information; and sending the time information with the time precision to the first communication device.

Specifically, the first network device may select a time precision that meets the time precision requirement, and send time information with the time precision to the first communication device.

For example, the time accuracy requirement of the first communication device is 1 us, and the time accuracy requirement of the first network device is 50 ns. The first network device may select a first time precision to provide time information for the first communication device. Wherein, the first time precision is greater than or equal to 50 ns and less than or equal to 1 us.

In this way, the first network device can determine the time accuracy of the time information sent by the first network device according to the time accuracy requirements of the first communication device, so as to provide time information for the first communication device in a targeted manner .

Optionally, in some possible implementation manners of the embodiments of the present application, the method further includes S205, which will be specifically described below.

S205: The TNF sends configuration information to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the configuration information from the TNF.

Wherein, the configuration information may include at least one of the following: information used to indicate time domain resources (for example, subframes, time slots, sub-slots, or symbols, etc.) for the first network device to send time information; Information indicating the frequency domain resources (for example, frequency point or frequency band) that the first network device sends the time information, encryption information that the first network device encrypts the time information sent, and the time information that the first network device sends The frequency of the information, and the information used to indicate the area where the first network device sends the time information.

Wherein, the configuration information may be carried in an existing message (for example, a NAS message such as a registration response (registration response), a PDU session establishment response (PDU session establishment response) or a connection establishment response), or may be carried in a new message middle.

Optionally, the TNF obtains the configuration information in the following manner.

Manner a: the TNF receives the configuration information from the first network device.

For example, after the TNF sends a request message for configuring timing to the first network device, the first network device may send a response message to the TNF to the request message. Wherein, the response message includes the configuration information.

Manner b: the TNF acquires the configuration information from the first network device and locally.

For example, when the configuration information includes the second information and the third information, the TNF may obtain the second information from the first network device (for the specific method of obtaining, refer to method a), and obtain the second information from the locally saved The third information is obtained from the timing capability information of the first network device. Wherein, the second information includes at least one of the following: information used to indicate the time domain resources used by the first network device to send time information, information used to indicate frequency domain resources used by the first network device to send time information . Information used to indicate the area where the first network device sends time information; the third information includes at least one of the following items: encryption information for encrypting the time information sent by the first network device, the first How often network devices send time information.

Optionally, after receiving the configuration information, the first communications device receives time information from the first network device. For specific content, reference may be made to the operations performed by the first communication device in S204, and repeated descriptions will not be repeated. Only the differences are described below.

For example, when the configuration information includes information indicating time domain resources used for sending time information by the first network device and/or information indicating frequency domain resources used for sending time information by the first network device, the The first communication device may receive time information from the first network device on the resource indicated by the configuration information.

For another example, when the configuration information includes the frequency of sending time information by the first network device, the first communication device may receive time information from the first network device according to the frequency.

For another example, when the configuration information includes encryption information (for example, a key) for encrypting the time information sent by the first network device, the first communication device may use the encryption information to The time information of the network device is decrypted.

For another example, when the configuration information includes information indicating the area where the first network device sends time information, the first communication device may receive information from the first network within the area indicated by the configuration information. Device time information.

Through this method, the TNF can send configuration information to the first communication device. In this way, the first communication device can receive the time information from the first network device according to the configuration information, so as to avoid constantly detecting the time information from the first network device, thereby reducing the performance of the first communication device. consumption.

Optionally, in some possible implementation manners of the embodiments of the present application, the method further includes S206, which will be described in detail below.

S206: The TNF generates charging information for the first communication device according to the time accuracy requirement of the first communication device.

For example, when the time precision requirement of the first communication device is higher than a first precision threshold, the TNF generates charging information for the first communication device.

Optionally, the TNF may also generate charging information for the first communication device according to the time accuracy requirement of the first communication device and the subscription data of the first communication device.

For example, the subscription data may indicate a corresponding relationship between the time precision requirement of the first communication device and the charging standard. The TNF may determine a charging standard corresponding to the time accuracy requirement of the first communication device according to the correspondence, and generate charging information for the first communication device corresponding to the charging standard.

