Devices and methods supporting TSC

Abstract

A method for performing time-sensitive communication (TSC) by a network entity includes: establishing a first protocol data unit (PDU) session with a first user equipment (UE) and a second PDU session for a second UE; receiving, from the first UE, an announcement message obtained from a first time-sensitive network (TSN) node; configuring a port state of the network entity based on the announcement message; and transmitting the announcement message to the second UE or a second TSN node.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for supporting time-sensitive communication (TSC). More specifically, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods for providing time synchronization between terminals by interconnecting a time-sensitive network (TSN) with a 5G system (5GS) which is a wireless communication system. Background Art

[0002] After the commercialization of 4G communication systems, efforts have been made to develop improved 5G communication systems or pre-5G communication systems in order to meet the increasing demand for wireless data services. For this reason, 5G communication systems or pre-5G communication systems are referred to as ultra 4G network communication systems or post-LTE systems. In order to achieve high data transfer rates, it is considered to implement 5G communication systems in the millimeter wave (mmW) frequency band (e.g., 80 gigahertz (GHz) band). In order to reduce the propagation path loss of radio waves and increase the propagation distance of radio waves in the millimeter wave band in 5G communication systems, various technologies are being discussed, such as beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full-dimension MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, and massive antennas. In addition, in order to improve the system network in 5G communication systems, technologies such as evolved small cells, advanced small cells, cloud radio access network (cloud RAN), ultra-dense network, device-to-device communication (D2D), wireless backhaul, mobile network, cooperative communication, coordinated multi-point (CoMP), and interference cancellation are being developed. Furthermore, in 5G communication systems, advanced coding modulation (ACM) schemes (such as hybrid frequency shift keying (FSK) and quadrature amplitude modulation (FQAM)) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) as well as enhanced network access schemes (such as filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), or sparse code multiple access (SCMA)) are being developed.

[0003] The Internet is evolving from a human - centric network where people generate and consume information to an Internet of Things (IoT) network, in which distributed components (such as things) transmit or receive information from each other and process information through the IoT network. The Internet of Everything (IoE) technology has emerged, where big data processing technology is combined with IoT technology by connecting to cloud servers and the like. To implement IoT, technical elements such as sensing technology, wired / wireless communication and network infrastructure, service interface technology, and security technology are required, and thus research on sensor networks, machine - to - machine (M2M) communication, machine - type communication (MTC), etc. for connections between things has been carried out recently. In the IoT environment, intelligent Internet technology (IT) services can be provided, which are used to collect and analyze data generated by connected things and create new value for people's lives. Through the integration and combination of existing information technology (IT) and various industries, IoT is applicable to various fields such as smart homes, smart buildings, smart cities, smart cars or connected vehicles, smart grids, healthcare, smart appliances, and advanced medical care.

[0004] Therefore, various attempts are being made to apply the 5G communication system to the IoT network. For example, technologies such as sensor networks, M2M communication, or MTC are implemented through 5G communication technologies such as beamforming, MIMO, or array antennas. Applying cloud RAN as a big data processing technology can also be considered an example of the convergence of 5G technology and IoT technology.

[0005] Since various services can be provided due to the development of the above - mentioned wireless communication system, a method for smoothly providing time synchronization between terminals by interconnecting a time - sensitive network (TSN) with the wireless communication system is required. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM

[0007] A method and an apparatus for effectively supporting services in a wireless communication system are provided.

[0008] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for performing time - sensitive communication (TSC) by a network entity includes: establishing a first protocol data unit (PDU) session with a first user equipment (UE) and a second PDU session for a second UE; receiving, from the first UE, an announcement message obtained from a first time - sensitive network (TSN) node; configuring a port state of the network entity based on the announcement message; and transmitting the announcement message to the second UE or a second TSN node.

[0010] The port state of the network entity can be determined by the User Plane Function (UPF) or the Time-Sensitive Network Application Function (TSN AF).

[0011] The port state of the first UE can be a slave state, and the port states of the network entity and the second UE can each be a master state.

[0012] The method may further include: receiving a synchronization frame from the first UE via a first PDU session; performing a local handover on the synchronization frame; and transmitting the synchronization frame to the second UE via a second PDU session, wherein the sum of the uplink (UL) UE device-side TSN converter (DS-TT) residence time, the first Packet Delay Budget (PDB) of the first PDU session, the downlink (DL) UE-DS-TT residence time, and the second PDB of the second PDU session is less than 10 milliseconds (ms).

[0013] The TSC assistance information (TSCAI) can be determined by the Session Management Function (SMF) based on the first Burst Arrival Time (BAT) of the first PDU session and the second BAT of the second PDU session.

[0014] The ports of the first UE and the second UE can be determined by the TSN Application Function (TSN AF).

[0015] The second scheduling information of the second PDU session can correspond to the result of (the first scheduling information of the first PDU session) + (the uplink (UL) device-side TSN converter (DS-TT-UE) residence time) + (UL PDB) + (UE-to-UE UPF residence time) - (downlink (DL) residence time).

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network entity for performing Time-Sensitive Communication (TSC) includes: a network-side Time-Sensitive Network converter (NW-TT); and at least one processor, the at least one processor being connected to the NW-TT and configured to: establish a first Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session with a first User Equipment (UE) and a second PDU session for a second UE; receive an announcement message obtained from a first Time-Sensitive Network (TSN) node from the first UE; configure the port state of the network entity based on the announcement message; and transmit the announcement message to the second UE or the second TSN node.

[0017] The port state of the network entity can be determined by the User Plane Function (UPF) or the Time-Sensitive Network Application Function (TSN AF).

[0018] The port state of the first UE can be a slave state, and the port states of the network entity and the second UE can each be a master state.

[0019] At least one processor may be further configured to: receive a synchronization frame from a first UE via a first PDU session; perform a local handover on the synchronization frame; and transmit the synchronization frame to a second UE via a second PDU session, wherein the sum of the uplink (UL) UE device side TSN converter (DS-TT) residence time, the first packet delay budget (PDB) of the first PDU session, the downlink (DL) UE-DS-TT residence time, and the second PDB of the second PDU session is less than 10 ms.

[0020] TSC assistance information (TSCAI) may be determined by a session management function (SMF) based on the first burst arrival time (BAT) of the first PDU session and the second BAT of the second PDU session.

[0021] The ports of the first UE and the second UE may be determined by a TSN application function (TSN AF).

[0022] The second scheduling information of the second PDU session may correspond to the result of (the first scheduling information of the first PDU session) + (the uplink (UL) device side TSN converter (DS-TT-UE) residence time) + (UL PDB) + (UE-to-UE UPF residence time) - (downlink (DL) residence time).

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for performing time-sensitive communication (TSC) by a first user equipment (UE) includes: establishing a first protocol data unit (PDU) session with a network entity; receiving an announcement message obtained from a second UE from the network entity; and configuring a port state of the first UE based on the announcement message; wherein the network entity establishes a second PDU session with the second UE, and wherein the second UE obtains the announcement message from a first time-sensitive network (TSN) node.

[0024] The port state of the first UE may be a from state, and the port states of the first UE and the network entity may each be a primary state.

[0025] The first scheduling information of the first PDU session may correspond to the result of (the second scheduling information of the second PDU session) + (the uplink (UL) device side TSN converter (DS-TT-UE) residence time) + (UL packet delay budget (PDB)) + (UE-to-UE user plane function (UPF) residence time) - (downlink (DL) residence time).

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first user equipment (UE) for performing time-sensitive communication (TSC) includes: a device-side time-sensitive converter (DS-TT); and at least one processor, the at least one processor being connected to the DS-TT and configured to: establish a first protocol data unit (PDU) session with a network entity; receive an announcement message obtained from a second UE from the network entity; and configure a port state of the first UE based on the announcement message, wherein the network entity establishes a second PDU session with the second UE, and wherein the second UE obtains the announcement message from a first time-sensitive network (TSN) node.

[0027] The port state of the second UE may be a slave state, and the port states of the first UE and the network entity may each be a master state.

[0028] The first scheduling information of the first PDU session may correspond to the result of (the second scheduling information of the second PDU session) + (the residence time of the device-side TSN converter (DS-TT-UE) on the uplink (UL)) + (the uplink (UL) packet delay budget (PDB)) + (the residence time from the UE to the UE user plane function (UPF)) - (the residence time of the downlink (DL)).

