Information Processing Method and Apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide an information processing method and apparatus. The method includes: a first network device obtains a first message, where the first message includes at least one of the following: the TSN master clock number to which a terminal device is connected, and the downlink reference signal measurement result; the first network device sends a second message to a target terminal device, where the second message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide a clock synchronization service for the TSN end station. The first network device can identify the terminal devices connected to the same TSN master clock according to the TSN master clock numbers sent by at least one terminal device, and can determine the terminal device that provides the clock synchronization service for the TSN master clock based on the first message.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of mobile communication technologies, and particularly to an information processing method and apparatus. Background Art

[0002] Currently, a communication technology for the interworking of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network and the Time Sensitive Network (TSN) has been proposed in the communication field. In the scenario of the interworking between the 3GPP core network and the TSN, clock synchronization needs to be achieved between the senders and receivers of many applications. When multiple terminal devices are connected to the same TSN master clock, multiple terminal devices may all initiate Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment requests to the network device to provide clock synchronization services, and one of the terminal devices provides synchronization services for the TSN master clock. However, according to the existing protocol, the network device cannot distinguish whether the multiple terminal devices are connected to the same TSN master clock, and after the terminal device currently providing synchronization services for the TSN master clock leaves the network, the network device cannot find a suitable terminal device to continue to provide synchronization services for the TSN master clock. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of this application provide an information processing method and apparatus, which can determine a terminal device that provides synchronization services for the TSN master clock according to the measurement results of the uplink reference signal and / or the measurement results of the downlink reference signal.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide an information processing method, which includes:

[0005] A first network device obtains a first message, where the first message includes at least one of the following: the TSN master clock number of the clock-sensitive network to which the terminal device is connected, and the measurement results of the downlink reference signal;

[0006] The first network device sends a second message to a target terminal device, where the second message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station.

[0007] In a second aspect, embodiments of this application provide an information processing method, which includes:

[0008] A terminal device sends a first message to a network device, where the first message includes at least one of the following: the TSN master clock number of the clock-sensitive network to which the terminal device is connected, and the measurement results of the downlink reference signal;

[0009] The terminal device receives a second message from a network device, where the second message is used to instruct the terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for a TSN end station.

[0010] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an information processing device, which includes:

[0011] A processing unit, configured to obtain a first message, where the first message includes at least one of the following: the number of the TSN master clock to which the terminal device is connected, the measurement result of the downlink reference signal;

[0012] A transceiver unit, configured to send a second message to a target terminal device, where the second message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for a TSN end station.

[0013] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an information processing device, which includes:

[0014] A transceiver unit, configured to send a first message to a network device, where the first message includes at least one of the following: the number of the TSN master clock to which the terminal device is connected, the measurement result of the downlink reference signal;

[0015] The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second message from the network device, where the second message is used to instruct the terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for a TSN end station.

[0016] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network device, which includes a processor, a memory, a transceiver, and one or more programs. The one or more programs are stored in the memory and are configured to be executed by the processor. The programs include instructions for performing some or all of the steps described in the method according to the first aspect above.

[0017] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a terminal device, which includes a processor, a memory, a transceiver, and one or more programs. The one or more programs are stored in the memory and are configured to be executed by the processor. The programs include instructions for performing some or all of the steps described in the method according to the second aspect above.

[0018] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program for electronic data exchange. The computer program causes a computer to perform some or all of the steps described in the method according to the first aspect above.

[0019] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for electronic data exchange, where the computer program causes a computer to execute some or all of the steps described in the method according to the second aspect above.

[0020] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, where the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, and the computer program is operable to cause a computer to execute some or all of the steps described in the method according to the first aspect of the embodiments of the present application. The computer program product may be a software installation package.

[0021] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, where the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, and the computer program is operable to cause a computer to execute some or all of the steps described in the method according to the second aspect of the embodiments of the present application. The computer program product may be a software installation package.

[0022] It can be seen that in the embodiment of the present application, the first network device obtains a first message, where the first message includes at least one of the following: the TSN master clock number to which the terminal device is connected, the downlink reference signal measurement result; the first network device sends a second message to the target terminal device, where the second message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station. The first network device can identify the terminal devices connected to the same TSN master clock according to the TSN master clock numbers sent by at least one terminal device, and can determine the terminal device providing clock synchronization services for the TSN master clock based on the first message. Description of the Drawings

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a TSN communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of 5G-enabled TSN clock synchronization provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of an information processing method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of an information processing device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of a computer device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0029] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] To better understand the solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following first introduces the relevant terms and concepts that may be involved in the embodiments of the present application.

[0031] 1) A terminal device is a device with wireless communication capabilities. It can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld, wearable or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on the water (such as a ship, etc.); it can also be deployed in the air (such as an airplane, balloon, satellite, etc.). The terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc. The terminal device can also be a handheld device, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a computer device with wireless communication capabilities or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, etc. In different networks, the terminal device may be called different names. For example: terminal device, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile platform, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device, cellular phone, cordless phone, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a terminal device in a 5G network or a future evolved network, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not make any limitations in this regard.