In addition, the billing information may also be related to the time period for which the first communication device needs the time information. For example, the charge indicated by the billing information may be proportional to the time length for which the first communication device needs the time information.

In this way, the TNF can accurately determine the charging information for the first communication device.

The method "the TNF selects from the one or more network devices the first network device that provides time for the first communication device" in the method shown in Fig. 2 will be described in detail below through the methods shown in Fig. 3-Fig. "The specific implementation method. Wherein, the method shown in FIG. 3 mainly introduces possible situation 1, that is, the time requirement information of the first communication device triggers TNF to select the first network device that provides time for the first communication device; The method shown mainly introduces the second possible situation, that is, the first information triggers the TNF to select the first network device that provides time for the first communication device, where the first information can be used to indicate that the current The second network device for which the first communication device provides time information cannot provide services.

Referring to FIG. 3 , taking one or more network devices as the first AN device and the second AN device, and the first communication device as UE as an example, an implementation manner of the above-mentioned possible situation 1 will be introduced.

The method shown in FIG. 3 may be applicable to the communication system shown in FIGS. 1A-1C . As shown in Figure 3, another communication method provided by the embodiment of this application may include the following process:

S301: The first AN device sends a first NG setup request (NG setup request) to the AMF.

Wherein, the first AN device may be an AN device accessed by the UE, that is, a serving AN device of the UE.

Wherein, the first NG setup request may include timing capability information of the first AN device. For specific content of the timing capability information of the first AN device, reference may be made to the method shown in FIG. 2 , which will not be repeated here.

S302: The second AN device sends a second NG establishment request to the AMF.

Wherein, the second AN device may not be an AN device accessed by the UE, that is, a non-serving AN device of the UE.

Wherein, the first NG setup request may include timing capability information of the second AN device. For specific content of the timing capability information of the second AN device, reference may be made to the method shown in FIG. 2 , which will not be repeated here.

S303: The AMF sends a RAN capability registration request to the NRF.

Wherein, the RAN capability registration request includes timing capability information of the first AN device and timing capability information of the second AN device.

Optionally, the first AN device and the second AN device may send respective timing capability information to the NRF through a service interface, and at this time, there is no need to transfer through the AMF.

S304: The TNF sends a first request to the NRF, where the first request is used to request to acquire timing capability information of one or more network devices managed by the NRF.

S305: The NRF sends the timing capability information of the first AN device and the timing capability information of the second AN device to the TNF.

Wherein, the timing capability information of the first AN device and the timing capability information of the second AN device may be carried in an existing message, or may be carried in a new message (for example, a message for sending RAN timing capability )middle.

S306: The UE sends time requirement information to the TNF.

Wherein, the time requirement information may be carried in an existing message or in a new message. For example, the time requirement information may be carried in a NAS message (for example, a registration request, a PDU session establishment request, or a connection establishment request) for requesting to acquire time information.

Wherein, for the specific content of the time requirement information, reference may be made to the method shown in FIG. 2 , which will not be repeated here.

S307: The TNF determines a first network device that provides time information for the UE according to the time requirement information, the timing capability information of the first AN device, and the timing capability information of the second AN device.

For the specific content of S307, reference may be made to the method shown in FIG. 2 , which will not be repeated here.

The following takes the first network device as the second AN device as an example for description.

S308: The TNF sends a second request to the second AN device.

Wherein, the second request may include the first indication, and for the specific content of the first indication, reference may be made to the method shown in FIG. 2 , which will not be repeated here.

S309: The second AN device sends a second response to the TNF.

Wherein, the second response may include at least one of the following: a time-frequency resource for sending time information by the second AN device, and an acknowledgment of the time precision requirement.

S310: The TNF sends configuration information to the UE.

Wherein, the configuration information may be carried in an existing message or in a new message. For example, the configuration information may be carried in a NAS message (for example, a registration response (registration response), a PDU session establishment response (PDU session establishment response) or a connection establishment response).