[0029] Before proceeding with the following detailed description, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: The term "comprising" and its derivatives mean including but not limited to; the term "or" is inclusive and means and / or; the phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith" and their derivatives may mean including, included within, interconnected with, includes, includes within, connected to or connected with, coupled to or coupled with, capable of communicating with, cooperating with, interlacing, juxtaposing, proximate to, bound to or bound with, having, having the properties of, and so forth; and the term "controller" means any device, system, or part thereof that controls at least one operation, which may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or some combination of at least two thereof. It should be noted that the functions associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether local or remote.

[0030] In addition, the various functions described below can be implemented or supported by one or more computer programs, each formed from computer-readable program code and embodied in a computer-readable medium. The terms "application program" and "program" refer to one or more computer programs, software components, instruction sets, procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or portions thereof that are adapted to be implemented with suitable computer-readable program code. The phrase "computer-readable program code" includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, and executable code. The phrase "computer-readable medium" includes any type of medium that can be accessed by a computer, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard disk drive, optical disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), or any other type of memory. A "non-transitory" computer-readable medium excludes wired, wireless, optical, or other communication links that transmit transitory electrical signals or other transitory signals. Non-transitory computer-readable media include media that can permanently store data, as well as media that can store data and then rewrite the data, such as rewritable optical discs or erasable memory devices.

[0031] Throughout this patent document, definitions of certain words and phrases are provided. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that, in many instances if not most, such definitions apply to the prior and future use of the words and phrases so defined. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] To more fully understand the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts:

[0033] Figure 1 A view showing the principle of time synchronization on Ethernet for explaining a time-sensitive network (TSN) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 2 A scenario showing TSN time synchronization supporting a 5G network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 3 A method showing 5G network supporting TSN time synchronization according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing for explaining management functions according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 5 A structure showing the interoperability between a 5G network and TSN management according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 6Shows a schematic diagram of a method of utilizing time-sensitive communication (TSC) assistance information (TSCAI) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 7 Shows an inter-UE time synchronization scenario when a Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) Grandmaster (GM) exists on the user equipment (UE) side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 8 Shows a scenario where a 5G network interoperates with TSN management to enable TSC support between UEs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 9 Shows a scenario where a 5G network utilizes TSCAI to enable TSC support between UEs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 10 Shows a flowchart of an inter-UE time synchronization scenario when a TSN GM exists on the UE side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 11 Shows a flowchart of a process for supporting inter-UE time synchronization according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 12 Shows a flowchart of a process for supporting time synchronization by transmitting synchronization frames in a multicast manner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 13 Shows a flowchart of a process in which, when a GM of TSN exists on the UE side, a Session Management Function (SMF) performs a Best Master Clock Algorithm (BMCA) through management information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] Figure 14 Shows a flowchart of a process in which, when a GM of TSN exists on the UE side, a User Plane Function (UPF) performs a BMCA through management information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] Figure 15 Shows a flowchart of a process in which, when a GM of TSN exists on the UE side, a Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) Application Function (AF) performs a BMCA through management information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] Figure 16 Shows a flowchart of a process in which, when a GM of TSN exists on the UE side, a Policy Control Function (PCF) performs a BMCA through management information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0049] Figure 17The flowchart shows the process in which the SMF applies the TSCAI to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network through management information to support the TSC from one UE to another UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] Figure 18 The flowchart shows the process in which the UPF applies the TSCAI to the 3GPP network through management information to support the TSC from one UE to another UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0051] Figure 19a The flowchart shows the process in which the TSN AF applies the TSCAI to the 3GPP network through management information to support the TSC from one UE to another UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0052] Figure 19b The flowchart shows the process in which the TSN AF manages the scheduling information of a new PCF session according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0053] Figure 20a The flowchart shows the process in which the PCF applies the TSCAI to the 3GPP network through management information to support the TSC from one UE to another UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0054] Figure 20b The flowchart shows the process in which the PCF manages the scheduling information of a new PCF session according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0055] Figure 21 The block diagram shows a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0056] Figure 22 The block diagram shows a network entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed implementation manners

[0057] The following discussion Figures 1 to 22 And various embodiments used in this patent document to describe the principles of the present disclosure are only for illustration and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure can be implemented in any appropriately arranged system or device.

[0058] The operating principles of the present disclosure will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings. When it is considered that the relevant well-known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the present disclosure, the detailed description of the relevant well-known functions or configurations may be omitted. In addition, the terms used below are defined in consideration of the functions in the disclosure and may have different meanings according to the intentions, habits, etc. of the user or operator. Therefore, the terms should be defined based on the description throughout this specification.

[0059] Throughout this disclosure, the expression "at least one of a, b, or c" indicates only a; only b; only c; both a and b; both a and c; both b and c; all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof.

[0060] Examples of terminals may include a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a cellular phone, a smart phone, a computer, a multimedia system capable of performing communication functions, etc.

[0061] In this disclosure, a controller may also be referred to as a processor.

[0062] Throughout the specification, a layer (or layer device) may also be referred to as an entity.

[0063] For ease of explanation, as used in the following description, terms for identifying access nodes, terms for indicating network entities, terms for indicating messages, terms for indicating interfaces between network entities, terms for indicating various types of identification information, etc. are exemplified. Thus, this disclosure is not limited to the terms described below, and other terms representing objects with equivalent technical meanings may be used.

[0064] Hereinafter, for convenience of description, this disclosure uses terms and names defined in the fifth generation (5G) system (5GS) standard and the new radio (NR) standard from the current communication standard, which are the latest standards defined in the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). However, this disclosure is not limited to the terms and names, but can also be equally applied to wireless communication networks conforming to other standards. Specifically, this disclosure can be applied to 3GPP 5GS / NR (5G mobile communication standard).

[0065] Time synchronization of relevant nodes is required to support scenarios such as factory automation. Specifically, in situations where precise operation is required, the accuracy of time synchronization needs to be very high. When Ethernet is used for industrial purposes, time-sensitive networking (TSN) technology, as a method for time synchronization between nodes supporting Ethernet connections, has been studied and commercially used.

[0066] Figure 1 is a view for explaining the time synchronization principle on Ethernet of TSN according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0067] In a manufacturing site, various networks can be used according to the configuration requirements of the equipment and systems required by each factory. When using networks with different standards, flexible system management may be difficult. According to an embodiment of this disclosure, an apparatus and method for time synchronization between TSN nodes when the TSN nodes operate according to different time standards are provided.

[0068] A node for time synchronization (TSN) in Ethernet (hereinafter referred to as a TSN node) can determine a grandmaster (GM) that serves as a reference. When TSN node 0 is determined as the GM, TSN node 0 can generate a synchronization frame by inserting the current time of the GM into the timestamp field and filling the correction field with 0, and can transmit the generated synchronization frame to the next node. TSN node 1 as the next node can receive the synchronization frame that has experienced link delay 1, and update the correction field by considering the residence time 1, which is the time during which the received synchronization frame resides in TSN node 1, so as to generate a synchronization frame and transmit the synchronization frame to TSN node 2 as the next node. TSN node 2 can receive the synchronization frame that has experienced link delay 2, and update the correction field by considering the residence time 2, which is the time during which the received synchronization frame resides in TSN node 2, so as to generate a synchronization frame and transmit the synchronization frame to the next node (not shown). Each node periodically measures the delay time of the link with the previous node, and calculates and manages the average value of the measured delay times. In addition, each node can have a method for calculating the residence duration in its own node.

[0069] Figure 2 A scenario of TSN time synchronization supported by 5G network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0070] Specifically, Figure 2 A factory automation scenario supporting the mobility of a UE is shown, to which a 5G network has been applied. In this case, the 5G network can support TSN. Referring to Figure 2 , actuator A may include UE-side components. For example, actuator A may include a UE and a TSN node connected to the UE. The 3GPP network may include some components of a base station and a core network. For example, the 3GPP network may include, but is not limited to, a UE, a gNB, and a user plane function (UPF). Referring to Figure 2 , the 3GPP network may be connected to a factory network. The factory network may include a TSN Ethernet switch and a controller B connected by a wired network, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The factory network may include other components.

