A method for transmitting clock information, terminal equipment and network equipment

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention provides a method for transmitting clock information, a terminal device and a network device, which are applied to the field of communication technology. The embodiment of the present invention includes: the terminal device receives reference clock information sent by the network device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method for transmitting clock information, terminal equipment and network equipment. Background Art

[0002] The crystal oscillator frequency of the clock in the terminal device is not fixed, but has errors, which leads to errors in the timing of the clock of the terminal device. In the fifth-generation (5G) communication system, the system time information is broadcast in the system information block (SIB) 9. Among them, the accuracy of the system time information is 10ms. When the terminal needs to obtain the system time information of the 5G communication system, the terminal device can monitor SIB9 to obtain the system time information of the 5G communication system and correct the clock of the terminal device.

[0003] R16 5G Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) introduces the time sensitive network (TSN), which requires low latency and high reliability transmission in TSN. The 5G communication system network will serve as a network bridge for TSN to provide timing synchronization services for TSN. Therefore, the 5G communication system needs to provide higher clock synchronization accuracy so that the operation of each point of mechanical operation is strictly synchronized when the industrial automation service is transmitted in the 5G communication system network. Based on this, in R16, TS 38.331 introduces a new and more accurate reference clock information to indicate the system time information. The accuracy of the reference clock information is improved to 10ns. The standard stipulates that the terminal device can send RRC signaling to the network device to inform the network device that the terminal device wants to obtain the clock information related to the reference clock information, but the current standard does not specify how the network device sends the clock information related to the reference clock information to the terminal device. Therefore, the network device cannot determine whether to send and how to send the reference clock information to the terminal device, and the terminal device requests the network to send the reference clock information every time the clock deviation exceeds the tolerance. This may cause the terminal device to frequently send the reference clock information to the network device, increasing the overhead of uplink resources. Summary of the invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present invention provide a method, a terminal device and a network device for transmitting clock information. On the one hand, it can solve the problem that the network device cannot determine whether to send and how to send reference clock information to the terminal device. On the other hand, it can solve the problem that frequently sending reference clock information to the network device increases the overhead of uplink resources.

[0005] In a first aspect, a method for transmitting clock information is provided, comprising: receiving reference clock information sent by a network device.

[0006] Optionally, before receiving the reference clock information sent by the network device, the method further includes:

[0007] Sending first information to the network device, where the first information is information related to the accuracy of the terminal device clock.

[0008] Optionally, receiving reference clock information sent by a network device, including:

[0009] Receive reference clock information sent by the network device according to a sending period, where the sending period is determined by the network device according to the first information.

[0010] The method for transmitting clock information provided by an embodiment of the present invention can report information related to the clock accuracy of the terminal device to the network device through the terminal device, so as to assist the network device in determining the sending period of sending reference clock information to the terminal device, so as to achieve periodic correction of the clock of the terminal device, thereby solving the problem in the prior art that the network device cannot decide how to send reference clock information to the terminal device.

[0011] Optionally, after sending the control message to the network device, the method further includes:

[0012] After the first time period, sending a control message to the network device again;

[0013] The first duration is the duration between two times that the terminal device sends a control message to the network device.

[0014] The method for transmitting clock information provided in an embodiment of the present invention maintains a preset duration (the first duration in the embodiment of the present invention, implemented by a timer) between two control message transmissions when a terminal device requests a network device to send reference clock information as needed. This can save air interface uplink and / or downlink resource overhead.

[0015] In a second aspect, a method for transmitting clock information is provided, comprising: sending reference clock information to a terminal device.

[0016] Optionally, before sending the reference clock information to the terminal device, the method further includes:

[0017] Receive first information sent by a terminal device, where the first information is information related to the accuracy of a clock of the terminal device; and determine a sending period for sending reference clock information based on the first information.

[0018] The method for transmitting clock information provided by an embodiment of the present invention can report information related to the clock accuracy of the terminal device to the network device through the terminal device, so as to assist the network device in determining the sending period of sending reference clock information to the terminal device, so as to achieve periodic correction of the clock of the terminal device, thereby solving the problem in the prior art that the network device cannot decide how to send reference clock information to the terminal device.

[0019] The method for transmitting clock information provided in an embodiment of the present invention maintains a preset duration (the first duration in the embodiment of the present invention, implemented by a timer) between two control message transmissions when a terminal device requests a network device to send reference clock information as needed. This can save air interface uplink and / or downlink resource overhead.

[0020] According to a third aspect, a terminal device is provided, including: a receiving module for receiving reference clock information sent by a network device.

[0021] In a fourth aspect, a network device is provided, including: a sending module, used to send reference clock information to a terminal device.

[0022] In a fifth aspect, a terminal device is provided, comprising: a receiver for receiving reference clock information sent by a network device.

[0023] In a sixth aspect, a network device is provided, comprising: a transmitter for sending reference clock information to a terminal device.

