A method, device and system for sending precision information

Abstract

The embodiments of the present application provide a method, device and system for sending precision information. The method includes: a first network element switches from a tracking state to a holding state; the first network element sends status information to a second network element, and the status information includes the precision information of the first network element in the holding state. Through the above method, the second network element can obtain the status information of the first network element in the holding state, and perform clock synchronization with the first network element or with the second network element according to the status information, ultimately achieving more accurate clock synchronization and further improving the performance of the clock synchronization system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a method, device and system for sending accuracy information. Background Art

[0002] Clock synchronization is a basic function in a communication system. Generally speaking, a clock synchronization system that relies on network timing includes a time reference module, a master station (grandmaster) and a slave station (slave), wherein the master station and the slave station can be a logical unit, and their specific forms are not fixed. Without considering the error, the master station obtains clock information from the time reference module and sends information for clock synchronization to the slave station. When the time reference module fails and cannot provide the correct clock information to the master station, the master station will change from the tracking state to the holding state, wherein the tracking state is the state of the master station when the time reference module is operating normally, and the holding state is the state of the master station when the time reference module fails. The holding state can also be understood as the state in which the master station autonomously generates clock information. The information for clock synchronization obtained by the slave station from the master station is no longer accurate, thereby affecting the service quality of the communication system. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application describes a method, device and system for sending accuracy information.

[0004] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for sending precision information, which is performed by a first network element. The method includes: the first network element switches from a tracking state to a holding state; the first network element sends state information to a second network element, and the state information includes precision information of the first network element in the holding state. Through the above scheme, the first network element informs the second network element of the precision information of the first network element in the holding state, so that the second network element can achieve more accurate clock synchronization according to the precision information.

[0005] For example, the first network element may be a master station in a clock synchronization system, and the second network element may be a slave station in the clock synchronization system. In a possible implementation, the first network element may be a network element with a clock synchronization function in a core network, and the second network element may be any access network. In a possible implementation, the first network element may be a baseband unit in an access network, and the second network element may be a radio frequency unit in an access network. This description is applicable to the description of other aspects of the present application and will not be repeated here.

[0006] In a possible implementation manner, when the time reference module fails, the first network element switches from a tracking state to a holding state.

[0007] In a possible implementation, the accuracy information includes real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element, and the real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element is used to indicate the maximum real-time phase accuracy of the first network element when it is in a hold state. The real-time phase accuracy peak of the first network element may also be referred to as the real-time accuracy peak information of the first network element. It should be understood that the real-time accuracy peak information of the first network element may also be used to indicate the maximum real-time accuracy of the first network element when it is in a hold state. This description is applicable to the description of other aspects of the present application and will not be repeated here.

[0008] In a possible implementation manner, the accuracy information includes frequency accuracy information, and the frequency accuracy information is used to indicate a frequency deviation rate of the first network element in the holding state.

[0009] In a possible implementation manner, the status information further includes retention capability information of the first network element.

[0010] In one possible case, the retention capability information includes real-time accuracy or step accuracy value.

[0011] In another possible case, the retention capability information includes the length of time that the first network element works within the first error range. The first error may be an agreed, default, or configured error value in the first network element. The first error may also be an error variation range value from the first network element changing to the retention state to the first network element being able to support only the last service, that is, the maximum error range that the first network element can support in the retention state. This description is applicable to the description of other aspects of the present application and will not be repeated here.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the state information also includes the retention time information of the first network element, and the retention time information is used to indicate the time duration of the first network element working within the second error range, and the second error range is related to the service. In other words, the second error is the error allowed by a specific type of service, and the error allowed by different services may be different. This description is applicable to the description of other aspects of the present application and will not be repeated here.

[0013] In a possible implementation manner, the status information further includes clock reference source type information, and the clock reference source type information includes parameters of a clock reference source adapted by the first network element. The clock reference source may be a satellite receiver adapted by the first network element.

[0014] In one possible case, the clock reference source type information includes one or more of the following: a mode of a satellite receiver adapted by the first network element, or a frequency band of a satellite receiver adapted by the first network element.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner, the status information further includes local source type information, where the local source type is used to indicate a type of a local oscillator of the first network element.

[0016] In a possible implementation manner, the first network element sending the status information to the second network element includes: the first network element broadcasting the status information to the second network element.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first network element further includes: receiving a request message from the second network element, the request message being used to request obtaining the state information from the first network element. That is, the second network element requests obtaining the state information of the first network element when it is in the hold state, and then when the first network element switches from the tracking state to the hold state, the first network element sends the state information to the second network element. This description is applicable to the description of other aspects of the present application and will not be repeated here.

[0018] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for sending precision information, which is performed by a second network element. The method includes: the second network element receives status information from a first network element, the status information including precision information of the first network element in a hold state; the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element according to the precision information, or performs clock synchronization with the second network element. Through this method, the second network element achieves more accurate clock synchronization when the first network element is in a hold state according to the acquired precision information.

[0019] For example, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element, or performs clock synchronization with the second network element. It should be understood that the second network element can achieve clock synchronization through the first network element, or can also rely on the second network element itself to achieve clock synchronization. In other words, the second network element can choose to use the first network element for clock synchronization, or can choose to use itself for clock synchronization. Different implementation methods of this aspect can all refer to this description and will not be repeated.

[0020] In a possible implementation manner, the accuracy information includes real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element, and the real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element is used to indicate the maximum real-time phase accuracy of the first network element when in the holding state. A possible implementation manner of this embodiment further includes: the second network element stops using the first information, and the first information is the accuracy information of the first network element when in the tracking state.

[0021] In a possible implementation manner, the accuracy information includes frequency accuracy information, and the frequency accuracy information is used to indicate a frequency deviation rate of the first network element in the hold state. The implementation manner also includes: the second network element adjusts a clock according to the frequency accuracy information.

[0022] In a possible implementation manner, the state information further includes retention capability information of the first network element. In a possible case, the retention capability information includes the real-time accuracy or step accuracy of the first network element. In another possible case, the retention capability information includes the length of time the first network element works within the first error range. In a possible implementation manner of this implementation manner, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or performs clock synchronization with the second network element according to the retention capability information and the accuracy information.