[0071] Figure 3 A method for 5G network to support TSN time synchronization according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0072] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the method for the 5G network to support TSN in the case shown in Figure 2 . In the present disclosure, the 5G network is referred to as a network including a UE, a gNB, and a UPF. Specifically, the 5G network including a UE, a gNB, and a UPF is modeled as Figure 1A TSN bridge (TSN node). In other words, the UPF-gNB-UE in the 5G network can operate as a single TSN node, and this TSN node can support TSN by updating the synchronization frame by correcting the link delay and dwell time. For this purpose, it is assumed that the UPF, gNB, and UE in the 5G network are synchronized with a common 5G GM. For example, the gNB can be connected to a GPS, the UPF can be connected to the gNB through an Ethernet-based TSN and synchronized with the gNB, and the UE can be synchronized with the gNB by transmitting and receiving PHY frames (physical frames) to and from the gNB. The UPF can be connected to the TSN node of the wired network, and the UE can also be connected to the TSN node of the wired network. Refer to Figure 3 , since the GM of TSN exists in the TSN node connected to the UPF, the UPF receives the synchronization frame from the TSN node connected to the UPF. The UPF records the entry time of the received synchronization frame as a time point based on the 5G GM. The UPF can periodically calculate and manage the link delay with the TSN node connected to the UPF. The UPF can deliver the synchronization frame including the entry time and the link delay to the UE. The UE can calculate the dwell time, which is the dwell time within the 5G network, as the time based on the 5G GM at the moment when the synchronization frame is transmitted to the TSN node connected to the UE. For example, the UE can calculate the dwell time and the link delay based on the time based on the 5G GM at the moment when the time recorded as the time based on the 5G GM and the entry time of the synchronization frame is transmitted to the TSN node. The UE can generate a synchronization frame by updating the correction field by using the dwell time and the link delay, and can transmit the generated synchronization frame to the TSN node connected to the UE.

[0073] Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the management function of TSN according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] There are two types of TSN nodes: bridge and end station. The bridge between TSN nodes can send its own port configuration and its own scheduling ability to the centralized network configuration (CNC) server, and the end station between TSN nodes can send the information of the time-sensitive communication (TSC) stream 1 transmitted / received to the CNC server. The CNC server can notify the scheduling information for each stream at each TSN node, and the TSN node can reflect the scheduling information to ensure that the stream is delivered after experiencing a certain delay. For example, when the publisher node (end station) transmits stream 1 and the transmission period of stream 1 is 10 ms, the listener node (end station) needs to receive stream 1 within 10 ms after the time point when stream 1 is transmitted. Refer to Figure 3, each bridge node reports a predetermined latency time and a link latency to the CNC server. For example, each bridge node can report to the CNC server that the latency time at each of bridge nodes 1, 2, 3, and 4 is 1 ms or less, and the link latency is 1 ms or less. In this case, when the expected arrival time period at bridge node 1 is 1 ms, the expected arrival time period at bridge node 2 is 3 ms, the expected arrival time period at bridge node 3 is 5 ms, and the expected arrival time period at bridge node 4 is 7 ms, bridge nodes 1 to 4 can report their respective latency time information to the CNC server. In this case, the total latency time at bridge nodes 1 to 4 is 16 ms, and thus the CNC server can transmit scheduling information to each TSN node (bridge node), the scheduling information indicating that flow 1 needs to be transmitted with a predetermined latency time of 10 ms or less. In this case, it is expected to arrive at the listener node at 9 ms, and thus the requirement that flow 1 needs to be transmitted within 10 ms is satisfied.

[0075] Figure 5 FIG. shows a structure of 5G network and TSN management interoperability according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0076] The connection between the UPF and the external TSN can be performed by a logical function block called a network-side TSN converter (NW-TT), and the connection between the UE and the external TSN can be performed by a logical function block called a device-side TSN converter (DS-TT). The converter can transmit information as ports within a single logical TSN bridge of the 5G network to the TSN AF, and the TSN AF can perform management interoperability with the external TSN. When managing the external TSN through the CNC server, the TSN AF can also interoperate with the CNC server.

[0077] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a method of using TSC auxiliary information (TSCAI) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] As referred to above Figure 4As described above, the CNC server can notify the scheduling information of each TSN node for each flow. The 5G network can receive the corresponding scheduling information of the TSN nodes through the TSN AF. The 5G network can determine the period of the flow and the expected arrival time in the 5G network from the scheduling information of the TSN nodes. However, since the period and the expected arrival time are written based on the TSN GM, the session management function (SMF) converts the period and the expected arrival time based on the 5G GM. The downlink traffic can be corrected by as much as the core network packet delay budget (CN-PDB), which is the maximum value of the delay time when the packet arrives at the gNB. To this end, the SMF delivers information called TSCAI to the gNB. The TSCAI includes information such as UL / DL, periodicity, and burst arrival time, where the burst arrival time is the result of reflecting the CN-PDB correction and the 5G GM-based time conversion in the scheduling information of the flow received from the CNC server, as described above.

[0079] Figure 7 Fig. shows an inter-UE time synchronization scenario when the GM of the TSN exists on the UE side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0080] In the related art, the scenario where the TSN GM exists on the external TSN node side connected to the UPF is as Figure 2 shown, and the TSN GM and the UE or the TSN GM and the TSN node connected to the UE supporting time synchronization are considered. In this case, only the case where the time synchronization between UEs, between the UE and the external TSN node connected to the UE, or between the external TSN nodes connected to the UE is indirectly performed by synchronizing with the TSN GM connected to the UPF is assumed. However, the case where the TSN GM is connected to the UE or the TSN node connected to the UE is also possible. For example, the case where a controller installed on a moving vehicle controls a robot or an electronic device having a position movement function is also possible. Since real-time monitoring of the user is important, a laptop or a tablet computer that can be carried by the user can act as the GM of the TSN, and thus the operation of adjacent mobile devices can be precisely controlled based on the laptop or the tablet computer. In this case, time synchronization can be supported not only between UEs belonging to the same base station but also between UEs belonging to different base stations.

[0081] Figure 8 Fig. shows a scenario where the 5G network interoperates with the TSN management to support TSC between UEs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] As described above with reference to Figure 2Describes the interoperability between the 5G network and TSN management caused by the TSN AF collecting information from NW-TT / UPF and DS-TT / UE and exchanging the collected information with the CNC server (as Figure 5 shown). In this case, the establishment / modification process for a single PDU session including NW-TT / UPF and DS-TT / UE is used. However, in a situation where the TSN GM is located on the UE side as shown in Figure 7 and thus time synchronization between UEs is required, multiple PDU sessions configured through the connection between the UPF and the UE may be necessary. For example, since the information of each NW-TT / UPF and DS-TT / UE is collected by the TSN AF for a single PDU session in a single 5G network, two PDU sessions are required, as shown in Figure 8 to collect the information of each for two UEs. Although there are two UEs in Figure 8 , the number of UEs is not limited to this, and there can be multiple UEs.

[0083] Figure 9 Shows a scenario where the 5G network utilizes the TSCAI to implement TSC support between UEs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0084] As Figure 8 shown, the TSN AF can collect TSN-related information by using two PDU sessions. Referring to Figure 9 , the collected PDU session information can interoperate between the TSN AF and the CNC server. To this end, the collected PDU session information is delivered along a path such as UE-SMF-PCF-AF or UPF-SMF-PCF-AF. Since the scheduling information received by the CNC server is based on the TSN GM, the basis for writing the burst arrival time of the TSCAI reflected in gNB1 on the UE1 side needs to be changed from the TSN GM to the 5G GM. The basis for writing the burst arrival time of the TSCAI delivered to gNB2 on the UE2 side needs to be changed from the TSN GM to the 5G GM, and the burst arrival time needs to be corrected through the uplink PDB1 and the downlink CN-PDB2 (i.e., the delay time within the 5GS). Although it is clear that the SMF transmits two TSCAIs, there are many options for when to split the information received from the CNC server in half.