[0032] 2) A network device is a device deployed in a radio access network to provide wireless communication functions. For example, the network device can be a radio access network (RAN) device on the access network side in a cellular network. The so-called RAN device is a device that connects a terminal device to a wireless network, including but not limited to: evolved Node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), Node B (NB), Base Station Controller (BSC), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), home base station (e.g., Home evolved Node B, or Home Node B, HNB), Base Band Unit (BBU), Mobility Management Entity (MME), mobile switching center, etc.; for another example, the network device can also be a node device in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), such as an Access Controller (AC), gateway, or WIFI Access Point (AP); for another example, the network device can also be a Transmitting and Receiving Point (TRP), Transmitting Point (TP), etc. in an NR system. The network device can also be a wireless controller, Centralized Unit (CU), and / or Distributed Unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or the network device can be a relay station, access point, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, and network devices in future 5G networks or network devices in future evolved PLMN networks, etc. The terminal can communicate with multiple access network devices of different technologies. For example, the terminal can communicate with the access network device of an LTE network, can also communicate with the access network device supporting a 5G network, and can also support dual connection with the access network device of an LTE network and the access network device of a 5G network. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0033] 3) TSN: It can make Ethernet have real-time performance and determinism, ensure the reliability of data transmission for latency-sensitive services, and predict the end-to-end transmission latency. TSN overcomes the drawbacks of traditional Ethernet that cannot provide high reliability and ensure latency transmission, and can meet the requirements of fields such as automotive control and industrial Internet. TSN includes switching nodes (bridges) and data terminals. Switching nodes can forward packets through the forwarding rules configured or created by them, and data terminals can be divided into senders (talkers) and receivers (listeners). To achieve end-to-end deterministic transmission, based on the network architecture of the 5G system, a control plane with TSN adaptation function is added to the Application Function (AF) network element, and a user plane with TSN adaptation function is added to the User Plane Function (UPF) network element and User Equipment (UE). These three, together with the 5G system, form a logical switching node (logical bridge), that is, a virtual switching node, which serves as the switching node in TSN.

[0034] 4) PDU session establishment: PDU session establishment is used to establish a user plane connection between the terminal device and the 5G network to transfer user data. The initiator of the PDU session establishment process can be the terminal device or the network device. If it is triggered by the network device, the network device will send a Device Trigger Request (DTR) to the terminal device to instruct the application of the terminal device to initiate a PDU session establishment request. Ultimately, it is the terminal device that initiates the PDU session establishment request.

[0035] Part 1, the communication system architecture and background of the technical solution disclosed in this application are introduced as follows.

[0036] Exemplarily, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 which shows a schematic diagram of the architecture of a TSN communication system provided by an embodiment of this application. This TSN communication system includes TSN and the 5G system.

[0037] Among them, the 5G system includes at least one terminal device, a first network device, and a second network device. The first network device may be a 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) device, and the second network device may be a core network element, which may include the following network elements: UPF responsible for processing user packets (such as forwarding, charging, lawful interception, etc.), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) responsible for mobility management and connected to the terminal device and the RAN, Session Management Function (SMF) responsible for session management and connected to the AMF and the UPF, Policy Control Function (PCF) responsible for policy control and connected to the SMF, Unified Data Management (UDM) for unified management of service data, and AF for providing service data.

[0038] Among them, TSN may include an End Station (ES) and a Centralized Network Controller (CNC), and the CNC is used for unified management of services in the entire TSN communication system. As Figure 1 shown, the terminal device in the 5G system is connected to one or more TSN End Stations (ESs) in the TSN Data Network (DN) outside the 5G system through a Device Side TSN Translator (DS-TT). The UPF is connected to one or more ESs in the TSN DN through a Network TSN Translator (NW-TT). Among them, both the DS-TT and the NW-TT can provide ports for data transmission.

[0039] It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are not limited to Figure 1 the system architecture shown. For example, a communication system to which the information processing method of the embodiments of the present application can be applied may include more or fewer network elements or devices. Figure 1 The devices or network elements in Figure 1 can be hardware, software functionally divided, or a combination of the two.

[0040] Currently, each Time Sentive Communication (TSC) service in the TSN communication system requires one port provided by DS-TT and one port provided by NW-TT to participate in the data transmission of the TSC service. Before executing the TSC service, the two ports participating in the data transmission (i.e., the port provided by DS-TT and the port provided by NW-TT) must achieve precise time synchronization with the clock of the 5G system. On the basis of completing the synchronization, the TSC service conducts data communication strictly according to the specified time; this time refers to the time in the TSN Domain. The terminal device needs to perform strict clock synchronization with the network. For example, as Figure 2 shown Figure 2Schematic diagram of 5G-enabled TSN clock synchronization provided by embodiments of this application. When a TSN end station is connected to a UPF, a PDU session is established between a terminal device UE1, a gNB, and a core network element. The TSN master clock sends a high-precision clock synchronization protocol (generic Precision Time Protocol, gPTP) to UE1 after a delay t_1, and the clock information is set to T_gm. After the gPTP arrives, UE1 records the gPTP arrival time T_i using the 5G internal clock. Then, the gPTP message is sent to the gNB via the uplink air interface. The gNB transparently transmits the gPTP to the UPF. After receiving the gPTP message, the UPF sends it to the TSN end station after a delay t_2, and records the time when the gPTP leaves the 5G system as T_e using the 5G internal clock. Therefore, the clock of the TSN end station is updated to T_gm + t_1 + t_2 + T_e - T_i. When the TSN end station is connected to a terminal device, a PDU session is established between the terminal device UE1, the gNB, and the core network element. The TSN master clock sends the gPTP to UE1 after a delay t_1, and the clock information is set to T_gm. After the gPTP arrives, UE1 records the gPTP arrival time T_i using the 5G internal clock. Then, the gPTP message is sent to the gNB via the uplink air interface. The gNB transparently transmits the gPTP to UE2. After receiving the gPTP message, UE2 sends it to the TSN end station after a delay t_2, and records the time when the gPTP leaves the 5G system as T_e using the 5G internal clock. Therefore, the clock of the TSN end station is updated to T_gm + t_1 + t_2 + T_e - T_i. Thus, when multiple terminal devices are connected to the same TSN master clock, multiple terminal devices may all initiate PDU session establishment requests to network devices to provide clock synchronization services, and one of the terminal devices provides synchronization services for the TSN master clock. However, according to existing protocols, network devices cannot distinguish whether these multiple terminal devices are connected to the same TSN master clock, and after the terminal device currently providing synchronization services for the TSN master clock disconnects from the network, network devices cannot find a suitable terminal device to continue providing synchronization services for the TSN master clock.