[0023] In a possible implementation manner, the state information further includes retention time information of the first network element, and the retention time information is used to indicate the time duration for which the first network element works within a second error range, and the second error range is related to the service. In a possible implementation manner of this implementation manner, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or performs clock synchronization with the second network element according to the retention time information and the accuracy information.

[0024] In a possible implementation manner, the status information further includes clock reference source type information, and the clock reference source type information includes parameters of the clock reference source adapted by the first network element. The clock reference source type information includes one or more of the following: a mode of a satellite receiver adapted by the first network element, or a frequency band of a satellite receiver adapted by the first network element. In a possible implementation manner of this implementation manner, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element, or performs clock synchronization with the second network element, according to the clock reference source type and the accuracy information.

[0025] In a possible implementation manner, the status information further includes local source type information, and the local source type information is used to indicate the type of the local oscillator of the first network element. In a possible implementation manner of this implementation manner, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or performs clock synchronization with the second network element according to the local source type information and the precision information.

[0026] In a possible implementation manner, the second network element receives the status information from the first network element, including: the second network element receives the broadcasted status information from the first network element.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the second network element sending a request message to the first network element, wherein the request message is used to request receiving the state information from the first network element. This implementation may refer to the description of the first aspect.

[0028] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for sending precision information, which is performed by a first network element and a second network element. The method includes: the first network element switches from a tracking state to a holding state; the first network element sends state information to the second network element, and the state information includes precision information of the first network element in the holding state; the second network element receives state information from the first network element; the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element according to the precision information, or performs clock synchronization with the second network element. Through this method, the second network element achieves more accurate clock synchronization when the first network element is in the holding state according to the acquired precision information.

[0029] The second network element performs clock synchronization with the second network element according to the precision information, which should be understood as the second network element no longer using other network elements for clock synchronization, but the second network element uses its own clock source for clock synchronization, in other words, the second network element uses its own clock source to obtain time information and uses the time information for its own business. The above description is also applicable to the description of other aspects.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner, the accuracy information includes real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element, and the real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element is used to indicate the maximum real-time phase accuracy of the first network element when in the holding state. A possible implementation manner of this embodiment further includes: the second network element stops using the first information, and the first information is the accuracy information of the first network element when in the tracking state.

[0031] In a possible implementation manner, the accuracy information includes frequency accuracy information, and the frequency accuracy information is used to indicate a frequency deviation rate of the first network element in the hold state. The implementation manner also includes: the second network element adjusts a clock according to the frequency accuracy information.

[0032] In a possible implementation manner, the state information further includes retention capability information of the first network element. In a possible case, the retention capability information includes the real-time accuracy or step accuracy of the first network element. In another possible case, the retention capability information includes the length of time the first network element works within the first error range. In a possible implementation manner of this implementation manner, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or performs clock synchronization with the second network element according to the retention capability information and the accuracy information.

[0033] In a possible implementation manner, the state information further includes retention time information of the first network element, and the retention time information is used to indicate the time duration for which the first network element works within a second error range, and the second error range is related to the service. In a possible implementation manner of this implementation manner, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or performs clock synchronization with the second network element according to the retention time information and the accuracy information.

[0034] In a possible implementation manner, the status information further includes clock reference source type information, and the clock reference source type information includes parameters of the clock reference source adapted by the first network element. The clock reference source type information includes one or more of the following: a mode of a satellite receiver adapted by the first network element, or a frequency band of a satellite receiver adapted by the first network element. In a possible implementation manner of this implementation manner, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element, or performs clock synchronization with the second network element, according to the clock reference source type and the accuracy information.

[0035] In a possible implementation manner, the status information further includes local source type information, and the local source type information is used to indicate the type of the local oscillator of the first network element. In a possible implementation manner of this implementation manner, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or performs clock synchronization with the second network element according to the local source type information and the precision information.

[0036] In a possible implementation manner, the second network element receives the status information from the first network element, including: the second network element receives the broadcasted status information from the first network element.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the second network element sending a request message to the first network element, wherein the request message is used to request receiving the state information from the first network element. This implementation may refer to the description of the first aspect.

[0038] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for sending accuracy information, which is performed by a first network element. The method includes: the first network element sends frequency accuracy information to a second network element, and the frequency accuracy information includes accuracy information of the first network element in a tracking state. Through the above scheme, the first network element informs the second network element of the frequency accuracy information of the first network element in the tracking state, so that the second network element can achieve more accurate clock synchronization according to the frequency accuracy information.

[0039] For possible implementations of this aspect, reference may be made to the description of the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0040] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for sending accuracy information, which is performed by a second network element. The method includes: the second network element receives frequency accuracy information from the first network element, and the frequency accuracy information includes accuracy information of the first network element in a tracking state; the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element according to the frequency accuracy information, or performs clock synchronization with the second network element. Through this method, the second network element achieves more accurate clock synchronization when the first network element is in a holding state according to the acquired frequency accuracy information.

[0041] For possible implementations of this aspect, reference may be made to the description of the second aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0042] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device comprising a processor; the processor is used to read and run a program from a memory to implement a method as described in the first aspect or any possible implementation scheme, or to implement a method as described in the second aspect or any possible implementation scheme, or to implement a method as described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation scheme, or to implement a method as described in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation scheme.

[0043] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, comprising a first network element and a second network element, the first network element can execute the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation manner, and the second network element can execute the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation manner; or, the first network element can execute the method of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner, and the second network element can execute the method of the fifth aspect or any possible implementation manner.

[0044] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute a method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation method, or a method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation method, or a method according to the third aspect or any possible implementation method, or a method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation method, or a method according to the fifth aspect or any possible implementation method.

[0045] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores instructions, and when the computer-readable storage medium is run on a computer, the processor executes the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation method, or the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation method, or the method of the third aspect or any possible implementation method, or the method of the fourth aspect or any possible implementation method, or the method of the fifth aspect or any possible implementation method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a network architecture of a communication system applicable to the present application;

[0047] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an architecture of clock synchronization applied to a communication system applicable to the present application;

[0048] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of another architecture of clock synchronization applied to a communication system applicable to the present application;

[0049] Figure 4A schematic diagram of a method for sending accuracy information provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of another method for sending accuracy information provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of another method for sending accuracy information provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of another communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiment of the present application clearer, the embodiment of the present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system or new radio (NR) system, or applied to future communication systems or other similar communication systems. The network architecture and business scenarios described in this application are to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided in this application. It is known to those of ordinary skill in the art that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution provided in this application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0055] Figure 1 An architecture diagram of clock synchronization applicable to the present application is shown, in which a time reference module, a master station, a clock synchronization network and a slave station are shown.