[0085] Figure 10 Is a flowchart of the inter-UE time synchronization scenario when the TSN GM exists on the UE side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] As Figure 7As shown, when the TSN GM exists on the UE side, the UE can transmit a synchronization frame to the core network (CN) to support time synchronization. When DS-TT1 or UE1 receives a synchronization frame from TSN node 0 (as an external TSN node), DS-TT1 or UE1 records the reception time based on the 5G GM. For ease of explanation, the operation of UE1 performing the above recording operation will now be described. However, DS-TT1 can perform the recording operation. When UE1 transmits a synchronization frame to the UPF, UE1 can also transmit the value recorded based on the 5G GM. For example, UE1 can send reception time information by adding a special entry timestamp field to the synchronization frame. Additionally, UE1 can periodically measure link delay 1 as the delay time of link 1 with respect to the link to TSN node 0 which is an adjacent external TSN node, calculate the average time based on the measured delay time, and manage the calculated average time. When UE1 transmits a synchronization frame to the UPF, UE1 can also transmit link delay 1. For example, UE1 can add the value of link delay 1 to the correction field of the synchronization frame and transmit the added result. When adding link delay 1 to the correction field, link delay 1 needs to be converted based on the TSN GM, and thus the rate ratio 1 can be applied. The rate ratio 1 is a value obtained by dividing the "TSN GM clock frequency" by the "local clock frequency of UE1", and can be a value obtained by multiplying the rate ratio 0 included in the rate ratio field delivered in the synchronization frame by the neighbor rate ratio managed by UE1. The rate ratio 0 is a value obtained by dividing the "TSN GM clock frequency" by the "local clock frequency of TSN node 0", and the neighbor rate ratio managed by UE1 is a value obtained by dividing the "local clock frequency of TSN node 0" by the "local clock frequency of UE1". When UE1 transmits a synchronization frame to the UPF, UE1 also transmits the rate ratio 1. For example, UE1 updates the value of the rate ratio field of the synchronization frame with the rate ratio 1 and delivers the updated result. UE1 can set the reception time of the synchronization frame to the "correction field value including link delay 1 based on TSN GM + TSN GM conversion", and thus can be synchronized with the TSN GM.

[0087] After NW-TT or UPF receives a synchronization frame from DS-TT1 or UE1, NW-TT or UPF calculates the Residence Time as the residence time in the 5G network before transmitting the received synchronization frame to TSN node 4, which is an external TSN node, and thus updates the correction field. For ease of explanation, the UPF execution of the calculation and update operations will now be described. However, NW-TT can perform the calculation and update operations. UPF calculates the residence time by subtracting the incoming timestamp value received from UE1 from the exit time when transmitting the synchronization frame externally. Before adding the residence time value to the correction field, UPF applies a rate ratio of 1 to the residence time value to convert the reference from 5G GM to TSN GM. UPF removes the specially added incoming timestamp field before transmitting the synchronization frame externally. UPF can set the time point of transmitting the synchronization frame to "TSN GM + correction field value", and thus can be synchronized with TSN GM.

[0088] At this time, the residence time at a single TSN node cannot exceed 10 ms, and thus the following QoS requirements need to be applied: the sum of UE-DS-TT Resi Time1 (residence time 1), which is the UL UE-DS-TT residence time of DS-TT1 or UE1, and PDB1, which is the UL PDB of PDU session 1, is less than 10 ms.

[0089] Figure 11 is a flowchart of a process for supporting inter-UE time synchronization according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0090] Refer to Figure 11 when as Figure 7When the TSN GM shown exists on the UE side, the UE can transmit a synchronization frame to another UE and thus can support time synchronization. For ease of explanation, the execution by UE1 or UE2 of the above time synchronization support will now be described. However, DS-TT1 of UE1 or DS-TT2 of UE2 can each execute the above time synchronization support. When UE1 receives a synchronization frame from TSN node 0 which is an external TSN node, UE1 records the reception time based on 5G GM. When UE1 transmits a synchronization frame to the UPF, UE1 also transmits the value recorded based on 5G GM. For example, UE1 can send the reception time information by adding a special ingress timestamp field to the synchronization frame. Additionally, UE1 can periodically measure Link Delay 1 as the delay time of Link 1 with respect to Link 0 which is the link to TSN node 0 as an adjacent external TSN node, calculate the average time based on the measured delay time, and manage the calculated average time. When UE1 transmits a synchronization frame to the UPF, UE1 also transmits Link Delay 1. For example, UE1 can add the value of Link Delay 1 to the correction field of the synchronization frame and transmit the added result. When adding Link Delay 1 to the correction field, Link Delay 1 needs to be converted based on TSN GM and thus the rate ratio 1 can be applied. The rate ratio 1 is a value obtained by dividing the "5G clock frequency" by the "local clock frequency of UE1". When transmitting a synchronization frame to the UPF, UE1 also transmits the rate ratio 1. For example, UE1 updates the value of the rate ratio field of the synchronization frame with the rate ratio 1 and delivers the updated result. UE1 can set the reception time of the synchronization frame to "the correction field value including Link Delay 1 based on TSN GM + TSN GM conversion" and thus can synchronize with TSN GM.

[0091] The UPF processes the synchronization frame through an internal local handover within the UPF between PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 and transmits the processed synchronization frame to UE2. At this time, the content of the synchronization frame does not change.

[0092] After UE2 receives the synchronization frame from the UPF, UE2 calculates the dwell time as the dwell time in the 5G network before transmitting the received synchronization frame to TSN node 3 which is an external TSN node and thus updates the correction field. UE2 calculates the dwell time by subtracting the ingress timestamp value received from UE1 from the time point of transmitting the synchronization frame to the outside. Before adding the dwell time value to the correction field, UE2 applies the rate ratio 1 to the dwell time value to convert the reference from 5G GM to TSN GM. UE2 removes the specially added ingress timestamp field before transmitting the synchronization frame to the outside. UE2 can set the time point of transmitting the synchronization frame to "TSN GM + correction field value" and thus can synchronize with TSN GM.

[0093] At this time, the residence time at a single TSN node cannot exceed 10 ms, and thus the following QoS requirements need to be applied: The sum of UE-DS-TT Resi Time1 as the UL UE-DS-TT residence time and PDB1 as the UL PDB, and the sum of UE-DS-TT Resi Time2 as the DL UE-DS-TT residence time and PDB2 as the DL PDB are both less than 10 ms. Since PDB1 is actually applied to the QoS of PDU session 1, and PDB2 is actually applied to the QoS of PDU session 2, the QoS considering both PDU sessions is applied to deliver the synchronization frame between UEs. For example, the QoS requirement that the sum of PDB1 as the UL PDB and PDB2 as the DL PDB is less than 10 ms can be converted into two QoS requirements that PDB1 needs to be less than 5 ms and PDB2 needs to be less than 5 ms, and these two QoS requirements can be applied to PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 respectively.

[0094] Figure 12 is a flowchart of a process for supporting time synchronization by transmitting a synchronization frame in a multicast manner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0095] Specifically, referring to Figure 12 , when a TSN GM exists on the UE side, the UE can transmit a synchronization frame to the CN or another UE in a multicast manner to support time synchronization. At this time, the processes described above with reference to Figure 10 and Figure 11 can be applied simultaneously. For ease of explanation, the execution by UE1 or UE2 for the above time synchronization support will be described now. However, DS-TT1 of UE1 or DS-TT2 of UE2 can each execute the above time synchronization support.

[0096] When UE1 receives a synchronization frame from TSN node 0 which is an external TSN node, UE1 records the reception time based on 5G GM. When UE1 transmits a synchronization frame to UPF, UE1 also transmits the value recorded based on 5G GM. For example, UE1 can send the reception time information by adding a special ingress timestamp field to the synchronization frame. Additionally, UE1 can periodically measure Link Delay 1 as the delay time of Link 1 with respect to Link 0 which is the link to TSN node 0 as an adjacent external TSN node, calculate the average time based on the measured delay time, and manage the calculated average time. When UE1 transmits a synchronization frame to UPF, UE1 can also transmit Link Delay 1. For example, UE1 can add the value of Link Delay 1 to the correction field of the synchronization frame and transmit the added result. When adding Link Delay 1 to the correction field, Link Delay 1 needs to be converted based on TSN GM and thus the rate ratio 1 can be applied. The rate ratio 1 is a value obtained by dividing the "5G clock frequency" by the "local clock frequency of UE1". When transmitting a synchronization frame to UPF, UE1 can also transmit the rate ratio 1. For example, UE1 updates the value of the rate ratio field of the synchronization frame with the rate ratio 1 and delivers the updated result. UE1 can set the reception time of the synchronization frame to the "correction field value including Link Delay 1 based on TSN GM + TSN GM conversion" and thus can be synchronized with TSN GM.

[0097] UPF applies multicast such that a single synchronization frame passes through UPF and then through NW-TT and goes directly to the external TSN node, and another synchronization frame goes to DS-TT2 or UE2.