Wherein, for the specific content of the configuration information, reference may be made to the method shown in FIG. 2 , which will not be repeated here.

S311: The second AN device sends time information to the UE.

In some possible manners, the second AN device may send time information to the UE through an air interface.

In other possible manners, the second AN device may send time information to the UE through the first AN device.

S312: The TNF records the timing status of the UE, and generates charging information.

For the specific content of S312, reference may be made to the method shown in FIG. 2 , which will not be repeated here.

Optionally, at least one step in S304, S310 and S312 is an optional step.

For example, when the method does not include S304, the NRF may send the first AN device to the TNF after receiving the timing capability information of the first AN device and the timing capability information of the second AN device. The timing capability information of an AN device and the timing capability information of the second AN device.

For another example, when the method does not include S310, the UE may detect time information on all resources.

For another example, when the method does not include S312, the TNF may not generate charging information for the time information for the UE, and at this time, the network may provide the time information for the UE free of charge.

Through this method, after the TNF obtains the timing capability information of the first AN device and the timing capability information of the second AN device, it may determine as The first network device that provides the time information to the UE is the timing provider determined to provide the time information. In addition, through this method, when there are multiple network devices capable of providing time information, the TNF may select the first network device from among the one or more network devices to provide time information for the UE.

As mentioned above, the methods shown in Fig. 4-Fig. 5 mainly introduce "the TNF selects from the one or more network devices the first network device that provides time for the first communication device" in the method shown in Fig. 2 The second possible situation of "network device", that is, the first information triggers the TNF to select the first network device that provides time for the first communication device, wherein the first information can be used to indicate that the first communication device is currently The second network device for which the communication device provides time information cannot provide services. Wherein, the method shown in FIG. 4 mainly introduces the first implementation of situation 2, that is, the second network device is an AN device; the method shown in FIG. 5 mainly introduces the second implementation of situation 2, that is, the The second network device is UPF or NW-TT.

In the following, two possible implementations of the above-mentioned possible situation 2 are introduced by taking the second network device as an AN device or UPF/NW-TT as an example with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 .

The method shown in FIG. 4 can be applied to the communication system shown in FIG. 1A-FIG. 1C. In this method, the TNF can receive information from the control plane indicating that the network device currently providing time information cannot provide services. , according to the timing capability information of one or more network devices, reselect the network device used for timing. Referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the communication method will be described in detail below. For convenience of description, the following takes the first communication device as a UE as an example for description.

S401: The first AN device provides time information for the UE.

Wherein, the first AN device may be the AN device accessed by the UE, or may not be the AN device accessed by the UE.

When the first AN device is an AN device accessed by the UE, the first AN device may send time information to the UE through an air interface.

When the first AN device is not the AN device accessed by the UE, the first AN device may send time information to the UE through the air interface, or send time information to the UE through the AN device accessed by the UE Send time information.

S402: The first AN device determines that the first AN device cannot provide a service.

For the specific content that the service cannot be provided, reference may be made to the method shown in FIG. 2 , which will not be repeated here.

S403: The first AN device sends a RAN configuration update (RAN configuration update) to the AMF.

Wherein, the RAN configuration update includes the first information. The first information may be used to indicate that the first AN device currently providing time information for the UE cannot provide a service. For the specific content of the first information, reference may be made to the method shown in FIG. 2 , which will not be repeated here.

S404: The AMF sends a RAN capability update request to the NRF.

Wherein, the RAN capability update request includes the first information.

In some possible implementation manners, the first AN device may send the first information to the NRF through a service interface, and at this time, there is no need to pass through the AMF for relay.

S405: The NRF sends the first information to the TNF.

Wherein, the first information may be carried in an existing message, or in a new message (for example, information for updating the timing capability).

S406: The TNF determines a first network device that provides time information for the UE according to the timing requirement information of the UE and the timing capability information of one or more network devices.

Wherein, the TNF may obtain the timing capability information of the one or more network devices according to the method shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 .