[0056] The time reference module may be a module that provides standard time, and it may have a variety of product forms, such as a satellite receiver, or other devices for converting time information received from a satellite receiver into standard time. The standard time may be Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), or other standard time similar to the UTC. For example, if the time reference module is a satellite receiver, the satellite receiver may, but is not limited to, support at least one of the following systems: BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), the US Global Positioning System (GPS), the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System GLONASS, the European Union Galileo Navigation Satellite System (GALILEO), and the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). Different receivers can support different frequencies. For example, GPS and QZSS can support band L1CA (1575.42 MHz), band L1C (1575.42 MHz), band L2 (1227.6 MHz), band L5 (1176.45 MHz), etc. BDS can support band B1I (1501.698 MHz), band B1C (1575.42 MHz), band B2a (1176. 45 MHz), band B3I (1268.52 MHz), and other frequencies. GALILEO can support band E1 (1575.42 MHz), band E5a (1176.45 MHz), band E5b (1207.14 MHz), and band E6 (1278.75 MHz). GLONASS can support different frequency bands such as band G1 (1602.00 MHz) and band G2 (1246.00 MHz). The time reference module can be deployed in the access network device, specifically, it can be deployed on the radio frequency control unit module side of the access network device, or it can be deployed on the radio frequency module side of the access network device. The time reference module can also be deployed in the core network, which is not limited in this application.

[0057] The master station (GrandMaster, GM), which can also be called a global master clock device, is a device that obtains reference time from a time reference module, and the reference time can be a standard time. It can be a reference master clock device or an enhanced reference master clock device. The master station has a local clock source, which can be a crystal clock or an atomic clock. For example, the crystal clock can be a crystal source of model OCXO 2 / 3E, or an atomic clock of the type of rubidium clock, cesium clock, etc. The master station can support at least one mode of a time reference module, such as a satellite receiver of different modes mentioned above, and can also work in at least one frequency band type introduced above. It can be understood that the master station can also support more modes of time reference modules and even multiple frequency band types, and its performance is better. The master station can be a module or network element device for clock services in the core network, or a module or device for clock services on the access network device side. Specifically, the radio frequency control unit module of the access network device can be regarded as the master station, and the radio frequency module of the access network device can also be regarded as the master station, which is not limited in this application.

[0058] A slave station (slave), which can also be called a slave clock device, has the function of obtaining time information from a master station, such as standard time. For example, a slave station can be located on any access network side. Specifically, any access network device in the access network can be regarded as a slave station, or any radio frequency control unit module in the access network device can be regarded as a slave station, or any radio frequency module in the access network device can be regarded as a slave station, or other devices or apparatuses that need to use time information can be regarded as slave stations.

[0059] It should be understood that the master station and the slave station should be different network elements or devices. For example, when the master station is the RF control unit module of the access network device, then the slave station is the RF module of the access network device. If the master station is the RF module of the access network device, then the slave station is the RF control unit module.

[0060] The clock synchronization network is mainly used to transmit clock synchronization information. For example, the clock synchronization network can be a backhaul network, a fronthaul network, or other networks, and its ultimate purpose is to synchronize the clock between the master station and the slave station.

[0061] For example, the deployment of the master and slave stations can refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 Description. Figure 2 The figure is a schematic diagram of deploying a clock synchronization network in a communication system. The communication system includes a data network, a core network, an access network and terminal equipment. The functions and definitions of each component in the specific communication system can be referred to the description in the Third Generation Partnership Project Agreement, and this application will not repeat them. Figure 2As shown, the master station is deployed in the core network. Specifically, the module or network element used for clock service can be regarded as the master station, and the device or module on the access network side can be regarded as the slave station. Then the clock synchronization network is the backhaul network between the core network and the access network.

[0062] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of deploying a clock synchronization network in another communication system. Since the access network includes a radio frequency control unit and a radio frequency unit, if the master station and the slave station are respectively deployed on one side of the radio frequency control unit module side and the radio frequency unit module side of the access network device, such as Figure 3 As shown, the RF control unit is regarded as the master station and the RF unit is regarded as the slave station, so the clock synchronization network is the fronthaul network between the RF control unit and the RF unit.

[0063] It should be understood that the positions of the master station and the slave station can be interchanged, and even in addition to the above-mentioned method of deploying the slave station and the master station, there are other similar deployment methods, which are not limited in this application.

[0064] In actual deployment, the master station and the time reference module can be installed together or separately, and the deployment form of the two is not limited in this application. In addition, it should be understood that the RF control unit can be understood as having the function of the master station, that is, the RF control unit can be regarded as the master station, and similarly, the RF unit has the function of the slave station, that is, the RF unit can be regarded as the slave station. The master station and the slave station in the above-mentioned clock synchronization system are logical functional units, that is, the master station and the slave station can be implemented by designated hardware, or by software instances on designated hardware, or by virtual functions instantiated on a suitable platform, and the above-mentioned devices or modules can be combined or separately set, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0065] It should also be understood that the radio frequency control unit may also be referred to as a wireless control unit, a wireless device control unit, etc., and the radio frequency unit may also be referred to as a wireless unit, a wireless device, etc., which is not limited in the present application.

[0066] There are many protocols that can be used for synchronization in existing networks. For example, the communication network can use the precision clock synchronization protocol standard for network measurement and control systems, namely the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1588 protocol, to achieve clock synchronization of the communication network.