[0098] After UPF receives the synchronization frame going to the external TSN node, UPF calculates the residence time as the residence time in the 5G network before transmitting the received synchronization frame to TSN node 4 which is an external TSN node, and thus updates the correction field. UPF calculates the residence time by subtracting the ingress timestamp value received from UE1 from the time point of transmitting the synchronization frame to the external. Before adding the residence time value to the correction field, UPF applies the rate ratio 1 to the residence time value to convert the reference from 5G GM to TSN GM. UPF can remove the specially added ingress timestamp field before transmitting the synchronization frame to the external. UPF can set the time point of transmitting the synchronization frame to the "TSN GM + correction field value" and thus can be synchronized with TSN GM.

[0099] At this time, the residence time at a single TSN node cannot exceed 10 ms, and thus the following QoS requirements can be applied for the uplink flow: the sum of UE-DS-TT Resi Time1 as the UL UE-DS-TT residence time and PDB1 as the UL PDB is less than 10 ms.

[0100] After UE2 receives another synchronization frame from the UPF, UE2 calculates the residence time as the residence time in the 5G network before transmitting the received synchronization frame to TSN node 3, which is an external TSN node, and thus updates the correction field. UE2 calculates the residence time by subtracting the incoming timestamp value received from UE1 from the time point of transmitting the synchronization frame to the external. Before adding the residence time value to the correction field, UE2 applies a rate ratio of 1 to the residence time value to convert the reference from 5G GM to TSN GM. UE2 can remove the specially added incoming timestamp field before transmitting the synchronization frame to the external. UE2 can set the time point when the synchronization frame has been transmitted as "TSN GM + correction field value", and thus can be synchronized with TSN GM.

[0101] At this time, the residence time at a single TSN node cannot exceed 10 ms, and thus the following QoS requirements can be applied: the sum of UE-DS-TT Resi Time1 as the UL UE-DS-TT residence time and PDB1 as the UL PDB and the sum of UE-DS-TT Resi Time2 as the DL UE-DS-TT residence time and PDB2 as the DL PDB are both less than 10 ms.

[0102] Since PDB1 is actually applied to the QoS of PDU session 1 and PDB2 is actually applied to the QoS of PDU session 2, the QoS considering both PDU sessions is applied to deliver the synchronization frame between UEs. For example, the QoS requirement that the sum of PDB1 as the UL PDB and PDB2 as the DL PDB is less than 10 ms can be converted into two QoS requirements that PDB1 needs to be less than 5 ms and PDB2 needs to be less than 5 ms, and these two QoS requirements can be applied to PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 respectively.

[0103] The newly calculated requirements are more stringent compared to the previously calculated requirement that the sum of PDB1 and PDB2 is less than 10 ms, and thus need to be satisfied simultaneously.

[0104] Figure 13 It is a flowchart of the process in which, when the GM of the TSN exists on the UE side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the SMF performs the Best Master Clock Algorithm (BMCA) through management information.

[0105] Specifically, referring to Figure 13 , when the GM of the TSN exists on the UE side, the SMF can comprehensively manage the information, and thus can perform the BMCA. As referred to above in Figure 9As described above, the interoperability between the 5G network and TSN management can be achieved via the TSN AF by treating the 5G network as a single TSN bridge. In the 5G network, the information about PDU session 1 related to UE1 and the information about PDU session 2 related to UE2 can be managed separately. For example, in order to form a tree for delivering synchronized frames, when performing BMCA for each TSN clock domain, a process of integrating the information of PDU session 1 and the information of PDU session 2 may be required. BMCA is an algorithm for determining which TSN node is determined as the high-level host, and the port that has received the announcement message from the node close to the high-level host represents its own state as the slave (S) state. Since there may be only one port with the S state within a bridge, when several ports are candidates for the S state, the information within the bridge is integrated, and thus only one port among the candidates is determined to have the S state. The 5G logical bridge also participates in BMCA by acting as a bridge, and the UE or DS-TT and UPF or NW-TT participate in BMCA by acting as a single port of the 5G logical bridge. The TSN GM can be set for each working clock domain. When the TSN is in the S state, this may mean that the TSN has a lower priority of being designated as the high-level host compared to when the TSN is in the master (M) state. For the sake of illustration, DS-TT1 or UE1, DS-TT2 or UE2, and NW-TT or UPF corresponding to DS-TT1 / UE1, DS-TT2 / UE2, and NW-TT / UPF respectively will be described now.

[0106] When the TSN node 0 receives the announcement frame as an external TSN node, DS-TT1 / UE1 sets its own port to the temporary S state and transmits the announcement frame to the UPF. The UPF broadcasts the announcement frame to other ports within the logical TSN bridge of the 5G network. In other words, one announcement frame can pass through the NW-TT and go to the external TSN node, and the UPF can make another announcement frame experience local switching within the UPF and go to DS-TT2 / UE2.

[0107] In response to the announcement frame, the NW-TT sets its own port to the M state and transmits the announcement frame to the TSN node 4 as an external TSN node. Similarly, in response to the announcement frame received from DS-TT1 / UE1 through the UPF, DS-TT2 / UE2 temporarily sets its own port to the M state and transmits the announcement frame to the TSN node 3 as an external TSN node.

[0108] After the process of delivering these announcement frames, DS-TT1 / UE1, DS-TT2 / UE2, and NW-TT / UPF update the SMF with the information of the ports through the PDU session modification process. The data communication of the UE through the UPF is called a PDU session, and the process of changing the information of the PDU session is the PDU session modification process. In the PDU session modification, DS-TT1 / UE1 and NW-TT / UPF deliver the information about PDU session 1, and DS-TT2 / UE2 or NW-TT / UPF delivers the information about PDU session 2. However, the SMF can manage the information about PDU session 1 and the information about PDU session 2 by knowing that PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 belong to the same TSN management. The SMF can classify the comprehensively managed information by taking advantage of the fact that PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 have the same TSN logical bridge ID and the same TSN operating clock domain ID. After the SMF determines the final port configuration information to be actually reflected, based on the comprehensive port information, the SMF transmits the final port configuration information to DS-TT1 / UE1, DS-TT2 / UE2, and NW-TT / UPF by using the PDU session modification process and the N4 update process for PDU session 1 and PDU session 2. The determined final port configuration information also goes through a notification process to be reflected in the Policy Control Function (PCF) and the TSNAF.

[0109] Figure 14 It is a flowchart of the process in which the UPF performs BMCA through management information when the GM of the TSN exists on the UE side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] Specifically, referring to Figure 14 as described above with reference to Figure 9 the interoperability between the 5G network and the TSN management can be achieved via the TSN AF by treating the 5G network as a single TSN bridge. In the 5G network, the information about PDU session 1 related to UE1 and the information about PDU session 2 related to UE2 can be managed separately. For example, in order to form a tree for delivering synchronization frames, when performing BMCA for each TSN clock domain, a process of integrating the information of PDU session 1 and the information of PDU session 2 is required. When the TSN node 0 receives an announcement frame as an external TSN node, DS-TT1 / UE1 sets its own port to the temporary S state and transmits the announcement frame to the UPF. The UPF can broadcast the announcement frame to other ports within the logical TSN bridge of the 5G network. In this example, one announcement frame can pass through the NW-TT and go to the external TSN node, and the UPF can make another announcement frame undergo local switching within the UPF and go to DS-TT2 / UE2.

[0111] In response to the announcement frame, NW-TT temporarily sets its own port to the M state and transmits the announcement frame to TSN node 4, which is an external TSN node. Similarly, in response to the announcement frame received from DS-TT1 / UE1 via UPF, DS-TT2 / UE2 temporarily sets its own port to the M state and transmits the announcement frame to TSN node 3, which is an external TSN node.

[0112] After the process of delivering the announcement frame, DS-TT1 / UE1 and DS-TT2 / UE2 can update the SMF with the port information through the PDU session modification process, and the SMF delivers the information to the UPF through the N4 update process. In the PDU session modification, DS-TT1 / UE1 and NW-TT / UPF deliver the information about PDU session 1, and DS-TT2 / UE2 or NW-TT / UPF delivers the information about PDU session 2. However, the UPF can manage the information about PDU session 1 and the information about PDU session 2 by knowing that PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 belong to the same TSN management. The UPF can classify the comprehensively managed information by using the fact that PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 have the same TSN logical bridge ID and the same TSN operating clock domain ID. After the UPF determines the final port configuration information to be actually reflected, based on the comprehensive port information, the UPF transmits the final port configuration information to DS-TT1 / UE1 and DS-TT2 / UE2 by using the N4 update process and the PDU session modification process for PDU session 1 and PDU session 2. In addition, the UPF can update the configuration of NW-TT or UPF according to the final port configuration information. The determined final port configuration information also goes through a notification process to be reflected in the PCF and the TSN AF.