[0041] In view of the above problems, this application proposes an information processing method and apparatus. A first network device obtains a first message, where the first message includes at least one of the following: the TSN master clock number to which a terminal device is connected, and a downlink reference signal measurement result. The first network device sends a second message to a target terminal device, where the second message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for a TSN end station. The first network device can identify terminal devices connected to the same TSN master clock based on the TSN master clock numbers sent by at least one terminal device, and can determine the terminal device providing clock synchronization services for the TSN master clock based on the first message.

[0042] In the second part, the scope of protection of the claims disclosed in the embodiments of the present application is introduced as follows.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 which is a schematic flowchart of an information processing method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This method can be applied to a communication system as shown in Figure 1 and, as shown in Figure 3 , the method includes the following steps:

[0044] S310. The terminal device sends a first message to the first network device. The first message includes at least one of the following: the TSN master clock number to which the terminal device is connected, and the downlink reference signal measurement result.

[0045] Among them, the first message can be a Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, a MAC Control Element (MAC CE) signaling, or a broadcast message. The RRC signaling can include, but is not limited to, any one of an RRCRelease message, an RRC connection reconfiguration message, an RRC connection reestablishment message, an RRC connection setup message, an RRC connection resume message, or other RRC messages.

[0046] Further, the downlink reference signal measurement result may be a downlink reference signal measurement result obtained by the terminal device based on the downlink reference information sent by the network device corresponding to the current serving cell or the network device corresponding to an adjacent cell. The downlink reference signal may be a synchronization signal block (SSB) broadcast by the network device and / or channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS). The downlink reference signal measurement result may include at least one of the following: cell reference signal received power (RSRP), cell reference signal received quality (RSRQ), cell signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), cell received signal strength indicator (RSSI), SSB RSRP, SSB RSRQ, SSB SINR, SSB RSSI, CSI-RS RSRP, CSI-RS RSPQ, CSI-RS SINR, and CSI-RS RSSI.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device sends the TSN master clock number it is connected to the first network device, so that the first network device and / or the second network device can identify whether multiple terminal devices in the communication system are connected to the same TSN master clock.

[0048] Wherein, the first message is used to determine the target terminal device that provides clock synchronization service for the TSN master clock, and the at least one terminal device includes the target terminal device.

[0049] When multiple terminal devices are connected to the same TSN master clock, one of the terminal devices provides clock synchronization service for the TSN master clock. When the terminal device providing clock synchronization service for the TSN master clock goes offline or a terminal device accesses the network, multiple terminal devices may send a first message to the first network device to help the first network device or the second network device select a suitable terminal device to provide clock synchronization service for the TSN master clock.

[0050] S320. The first network device obtains the first message.

[0051] In a possible embodiment, the first network device determines the target terminal device based on the first message.

[0052] In the embodiment of the present application, within the coverage area of the first network device, the first network device can be connected to at least one terminal device, and the at least one terminal device can be connected to the same TSN master clock or different TSN master clocks. Therefore, the first network device can obtain the first messages of at least one terminal device, distinguish whether the at least one terminal device is connected to the same TSN master clock according to the first messages, and when the first messages include downlink reference signal measurement results, select the terminal device with the best downlink reference signal measurement result from the at least one terminal device connected to the same TSN master clock, or one of the multiple terminal devices whose downlink reference signal measurement results are higher than a given threshold as the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN master clock.

[0053] Specifically, the first network device distinguishes the terminal devices connected to the same TSN master clock from at least one terminal device according to the TSN master clock numbers connected by the terminal devices, and then uses the terminal device corresponding to the best radio signal quality in the downlink reference signal measurement results of the terminal devices connected to the same TSN master clock, or one of the multiple terminal devices whose downlink reference signal measurement results are higher than a given threshold as the terminal device providing clock synchronization services for the TSN master clock. For example, the first message sent by terminal device 1 includes: the number 0 of the connected TSN master clock, and the current serving cell CSI-RS RSRP measurement result of -85 dBm. The first message sent by terminal device 2 includes: the number 0 of the connected TSN master clock, and the current serving cell CSI-RS RSRP measurement result of -70 dBm. Since the CSI-RS RSRP measurement result of terminal device 2 is greater than that of terminal device 1, the first network device selects terminal device 2 as the terminal device providing clock synchronization services for the TSN master clock.

[0054] In a possible embodiment, the method further includes: the terminal device sends an uplink reference signal to the first network device. Correspondingly, the first network device receives the uplink reference signals from at least one terminal device.