[0067] The master station can be in different states when working, such as tracking state, holding state and free oscillation state. If the master station is in the tracking state, it means that the master station can obtain time information from the time reference module. In other words, when the time reference module is in a normal working state, the master station is in the tracking state. This means that the slave station can obtain accurate time information from the master station and complete clock synchronization normally. When the master station is in the holding state, one possible situation is that the time reference module fails, or the time reference module cannot communicate with the master station. In this case, the master station cannot obtain accurate time information from the time reference module and can only rely on its own clock module for timing. In this case, the performance of the master station will continue to decline over time, and the time information provided by the master station to the slave station will continue to deviate. When the master station enters the free oscillation state, it means that the time reference module is in a faulty state for a long time, and the master station will rely on the free oscillation state of the local clock source for clock synchronization. At present, when the master station is in the holding state, the slave station cannot perceive that the master station is in the holding state, and the time information obtained by the slave station from the master station is the time information of the master station in the tracking state, resulting in the slave station using the wrong time information for clock synchronization. In addition, if the time of the time reference module failure exceeds a certain threshold, the clock synchronization of the master station will switch from synchronization in the time dimension to synchronization in the frequency dimension. The access network device where the slave station is deployed may stop clock synchronization because it does not support synchronization in the frequency dimension. If the access network device still has services that use clock synchronization in the time dimension at this time, this method will reduce the service quality of the services and also reduce the service time of the access network device.

[0068] This application proposes a method for clock synchronization to solve the above problems. Figure 4 As shown, the method can be performed by a first network element and a second network element. The first network element in the figure can be Figure 1 , Figure 2 or Figure 3 The second network element in the figure can be Figure 1 , Figure 2 or Figure 3 The method may include the following steps:

[0069] Step 401: The first network element switches from a tracking state to a holding state.

[0070] In a possible implementation, the first network element receives satellite time information and / or a pulse signal of the time reference module from the satellite time from the time reference module, and the first network element determines that the current time reference module is faulty according to the satellite time information and / or the pulse signal of the time reference module, so the first network element switches from the tracking state to the holding state. It should be understood that the first network element can sense the time reference module fault by other methods, which is not limited in the present application.

[0071] Step 402: The first network element sends status information to the second network element.

[0072] Correspondingly, the second network element receives status information from the first network element.

[0073] For example, the first network element generates status information and sends the status information to the second network element.

[0074] The state information includes accuracy information of the first network element in the hold state.

[0075] In one possible implementation, the first network element broadcasts the status information to the second network element. In another possible implementation, the first network element receives a request message from the second network element, the request message being used to request the first network element to send the status information, and therefore the first network element sends the status information to the second network element.

[0076] Step 403: The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or the second network element according to the accuracy information.

[0077] Further, the second network element may stop using the first information, where the first information is accuracy information of the first network element in the tracking state.

[0078] For example, the accuracy information may include the real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element, and the real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element is used to indicate the state of the maximum real-time phase accuracy of the first network element when it is in the holding state. The real-time phase accuracy peak of the first network element may also be referred to as the real-time accuracy peak information of the first network element. It should be understood that the real-time accuracy peak information of the first network element may also be used to indicate the maximum real-time accuracy of the first network element when it is in the holding state. The real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element is used for clock synchronization in the time domain. Then the second network element determines that the current state of the first network element is the holding state, and the slave station can stop using the information when the master station is in the tracking state, and use the real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element to perform clock synchronization in the time domain, or perform clock synchronization in the time domain with the second network element.

[0079] Alternatively, the accuracy information may include frequency accuracy information, and the frequency accuracy information indicates a frequency offset rate of the first network element, that is, an offset rate between a time frequency value generated by the first network element using a time reference module and a standard frequency value of satellite time. The second network element performs frequency domain clock synchronization with the first network element according to the accuracy information, or performs frequency domain clock synchronization with the second network element.

[0080] The state information may further include retention capability information, where the retention capability information is used to indicate the retention capability of the first network element. The capability information may be understood as the retention capability of the first network element at a specific precision value.

[0081] For example, the retention capability information can be the real-time accuracy or step accuracy of the clock of the first network element, or the retention capability information can also be the length of time the first network element works within a specific error range (for example, a phase error range of 1μs), or it can be a combination of the above two situations.

[0082] In one possible implementation, the retention capability information includes real-time accuracy or step accuracy. In another possible implementation, the retention capability information may include the length of time the first network element works within a first error range. The first error may be an agreed, default, or configured error value in the first network element. The first error may also be an error variation range value from the first network element changing to a retention state to the first network element being able to support only the last service, that is, a maximum error range that the first network element can support in a retention state.

[0083] The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or the second network element according to the retention capability information and the accuracy information. The retention capability information is the real-time accuracy or step accuracy of the clock of the first network element. Specifically, the second network element selects the network element with the best retention capability from the first network element or the second network element according to the real-time accuracy or step accuracy, and performs clock synchronization with the network element, which is conducive to improving the effect of clock synchronization.

[0084] In addition, in a possible situation, the second network element can also determine the retention capability of the first network element according to the retention capability information, so that the second network element can adjust the deployment of the service according to the retention capability information. Specifically, if the retention capability information is the real-time accuracy or step accuracy of the clock of the first network element, the second network element determines the accuracy of the second network element at the current moment according to the real-time accuracy or step accuracy, and adjusts the service type according to the accuracy of the second network element at the current moment. For example, if the current accuracy is the first value, and the first value satisfies the high-bandwidth service in the existing service of the second network element, then the second network element continues to use the clock of the first network element as the clock of the high-bandwidth service, that is, the second network element uses the current first network element to achieve clock synchronization, wherein the high-bandwidth service is a service that occupies a bandwidth exceeding the bandwidth threshold, and the bandwidth threshold can be adjusted according to the specific implementation, which is not limited by the present application. If the current accuracy is the second value, the second value can only meet the voice service, and there is a high-bandwidth service in the second network element, then the second network element can choose to migrate the high-bandwidth service to other second network elements. Alternatively, the second network element may also choose to stop using the first network element for clock synchronization. Specifically, the second network element may choose to synchronize its clock with the second network element itself. Then, the method can prevent the service quality of the service from decreasing as the accuracy of clock synchronization decreases, thereby improving the service quality of the communication system.