[0113] Figure 15 It is a flowchart of the process in which the TSN AF performs BMCA through management information when the GM of the TSN exists on the UE side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0114] As referred to above Figure 9As described above, the interoperability between the 5G network and TSN management can be achieved via the TSN AF by treating the 5G network as a single TSN bridge. In the 5G network, the information about PDU session 1 related to UE1 and the information about PDU session 2 related to UE2 can be managed separately. For example, in order to form a tree for delivering synchronized frames, when performing BMCA for each TSN clock domain, a process of integrating the information of PDU session 1 and the information of PDU session 2 may be required. When TSN node 0 receives an announcement frame as an external TSN node, DS-TT1 / UE1 sets its own port to the temporary S state and transmits the announcement frame to the UPF. The UPF broadcasts the announcement frame to other ports within the logical TSN bridge of the 5G network. In other words, one announcement frame can pass through the NW-TT and go to the external TSN node, and the UPF can make another announcement frame undergo local switching within the UPF and go to DS-TT2 / UE2.

[0115] In response to the announcement frame, the NW-TT temporarily sets its own port to the M state and transmits the announcement frame to TSN node 4 which is an external TSN node. Similarly, in response to the announcement frame received from DS-TT1 / UE1 through the UPF, DS-TT2 / UE2 temporarily sets its own port to the M state and transmits the announcement frame to TSN node 3 which is an external TSN node.

[0116] After the process of delivering these announcement frames, DS-TT1 / UE1, DS-TT2 / UE2, and NW-TT / UPF update the TSN AF with the information of the ports through the PDU session modification process. In the PDU session modification, DS-TT1 / UE1 and NW-TT / UPF deliver the information about PDU session 1, and DS-TT2 / UE2 or NW-TT / UPF delivers the information about PDU session 2, but the TSN AF can manage the information about PDU session 1 and the information about PDU session 2 by knowing that PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 belong to the same TSN management. The TSN AF can classify the comprehensively managed information by taking advantage of the fact that PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 have the same TSN logical bridge ID and the same TSN operating clock domain ID. After the TSN AF determines the final port configuration information to be actually reflected, based on the comprehensive port information, the TSN AF transmits the final port configuration information to DS-TT1 / UE1, DS-TT2 / UE2, and NW-TT / UPF by using the PDU session modification process and the N4 update process for PDU session 1 and PDU session 2. The determined final port configuration information also goes through a notification process to be reflected in the PCF.

[0117] Figure 16It is a flowchart of a process in which, when the GM of the TSN exists on the UE side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the PCF executes BMCA through management information.

[0118] Specifically, referring to Figure 16 , as referred to above Figure 9 stated, the interoperability between the 5G network and TSN management can be achieved via the TSN AF by treating the 5G network as a single TSN bridge. In the 5G network, the information about the PDU session 1 related to UE1 and the information about the PDU session 2 related to UE2 can be managed separately. For example, in order to form a tree for delivering synchronized frames, when performing BMCA for each TSN clock domain, a process of integrating the information of PDU session 1 and the information of PDU session 2 may be required. When the TSN node 0 receives the announcement frame as an external TSN node, the DS-TT1 / UE1 sets its own port to the temporary S state and transmits the announcement frame to the UPF. The UPF broadcasts the announcement frame to other ports within the logical TSN bridge of the 5G network. In this example, one announcement frame can pass through the NW-TT and go to the external TSN node, and the UPF can cause another announcement frame to undergo local switching within the UPF and go to the DS-TT2 / UE2.

[0119] In response to the announcement frame, the NW-TT temporarily sets its own port to the M state and transmits the announcement frame to the TSN node 4 as an external TSN node. Similarly, in response to the announcement frame received from the DS-TT1 / UE1 through the UPF, the DS-TT2 / UE2 temporarily sets its own port to the M state and transmits the announcement frame to the TSN node 3 as an external TSN node.

[0120] After the process of delivering these announcement frames, DS-TT1 / UE1, DS-TT2 / UE2, and NW-TT / UPF update the PCF with the information of the ports through the PDU session modification process. In the PDU session modification, DS-TT1 / UE1 and NW-TT / UPF deliver the information about PDU session 1, and DS-TT2 / UE2 or NW-TT / UPF delivers the information about PDU session 2. However, the PCF can manage the information about PDU session 1 and the information about PDU session 2 by knowing that PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 belong to the same TSN management. The PCF classifies the comprehensively managed information by taking advantage of the fact that PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 have the same TSN logical bridge ID and the same TSN operating clock domain ID. After the PCF determines the final port configuration information to be actually reflected, based on the comprehensive port information, the PCF transmits the final port configuration information to DS-TT1 / UE1, DS-TT2 / UE2, and NW-TT / UPF by using the PDU session modification process and the N4 update process with respect to PDU session 1 and PDU session 2. The determined final port configuration information also goes through a notification process to be reflected in the TSN AF.

[0121] Figure 17 It is a flowchart of a process in which an SMF according to an embodiment of the present disclosure applies a TSCAI to a 3GPP network through management information to support a TSC from a UE to another UE.

[0122] The CNC server can obtain the configuration information of each port of the 5G network through the TSN AF. Since the configuration information of each port includes the information of the adjacent ports of each port, the CNC server can determine the port through which the flow is to pass between the publisher and the listener as the terminal stations. Since the configuration information of each port includes the scheduling capabilities of each TSN node or TSN bridge, the CNC server can determine the scheduling information of the flow of each port between the publisher and the listener and notify the determined scheduling information. The CNC server delivers the scheduling information of the flow of each port to the 5G network through the TSN AF. The flow scheduling information is delivered from the TSN AF to the SMF through the PCF. When the flow scheduling information is delivered from the TSN AF through the PCF, the flow scheduling information is delivered to things related to a PDU session of one of DS-TT1 / UE1 and DS-TT2 / UE2. For example, the flow scheduling information can be delivered to the PCF and SMF corresponding to the selected PDU session 1 corresponding to DS-TT1 / UE1.

[0123] The SMF converts the burst arrival time 1 (BAT1) corresponding to the TSCAI of DS-TT1 / UE1 into 5G GM reference information based on TSN GM, and delivers the 5G GM reference information to the gNB through the PDU session modification procedure. Meanwhile, the SMF calculates the BAT2 corresponding to the TSCAI of DS-TT2 / UE2. The BAT2 is calculated by adding the uplink PDB of PDU session 1, the local handover delay in the UPF, and the downlink CN-PDB of PDU session 2 to BAT1. The SMF delivers the BAT2 to the gNB through a procedure of only updating RAN parameters during the PDU session modification procedure for PDU session 2. Additionally, the SMF can notify the PCF and the TSN AF through the notification of PDU session 2 that the corresponding scheduling information has been delivered to the gNB.

[0124] Figure 18 It is a flowchart of the process in which the UPF according to an embodiment of the present disclosure applies the TSCAI to the 3GPP network through management information to support the TSC from the UE to another UE.

[0125] The CNC server determines the configuration information of each port of the 5G network through the TSN AF. Since the configuration information of each port includes the information of the adjacent ports of each port, the CNC server can determine the port through which the flow is to pass between the publisher and the listener. Since the configuration information of each port includes the scheduling capabilities of each TSN node or TSN bridge, the CNC server can determine the scheduling information of the flow of each port between the publisher and the listener, and notify the determined scheduling information. The CNC server delivers the flow scheduling information to the 5G network through the TSN AF. The flow scheduling information is delivered from the TSN AF to the SMF through the PCF.

[0126] When the flow scheduling information is delivered from the TSN AF through the PCF, the flow scheduling information is delivered to the entity related to the PDU session of one of DS-TT1 / UE1 and DS-TT2 / UE2. For example, the PDU session corresponding to DS-TT1 / UE1 can be selected, and the flow scheduling information can be delivered to the PCF and the SMF corresponding to the selected PDU session. The SMF updates the UPF again with the flow scheduling information through N4. The UPF maps DS-TT1 / UE1 and DS-TT2 / UE2 in the port-in information and the port-out information, and delivers the mapping information to the SMF through the N4 report. At this time, the UPF can deliver the N4 report corresponding to DS-TT1 / UE1 and the N4 report corresponding to DS-TT2 / UE2 to the SMF separately.