For the specific content of S406, reference may be made to the method shown in FIG. 2 , which will not be repeated here.

The following description is made by taking the first network device as the second AN device as an example.

S407: The TNF sends a second request to the second AN device.

S408: The second AN device sends a second response to the TNF.

S409: The TNF sends configuration information to the UE.

S410: The second AN device sends time information to the UE.

S411: The TNF records the timing status of the UE, and generates charging information.

For the specific content of S407-S411, reference may be made to S308-S312, which will not be repeated here.

Optionally, at least one step in S409 and S411 is an optional step, and for specific content, refer to the method shown in FIG. 3 , which will not be repeated here.

Through this method, when the first AN device currently providing time information for the UE cannot provide services, the first AN device can send the first information to the TNF; after receiving the first information, the TNF can, according to The locally stored timing capability information of one or more network devices reselects a network device that provides time for the UE. In this way, the continuity and accuracy of providing time information for the UE can be guaranteed.

The method shown in FIG. 5 can be applied to the communication system shown in FIG. 1A-FIG. 1C. In this method, the TNF can receive information from the user plane indicating that the network device currently providing time information cannot provide services. , according to the timing capability information of one or more network devices, reselect the network device used for timing. Referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 , the communication method will be described in detail. For the convenience of description, the following takes the UE as an example for illustration.

S501: UPF or NW-TT provides time information for UE. In Fig. 5, UPF is taken as an example for illustration.

Wherein, when data is transmitted between the UE and the UPF, the UPF or NW-TT may provide time information for the UE. For example, the clock in the UPF or the clock in the NW-TT may send the time information to the UE through a user plane PTP message.

S502: The UPF or NW-TT determines that it cannot provide services.

S503: The UPF or NW-TT sends the first information to the SMF.

Wherein, the first information may be used to indicate that the UPF or NW-TT currently providing time information for the UE cannot provide services. For the specific content of the first information, reference may be made to the method shown in FIG. 2 , which will not be repeated here. Wherein, the first information may be carried in an existing message, or in a new message (for example, a message for updating the timing capability).

S504: The SMF sends the first information to the TNF.

Wherein, the first information may be carried in an existing message, or in a new message (for example, a message for updating the timing capability).

In some possible implementation manners, the UPF or the NW-TT may send the first information to the NRF through a service interface, and at this time, there is no need to transfer through the SMF.

S505: The TNF determines a first network device that provides time information for the UE according to the timing requirement information of the UE and the timing capability information of one or more network devices.

For specific content of S505, reference may be made to the method shown in FIG. 2 , which will not be repeated here.

S506: The TNF sends a second request to the second AN device.

S507: The second AN device sends a second response to the TNF.

S508: The TNF sends configuration information to the UE.

S509: The second AN device sends time information to the UE.

S510: The TNF records the timing status of the UE, and generates charging information.

For the specific content of S506-S510, reference may be made to S308-S312, which will not be repeated here.

Optionally, at least one step in S508 and S510 is an optional step, and for specific content, reference may be made to the method shown in FIG. 3 , which will not be repeated here.

Through this method, when the UPF or NW-TT currently providing time information for the UE cannot provide services, the UPF or NW-TT can send the first information to the TNF; after the TNF receives the first information, The network device that provides time for the UE may be reselected according to the locally stored timing capability information of one or more network devices. In this way, the continuity and accuracy of providing time information for the UE can be guaranteed.

Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiments in FIGS. 2 to 5 , the embodiment of the present application provides a communication device through FIG. 6 , which can be used to perform the functions of the relevant steps in the above method embodiments. The functions described above may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by software or hardware executes corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The structure of the communication device is shown in FIG. 6 , including a communication unit 601 and a processing unit 602 . The communication apparatus 600 may be applied to TNF, UPF, control plane network element or AN equipment in the communication system shown in FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B , or, the communication apparatus 600 may be applied to the communication system shown in FIG. 1C UPF, NW-TT or AN equipment, and can implement the communication methods provided by the above embodiments and examples of this application. The functions of each unit in the communication device 600 are introduced below.