[0024] In the seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, comprising: computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute a method as described in the first aspect or any optional implementation of the first aspect, or to execute a method as described in the second aspect or any optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0025] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising computer instructions. When the computer program product runs on a computer, the computer executes the computer instructions so that the computer executes a method as described in the first aspect or any optional implementation of the first aspect, or executes a method as described in the second aspect or any optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0026] In the ninth aspect, a chip is provided, which is coupled to a memory in a terminal device, so that the chip calls program instructions stored in the memory during operation, so that the terminal device executes a method such as the first aspect or any optional implementation method of the first aspect, or so that the network device executes the second aspect or any optional implementation method of the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1A schematic diagram of an architecture network using a 5G communication system network as a network bridge for TSN provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 A method for transmitting clock information provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 4 A method for transmitting clock information provided by an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 2 ;

[0031] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a mobile phone provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of a base station provided in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] In the embodiments of the present invention, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present invention should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific way.

[0037] The term "and / or" in this article is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. The symbol " / " in this article indicates that the associated objects are in an or relationship, for example, A / B means A or B.

[0038] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "multiple" refers to two or more. The technical solution provided by the present invention can be applied to various communication systems, such as 5G communication systems, future evolution systems or multiple communication convergence systems, etc. It can include a variety of application scenarios, such as machine to machine (M2M), D2M, macro and micro communications, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-high reliability and ultra-low latency communication (ultra reliable & low latency communication, uRLLC) and massive machine type communication (mMTC) and other scenarios. For example: an embodiment of the present invention can be applied to the communication between network equipment and terminal equipment in NR-U of a 5G communication system.

[0039] Generally, there is a clock in the terminal device. The crystal oscillator frequency of the clock in the terminal device is not fixed, but has errors, which leads to errors in the timing of the clock of the terminal device.

[0040] In the related art, the 5G communication system will perform clock synchronization through the system time information broadcast by the system. The granularity of the 5G communication system time information is 10ms and is broadcast in SIB9. When the terminal device needs to obtain the system time information in the 5G communication system, the terminal device can monitor SIB9 to obtain the system time information in the 5G communication system.

[0041] The relevant standards stipulate that when a terminal device receives a SIB9 system broadcast message, the mapping object of the clock information coordinated universal time (timeInfoUTC) contained in SIB9 is the system frame SFN boundary corresponding to the end boundary of the broadcast message (SI) window for transmitting SIB9, or the first SFN boundary after the end boundary of the SI window for transmitting SIB9.

[0042] Furthermore, the clock error may vary based on the performance of the clock crystal configured in the terminal device. The deviation of a crystal is usually described in parts per million (ppm).

[0043] For example, assuming that the deviation of a crystal oscillator is 20ppm=20 / 1000000=0.00002, then the deviation of the clock after one month (taking 30 days as an example, including 2.6 million seconds) can be plus or minus (20*60*60*24*30) / 1000000=plus or minus 51.84 seconds.

[0044] Clock synchronization is becoming more and more important in IIOT scenarios. R16 5G IIoT supports the transmission of services such as Factoryautomation, Transport Industry, and Intelligent Power Distribution in 5G communication systems. TSN is introduced in IIoT, which requires low latency and high reliability transmission. The 5G communication system network will serve as a network bridge for TSN to provide timing synchronization services for TSN. Therefore, higher clock synchronization accuracy needs to be provided in the 5G communication system so that the operation and continuity of each point of mechanical operation can be strictly synchronized when the industrial automation service is transmitted in the 5G communication system network. Figure 1 As shown in the figure, it is a schematic diagram of the architecture network that uses the 5G communication system network as the network bridge of TSN. Figure 1 The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) 5G system (5GS) includes entities such as unified data manager (UDM), network exposure function (NEF), core access and mobility management function (AFM), session management function (SFM), policy control function (PCF), user equipment (UE), radio access network (R)AN) and upstream facing port (UFP). The TSN converter on the device side in TSN connects the UE and TSN terminal in 3GPP 5GS, the user plane TSN converter on the device side in TSN connects the UFP and TSN terminal in 3GPP 5GS, and the control plane TSN converter on the device side in TSN connects the PCF and TSN centralized network configuration (CNC) in 3GPP 5GS, where TSN CNC is connected to TSN centralized user configuration (CUC). Based on this system, when the network side device in TSN sends data to the device side device in TSN, it is necessary to use the device in 3GPP 5GS as a communication bridge, so the device in 3GPP 5GS needs to be synchronized with the device clock in TSN.

[0045] In R16, TS 38.331 introduces a new related clock information with higher accuracy: reference clock information (reference time info). The standard stipulates that the accuracy of the reference clock information is increased to 10ns. The standard protocol stipulates that when the terminal device's interest in the clock information related to the reference clock information changes, or the terminal device is interested in the clock information related to the reference clock information and has not previously sent relevant RRC signaling to indicate this to the network device, the terminal device can send RRC signaling to the network device and carry a true / set-to-1 reference clock information requirement (reference time informed) flag in the user equipment assistance information (UE assistance information) to tell the network device that it wishes to obtain the clock information related to the reference clock information.