[0085] The status information may also include retention time information, which is used to indicate the time that the first network element works within the second error range, and the second error range is related to the service. In other words, the second error is the error allowed by a specific type of service, and the errors allowed by different services may be different. It can be understood that the value of the second error is smaller than the value of the first error, that is, the retention time allowed by different services is within the maximum error range that the first network element can support in the retention state. For example, if the retention time information is 24 hours, then when the time exceeds 24 hours, the master station switches from the retention state to the self-oscillation state, or switches to other states. The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or the second network element based on the retention time information and the accuracy information. In one possible scenario, the second network element can determine the time that the first network element can maintain the hold state, and the second network element can switch the first network element during the hold time, so that the second network element coordinates other communication resources for the service currently supported by the second network element within the hold time, such as migrating the service, or switching a new first network element during the hold time, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the clock used by the service. In addition, the second network element thus selects a network element that can adapt to more satellite receiver modes or frequency bands, thereby providing a better network element for clock synchronization, and ultimately improving the effect of clock synchronization. The second network element can select a network element with a longer hold time for clock synchronization based on different service requirements and the hold time information, which is conducive to improving the effect of clock synchronization.

[0086] The status information may also include clock reference source type information, where the clock reference source type information includes parameters of the clock reference source adapted by the first network element.

[0087] In a possible implementation, the clock reference source type information includes one or more of the following: the mode of the satellite receiver adapted by the first network element, or the frequency band of the satellite receiver adapted by the first network element. For example, the clock reference source type information may include the satellite receiver mode adapted by the first network element, and the satellite receiver mode adapted by the first network element is one or more of GPS, BDS, GALILEO, GLONASS, and QZSS. For another example, the clock reference source type information may include the satellite receiver frequency band adapted by the first network element, and the satellite receiver frequency band adapted by the first network element is one or more of L1CA, B1I, B1C, G2, and L5. The clock reference source type information may also be other performance parameters of the first network element, which are not listed one by one in this application. It should be understood that the clock reference source type can be one or more of the above-mentioned types. For example, the clock reference source type can be a satellite receiver mode adapted by the first network element, or a satellite receiver frequency band adapted by the first network element, or can include a satellite receiver mode adapted by the first network element and a satellite receiver frequency band adapted by the first network element.

[0088] The second network element can perform clock synchronization with the first network element or with the second network element based on the clock reference source type and the accuracy information. The second network element can judge the performance of the time reference module currently used by the first network element based on the clock reference source type information, and judge whether to switch the first network element. It can be understood that if the clock reference source type information includes both the satellite receiver mode adapted by the first network element and the satellite receiver frequency band adapted by the first network element, then the second network element can consider whether to switch the first network element based on the satellite receiver mode adapted by the first network element and the satellite receiver frequency band adapted by the first network element.

[0089] The status information may also include a local source type, where the local source type is used to indicate the type of the local oscillator of the first network element, such as an atomic clock or a crystal source. For example, the local source type is an OCXO 2 / 3E crystal oscillator, or the local source type is a rubidium clock type atomic clock, or the local source type is a cesium clock type atomic clock. It is understandable that different types of local sources have different stabilities and different accuracies.

[0090] The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or the second network element according to the local source type information and the precision information. The second network element can judge the performance of the local source of the current first network element according to the local source type, so as to judge whether to switch to a network element with a local source of higher performance according to the needs of the current access network device, for example, whether to use the local source of the second network element itself for clock synchronization. For example, if the local source type of the current first network element is a crystal source, and the local source used by the second network element itself is an atomic clock, then the second network element determines to use its own local source to achieve clock synchronization. Since the atomic clock is superior to the crystal source in terms of stability and precision, if the second network element uses a network element whose local source type is an atomic clock, the performance of subsequent clock synchronization can be guaranteed, and the duration and accuracy of clock synchronization can be further guaranteed, and finally the effect of clock synchronization can be guaranteed.

[0091] Figure 4 The method shown is also applicable to a scenario where multiple network elements send respective status information of the multiple network elements to a second network element, and the second network element selects a first network element and performs clock synchronization with the first network element, or selects a second network element and performs clock synchronization with the second network element according to the status information of the multiple network elements, wherein the first network element is one of the multiple network elements, and the multiple network elements are network elements with the same function as the first network element. When the second network element selects the first network element and performs clock synchronization with the first network element, it should be understood that the second network element selects the first network element from the multiple network elements according to the above status information.

[0092] Taking the clock reference source type information included in the status information as an example, for the scenario where multiple network elements send their respective status information to the second network element, the second network element compares the multiple network elements according to the clock reference source type information, selects a first network element with the most adapted satellite receiver modes and / or the most adapted satellite receiver frequency bands, and performs clock synchronization with the first network element. For example, the satellite receiver modes adapted by the network elements other than the first network element among the multiple network elements are only GPS, then the second network element can select and use the first network element that supports GPS, BDS, GALILEO, GLONASS and QZSS. For another example, the satellite receiver frequency bands adapted by the network elements other than the first network element among the multiple network elements are only L5, then the second network element can select the first network element that supports L1CA, B1I, B1C, G2 and L5, and perform clock synchronization with the first network element. Finally, the second network element can use the first network element with the highest performance among the multiple network elements to achieve clock synchronization, thereby improving the performance of clock synchronization.

[0093] Similarly, if the status information includes the local source type, the second network element can select a network element whose local source type is an atomic clock from multiple network elements and itself. That is, if the local source type of the first network element among multiple network elements is an atomic clock, the second network element selects the first network element for clock synchronization. If only the local source type of the second network element among multiple network elements and the second network element is atomic, the second network element no longer relies on other network elements for clock synchronization. In other words, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the second network element.

[0094] It should be understood that, since the above-mentioned status information may include one or more types of information in addition to the accuracy information, after receiving the status information, the second network element may combine the accuracy information and one or more of the above-mentioned information to determine whether to switch the first network element, or whether to use its own local source, and whether to adjust the services currently provided by the second network element according to the characteristics of the network element selected by the second network element for clock synchronization, etc. For example, the second network element may determine whether there is a better first network element among the one or more received status information of one or more different network elements, that is, a first network element with stronger retention capability, longer retention time, local source type of atomic clock, and support for more types of clock reference sources, and select the first network element for clock synchronization, or if the second network element finds that its own local source is better than the local sources of the one or more different first network elements, the second network element may also select itself for clock synchronization.