The communication unit 601 is configured to receive and send data.

When the communication device 600 is applied to TNF, UPF, NW-TT, control plane network elements or AN equipment (in the scenario where the AN equipment interacts with network elements in the core network), the communication unit 601 may It is realized through physical interfaces, communication modules, communication interfaces, and input and output interfaces. The communication device 600 can be connected with a network cable or cable through the communication unit, and then establish a physical connection with other devices.

When the communication apparatus 600 is applied to an AN device (in a scenario where the AN device interacts with a terminal device), the communication unit 601 may be implemented by a transceiver, for example, a mobile communication module. Wherein, the mobile communication module may include at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (low noise amplifier, LNA) and the like. The AN device can communicate with the accessed terminal device through the mobile communication module.

The processing unit 602 may be configured to support the communication device 600 to execute the processing actions in the foregoing method embodiments. The processing unit 602 may be implemented by a processor. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), and can also be other general processors, digital signal processors (digital signal processor, DSP), application specific integrated circuits (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC) , field programmable gate array (field programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor.

In an implementation manner, the communication device 600 is applied to the TNF in the embodiment of the present application shown in any one of FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 . The specific functions of the processing unit 602 in this embodiment will be introduced below.

The processing unit 602 is configured to obtain timing capability information of one or more network devices; wherein, the timing capability information is used to indicate the capability of the network device to provide time information; according to the time requirement information of the first communication device and The timing capability information of the one or more network devices selects the first network device that provides time information for the first communication device.

Optionally, the processing unit 602 is specifically configured to: receive first information through the communication unit 601 before selecting a first network device that provides time information for the first communication device; wherein, the first information It is used to indicate that the second network device currently providing time information for the first communication device cannot provide services.

Optionally, the processing unit 602 is specifically configured to: use the communication unit 601 to receive the first information from the NRF or SMF.

Optionally, the processing unit 602 is specifically configured to: obtain the timing capability information of the one or more network devices from the NRF through the communication unit 601 .

Optionally, the processing unit 602 is specifically configured to: after selecting a first network device that provides time information for the first communication device, send configuration information to the first communication device through the communication unit 601; wherein , the configuration information includes at least one of the following: information for instructing the first network device to send time domain resource information, information for instructing the first network device to send time domain resource information for time information, the Encrypted information for encrypting the time information sent by the first network device, frequency of sending time information by the first network device, and information for indicating an area where the first network device sends time information.

Optionally, the processing unit 602 is specifically configured to: send a first indication to the first network device through the communication unit 601 after selecting a first network device that provides time information for the first communication device; Wherein, the first indication is used to instruct the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device.

Optionally, the processing unit 602 is specifically configured to: after selecting the first network device that provides time information for the first communication device, according to the time accuracy requirements of the first communication device, generate Billing information for communication devices.

Optionally, the processing unit 602 is specifically configured to: generate billing information for the first communication device according to the time accuracy requirement of the first communication device and the subscription data of the first communication device.

Optionally, the timing capability information of any network device includes at least one of the following: the time accuracy of the time information provided by the network device, the service range of the network device, the frequency of sending time information by the network device, the Encrypted information of time information by network equipment.

Optionally, the time requirement information includes at least one of the following: time accuracy requirements, frequency of receiving time information, and information for indicating the location of the first communication device.

In one implementation manner, the communication device 600 is applied to the first network device in any one of the embodiments of the present application shown in FIG. 2-FIG. 5 (for example, the first network device in FIG. 2, the first network device in FIG. The second AN device shown in any one of 5). The specific functions of the processing unit 602 in this embodiment will be introduced below.

The processing unit 602 is configured to receive a first indication from the TNF through the communication unit 601; wherein the first indication is used to instruct the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device, and the first network The device is a network device selected by the TNF to provide time information for the first communication device according to the time requirement information of the first communication device and the timing capability information of one or more network devices; the one or more The timing capability information of the network device is used to indicate the capability of the one or more network devices to provide time information; and the time information is sent to the first communication device through the communication unit 601 .