[0046] After the terminal device sends a reference clock information request flag with a true value / set to 1 to tell the network that it wants to obtain reference clock information related clock information, the standard does not specify how often the network device needs to send reference clock information related clock information to the terminal device or whether it should only send reference clock information related clock information once.

[0047] Based on the above-mentioned related technologies, since the standard does not specify how often the network device needs to send reference clock information related clock information to the terminal device or simply send reference clock information related clock information only once, therefore, under the premise that the network device does not have the clock offset performance indicators and related performance requirements of the terminal device, the network device cannot decide how to send reference clock information to the terminal device (for example, whether it is necessary to periodically send the updated reference clock information to the terminal device, and at what sending period the updated reference clock information is sent to the terminal device).

[0048] Furthermore, in the related art, the terminal device may request the network to send reference clock information each time the clock offset exceeds a preset value (tolerance). This may cause the terminal device to frequently send reference clock information to the network device, increasing the overhead of uplink resources.

[0049] Based on the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for transmitting clock information. This method can report information related to the clock accuracy of the terminal device to the network device through the terminal device, so as to assist the network device in determining the sending period of reference clock information to the terminal device, so as to achieve periodic correction of the clock of the terminal device.

[0050] Furthermore, the method for transmitting clock information provided in an embodiment of the present invention maintains a preset duration (the first duration in the embodiment of the present invention) between two control messages sent to request reference clock information from the network device when the terminal device requests the network device to send reference clock information on demand. This can save air interface uplink and / or downlink resource overhead.

[0051] The method for transmitting clock information provided in the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a wireless communication system. For example, Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture of a wireless communication system provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the wireless communication system includes a terminal device and a network device. In practical applications, the connection between the terminal device and the network device may be a wireless connection. The method for transmitting clock information provided in the embodiment of the present invention is applied in Figure 2 In the wireless communication system shown, on the one hand, the terminal device reports information related to the accuracy of the terminal device clock to the network device to assist the network device in determining the sending period of reference clock information to the terminal device, so as to achieve periodic correction of the terminal device clock; on the other hand, when the terminal device requests the network device to send reference clock information as needed, a preset time length is maintained between two control messages sent to request reference clock information from the network device, thereby saving air interface uplink and / or downlink resource overhead.

[0052] The terminal device in the embodiment of the present invention may be referred to as user equipment (UE). The terminal device may be a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. The terminal device may also be a mobile phone, a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal, a laptop, etc. The terminal device may communicate with one or more core networks via a radio access network (RAN). For example, the terminal device may be a mobile phone (or a "cellular" phone) or a computer with a mobile terminal, etc. For example, the terminal device may also be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile device, which exchanges voice and / or data with a wireless access network. The terminal device may also be a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a future 5G network, or a terminal device in a future evolving network, etc. The above is just an example and is not limited to this in practical applications.

[0053] The network device in the embodiment of the present invention may be an evolutionary base station (evolutional node B, referred to as eNB or e-NodeB) macro base station, micro base station (also called "small base station"), micro-micro base station, access point (AP), transmission point (TP) or new generation Node B (gNodeB) in an LTE system, an NR communication system or an authorized auxiliary access long-term evolution (LAA-LTE) system. The above network devices may also be other types of network devices in future 5G communication systems or future evolution networks.

[0054] The method for transmitting clock information provided by the embodiment of the present invention can be applied in the following two scenarios: scenario 1 and scenario 2. The following will provide exemplary descriptions of different implementations of the present invention applied in these two scenarios.

[0055] Scenario 1: There is no mechanism for the terminal to request reference time information on demand.

[0056] like Figure 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for transmitting clock information, which may include:

[0057] 101. The terminal device sends a control message to the network device.

[0058] The control message is used to request reference clock information from the network device.

[0059] Optionally, the control message in the embodiment of the present invention may be a reference clock information request message.

[0060] In the embodiment of the present invention, the reference clock information can be used by the terminal device to correct the clock offset.

[0061] Optionally, the terminal device may carry the control message in radio resource control (RRC), RRC signaling or media access control element (MAC CE) and send it to the network device.

[0062] 102. The terminal device sends first information to the network device.

[0063] The first information is information related to the accuracy of the terminal device clock.

[0064] Optionally, the first information may include: at least one of a clock offset rate and a performance classification index number.

[0065] The performance classification index number is used to indicate the clock performance of the terminal device.

[0066] Optionally, the clock performance may be divided into a plurality of levels, for example, the clock performance may be divided into three levels including high, medium and low.

[0067] Exemplarily, ppm can be used to characterize the clock performance. When the clock performance is 5ppm, the clock performance is determined to be at a high level, corresponding to an index number of 1. When the clock performance is 10ppm, the clock performance is determined to be at a medium level, corresponding to an index number of 2. When the clock performance is 20ppm, the clock performance is determined to be at a low level, corresponding to an index number of 3.

[0068] Optionally, the terminal device may carry the first information in RRC signaling or MAC CE and send it to the network device.

[0069] Optionally, the terminal device may carry the first information and the control message in the same RRC signaling and send it to the network device, or may carry the first information and the control message in different RRC signaling and send them to the network device.