[0055] Specifically, the first network device sends different uplink reference signal configuration information to at least one terminal device respectively. After each terminal device receives the corresponding uplink reference signal configuration information, it sends an uplink reference signal to the first network device respectively. Among them, the uplink reference signal configuration information may include an uplink reference signal resource set, an uplink reference signal transmission period, and spatial relationship information used, etc. Further, the uplink reference signal configuration information may also include the transmission activation information of the uplink reference signal. In some examples, the transmission activation information of the uplink reference signal may also be sent to the terminal device through a separate signaling. After receiving the uplink reference signal configuration information, the terminal device may periodically send an uplink reference signal to the first network device according to the uplink reference signal transmission period. The first network device that receives the uplink reference signal measures the uplink reference signals sent by each terminal device respectively, and obtains the uplink reference signal measurement results of each terminal device and the first network device.

[0056] Among them, the above uplink reference signal may be a sounding reference signal (SRS). The above uplink reference signal measurement results may include at least one of the following: RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, RSSI, SRS RSRP, SRS RSRQ, SRS SINR, SRS RSSI.

[0057] In some examples, when only the TSN master clock number connected by the terminal device is included in the first message, the terminal device may also send the measured downlink reference signal measurement results to the first network device to help the first network device determine the target terminal device.

[0058] In other examples, when only the TSN master clock number connected by the terminal device is included in the first message, and after the terminal device receives the uplink reference signal configuration information sent by the first network device, the terminal device may send an uplink reference signal to the first network device. The first network device that receives the uplink reference signal measures respectively and obtains the uplink reference signal measurement results of each terminal device and the first network device.

[0059] In other examples, when only the TSN master clock number connected by the terminal device is included in the first message, the terminal device may send the downlink reference signal measurement results to the first network device. After the terminal device receives the uplink reference signal configuration information sent by the first network device, the terminal device may also send an uplink reference signal to the first network device. The first network device that receives the uplink reference signal measures respectively and obtains the uplink reference signal measurement results of each terminal device and the first network device.

[0060] In a possible embodiment, the first network device determines the target terminal device according to the first message, including: the first network device determines the target terminal device based on the TSN master clock number and the first measurement result, where the first measurement result includes at least one of a measurement result based on an uplink reference signal and the downlink reference signal measurement result, and the measurement result of the uplink reference signal is obtained by measuring the uplink reference signal.

[0061] Wherein, the first message includes the TSN master clock number connected by the terminal device and the downlink reference signal measurement result; alternatively, the first message only includes the TSN master clock number connected by the terminal device. When the terminal device sends the downlink reference signal measurement result to the first network device, the first network device can determine the target terminal device according to the TSN master clock number and the downlink reference signal measurement result.

[0062] Specifically, the first network device differentiates the terminal devices connected to the same TSN master clock from at least one terminal device according to the TSN master clock number connected by the terminal device, and then selects the terminal device corresponding to the best radio signal quality among the downlink reference signal measurement results of the terminal devices connected to the same TSN master clock, or one of the multiple terminal devices whose downlink reference signal measurement result is higher than a given threshold as the target terminal device. For example, the first message sent by terminal device 1 includes: the number 0 of the connected TSN master clock, and the current serving cell CSI-RS RSRP measurement result -85dBm is carried in the downlink reference signal measurement result; the first message sent by terminal device 2 includes: the number 0 of the connected TSN master clock, and the current serving cell CSI-RS RSRP measurement result -70dBm is carried in the downlink reference signal measurement result. Since the CSI-RS RSRP measurement result of terminal device 2 is greater than that of terminal device 1, the first network device selects terminal device 2 as the terminal device providing clock synchronization service for this TSN master clock.

[0063] Wherein, the first message only includes the TSN master clock number connected by the terminal device. When the first network device receives the uplink reference signal, the first network device can measure the received uplink reference signal to obtain the measurement result of the uplink reference signal. The first network device determines the target terminal device according to the TSN master clock number and the measurement result of the uplink reference signal.

[0064] Specifically, the first network device differentiates the terminal devices connected to the same TSN master clock from at least one terminal device according to the TSN master clock number connected by the terminal device, and then selects, as the target terminal device, the terminal device corresponding to the best wireless signal quality among the uplink reference signal measurement results of the terminal devices connected to the same TSN master clock, or one of the multiple terminal devices whose downlink reference signal measurement results are higher than a given threshold. For example, the first message sent by terminal device 1 includes the number 0 of the TSN master clock it is connected to, and the first message sent by terminal device 2 includes the number 0 of the TSN master clock it is connected to. The first network device configures different SRS configuration information for terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 respectively. After receiving the SRS configuration information, terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 send SRSs to the first network device respectively. The first network device measures the SRSs received from terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 respectively, and obtains the SRS RSRP measurement result of terminal device 1 as -85 dBm and the SRS RSRP measurement result of terminal device 2 as -70 dBm. Since the CSI-RS RSRP measurement result of terminal device 2 is greater than that of terminal device 1, the first network device selects terminal device 2 as the terminal device providing clock synchronization service for this TSN master clock.

[0065] Among them, the first message includes the TSN master clock number connected by the terminal device and the downlink reference signal measurement result, and the first network device receives the uplink reference signal; or, the first message only includes the TSN master clock number connected by the terminal device. When the first network device receives the downlink reference signal measurement result and the uplink reference signal, the first network device measures the received uplink reference signal to obtain the uplink reference signal measurement result. The first network device determines the target terminal device according to the TSN master clock number, the uplink reference signal measurement result, and the downlink reference signal measurement result.