[0127] The SMF converts BAT1 corresponding to the TSCAI of DS-TT1 / UE1 into 5G GM reference information based on TSN GM, and delivers the 5G GM reference information to the gNB through the PDU session modification procedure. At the same time, the SMF calculates BAT2 corresponding to the TSCAI of DS-TT2 / UE2. BAT2 is calculated by adding the uplink PDB of PDU session 1, the local handover delay in the UPF, and the downlink CN-PDB of PDU session 2 to BAT1. The SMF delivers BAT2 to the gNB through a procedure that only updates RAN parameters during the PDU session modification procedure for PDU session 2. Additionally, the SMF can notify the PCF and the TSNAF through the notification of PDU session 2 that the corresponding scheduling information has been delivered to the gNB.

[0128] Figure 19a FIG. is a flowchart of a process in which a TSN AF according to an embodiment of the present disclosure applies a TSCAI to a 3GPP network through management information to support a TSC from a UE to another UE.

[0129] The CNC server determines the configuration information of each port of the 5G network through the TSN AF. Since the configuration information of each port includes information about adjacent ports of each port, the CNC server can determine the port through which the flow is to pass between the publisher and the listener. Since the configuration information of each port includes the scheduling capabilities of each TSN node or TSN bridge, the CNC server can determine the scheduling information of the flow of each port between the publisher and the listener, and notify the determined scheduling information. The CNC server delivers the flow scheduling information to the 5G network through the TSN AF. The flow scheduling information is delivered from the TSNAF to the SMF through the PCF. The TSN AF finds DS-TT1 / UE1 and DS-TT2 / UE2 corresponding to the port input and the port output, and delivers the flow scheduling information to the PCF and the SMF corresponding to each of PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 respectively corresponding to DS-TT1 / UE1 and DS-TT2 / UE2. For each PDU session, the PCF can be different or the same. For each PDU session, the SMF can be different or the same.

[0130] In response to the information of PDU session 1, the SMF converts BAT1 corresponding to the TSCAI of DS-TT1 / UE1 into 5G GM reference information based on the TSN GM, and delivers the 5G GM reference information to the gNB through the PDU session modification procedure. In response to the information of PDU session 2, the SMF calculates BAT2 corresponding to the TSCAI of DS-TT2 / UE2. BAT2 is calculated by adding the uplink PDB of PDU session 1, the local handover delay in the UPF, and the downlink CN-PDB of PDU session 2 to BAT1. The SMF delivers BAT2 to the gNB through a procedure of only updating RAN parameters during the PDU session modification procedure corresponding to PDU session 2.

[0131] Figure 19b It is a flowchart of a process in which a TSN AF manages scheduling information of a new PCF session according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0132] Refer to Figure 19b , the TSN AF can generate the scheduling information of PDU session 2 by adding the DS-TT-UE residence time and the UL PDB to the scheduling information of PDU session 1, and can deliver the generated scheduling information to the SMF. The scheduling information may also include the UPF handover delay.

[0133] The SMF can change the received scheduling information based on the 5GS clock, and can add the CN PDB to the result of the change. Refer to Figure 19b , the conversion (scheduling 2) has been shown. At this time, the TSN AF can change the DS-TT-UE residence time and the UL PDB based on the 5GS GM clock to those based on the TSN GM clock.

[0134] Figure 20a It is a flowchart of a process in which a PCF applies a TSCAI to a 3GPP network through management information to support TSC from a UE to another UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0135] The CNC server determines the configuration information of each port of the 5G network through the TSN AF. Since the configuration information of each port includes the information of the adjacent ports of each port, the CNC server can determine the port through which the flow is to pass between the publisher and the listener. Since the configuration information of each port includes the scheduling capabilities of each TSN node or TSN bridge, the CNC server can determine the scheduling information of the flow for each port between the publisher and the listener and notify the determined scheduling information. The CNC server delivers the flow scheduling information to the 5G network through the TSN AF. The flow scheduling information is delivered from the TSN AF to the SMF through the PCF. When the flow scheduling information is delivered from the TSN AF through the PCF, the flow scheduling information is delivered to the entity related to the PDU session of one of DS-TT1 / UE1 and DS-TT2 / UE2. For example, when the PDU session corresponding to DS-TT1 / UE1 is determined, the flow scheduling information is delivered to the PCF corresponding to the determined PDU session. The PCF finds DS-TT1 / UE1 and DS-TT2 / UE2 corresponding to the port input and the port output and delivers the flow scheduling information to the SMF corresponding to each of PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 respectively corresponding to DS-TT1 / UE1 and DS-TT2 / UE2. At this time, when the PCF cannot directly provide information to the SMF corresponding to PDU session 2, that is, when the SMFs of PDU session 1 and PDU session 2 are different and the PCFs respectively connected to the SMFs are different, the PCF bound to the SMF is searched and the information is delivered to the SMF through the found PCF.

[0136] In response to the information of PDU session 1, the SMF converts BAT1 of the TSCAI corresponding to DS-TT1 / UE1 into 5G GM reference information based on the TSN GM and delivers the 5G GM reference information to the gNB through the PDU session modification process. In response to the information of PDU session 2, the SMF calculates BAT2 of the TSCAI corresponding to DS-TT2 / UE2. BAT2 is calculated by adding the uplink PDB of PDU session 1, the local handover delay in the UPF, and the downlink CN-PDB of PDU session 2 to BAT1. The SMF delivers BAT2 to the gNB through the process of only updating the RAN parameters during the PDU session modification process for PDU session 2.

[0137] Figure 20b is a flowchart of the process of the PCF managing the scheduling information of a new PCF session according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0138] Reference Figure 20b, the PCF can generate the scheduling information for PDU session 2 by adding the DS-TT-UE residence time and UL PDB to the scheduling information of PDU session 1, and can deliver the generated scheduling information to the SMF.

[0139] The SMF can change the received scheduling information based on the 5GS clock and can add the CN PDB to the result of the change. Refer to Figure 20b , which already represents the conversion (Scheduling 2). At this time, the PCF can change the DS-TT-UE residence time and UL PDB based on the 5GS GM clock to those based on the TSN GM clock.

[0140] Figures 10 to 20b The above process is also applicable to the case of achieving time synchronization from a UE to multiple UEs when the TSN GM is on the UE side. For example, to perform time synchronization with respect to multiple UEs, the above process can be applied by increasing the number of PDU sessions up to the number of UEs. Figures 10 to 20b The above process.

[0141] Figures 17 to 20b It is also applicable to the case where the TSN GM is not on the UE side but on the UPF side. Regardless of whether the GM is on the UE side or the UPF side, UE-to-UE information delivery based on flow information is necessary for TSC communication. In other words, the process of delivering the TSCAI between UE1 corresponding to the port input and UE2 corresponding to the port output is necessary.

[0142] In Figures 17 to 20b , the UPF local handover delay can be calculated as 0 in some cases. The BAT1 of the TSCAI is calculated by adding the UE-DS-TT residence of UE1 / DS-TT1 to the result of changing the scheduling information based on the conversion (arrival time at UE1) = conversion (scheduling) = TSN GM clock to the scheduling information based on the 5GS GM clock.

[0143] Refer to Figures 17 to 20b , the residence time within the UPF can be considered and calculated separately. In other words, the value obtained by excluding the UL UPF residence time from the UL PDB of PDU session 1 is used as the UL PDB, the value obtained by excluding the DL UPF residence time from the DLCN-PDB of PDU session 2 is used as the DL CN-PDB, and the UE-to-UE UPF residence time is used instead of the UPF local handover delay, and thus these values can be calculated in the same way as above. At this time, when the SMF does not know Figure 19b and Figure 20bWhen calculating Schedule 2 for the UPF residence time in [context], the TSN AF additionally subtracts the DL UPF residence time of PDU Session 2 from Schedule 2 in advance, and the SMF calculates the BAT2 of the TSCAI by using the existing DLCN-PDB that has not subtracted the DL UPF residence time. The UPF residence time refers to the time period from the time point when a packet enters the UPF to the time point when the packet leaves the UPF.

[0144] Figures 9 to 20b The process of [description] utilizes the PDU session modification process. The information of the UPF is delivered to the TSN AF along the path of UPF-SMF-PCF-TSN AF, and the information of the TSN AF is delivered to the UPF along the path of TSN AF-PCF-SMF-UPF. However, when the UPF is directly connected to the network function (NF) and the control plane, the UPF and the TSN AF can communicate directly with each other, and thus the process of [description] Figures 9 to 20b can be applied.