[0070] Exemplarily, the terminal device may carry the first information together with the reference clock information requirement flag in the UE auxiliary information in the RRC signaling and send it to the network device.

[0071] Optionally, the terminal device may also execute 103.

[0072] 103. The terminal device sends the clock synchronization performance requirements to the network device.

[0073] Accordingly, the network device receives the clock synchronization performance requirements sent by the terminal device.

[0074] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present invention, the network device receives the clock synchronization performance requirement required, which may also include: the network device receives the clock synchronization performance requirement required in the TSN network.

[0075] Exemplarily, the method provided in the embodiment of the present invention is applied in Figure 1 In the network architecture shown, the network device can receive the clock synchronization performance requirements required in the TSN network, and can also receive the clock synchronization performance requirements required by the terminal device.

[0076] It should be noted that the embodiment of the present invention does not limit the execution order of the above 101, 102, and 103, and these three steps can be executed simultaneously or not.

[0077] Optionally, the terminal device may carry the required clock synchronization performance requirements in RRC signaling or MAC CE and send them to the network device.

[0078] Optionally, the terminal device may carry the first information, control message and required clock synchronization performance requirements in the same RRC signaling and send them to the network device, or may carry the first information, control message and required clock synchronization performance requirements in different RRC signaling and send them to the network device.

[0079] 104. The network device determines a sending period for sending reference clock information.

[0080] The above-mentioned sending period can be determined in the following three ways:

[0081] The first type: the sending period is determined by the network device according to the first information.

[0082] The second type: the sending period is determined by the network device according to the first information and a default synchronization performance requirement.

[0083] Optionally, when the terminal device does not send the required clock synchronization performance requirement to the network device, the sending period can be determined according to the first method or the second method.

[0084] The third type: the sending period is determined by the network device according to the first information and the synchronization performance requirement of the demand.

[0085] Optionally, when the terminal device sends the required clock synchronization performance requirement to the network device, the sending period can be determined according to the third method.

[0086] For example, assuming that the clock drift rate of the terminal reported by the terminal device to the network through the user equipment assistance information (UE assistenceInfomation) is 5ppm (that is, the offset per second is 5 / 1000000 (seconds)), and the synchronization performance requirement obtained by the 5G communication system network is 60ns, then the network device can determine through calculation that the reference clock information related clock information needs to be updated to the terminal device 83 times per second to meet the synchronization performance requirements, and the time period of each transmission is 1 / 83s. In this way, the network device can use downlink RRC signaling to send reference clock information to the terminal device every 1 / 83 seconds.

[0087] After 104, the network device may send reference clock information to the terminal device.

[0088] Optionally, the network device may first indicate the resources configured by the network device to the terminal device, and then send the reference clock information to the terminal device on the indicated resources.

[0089] 105. The network device indicates to the terminal device the semi-static scheduling resources configured by the network device.

[0090] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the semi-static scheduling resources configured by the network device.

[0091] Optionally, the scheduling period of the semi-static scheduling resources is determined according to the sending period.

[0092] 106. The network device sends reference clock information to the terminal device on the configured semi-static scheduling resources according to the sending cycle.

[0093] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the network device may also send reference clock information to the terminal device by dynamically scheduling resources.

[0094] 107. The terminal device corrects the clock offset according to the reference clock information.

[0095] The method for transmitting clock information provided by an embodiment of the present invention can report information related to the clock accuracy of the terminal device to the network device through the terminal device, so as to assist the network device in determining the sending period of sending reference clock information to the terminal device, so as to achieve periodic correction of the clock of the terminal device, thereby solving the problem in the prior art that the network device cannot decide how to send reference clock information to the terminal device.

[0096] Scenario 2: There is a mechanism for the terminal device to request reference time information (reference time info) related clock information on demand.

[0097] like Figure 4 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for transmitting clock information, the method comprising:

[0098] 201. The terminal device sends a control message to the network device.

[0099] The description of the control message in 201 can refer to the description of the control message in 101, which will not be repeated here.

[0100] 202. The terminal device starts a timer.

[0101] In the embodiment of the present invention, after the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, it needs to wait for a first period of time before sending a control message to the network device again.

[0102] The first duration is the duration between two times the terminal device sends a control message to the network device.

[0103] Optionally, after the first duration, the control message is sent to the network device again, which may be after a timer times out.

[0104] The duration of the timer is set to a first duration, and the timer is started when the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, or the timer is started after the terminal device sends a control message to the network device.

[0105] Optionally, the first duration is determined based on at least one information of clock performance and required clock synchronization performance requirements.

[0106] Optionally, the first duration is determined in one of the following ways:

[0107] Configured by network devices, determined by terminal devices, and specified in protocols.

[0108] That is to say, in an embodiment of the present invention, a timer (timer) is introduced in the terminal device to prohibit the terminal device from sending RRC or MAC CE again to request the network to send reference clock information within a period of time. The specific duration of the timer is related to the terminal clock performance level (which can be characterized by clock drfit rate) or performance classification. The specific duration of the timer is also related to the service synchronization performance requirements. The network determines the specific duration of the timer based on the clock performance level or performance classification reported by the terminal and the service synchronization performance requirements. Optionally, the timer can be configured by the network device for the terminal device. Before the timer expires, the terminal device cannot send RRC or MAC CE to the network again to request the network to send reference clock information.