[0066] Specifically, the first network device distinguishes the terminal devices connected to the same TSN master clock from at least one terminal device according to the TSN master clock number to which the terminal device is connected, and then uses the terminal device corresponding to the best radio signal quality in the uplink reference signal measurement result and the downlink reference signal measurement result of the terminal devices connected to the same TSN master clock, or one of the multiple terminal devices whose downlink reference signal measurement result is higher than a given threshold as the target terminal device. For example, the first message sent by terminal device 1 includes the number 0 of the TSN master clock to which it is connected, and the first message sent by terminal device 2 includes the number 0 of the TSN master clock to which it is connected. The first network device configures different SRS configuration information for terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 respectively. After receiving the SRS configuration information, terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 respectively send the downlink reference signal measurement result and SRS to the first network device. Among them, the current serving cell CSI-RS RSRP measurement result of terminal device 1 is -85 dBm, and the current serving cell CSI-RS RSRP measurement result of terminal device 2 is -70 dBm. The first network device measures the SRS received from terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 respectively, and obtains the SRS RSRP measurement result of terminal device 1 as -80 dBm and the SRS RSRP measurement result of terminal device 2 as -75 dBm. Since the CSI-RS RSRP measurement result of terminal device 2 is greater than that of terminal device 1, and the SRS RSRP measurement result of terminal device 2 is greater than that of terminal device 1, the first network device selects terminal device 2 as the terminal device that provides clock synchronization service for this TSN master clock.

[0067] S330. The first network device sends a second message to the terminal device, and the second message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization service for the TSN end station.

[0068] Among them, the second message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization service for the TSN end station, including:

[0069] Instructing the target terminal device to request to establish a protocol data unit (PDU) session with the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path.

[0070] In an embodiment of the present application, when the TSN end station is connected to the terminal device, after the first network device determines the target terminal device based on the uplink reference signal measurement results and / or downlink reference signal measurement results of multiple terminals connected to the same TSN master clock, the first network device may send a second message to the target terminal device. The second message may include the terminal identification number of the target terminal device, the TSN master clock number to which the target terminal device is connected, and a device trigger request, to indicate or allow the application of the target terminal device to initiate a PDU session establishment request related to the TSN master clock synchronization service to the TSN end station and / or the 5G network element on the path, establish the corresponding PDU session, so that the target terminal device provides the clock synchronization service for the TSN master clock.

[0071] S340. The terminal device receives the second message from the first network device.

[0072] In a possible embodiment, the method further includes: the first network device sends the downlink reference signal measurement results to the second network device, where the downlink reference signal measurement results are used to instruct the second network device to determine the target terminal device, and the downlink reference signal measurement results include at least one of the following: the TSN master clock number, the first measurement result, and the identification number of the terminal device; the first network device receives a fourth message from the second network device, and the fourth message is used to indicate that the target terminal device provides the clock synchronization service for the TSN end station.

[0073] In an embodiment of the present application, when the TSN end station is connected to the UPF, the first network device transparently transmits the first message sent by the terminal device to the second network device. The first message includes the TSN master clock number to which the terminal device is connected and the downlink reference signal measurement results; or, the first message includes the TSN master clock number to which the terminal device is connected. When the first network device receives the downlink reference signal measurement results sent by the terminal device, the first network device sends the terminal device identification number, the connected TSN master clock number, and the downlink reference signal measurement results of the terminal device to the second network device. The second network device uses the terminal device corresponding to the best wireless signal quality in the downlink reference signal measurement results, or one of the multiple terminal devices whose downlink reference signal measurement results are higher than a given threshold as the target terminal device.

[0074] The TSN master clock number to which the terminal device is connected is included in the first message. When the first network device receives the uplink reference signal, measures the uplink reference signal, and obtains the uplink reference signal measurement result, the first network device sends the terminal device identification number of the terminal device, the connected TSN master clock number, and the uplink reference signal measurement result to the second network device. The second network device uses the terminal device corresponding to the best wireless signal quality in the uplink reference signal measurement result, or one of multiple terminal devices whose downlink reference signal measurement result is higher than a given threshold as the target terminal device.

[0075] The TSN master clock number to which the terminal device is connected and the downlink reference signal measurement result are included in the first message. When the first network device receives the uplink reference signal, measures the uplink reference signal, and obtains the uplink reference signal measurement result; or when the TSN master clock number to which the terminal device is connected is included in the first message, when the first network device receives the downlink reference signal measurement result and the uplink reference signal, measures the uplink reference signal, and obtains the uplink reference signal measurement result, when the first network device sends the terminal device identification number of the terminal device, the connected TSN master clock number, the downlink reference signal measurement result, and the uplink reference signal measurement result to the second network device, the second network device uses the terminal device corresponding to the best wireless signal quality in the uplink reference signal measurement result and the downlink reference signal measurement result, or one of multiple terminal devices whose downlink reference signal measurement result is higher than a given threshold as the target terminal device.

[0076] Further, after the second network device determines the target terminal device, the second network device sends a fourth message to the first network device, and then the first network device transparently forwards the fourth message to the target terminal device to instruct or allow the application of the target terminal device to initiate a PDU session establishment request related to the TSN master clock synchronization service to the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path, and establish the corresponding PDU session, so that the target terminal device provides the clock synchronization service for the TSN master clock.