[0095] In addition, when the status information includes at least two of capability information, retention time information, clock reference source type information and local source type, the second network element can also perform clock synchronization with the first network element or the second network element according to the first rule. The first rule is the priority of different types of information in the above status information. That is, the second network element selects the information with the highest priority in the status information according to the first rule, selects the first network element or the second network element according to the information with the highest priority, and performs clock synchronization with the first network element or the second network element. For example, if the status information received by the second network element includes capability information, retention time information, clock reference source type information and local source type, according to the first rule, in the status information, the local source type has the highest priority, followed by capability information, then retention time information, and finally clock reference source type information. Then the second network element selects the network element with the best local source according to the local source type, and then performs clock synchronization with the selected network element with the best local source. That is, if the local source type of the first network element is the best network element, then the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element; if the local source type of the second network element is the best network element, then the second network element performs clock synchronization with the second network element.

[0096] In short, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element, which should be understood as the second network element can achieve clock synchronization through the first network element. In other words, the second network element can choose to use the first network element for clock synchronization. For example, the second network element selects a network element with stronger capabilities and better performance from the second network element and the first network element for clock synchronization based on the state information from the above-mentioned multiple perspectives, such as capability information, retention time, local source type, and clock reference source type. The second network element performs clock synchronization with the second network element, which should be understood as the second network element relies on the local source of the second network element to achieve clock synchronization. The clock synchronization with the second network element should be understood as the second network element is in a holding state, or the second network element uses its own local source to obtain clock information, which can also be understood as the second network element does not use the first network element for clock synchronization.

[0097] Through the embodiments shown in the present application, the first network element can inform the second network element of status information, so that the second network element can adjust the clock synchronization according to the status information in the holding state. Compared with the situation where the second network element cannot perceive that the first network element enters the holding state, it will still perform clock synchronization according to the tracking state strategy, resulting in clock synchronization errors. This is beneficial to improving the performance of clock synchronization.

[0098] Combination Figure 4 The method shown, Figure 5 Another method for time domain clock synchronization scenario applicable to this application is as follows: Figure 5 As shown, the Figure 5 The main site can refer to Figure 4 The slave station can refer to the description of the first network element in Figure 4 The method may include the following steps:

[0099] Step 501: The master station receives satellite time information and / or a pulse signal of the time reference module from the time reference module.

[0100] Step 502: The master station switches from the tracking state to the holding state according to the satellite time information and / or the pulse signal.

[0101] For example, the master station determines that the time reference module is faulty based on the satellite time information and / or the pulse signal, and then the master station switches from the tracking state to the holding state.

[0102] For example, the pulse signal of the time reference module is a 1 second pulse (pulse per second, pps) signal of the time reference module, and the 1 pps signal of the time reference module can be used to represent 1 second phase information of the time reference module. Specifically, the pulse signal can be generated by a satellite card in the time reference module.

[0103] For example, the satellite time information is used to represent the time information of the satellite. Specifically, the time information of the satellite can be converted into UTC time.

[0104] Specifically, the local clock module of the master station generates a local pulse signal of the master station, and the local pulse signal can also be a 1 second pulse (pulse per second, pps) signal. The local 1pps signal of the master station includes the phase information of the local clock module of the master station. In addition, the local clock module can also generate local time information, and the local time information can be used to represent the local time of the master station. The comparison module of the master station can compare the local pulse signal of the master station with the pulse signal of the time reference module. If the phase difference between the above two pulse signals exceeds the first threshold, the comparison module of the master station determines that the time reference module is faulty. Alternatively, the comparison module of the master station can compare the local time information of the master station with the satellite time information. If the difference between the above two time information exceeds the second threshold, the comparison module determines that the time reference module is faulty. Alternatively, the comparison module of the master station can compare the local pulse signal of the master station with the pulse signal of the time reference module, and compare the local time information of the master station with the satellite time information. If the phase difference between the above two pulse signals exceeds the first threshold value, and the difference between the above two time information exceeds the second threshold value, then the comparison module of the master station determines that the time reference module is faulty. The first threshold value and the second threshold value can be determined according to the needs of the actual application, and the present application does not limit them. In other words, the master station can determine that the time reference module is faulty based on the above time information and / or pulse signal, and thus the master station switches from the tracking state to the holding state.

[0105] Step 503: The master station sends status information to the slave station.

[0106] Accordingly, the slave receives status information from the master.

[0107] This step can refer to Figure 4 Description of step 402 in .

[0108] The status information includes precision information, which can be referred to Figure 4 Description of the accuracy information in. The accuracy information can be enhanced accuracy measurement (ENHANCED_ACCURACY_METRICS) information, enhanced accuracy clock quality (ENHANCED_ACCURACY_ClockQuality) information, or information with other names. Regardless of how the name is changed, the status information can be used to reflect the clock synchronization service that the master station can currently provide. The accuracy information includes the real-time phase accuracy peak information of the master station. The real-time phase accuracy peak information of the master station can be referred to Figure 4The real-time phase accuracy peak value of the master station may also be referred to as the real-time accuracy peak value information of the master station (maxGmInAccuracy) or the time interval (TimeInterval).

[0109] The status information also includes at least one of the following: retention capability information, retention duration information, clock reference source type information, and local source type. Figure 4 The description in will not be repeated here.

[0110] For example, before this step, the slave station sends a request message to the master station, and the request message carries a management value field, which may be managementTLV. The request message is used to request the master station to inform the slave station of management information, which may be information of the master station, such as status information, accuracy information, etc. Therefore, the master station may inform the slave station of status information.

[0111] It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the message used to send status information, and the name of the message can be adaptively modified according to different usage scenarios.

[0112] It should be understood that the status information may be sent via multiple messages or via one message, and this application is not limited thereto.

[0113] Step 504: The slave station performs clock synchronization with the master station or the slave station according to the accuracy information.

[0114] This step can refer to Figure 4 Description of step 403 in .

[0115] For example, the slave station can adjust the clock synchronization behavior according to the status information for the business.

[0116] Should Figure 5 The beneficial effects of the method shown can be referred to Figure 4 The description is not repeated here.

[0117] Combination Figure 4 The method shown, Figure 6 Another method for time domain clock synchronization scenario applicable to this application is as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the Figure 6 The main site can refer to Figure 4 The slave station can refer to the description of the first network element in Figure 4 The method of the embodiment shown in the figure is applicable to the scenario of frequency domain clock synchronization. The method may include the following steps:

[0118] Step 601: The master station receives satellite time information and / or a pulse signal of the time reference module from the time reference module.