[0109] 203. The network device sends reference clock information to the terminal device.

[0110] 204. After the timer times out, the terminal device sends a control message to the network device again.

[0111] The method for transmitting clock information provided in an embodiment of the present invention maintains a preset duration (the first duration in the embodiment of the present invention, implemented by a timer) between two control messages sent to request reference clock information from the network device when the terminal device requests the network device to send reference clock information on demand. This can save air interface uplink and / or downlink resource overhead.

[0112] like Figure 5 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a terminal device, including: a receiving module 301, used to receive reference clock information sent by a network device.

[0113] Optionally, the terminal device further includes:

[0114] The sending module 302 is used to send first information to the network device before the receiving module 301 receives the reference clock information sent by the network device, where the first information is information related to the accuracy of the terminal device clock.

[0115] Optionally, the receiving module 301 is specifically configured to receive reference clock information sent by a network device according to a sending period, where the sending period is determined by the network device according to the first information.

[0116] Optionally, the sending period is determined by the network device according to the first information and a default synchronization performance requirement.

[0117] Optionally, the sending period is determined by the network device based on the first information and required synchronization performance requirements.

[0118] Optionally, the sending module 302 is further configured to send a required clock synchronization performance requirement to the network device before the receiving module 301 receives the reference clock information sent by the network device according to the sending period. Optionally, the first information includes: at least one of a clock offset rate and a performance classification index number, and the performance classification index number is used to indicate the clock performance of the terminal device.

[0119] Optionally, the receiving module 301 is further configured to receive a semi-static scheduling resource configured by the network device before receiving the reference clock information sent by the network device.

[0120] Optionally, the receiving module 301 is specifically configured to receive reference clock information sent by a network device according to a sending period on a configured semi-static scheduling resource.

[0121] Optionally, the scheduling period of the semi-static scheduling resources is determined according to the sending period.

[0122] Optionally, the terminal device further includes:

[0123] The sending module 302 is used to send a control message to the network device before the receiving module receives the reference clock information sent by the network device, and the control message is used to request the reference clock information from the network device.

[0124] Optionally, the sending module 302 is further configured to send a control message to the network device again after sending the control message to the network device and after the first time period;

[0125] The first duration is the duration between two times that the terminal device sends a control message to the network device.

[0126] Optionally, the sending module 302 is specifically configured to send a control message to the network device again after the timer times out;

[0127] The duration of the timer is set to a first duration, and the timer is started when the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, or the timer is started after the terminal device sends a control message to the network device.

[0128] Optionally, the first duration is determined based on at least one information of clock performance and required clock synchronization performance requirements.

[0129] Optionally, the first duration is determined in one of the following ways:

[0130] Configured by network devices, determined by terminal devices, and specified in protocols.

[0131] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a terminal device, the terminal device comprising: a memory storing executable program code;

[0132] a processor coupled to the memory;

[0133] The processor calls the executable program code stored in the memory to execute the method for transmitting clock information executed by the terminal device in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0134] like Figure 6 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a network device, including:

[0135] The sending module 401 is used to send reference clock information to the terminal device.

[0136] Optionally, the network device also includes:

[0137] The receiving module 402 is configured to receive first information sent by the terminal device before the sending module 401 sends the reference clock information to the terminal device, where the first information is information related to the accuracy of the terminal device clock;

[0138] The processing module 403 is used to determine a sending period for sending reference clock information according to the first information.

[0139] Optionally, the processing module 403 is specifically configured to determine a sending period for sending reference clock information according to the first information and a default synchronization performance requirement.

[0140] Optionally, before determining, according to the first information, a sending period for sending the reference clock information, the network device further includes:

[0141] The receiving module 402 is used to receive the required clock synchronization performance requirement before the processing module 403 determines the sending period of sending the reference clock information according to the first information;

[0142] The processing module 403 is specifically configured to determine a sending period for sending the reference clock information according to the first information and the required clock synchronization performance requirement.

[0143] Optionally, the receiving module 402 is specifically used to receive the clock synchronization performance requirements sent by the terminal device, or to receive the clock synchronization performance requirements required in the TSN network.

[0144] Optionally, the first information includes: at least one of a clock offset rate and a performance classification index number, and the performance classification index number is used to indicate the clock performance of the terminal device.

[0145] Optionally, the sending module 401 is specifically configured to send reference clock information to the terminal device according to a sending cycle.

[0146] Optionally, before sending the reference clock information to the terminal device according to the sending cycle, the network device further includes:

[0147] Configure semi-static scheduling resources for terminal devices.

[0148] Optionally, reference clock information is sent to the terminal device according to a sending period, including:

[0149] According to the sending cycle, the reference clock information is sent to the terminal device on the configured semi-static scheduling resources.