[0077] In a possible embodiment, the method further includes: the first network device sends a fifth message to the terminal device that currently provides the clock synchronization service for the TSN end station, where the fifth message is used to instruct the terminal device that provides the clock synchronization service for the TSN end station not to provide the clock synchronization service for the TSN end station.

[0078] Wherein, the fifth message is used to instruct the terminal device that provides the clock synchronization service for the TSN end station not to provide the clock synchronization service for the TSN end station, including:

[0079] Instruct the terminal device that provides clock synchronization services for the TSN end station to request the release of the PDU session with the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path.

[0080] Specifically, when the uplink reference signal measurement result and / or downlink reference signal measurement result of the second terminal device are worse than those of other terminal devices, the first network device may send a signaling to the terminal device that currently provides clock synchronization services for the TSN end station, instructing the terminal device that currently provides clock synchronization services for the TSN end station to request the release of the PDU session with the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path, and instructing a suitable terminal device to initiate a PDU session establishment request related to the TSN master clock clock synchronization service to the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path. Correspondingly, when the terminal device that currently provides clock synchronization services for the TSN end station receives the fifth message from the first network device, it releases the PDU session with the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path.

[0081] For example, assume that terminal device 1 is the terminal device that currently provides clock synchronization services for the TSN master clock, and the uplink reference signal measurement result and / or downlink reference signal measurement result of terminal device 1 are worse than the uplink reference signal measurement result and / or downlink reference signal measurement result of terminal device 2. Then the first network device takes terminal device 2 as the first network device. The first network device sends a signaling to terminal device 1, instructing terminal device 1 to release the relevant PDU session with the TSN master clock, and sends a second message to terminal device 2, instructing terminal device 2 to initiate a PDU session establishment request related to the TSN master clock clock synchronization service to the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path.

[0082] It can be seen that in the embodiment of the present application, the first network device obtains a first message, where the first message includes at least one of the following: the TSN master clock number to which the terminal device is connected, the downlink reference signal measurement result; the first network device sends a second message to the target terminal device, where the second message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station. The first network device can identify the terminal devices connected to the same TSN master clock according to the TSN master clock numbers sent by at least one terminal device, and can determine the terminal device that provides clock synchronization services for the TSN master clock based on this first message.

[0083] Next, in combination with Figure 4 , the information processing device according to the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail.

[0084] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4An information processing device 400 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The device 400 may be a terminal device, and the device 400 may be a first network device. The device 400 includes: a processing unit 410 and a transceiver unit 420.

[0085] In a possible implementation manner, the device 400 is used to execute each process and step corresponding to the first network device in the above information processing method.

[0086] The processing unit 410 is used to obtain a first message, where the first message includes at least one of the following: the TSN master clock number to which the terminal device is connected, the downlink reference signal measurement result.

[0087] The transceiver unit 420 is used to send a second message to a target terminal device, where the second message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station.

[0088] Optionally, the second message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station, including:

[0089] Instructing the target terminal device to request to establish a protocol data unit (PDU) session with the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path.

[0090] Optionally, the processing unit 410 is further used to:

[0091] The first network device determines the target terminal device according to the first message.

[0092] Optionally, the processing unit is further used to: obtain an uplink reference signal.

[0093] In terms of the first network device determining the target terminal device according to the first message, the processing unit is specifically used to: determine the target terminal device according to the TSN master clock number and the first measurement result, where the first measurement result includes at least one of the following: the measurement result based on the uplink reference signal, the downlink reference signal measurement result, where the measurement result based on the uplink reference signal is measured by the first network device based on the uplink reference signal.

[0094] Optionally, the transceiver unit 420 is further used to:

[0095] Send the downlink reference signal measurement result to a second network device, where the downlink reference signal measurement result is used to instruct the second network device to determine the target terminal device, and the downlink reference signal measurement result includes at least one of the following: the TSN master clock number, the first measurement result, the identification number of the terminal device.

[0096] Receive a fourth message from the second network device, where the fourth message is used to indicate that the target terminal device provides clock synchronization service for the TSN end station.

[0097] Optionally, the transceiver unit 420 is further configured to:

[0098] Send a fifth message to the terminal device that currently provides clock synchronization service for the TSN end station, where the fifth message is used to indicate that the terminal device that provides clock synchronization service for the TSN end station does not provide clock synchronization service for the TSN end station.

[0099] Optionally, the fifth message is used to indicate that the terminal device that provides clock synchronization service for the TSN end station does not provide clock synchronization service for the TSN end station, including:

[0100] Indicate that the terminal device that provides clock synchronization service for the TSN end station requests to release the PDU session with the TSN end station and / or the 5G network element on the path.

[0101] In another possible implementation, the apparatus 400 is configured to execute each process and step corresponding to the terminal device in the above position determination method.

[0102] The transceiver unit 420 is configured to send a first message to the network device, where the first message includes at least one of the following: the TSN master clock number to which the terminal device is connected, the downlink reference signal measurement result;

[0103] The transceiver unit 420 is further configured to receive a second message from the network device, where the second message is used to indicate that the terminal device provides clock synchronization service for the TSN end station.

[0104] Optionally, the second message is used to indicate that the terminal device provides clock synchronization service for the TSN end station, including:

[0105] Indicate that the terminal device requests to establish a protocol data unit (PDU) session with the TSN end station and / or the 5G network element on the path.

[0106] Optionally, the transceiver unit 420 is further configured to: send an uplink reference signal to the network device.