Optionally, the processing unit 602 is specifically configured to: when the first indication includes information indicating the location of the first communication device, according to the information indicating the location of the first communication device, Determine an area for sending time information to the first communication device; in the area, send time information to the first communication device through the communication unit 601 .

Optionally, the processing unit 602 is specifically configured to: when the first indication includes a time accuracy requirement of the first communication device, determine the time to send to the first communication device according to the time accuracy requirement Time precision of information: sending time information with the time precision to the first communication device through the communication unit 601 .

Optionally, the processing unit 602 is specifically configured to: before receiving the first indication from the TNF, send the timing capability information of the first network device to the TNF through the communication unit 601 via the NRF.

Optionally, the processing unit 602 is specifically configured to: send first information to the TNF through the communication unit 601 after sending time information to the first communication device; where the first information is used to Indicate that the first network device cannot provide the service.

Optionally, the processing unit 602 is specifically configured to: use the communication unit 601 to send the first information to the TNF via NRF or SMF.

Optionally, the processing unit 602 is specifically configured to: after receiving the first indication from the TNF, send configuration information to the TNF through the communication unit 601; wherein the configuration information includes at least one of the following: The information used to indicate the time domain resource for sending time information by the first network device, the information for frequency domain resource for indicating the first network device to send time information, and the first network device encrypts the time information sent The encryption information of the first network device, the frequency of sending the time information by the first network device, and the information used to indicate the area where the first network device sends the time information.

Optionally, the time requirement information includes at least one of the following: a time accuracy requirement, a frequency of receiving time information, and information for indicating a location of the first communication device.

It should be noted that the division of modules in the above embodiments of the present application is schematic, and is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. In addition, each function in each embodiment of the present application Units can be integrated into one processing unit, or physically exist separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated units can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

If the integrated unit is realized in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or part of the contribution to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium , including several instructions to make a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor (processor) execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage media include: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM), random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), magnetic disk or optical disc and other media that can store program codes. .

Based on the same technical concept, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication device as shown in FIG. 7 , which can be used to execute the relevant steps in the above method embodiments. The communication device may be applied to a TNF, UPF, control plane network element or AN device in the communication system shown in FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B , or, the communication apparatus 600 may be applied to a The UPF, NW-TT or AN equipment can implement the communication methods provided in the above embodiments and examples of the present application, and have the functions of the communication device shown in FIG. 6 . Referring to FIG. 7 , the communication device 700 includes: a communication module 701 , a processor 702 and a memory 703 . Wherein, the communication module 701 , the processor 702 and the memory 703 are connected to each other.

Optionally, the communication module 701 , the processor 702 and the memory 703 are connected to each other through a bus 704 . The bus 704 may be a peripheral component interconnect standard (peripheral component interconnect, PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (extended industry standard architecture, EISA) bus or the like. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus and so on. For ease of representation, only one thick line is used in FIG. 7 , but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

The communication module 701 is configured to receive and send data to realize communication interaction with other devices. For example, the communication module 701 may be implemented through a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, or an input/output interface.

The processor 702 may be configured to support the communication device 700 to execute the processing actions in the foregoing method embodiments. When the communication device 700 is used to implement the foregoing method embodiments, the processor 702 may also be configured to implement the functions of the foregoing processing unit 602 . The processor 702 may be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor.

In an implementation manner, the communication device 700 is applied to the TNF in the embodiment of the present application shown in any one of FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 . The processor 702 is specifically used for:

Acquiring timing capability information of one or more network devices; wherein, the timing capability information is used to indicate the capability of the network device to provide time information; according to the time requirement information of the first communication device and the one or more network devices Selecting the first network device that provides time information for the first communication device.