[0150] Optionally, the scheduling period of the semi-static scheduling resources is determined according to the sending period.

[0151] Optionally, the receiving module 402 is further used to receive a control message sent by the terminal device before the sending module 401 sends the reference clock information to the terminal device, where the control message is used to request the reference clock information from the network device.

[0152] Optionally, after receiving the control message sent by the terminal device, the method further includes:

[0153] The receiving module 402 is further configured to receive a control message sent by the terminal device again after receiving the control message sent by the terminal device and after the first time period;

[0154] The first duration is the duration between two times that the terminal device sends a control message to the network device.

[0155] Optionally, the receiving module 402 is specifically configured to receive a control message sent by the terminal device again after the timer times out;

[0156] The duration of the timer is set to a first duration, and the timer is started when the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, or the timer is started after the terminal device sends a reference to the network device.

[0157] Optionally, the first duration is determined based on at least one information of clock performance and required clock synchronization performance requirements.

[0158] Optionally, the first duration is determined in one of the following ways:

[0159] Configured by network devices, determined by terminal devices, and specified in the protocol.

[0160] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a network device, comprising: a memory storing executable program code;

[0161] a processor coupled to the memory;

[0162] The processor calls the executable program code stored in the memory to execute the method for transmitting clock information executed by the network device in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0163] Exemplarily, the terminal device in the embodiment of the present invention may be a mobile phone, such as Figure 7 As shown, the mobile phone may include: a radio frequency (RF) circuit 1110, a memory 1120, an input unit 1130, a display unit 1140, a sensor 1150, an audio circuit 1160, a wireless fidelity (WiFi) module 1170, a processor 1180, and a power supply 1190. Among them, the RF circuit 1110 includes a receiver 1111 and a transmitter 1112. Those skilled in the art will understand that the mobile phone structure shown in FIG. 9 does not constitute a limitation on the mobile phone, and may include more or less components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

[0164] The RF circuit 1110 can be used for receiving and sending signals during the process of sending and receiving information or making calls. In particular, after receiving the downlink information of the base station, it is sent to the processor 1180 for processing; in addition, the designed uplink data is sent to the base station. Generally, the RF circuit 1110 includes but is not limited to an antenna, at least one amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low noise amplifier (LNA), a duplexer, etc. In addition, the RF circuit 1110 can also communicate with the network and other devices through wireless communication. The above-mentioned wireless communication can use any communication standard or protocol, including but not limited to the global system of mobile communication (GSM), general packet radio service (GPRS), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), long term evolution (LTE), email, short messaging service (SMS), etc.

[0165] The memory 1120 can be used to store software programs and modules. The processor 1180 executes various functional applications and data processing of the mobile phone by running the software programs and modules stored in the memory 1120. The memory 1120 can mainly include a program storage area and a data storage area, wherein the program storage area can store an operating system, an application required for at least one function (such as a sound playback function, an image playback function, etc.), etc.; the data storage area can store data created according to the use of the mobile phone (such as audio data, a phone book, etc.), etc. In addition, the memory 1120 can include a high-speed random access memory, and can also include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, a flash memory device, or other volatile solid-state storage devices.

[0166] The input unit 1130 can be used to receive input digital or character information, and to generate key signal input related to the user settings and function control of the mobile phone. Specifically, the input unit 1130 may include a touch panel 1131 and other input devices 1132. The touch panel 1131, also known as a touch screen, can collect the user's touch operation on or near it (such as the user's operation on the touch panel 1131 or near the touch panel 1131 using any suitable object or accessory such as a finger, stylus, etc.), and drive the corresponding connection device according to a pre-set program. Optionally, the touch panel 1131 may include two parts: a touch detection device and a touch controller. Among them, the touch detection device detects the user's touch orientation, detects the signal brought by the touch operation, and transmits the signal to the touch controller; the touch controller receives the touch information from the touch detection device, converts it into the touch point coordinates, and then sends it to the processor 1180, and can receive and execute the command sent by the processor 1180. In addition, the touch panel 1131 can be implemented in various types such as resistive, capacitive, infrared, and surface acoustic waves. In addition to the touch panel 1131, the input unit 1130 may also include other input devices 1132. Specifically, other input devices 1132 may include but are not limited to one or more of a physical keyboard, function keys (such as volume control keys, switch keys, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, a joystick, etc.

[0167] The display unit 1140 can be used to display information input by the user or information provided to the user and various menus of the mobile phone. The display unit 1140 may include a display panel 1141. Optionally, the display panel 1141 may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), etc. Further, the touch panel 1131 may cover the display panel 1141. When the touch panel 1131 detects a touch operation on or near it, it is transmitted to the processor 1180 to determine the type of touch event, and then the processor 1180 provides a corresponding visual output on the display panel 1141 according to the type of touch event. Although in Figure 11, the touch panel 1131 and the display panel 1141 are used as two independent components to realize the input and output functions of the mobile phone, in some embodiments, the touch panel 1131 and the display panel 1141 can be integrated to realize the input and output functions of the mobile phone.