[0107] It should be understood that the device 400 here is embodied in the form of functional units. The term "unit" here may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor for executing one or more software or firmware programs (such as a shared processor, a proprietary processor or a group of processors, etc.) and a memory, a combined logic circuit and / or other suitable components that support the described functions. In an alternative example, those skilled in the art can understand that the device 400 may specifically be the terminal device or the first network device in the above embodiments. The device 400 may be used to execute each process and / or step corresponding to the terminal device and the first network device in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here.

[0108] The device 400 of each of the above solutions has the function of implementing the corresponding steps executed by the terminal device and the first network device in the above method; the function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions; for example, the processing unit can be replaced by a processor, and the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter and a receiver, respectively executing the transceiver operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0109] In the embodiments of the present application, Figure 4 the device 400 in may also be a chip or a chip system, for example: a system on chip (SoC). Correspondingly, the transceiver unit may be the transceiver circuit of the chip, which is not limited here.

[0110] Figure 5 FIG. shows a computer device 500 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The computer device 500 includes a processor 510, a memory 520, a transceiver 530, and one or more programs. Among them, the above one or more programs are stored in the above memory 520 and are configured to be executed by the above processor 510.

[0111] In a possible implementation manner, the computer device is a first network device, and the above program includes instructions for executing the following steps:

[0112] Obtain a first message, where the first message includes at least one of the following: the clock-sensitive network TSN master clock number to which the terminal device is connected, the downlink reference signal measurement result;

[0113] Send a second message to a target terminal device, where the second message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station.

[0114] Optionally, in terms of the second message being used to indicate that the target terminal device provides clock synchronization services for the TSN end station, the program includes instructions for further performing the following steps:

[0115] Instruct the target terminal device to request to establish a protocol data unit (PDU) session with the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path.

[0116] Optionally, the program includes instructions for further performing the following steps: determining the target terminal device according to the first message.

[0117] Optionally, the program includes instructions for further performing the following steps: obtaining an uplink reference signal;

[0118] In terms of the first network device determining the target terminal device according to the first message, the program includes instructions for further performing the following steps: determining the target terminal device according to the TSN master clock number and the first measurement result, where the first measurement result includes at least one of the following: the measurement result based on the uplink reference signal, the downlink reference signal measurement result, and the measurement result based on the uplink reference signal is measured by the first network device based on the uplink reference signal.

[0119] Optionally, the program includes instructions for further performing the following steps: sending the downlink reference signal measurement result to a second network device, where the downlink reference signal measurement result is used to instruct the second network device to determine the target terminal device, and the downlink reference signal measurement result includes at least one of the following: the TSN master clock number, the first measurement result, and the identification number of the terminal device;

[0120] Receive a fourth message from the second network device, where the fourth message is used to indicate that the target terminal device provides clock synchronization services for the TSN end station.

[0121] Optionally, the program includes instructions for further performing the following steps: sending a fifth message to the terminal device that currently provides clock synchronization services for the TSN end station, where the fifth message is used to instruct the terminal device that provides clock synchronization services for the TSN end station not to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station.

[0122] Optionally, in terms of the fifth message being used to indicate that the terminal device that provides clock synchronization services for the TSN end station does not provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station, the program includes instructions for further performing the following steps:

[0123] Instruct the terminal device that provides clock synchronization services for the TSN end station to request to release the PDU session with the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path.

[0124] In another possible implementation, the computer device is a terminal device, and the above program includes instructions for performing the following steps:

[0125] Send a first message to a first network device, where the first message includes at least one of the following: the number of the Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) master clock to which the terminal device is connected, and the measurement result of the downlink reference signal;

[0126] Receive a second message from the first network device, where the second message is used to instruct the terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station.

[0127] Optionally, in terms of the second message being used to instruct the terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station, the program further includes instructions for performing the following steps:

[0128] Instruct the terminal device to request to establish a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session with the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path.

[0129] Optionally, the program further includes instructions for performing the following step: send an uplink reference signal to the first network device.

[0130] It should be understood that the memory 520 may include a read-only memory and a random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor. A part of the memory may further include a non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory may also store information about the device type.

[0131] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the processor 510 of the above device may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), and the processor 510 may also be other general-purpose processors, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0132] In the implementation process, the steps of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor or the instructions in the form of software. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by the hardware processor, or executed by the combination of the hardware and software units in the processor. The software units can be located in mature storage media in the art such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. This storage media is located in the memory, and the processor executes the instructions in the memory and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0133] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program for electronic data exchange, and the computer program enables the computer to execute some or all of the steps described in the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0134] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, wherein the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, and the computer program is operable to enable the computer to execute some or all of the steps described in the terminal device in the above method. This computer program product can be a software installation package.

[0135] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0136] Those of ordinary skill in the art can realize that, in combination with the method steps and units described in the embodiments disclosed in this article, they can be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of the two. To clearly illustrate the interchangeability of hardware and software, the steps and components of each embodiment have been generally described according to functions in the above description. Whether these functions are executed in a hardware or software manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those of ordinary skill in the art 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.

[0137] 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 foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0138] In several embodiments provided in this 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 merely illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection to each other can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices, or units, and can also be in the form of electrical, mechanical, or other connections.

[0139] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated. The components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place or distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiments of this application.