[0145] Figure 21 is a block diagram of a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0146] Referring to Figure 21 , the UE may include a transceiver 2110, a memory 2120, and a processor 2130. The processor 2130, transceiver 2110, and memory 2120 of the UE may operate according to the above communication method of the UE. However, the components of the UE are not limited thereto. For example, the UE may include more or fewer components than Figure 21 shown. In addition, the processor 2130, transceiver 2110, and memory 2120 may be implemented as a single chip.

[0147] The transceiver 2110, which collectively refers to the receiver of the UE and the transmitter of the UE, may transmit or receive signals with the base station or the network entity. The signals transmitted to and received from the base station may include control information and data. To this end, the transceiver 2110 may include a radio frequency (RF) transmitter that up-converts and amplifies the frequency of the signal to be transmitted, and an RF receiver that low-noise amplifies the received signal and down-converts the frequency of the received signal. However, this is only an embodiment of the transceiver 2110, and the components of the transceiver 2110 are not limited thereto.

[0148] The transceiver 2110 may receive signals and output the signals to the processor 2130 through the wireless channel, and may transmit the signals output by the processor 2130 through the wireless channel.

[0149] The memory 2120 may store data and programs necessary for the operation of the UE. In addition, the memory 2120 may store control information or data included in the signals obtained by the UE. The memory 2120 may include storage media such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard disk, compact disc (CD)-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), etc. or a combination thereof.

[0150] The processor 2130 may control a series of processes according to an embodiment of the present disclosure so that the UE can operate. The processor 2130 may include one or more processors. For example, the processor 2130 may include a communication processor (CP) that performs communication control and an application processor (AP) that controls an upper layer such as an application program.

[0151] Figure 22 is a block diagram of a network entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0152] Reference Figure 22 , the network entity may include a transceiver 2210, a memory 2220, and a processor 2230. The processor 2230, transceiver 2210, and memory 2220 of the network entity may operate according to the above communication method of the network entity. However, the components of the network entity are not limited thereto. For example, the network entity may include more or fewer components than Figure 22 shown. In addition, the processor 2230, transceiver 2210, and memory 2220 may be implemented as a single chip. The network entity may include network functions (NFs) such as access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), policy and charging function (PCF), network exposure function (NEF), unified data management (UDM), and the above user plane function (UPF). Additionally, the network entity may include a base station.

[0153] The transceiver 2210, collectively referred to as the receiver of the network entity and the transmitter of the network entity, may transmit or receive signals to or from the UE or other network entities. The transmitted signals or received signals may include control information and data. To this end, the transceiver 2210 may include an RF transmitter that up-converts and amplifies the frequency of the signal to be transmitted, and an RF receiver that low-noise amplifies the received signal and down-converts the frequency of the received signal. However, this is only an embodiment of the transceiver 2210, and the components of the transceiver 2210 are not limited thereto. The transceiver 2210 may include a wired / wireless transceiver and may include various components for transmitting and receiving signals.

[0154] The transceiver 2210 may receive signals and output the signals to the processor 2230 through a communication channel (e.g., a wireless channel), and may transmit the signals output by the processor 2230 through the communication channel.

[0155] The memory 2220 can store the data and programs necessary for the operation of the network entity. In addition, the memory 2220 can store the control information or data included in the signals obtained by the network entity. The memory 2220 can include storage media such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard disk, compact disc (CD)-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), etc. or a combination thereof.

[0156] The processor 2230 can control a series of processes according to the embodiments of the present disclosure so that the network entity can operate. The processor 2230 can include one or more processors. The method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure as described in the specification or the following claims can be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0157] When implemented as software, a computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs (e.g., software modules) can be provided. The one or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium can be configured to be executed by one or more processors within the electronic device. The one or more programs include instructions for guiding the electronic device to execute the method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure as described in the specification or the appended claims.

[0158] The program (e.g., software module or software) can be stored in non-volatile memory (including RAM or flash memory), ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disk storage device, CD-ROM, DVD, another optical storage device, or magnetic tape. Alternatively, the program can be stored in a memory including a combination of some or all of the foregoing storage media. Multiple such memories can be included.

[0159] In addition, the program can be stored in an attachable storage device accessible through any one or combination of communication networks such as the Internet, intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area LAN (WLAN), and storage area network (SAN). Such a storage device can access the electronic device executing the embodiments of the present disclosure through an external port. In addition, an independent storage device on the communication network can access the electronic device executing the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0160] In the foregoing embodiments of the present disclosure, the elements included in the present disclosure are expressed in singular or plural forms according to the specific embodiments proposed by the present disclosure. However, the selection of the singular expression or the plural expression is for the convenience of description according to the presented situation, and the present disclosure is not limited to a single element or multiple elements thereof. Those elements described in the plural form can also be configured as a single element, and those elements described in the singular form can also be configured as multiple elements.

[0161] Although the present disclosure has been described with various embodiments, those skilled in the art can conceive of various changes and modifications. It is intended that the present disclosure cover such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method performed by a network entity in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving a first announcement message from a first user equipment (UE); in response to receiving the first announcement message, determining at least one port state based on a Best Master Clock Algorithm (BMCA); transmitting a second announcement message to a second UE, wherein the port state of the first UE corresponds to a slave state, and the port state of the second UE corresponds to a master state; receiving a synchronization message from the first UE via a first Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session; and transmitting the synchronization message to the second UE via a second PDU session, wherein the sum of a first dwell time associated with the first UE, a second dwell time associated with the second UE, a first Packet Delay Budget (PDB) of the first PDU session, and a second PDB of the second PDU session is less than or equal to 10 ms.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network entity comprises a User Plane Function (UPF) or a Network-side Time-Sensitive Network Translator (NW-TT).

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the synchronization message comprises a correction field and a rate ratio.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the rate ratio is used to convert a dwell time value in a TSN Grandmaster (GM) time.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the converted dwell time value is used to update the correction field.

6. A network entity in a wireless communication system, the network entity comprising: a transceiver; and at least one processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to: receive a first announcement message from a first user equipment (UE) via the transceiver; in response to receiving the first announcement message, determine at least one port state based on a Best Master Clock Algorithm (BMCA); transmit a second announcement message to a second UE via the transceiver, wherein the port state of the first UE corresponds to a slave state, and the port state of the second UE corresponds to a master state; receive a synchronization message from the first UE via a first Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session; and transmit the synchronization message to the second UE via the transceiver via a second PDU session, wherein the sum of a first dwell time associated with the first UE, a second dwell time associated with the second UE, a first Packet Delay Budget (PDB) of the first PDU session, and a second PDB of the second PDU session is less than or equal to 10 ms.

7. The network entity according to claim 6, wherein the network entity comprises a User Plane Function (UPF) or a Network-side Time-Sensitive Network Translator (NW-TT).

8. The network entity according to claim 6, wherein the synchronization message comprises a correction field and a rate ratio.

9. The network entity according to claim 8, wherein the rate ratio is used to convert a dwell time value in a TSN Grandmaster (GM) time.

10. The network entity according to claim 9, wherein the converted dwell time value is used to update the correction field.

11. A method performed by a first user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: transmitting an announcement message to a network entity wherein the announcement message is associated with at least one port state, the at least one port state is related to the Best Master Clock Algorithm (BMCA), and wherein the port state of the first UE corresponds to the slave state, and the port state of the second UE corresponds to the master state; and receiving a synchronization message from a Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) node; and transmitting the synchronization message to the network entity via a first Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, wherein the synchronization message is transmitted to a second UE via a second PDU session, and wherein the sum of a first dwell time associated with the first UE, a second dwell time associated with the second UE, a first Packet Delay Budget (PDB) of the first PDU session, and a second PDB of the second PDU session is less than or equal to 10 ms.

12. A first User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the first UE comprising: a transceiver; and at least one processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to: transmit an announcement message to a network entity via the transceiver, wherein the announcement message is associated with at least one port state, the at least one port state is related to the Best Master Clock Algorithm (BMCA), and wherein the port state of the first UE corresponds to the slave state, and the port state of the second UE corresponds to the master state; receive a synchronization message from a Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) node via the transceiver; and transmit the synchronization message to the network entity via a first Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session via the transceiver, wherein the synchronization message is transmitted to a second UE via a second PDU session, and wherein the sum of a first dwell time associated with the first UE, a second dwell time associated with the second UE, a first Packet Delay Budget (PDB) of the first PDU session, and a second PDB of the second PDU session is less than or equal to 10 ms.

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