[0168] The mobile phone may also include at least one sensor 1150, such as a light sensor, a motion sensor, and other sensors. Specifically, the light sensor may include an ambient light sensor and a proximity sensor, wherein the ambient light sensor may adjust the brightness of the display panel 1141 according to the brightness of the ambient light, and the proximity sensor may turn off the display panel 1141 and / or the backlight when the mobile phone is moved to the ear. As a type of motion sensor, the accelerometer sensor can detect the magnitude of acceleration in all directions (generally three axes), and can detect the magnitude and direction of gravity when stationary. It can be used for applications that identify the posture of the mobile phone (such as horizontal and vertical screen switching, related games, magnetometer posture calibration), vibration recognition related functions (such as pedometer, tapping), etc.; as for other sensors that can be configured in the mobile phone, such as gyroscopes, barometers, hygrometers, thermometers, infrared sensors, etc., they will not be repeated here.

[0169] The audio circuit 1160, the speaker 1161, and the microphone 1162 can provide an audio interface between the user and the mobile phone. The audio circuit 1160 can transmit the received audio data to the speaker 1161 after converting the received audio data into an electrical signal, which is converted into a sound signal for output; on the other hand, the microphone 1162 converts the collected sound signal into an electrical signal, which is received by the audio circuit 1160 and converted into audio data, and then the audio data is output to the processor 1180 for processing, and then sent to another mobile phone through the RF circuit 1110, or the audio data is output to the memory 1120 for further processing.

[0170] WiFi is a short-range wireless transmission technology. Mobile phones can help users send and receive data through WiFi module 1170. Email Item, browsing the web and accessing streaming media, etc. It provides users with wireless broadband Internet access. Figure 7 A WiFi module 1170 is shown, but it is understandable that it is not an essential component of the mobile phone and can be omitted as needed without changing the essence of the invention.

[0171] The processor 1180 is the control center of the mobile phone. It uses various interfaces and lines to connect various parts of the entire mobile phone. By running or executing software programs and / or modules stored in the memory 1120, and calling data stored in the memory 1120, it executes various functions of the mobile phone and processes data, thereby monitoring the mobile phone as a whole. Optionally, the processor 1180 may include one or more processing units; preferably, the processor 1180 may integrate an application processor and a modem processor, wherein the application processor mainly processes the operating system, user interface, and application programs, and the modem processor mainly processes wireless communications. It is understandable that the above-mentioned modem processor may not be integrated into the processor 1180.

[0172] The mobile phone also includes a power supply 1190 (such as a battery) for supplying power to various components. Preferably, the power supply can be logically connected to the processor 1180 through a power management system, so that the power management system can manage charging, discharging, and power consumption management. Although not shown, the mobile phone can also include a camera, a Bluetooth module, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0173] In the embodiment of the present invention, the RF circuit 1110 is used to receive reference clock information sent by the network device.

[0174] Optionally, the phone also includes:

[0175] The RF circuit 1110 is used to send first information to the network device before the RF circuit 1110 receives the reference clock information sent by the network device, and the first information is information related to the accuracy of the mobile phone clock.

[0176] Optionally, the RF circuit 1110 is specifically used to receive reference clock information sent by the network device according to a sending period, where the sending period is determined by the network device according to the first information.

[0177] Optionally, the sending period is determined by the network device according to the first information and a default synchronization performance requirement.

[0178] Optionally, the sending period is determined by the network device based on the first information and required synchronization performance requirements.

[0179] Optionally, it is also used to send a required clock synchronization performance requirement to the network device before the RF circuit 1110 receives the reference clock information sent by the network device according to the sending cycle.

[0180] Optionally, the first information includes: at least one of a clock offset rate and a performance classification index number, and the performance classification index number is used to indicate the clock performance of the mobile phone.

[0181] Optionally, before receiving the reference clock information sent by the network device, the method further includes:

[0182] The RF circuit 1110 is further configured to receive the semi-static scheduling resources configured by the network device before receiving the reference clock information sent by the network device.

[0183] Optionally, the RF circuit 1110 is specifically configured to receive reference clock information sent by the network device according to a sending period on the configured semi-static scheduling resources.

[0184] Optionally, the scheduling period of the semi-static scheduling resources is determined according to the sending period.

[0185] Optionally, the phone also includes:

[0186] The RF circuit 1110 is used to send a control message to the network device before the RF circuit 1110 receives the reference clock information sent by the network device, and the control message is used to request the reference clock information from the network device.

[0187] Optionally, the RF circuit 1110 is further configured to send a control message to the network device again after sending the control message to the network device and after the first time period;

[0188] The first duration is the duration between two times the mobile phone sends a control message to the network device.

[0189] Optionally, the RF circuit 1110 is specifically configured to send a control message to the network device again after the timer expires;

[0190] The duration of the timer is set to the first duration, and the timer is started when the mobile phone sends a control message to the network device, or the timer is started after the mobile phone sends a control message to the network device.

[0191] Optionally, the first duration is determined based on at least one information of clock performance and required clock synchronization performance requirements.

[0192] Optionally, the first duration is determined in one of the following ways:

[0193] Configured by network equipment, determined by the phone, and specified in the protocol.