[0119] Step 602: The master station switches from the tracking state to the holding state.

[0120] For step 601 and step 602, reference may be made to the description of step 501 and step 502 in the aforementioned embodiment.

[0121] Step 603: The master station sends status information to the slave station.

[0122] Accordingly, the slave receives status information from the master.

[0123] This step can refer to Figure 4 Description of step 402 in .

[0124] The status information includes accuracy information, and the accuracy information includes frequency accuracy information. The frequency accuracy information is used to indicate the frequency deviation rate of the master station in the hold state. In other words, the frequency accuracy information can be used to indicate the deviation rate between the time frequency value generated by the master station using the time reference module and the standard frequency value of the satellite time. Specifically, the frequency accuracy information can be expressed in parts per million (PPM). The deviation rate can be used to characterize the accuracy of the clock information provided by the master station to the slave station. The frequency accuracy information can refer to Figure 4 Description of the frequency accuracy information in .

[0125] In a possible implementation manner, the status information may include one or more of the retention capability information, retention duration information, clock reference source type information, and local source type. The retention capability information, retention duration information, clock reference source type information, and local source type may refer to the aforementioned Figure 4 The description in will not be repeated here.

[0126] Step 604: The slave station performs clock synchronization with the master station or the slave station according to the accuracy information.

[0127] For example, if the status information includes frequency accuracy information, the slave station can choose whether to continue using the master station for clock synchronization. If the slave station determines, based on the frequency accuracy information, that the accuracy of the clock synchronization of the current master station cannot meet the service requirements of the slave station, the slave station can stop using the master station for clock synchronization, and the slave station can choose to use its own local source for clock synchronization. It should be understood that if the slave station is an access network device that supports frequency synchronization, such as a frequency division duplex (FDD) access network or a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) access network, in a frequency synchronization scenario, or when the slave station provides enhanced bandwidth carrier aggregation services or even other services that have special requirements for the synchronization accuracy of the master station, the frequency accuracy information can provide better clock synchronization services. If the slave station obtains the status information, it can dynamically adjust the service business and the slave station service time according to the frequency accuracy information instead of stopping providing services to users. Compared with if the slave station obtains the status information that the master station is currently in the holding state, it will stop tracking the master station, that is, stop clock synchronization, resulting in an inability to provide services to users. This method can further improve the user experience.

[0128] This step can refer to the above Figure 4 The description in step 403 is not repeated here.

[0129] The method shown in this embodiment can improve the performance of clock synchronization in the frequency domain clock synchronization scenario, and can also improve the service performance of the slave station, and even extend the service time of the slave station. Figure 5 The description is not repeated here.

[0130] Accordingly, the embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which may be the first network element or the master station or the second network element or the slave station in the above method embodiment, or a device including the functions of the above first network element or the master station or the second network element or the slave station, or a component similar to the functions of the first network element or the master station or the second network element or the slave station. It is understandable that in order to realize the above functions, the communication device includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0131] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0132] The communication device includes a processing module 701, a receiving module 702 and a sending module 703. The processing module 701 is used to implement the processing of data by the communication device. The receiving module 702 is used to receive the content of the communication device and other units or network elements, and the sending module 703 is used to receive the content of the communication device and other units or network elements. It should be understood that the processing module 701 in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component (or, referred to as a processing circuit), and the receiving module 702 can be implemented by a receiver or a receiver-related circuit component. The sending module 703 can be implemented by a transmitter or a transmitter-related circuit component.

[0133] Exemplarily, the communication device may be a communication device, or may be a chip used in the communication device, or other combined devices, components, etc. having the functions of the above communication device.

[0134] Exemplarily, the communication device may be Figures 4 to 6 Any first network element or master station in Figures 4 to 6 Any second network element or slave station.

[0135] When the communication device is a first network element or a master station, the processing module 701 is used to switch from the tracking state to the holding state (for example, Figure 4 Step 401 in Figure 5 Step 502 in Figure 6 The sending module 703 is used to send state information to the second network element, where the state information includes the accuracy information of the first network element in the hold state (e.g. Figure 4 Step 402 in Figure 5 Step 503 in Figure 6 603 in step 604).

[0136] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support this article Figures 4 to 6 The other processes of the technical solution involved in the first network element or the master station. The beneficial effects can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0137] When the communication device is a second network element or a slave station, the receiving module 702 is used to receive state information from the first network element, and the state information includes the accuracy information of the first network element in the holding state (for example, Figure 4 Step 402 in Figure 5 Step 503 in Figure 6The processing module 701 is used to perform clock synchronization with the first network element according to the accuracy information, or perform clock synchronization with the second network element (for example Figure 4 Step 403 in Figure 5 Step 504 and Figure 6 604 in step 604).

[0138] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support this article Figures 4 to 6 The other processes of the technical solution involved in the second network element or the slave station. The beneficial effects can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0139] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present application, the communication device includes: a processor 801, a communication interface 802, and a memory 803. The processor 801, the communication interface 802, and the memory 803 can be interconnected via a bus 804; the bus 804 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus. The above bus 804 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. For ease of representation, Figure 8Only one line is used to represent it, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The processor 801 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP) or a combination of a CPU and a NP. The processor can further include a hardware chip. The above-mentioned hardware chip can be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) or a combination thereof. The above-mentioned PLD can be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL) or any combination thereof. The memory 803 can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache.

[0140] Exemplarily, the communication device may be Figures 4 to 6 Any first network element or master station in Figures 4 to 6 Any second network element or slave station.

[0141] The processor 801 is used to implement data processing operations of the communication device, and the communication interface 802 is used to implement receiving operations and sending operations of the communication device.