[0140] In addition, each functional unit in various embodiments of this application can be integrated in a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically alone, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The above-mentioned integrated units can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0141] If the above-mentioned integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of this technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in various embodiments of this application. The foregoing storage medium includes: various media such as USB flash drives, mobile hard disks, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical discs that can store program codes.

[0142] The above is only the specific implementation manner of this application, but the protection scope of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application can easily think of various equivalent modifications or substitutions, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An information processing method, characterized in that, the method includes: A first network device obtains a first message, where the first message includes: the clock-sensitive network TSN master clock number to which the terminal device is connected, and the downlink reference signal measurement result; The first network device sends a second message to a target terminal device, where the second message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the second message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station, including: instructing the target terminal device to request to establish a protocol data unit PDU session with the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the method further includes: The first network device determines the target terminal device according to the first message.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, the method further includes: The first network device obtains an uplink reference signal; The first network device determines the target terminal device according to the first message, including: The first network device determines the target terminal device according to the TSN master clock number and the first measurement result, where the first measurement result includes at least one of the following: the measurement result based on the uplink reference signal, the downlink reference signal measurement result, where the measurement result based on the uplink reference signal is measured by the first network device based on the uplink reference signal.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, the method further includes: The first network device sends the downlink reference signal measurement result to a second network device, where the downlink reference signal measurement result is used to instruct the second network device to determine the target terminal device, and the downlink reference signal measurement result includes at least one of the following: the TSN master clock number, the first measurement result, the identification number of the terminal device; The first network device receives a fourth message from the second network device, and the fourth message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the method further includes: The first network device sends a fifth message to a terminal device that currently provides clock synchronization services for the TSN end station, where the fifth message is used to instruct the terminal device that provides clock synchronization services for the TSN end station not to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, the fifth message is used to instruct the terminal device that provides clock synchronization services for the TSN end station not to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station, including: instructing the terminal device that provides clock synchronization services for the TSN end station to request to release the PDU session with the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path.

8. An information processing method, characterized in that, the method includes: The terminal device sends a first message to a first network device, where the first message includes: the number of the Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) master clock to which the terminal device is connected and the measurement result of the downlink reference signal. The terminal device receives a second message from the first network device, where the second message is used to instruct the terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for a TSN end station.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, the second message being used to instruct the terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for a TSN end station includes: instructing the terminal device to request to establish a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session with the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, the method further includes: the terminal device sending an uplink reference signal to the first network device.

11. An information processing device, wherein, the device includes: a processing unit configured to obtain a first message, where the first message includes: the number of the TSN master clock to which the terminal device is connected and the measurement result of the downlink reference signal; a transceiver unit configured to send a second message to a target terminal device, where the second message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for a TSN end station.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein, the second message being used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for a TSN end station includes: instructing the target terminal device to request to establish a PDU session with the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path.

13. The device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, the processing unit is further configured to: determine the target terminal device according to the first message.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein, the processing unit is further configured to: obtain an uplink reference signal; in terms of determining the target terminal device according to the first message, the processing unit specifically is configured to: determine the target terminal device according to the TSN master clock number and a first measurement result, where the first measurement result includes at least one of the following: the measurement result based on the uplink reference signal, the measurement result of the downlink reference signal, and the measurement result based on the uplink reference signal is measured by the first network device based on the uplink reference signal.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein, the transceiver unit is further configured to: send the measurement result of the downlink reference signal to a second network device, where the measurement result of the downlink reference signal is used to instruct the second network device to determine the target terminal device, and the measurement result of the downlink reference signal includes at least one of the following: the TSN master clock number, the first measurement result, and the identification number of the terminal device; receive a fourth message from the second network device, where the fourth message is used to instruct the target terminal device to provide clock synchronization services for the TSN end station.

16. The device according to claim 11, wherein, the transceiver unit is further configured to: Send a fifth message to the terminal device that currently provides clock synchronization services to the TSN end station, where the fifth message is used to indicate that the terminal device providing clock synchronization services to the TSN end station no longer provides clock synchronization services to the TSN end station.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein, the fifth message is used to indicate that the terminal device providing clock synchronization services to the TSN end station no longer provides clock synchronization services to the TSN end station, including: indicating that the terminal device providing clock synchronization services to the TSN end station requests to release the PDU session with the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path.

18. An information processing apparatus, wherein, the apparatus includes: a transceiver unit, configured to send a first message to a network device, where the first message includes: the clock-sensitive network (TSN) master clock number to which the terminal device is connected, and the measurement result of the downlink reference signal; the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second message from the network device, where the second message is used to indicate that the terminal device provides clock synchronization services to the TSN end station.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein, the second message is used to indicate that the terminal device provides clock synchronization services to the TSN end station, including: indicating that the terminal device requests to establish a protocol data unit (PDU) session with the TSN end station and / or 5G network elements on the path.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein, the transceiver unit is further configured to: send an uplink reference signal to the network device.

21. A network device, wherein, the network device includes a processor, a memory, a transceiver, and one or more programs, the one or more programs are stored in the memory and are configured to be executed by the processor, and the programs include instructions for performing the steps in the method according to any one of claims 1-7.

22. A terminal device, wherein, the terminal device includes a processor, a memory, a transceiver, and one or more programs, the one or more programs are stored in the memory and are configured to be executed by the processor, and the programs include instructions for performing the steps in the method according to any one of claims 8-10.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein, the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program for electronic data exchange, where the computer program causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-7.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein, the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program for electronic data exchange, where the computer program causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 8-10.

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