In one implementation manner, the communication device 700 is applied to the first network device in the embodiment of the present application shown in any one of FIGS. 2-5 (for example, the first network device in FIG. 2, the first network device in FIG. The second AN device shown in any one of 5). The processor 702 is specifically used for:

Receive a first indication from the TNF through the communication module 701; wherein the first indication is used to instruct the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device, and the first network device is the TNF according to The time requirement information of the first communication device and the timing capability information of one or more network devices, the network device selected to provide time information for the first communication device; the timing capability information of the one or more network devices It is used to indicate the capability of the one or more network devices to provide time information; sending the time information to the first communication device through the communication module 701 .

For the specific functions of the processor 702, refer to the descriptions in the above embodiments of the application and the communication methods provided in the examples, as well as the specific function description of the communication device 600 in the embodiment of the application shown in FIG. 6 , which will not be repeated here. repeat.

The memory 703 is used to store program instructions and data. Specifically, the program instructions may include program codes including computer operation instructions. The memory 703 may include a RAM, and may also include a non-volatile memory (non-volatile memory), such as at least one disk memory. The processor 702 executes the program instructions stored in the memory 703, and uses the data stored in the memory 703 to implement the above functions, thereby realizing the communication method provided by the above embodiments of the present application.

It can be understood that the memory 703 in FIG. 7 of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable read-only memory (Programmable ROM, PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (Erasable PROM, EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (Electrically EPROM) , EEPROM) or flash memory. Volatile memory can be RAM, which acts as external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (Static RAM, SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (Dynamic RAM, DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (Synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (Double Data Rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (Enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous connection dynamic random access memory (Synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM ) and Direct Memory Bus Random Access Memory (Direct Rambus RAM, DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but not be limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program that, when the computer program is run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method provided in the above embodiments.

Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer executes the method provided in the above embodiments .

Wherein, the storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example but not limitation: computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or may be used to carry or store information in the form of instructions or data structures desired program code and any other medium that can be accessed by a computer.

Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, the chip is used to read a computer program stored in a memory, and implement the method provided in the above embodiments.

Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system, where the chip system includes a processor, configured to support a computer device to implement functions involved in each device in the above embodiments. In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory, and the memory is used to store necessary programs and data of the computer device. The system-on-a-chip may consist of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

To sum up, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, device, and equipment. In this method, after TNF obtains the timing capability information of one or more network equipment, it can and the timing capability information of the one or more network devices, select the first network device that provides time information for the first communication device, that is, determine the timing provider for providing time information. In addition, through this method, when there are multiple network devices capable of providing time information, the TNF may select the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device.

In each embodiment of the present application, if there is no special explanation and logical conflict, the terms and/or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments are based on their inherent Logical relationships can be combined to form new embodiments.

Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Accordingly, the present application may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present application may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

The present application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each procedure and/or block in the flowchart and/or block diagram, and a combination of procedures and/or blocks in the flowchart and/or block diagram can be realized by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or processor of other programmable data processing equipment to produce a machine such that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing equipment produce a An apparatus for realizing the functions specified in one or more procedures of the flowchart and/or one or more blocks of the block diagram.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to operate in a specific manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising instruction means, the instructions The device realizes the function specified in one or more procedures of the flowchart and/or one or more blocks of the block diagram.

These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device, causing a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby The instructions provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flow chart or blocks of the flowchart and/or the block or blocks of the block diagrams.

Apparently, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. In this way, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

A communication method, characterized in that, comprising:

The clock network function acquires timing capability information of one or more network devices; wherein, the timing capability information is used to indicate the capability of the network device to provide time information;

The clock network function selects a first network device that provides time information for the first communication device according to the time requirement information of the first communication device and the timing capability information of the one or more network devices.
The method according to claim 1, wherein before selecting the first network device that provides time information for the first communication device, the method further comprises:

The clock network function receives first information; wherein the first information is used to indicate that the second network device currently providing time information for the first communication device cannot provide services.
The method according to claim 2, wherein the clock network function receiving the first information includes:

The clock network function receives the first information from a network storage function or a session management function.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the clock network function acquires timing capability information of one or more network devices, including:

The clock network function obtains the timing capability information of the one or more network devices from the network storage function.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein after selecting the first network device that provides time information for the first communication device, the method further comprises:

The clock network function sends configuration information to the first communication device;

Wherein, the configuration information includes at least one of the following: information used to indicate the time domain resources used by the first network device to send time information, information used to indicate frequency domain resources used by the first network device to send time information, Encryption information for encrypting the time information sent by the first network device, frequency of sending time information by the first network device, and information for indicating an area where the first network device sends time information.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein after selecting the first network device that provides time information for the first communication device, the method further comprises:

The clock network function sends a first indication to the first network device; wherein the first indication is used to instruct the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device.
The method according to claim 6, wherein the first indication includes at least one of the following:

The information used to indicate the location of the first communication device, and the time accuracy requirement of the first communication device.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein after selecting the first network device that provides time information for the first communication device, the method further comprises:

The clock network function generates charging information for the first communication device according to the time accuracy requirement of the first communication device.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the clock network function generates billing information for the first communication device according to the time accuracy requirements of the first communication device, including:

The clock network function generates charging information for the first communication device according to the time accuracy requirement of the first communication device and the subscription data of the first communication device.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the timing capability information of any network device includes at least one of the following:

The time accuracy of the time information provided by the network device, the service scope of the network device, the frequency of sending the time information by the network device, and the encryption information of the time information by the network device.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the time requirement information includes at least one of the following: time accuracy requirements, frequency of receiving time information, and used to indicate that the first communication device location information.
A communication method, characterized in that, comprising:

The first network device receives a first indication from a clock network function; wherein the first indication is used to instruct the first network device to provide time information for the first communication device, and the first network device is the clock network The function is selected according to the time requirement information of the first communication device and the timing capability information of one or more network devices; the timing capability information of the one or more network devices is used to instruct the one or more network devices to provide The ability to time information;

The first network device sends time information to the first communication device.
The method according to claim 12, wherein when the first indication includes information indicating the location of the first communication device, the first network device sends time information to the first communication device ,include:

The first network device determines an area for sending time information to the first communication device according to the information indicating the location of the first communication device;

The first network device sends time information to the first communication device within the area.
The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein when the first indication includes the time accuracy requirement of the first communication device, the first network device sends time information to the first communication device ,include:

The first network device determines the time accuracy of the time information sent to the first communication device according to the time accuracy requirement;

The first network device sends time information with the time precision to the first communication device.
The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein before the first network device receives the first indication from the clock network function, the method further comprises:

The first network device sends the timing capability information of the first network device to the network storage function.
The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein after the first network device sends time information to the first communication device, the method further comprises:

The first network device sends first information to the clock network function; where the first information is used to indicate that the first network device cannot provide a service.
The method according to claim 16, wherein the first network device sends the first information to the clock network function, comprising:

The first network device sends the first information to the clock network function through a network storage function or a session management function.
The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein after the first network device receives the first indication from the clock network function, the method comprises:

The first network device sends configuration information to the clock network function;

Wherein, the configuration information includes at least one of the following: information used to indicate the time domain resources used by the first network device to send time information, information used to indicate frequency domain resources used by the first network device to send time information, Encryption information for encrypting the time information sent by the first network device, frequency of sending time information by the first network device, and information for indicating an area where the first network device sends time information.
The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the timing capability information of any network device includes at least one of the following:

The time accuracy of the time information provided by the network device, the service range of the network device, the frequency of sending the time information by the network device, and the encryption information of the time information by the network device.
The method according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the time requirement information includes at least one of the following: time accuracy requirements, frequency of receiving time information, and information used to indicate that the first communication device location information.
A communication device, characterized by comprising:

a communication unit for receiving and sending data;

A processing unit, configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-20 through the communication unit.
A communication system, characterized in that it includes:

A clock network function, used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-11;

The first network device is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 12-20.
A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that a computer program is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer is made to execute the computer program described in any one of claims 1-20. described method.
A chip, characterized in that the chip is coupled to a memory, and the chip reads a computer program stored in the memory to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-20.