[0142] When the communication device is a first network element or a master station, the communication interface 802 is used to send state information to the second network element, and the state information includes the accuracy information of the first network element in the holding state (for example, Figure 4 Step 402 in Figure 5 Step 503 in Figure 6 Processor 801 is used to switch from the tracking state to the holding state (eg, Figure 4 Step 401 in Figure 5 Step 502 in Figure 6 In addition, the above modules can also be used to support the Figures 4 to 6 The other processes of the technical solution involved in the first network element or the master station. The beneficial effects can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0143] When the communication device is a second network element or a slave station, the communication interface 802 is used to receive status information from the first network element, and the status information includes accuracy information (for example, Figure 4 Step 402 in Figure 5 Step 503 in Figure 6 The processor 801 is configured to perform clock synchronization with the first network element according to the accuracy information, or perform clock synchronization with the second network element (for example, Figure 4 Step 403 in Figure 5 Step 504 and Figure 6 In addition, the above modules can also be used to support the Figures 4 to 6 The other processes of the technical solution involved in the second network element or the slave station. The beneficial effects can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0144] The embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned first network element and the second network element, or includes the aforementioned master station and slave station, wherein the first network element or the master station executes Figures 4 to 6 Any of the first network element or master station, the second network element or slave station executes Figures 4 to 6 A method executed by a second network element or a slave station in any of the embodiments shown.

[0145] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the method provided in the above method embodiment. Figures 4 to 6 The technical solution related to the first network element or the master station or the second network element or the slave station in any of the embodiments shown in the figure, or the computer can implement the technical solution provided in the above method embodiment. Figures 4 to 6 A technical solution related to the first network element or master station or the second network element or slave station in any of the embodiments shown.

[0146] The present application also provides a computer program product, which is used to store a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the method provided in the above method embodiment. Figures 4 to 6 The process related to the first network element or the master station or the second network element or the slave station in any of the embodiments shown in the figure, or the computer can implement the process provided in the above method embodiment. Figures 4 to 6A technical solution related to the first network element or the master station or the second network element or the slave station in any of the illustrated embodiments.

[0147] The present application also provides a chip, including a processor. The processor is used to read and run a computer program stored in a memory to execute the corresponding operations and / or processes in the method provided by the present application by the first network element or the master station or the second network element or the slave station. Optionally, the chip also includes a memory, which is connected to the memory by a circuit or a wire, and the processor is used to read and execute the computer program in the memory. Optionally, the memory can also be a storage device independent of the chip. Further optionally, the chip also includes a communication interface, and the processor is connected to the communication interface. The communication interface is used to receive processed data and / or information, and the processor obtains the data and / or information from the communication interface and processes the data and / or information. The communication interface can be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or a related circuit on the chip. The processor can also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0148] The above-mentioned chip can also be replaced by a chip system, which will not be described here.

[0149] The terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or apparatuses.

[0150] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0151] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0152] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0153] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual conditions to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0154] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0155] If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be essentially or partly embodied in the form of a software product that contributes to the prior art. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0156] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" in the specification and claims of the present application and the drawings are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but optionally includes steps or units that are not listed, or optionally includes other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0157] Although the present application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the present application as defined by the appended claims, and are deemed to have covered any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

[0158] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, which should be included in the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for sending accuracy information, characterized in that: The method comprises: The first network element switches from a tracking state to a holding state; The first network element sends status information to the second network element, the status information including accuracy information of the first network element in the retention state and retention capability information of the first network element, the retention capability information including step accuracy, and the step accuracy is used for the second network element to adjust the deployment of services.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The accuracy information includes real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element, and the real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element is used to indicate the maximum real-time phase accuracy of the first network element when it is in a holding state.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The accuracy information includes frequency accuracy information, and the frequency accuracy information is used to indicate the frequency deviation rate of the first network element in the holding state.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The retention capability information includes a length of time that the first network element operates within a first error range.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The state information also includes retention time information of the first network element, where the retention time information is used to indicate the time duration for which the first network element works within a second error range, and the second error range is related to the service.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The status information also includes clock reference source type information, and the clock reference source type information includes parameters of the clock reference source adapted by the first network element.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The clock reference source type information includes one or more of the following: a mode of a satellite receiver adapted by the first network element, or a frequency band of a satellite receiver adapted by the first network element.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The state information further includes local source type information, where the local source type is used to indicate a type of a local oscillator of the first network element.

9. A method for sending accuracy information, characterized in that: The method comprises: The second network element receives state information from the first network element, the state information including accuracy information of the first network element in a holding state and holding capability information of the first network element, the holding capability information including step accuracy, and the step accuracy is used to adjust the deployment of the service; The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element according to the accuracy information, or performs clock synchronization with the second network element.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The accuracy information includes real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element, and the real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element is used to indicate the maximum real-time phase accuracy of the first network element in the holding state.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that Also includes: The second network element stops using the first information, where the first information is accuracy information of the first network element in the tracking state.

12. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The accuracy information includes frequency accuracy information, and the frequency accuracy information is used to indicate the frequency deviation rate of the first network element in the holding state.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that Also includes: The second network element adjusts the clock according to the frequency accuracy information.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that: The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element according to the precision information, or performs clock synchronization with the second network element, including: The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or performs clock synchronization with the second network element according to the retention capability information and the accuracy information.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The retention capability information includes a length of time that the first network element operates within a first error range.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that: The state information further includes retention time information of the first network element, where the retention time information is used to indicate the time duration for which the first network element works within a second error range, where the second error range is related to the service; The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element according to the precision information, or performs clock synchronization with the second network element, including: The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or performs clock synchronization with the second network element according to the retention time information and the accuracy information.

17. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that: The state information further includes clock reference source type information, where the clock reference source type information includes parameters of a clock reference source adapted by the first network element; The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element according to the precision information, or performs clock synchronization with the second network element, including: The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or performs clock synchronization with the second network element according to the clock reference source type and the accuracy information.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The clock reference source type information includes one or more of the following: a mode of a satellite receiver adapted by the first network element, or a frequency band of a satellite receiver adapted by the first network element.

19. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that: The state information further includes local source type information, where the local source type information is used to indicate a type of a local oscillator of the first network element; The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element according to the precision information, or performs clock synchronization with the second network element, including: The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or performs clock synchronization with the second network element according to the local source type information and the accuracy information.

20. A communication device, characterized in that: Including processors; The processor is used to read and run a program from a memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or the method according to any one of claims 9 to 19.

21. A communication system, characterized in that: The method comprises a first network element and a second network element, wherein the first network element executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and the second network element executes the method according to any one of claims 9 to 19.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein instructions are stored in the computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: When the method is executed on a computer, the processor is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or the method according to any one of claims 9 to 19.

23. A computer program product comprising instructions, characterized in that When the method is executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or the method according to any one of claims 9 to 19.

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