[0194] For example, Figure 8 As shown, the network device in the embodiment of the present invention may be a base station, and the base station includes:

[0195] The transmitter 501 is used to send reference clock information to the terminal device.

[0196] Optionally, the network device also includes:

[0197] The receiver 502 is configured to receive first information sent by the terminal device before the transmitter 501 sends the reference clock information to the terminal device, where the first information is information related to the accuracy of the terminal device clock;

[0198] The processor 502 is configured to determine a sending period for sending reference clock information according to the first information.

[0199] Optionally, the processor 503 is specifically configured to determine a sending period for sending reference clock information according to the first information and a default synchronization performance requirement.

[0200] Optionally, before determining, according to the first information, a sending period for sending the reference clock information, the network device further includes:

[0201] The receiver 502 is configured to receive a required clock synchronization performance requirement before the processor 503 determines a sending period for sending reference clock information according to the first information;

[0202] The processor 502 is specifically configured to determine a sending period for sending reference clock information according to the first information and the required clock synchronization performance requirement.

[0203] Optionally, the receiver 502 is specifically used to receive the clock synchronization performance requirement sent by the terminal device, or to receive the clock synchronization performance requirement required in the TSN network.

[0204] Optionally, the first information includes: at least one of a clock offset rate and a performance classification index number, and the performance classification index number is used to indicate the clock performance of the terminal device.

[0205] Optionally, the transmitter 501 is specifically used to send reference clock information to the terminal device according to a sending cycle.

[0206] Optionally, before sending the reference clock information to the terminal device according to the sending cycle, the network device further includes:

[0207] Configure semi-static scheduling resources for terminal devices.

[0208] Optionally, reference clock information is sent to the terminal device according to a sending period, including:

[0209] According to the sending cycle, the reference clock information is sent to the terminal device on the configured semi-static scheduling resources.

[0210] Optionally, the scheduling period of the semi-static scheduling resources is determined according to the sending period.

[0211] Optionally, the receiver 502 is further used to receive a control message sent by the terminal device before the transmitter 501 sends the reference clock information to the terminal device, where the control message is used to request the reference clock information from the network device.

[0212] Optionally, after receiving the control message sent by the terminal device, the method further includes:

[0213] The receiver 502 is further configured to receive a control message sent by the terminal device again after receiving the control message sent by the terminal device and after the first time period;

[0214] The first duration is the duration between two times that the terminal device sends a control message to the network device.

[0215] Optionally, the receiver 502 is specifically configured to receive a control message sent by the terminal device again after the timer expires;

[0216] The duration of the timer is set to a first duration, and the timer is started when the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, or the timer is started after the terminal device sends a reference to the network device.

[0217] Optionally, the first duration is determined based on at least one information of clock performance and required clock synchronization performance requirements.

[0218] Optionally, the first duration is determined in one of the following ways:

[0219] Configured by network devices, determined by terminal devices, and specified in the protocol.

[0220] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute various processes of the terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0221] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, including: computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute various processes of the network device in the above method embodiment.

[0222] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer program product, including computer instructions. When the computer program product runs on a computer, the computer runs the computer instructions, so that the computer executes each process of the terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0223] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer program product, including computer instructions. When the computer program product runs on a computer, the computer runs the computer instructions, so that the computer executes each process of the network device in the above method embodiment.

[0224] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a chip, which is coupled to a memory in a terminal device, so that the chip calls program instructions stored in the memory during operation, so that the terminal device executes various processes of the terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0225] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a chip, which is coupled to a memory in a network device, so that the chip calls program instructions stored in the memory during operation, so that the network device executes various processes of the network device in the above method embodiment.

[0226] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on the computer, the process or function according to the embodiment of the present invention is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website site, a computer, a server or a data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can store or a data storage device such as a server or a data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid-state hard disk Solid State Disk (SSD)), etc.

[0227] The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. (if any) in the specification and claims of the present invention and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting clock information, characterized in that: include: Receive reference clock information sent by network equipment; Before receiving the reference clock information sent by the network device, the method further includes: Sending a control message to the network device, wherein the control message is used to request reference clock information from the network device; After sending the control message to the network device, the method further includes: After the first time period, sending a control message to the network device again; The first duration is the interval between two times that the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, and the first duration is determined according to clock performance and required clock synchronization performance requirements.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that After the first time period, sending a control message to the network device again includes: After the timer times out, a control message is sent to the network device again; The duration of the timer is set to the first duration, and the timer is started when the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, or the timer is started after the terminal device sends a control message to the network device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first duration is determined in one of the following ways: Configured by network devices, determined by terminal devices, and specified in protocols.

4. A method for transmitting clock information, characterized in that: include: Send reference clock information to the terminal device; Before sending the reference clock information to the terminal device, the method further includes: receiving a control message sent by the terminal device, wherein the control message is used to request reference clock information from a network device; After receiving the control message sent by the terminal device, the method further includes: After the first time period, receiving the control message sent by the terminal device again; The first duration is the interval between two times that the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, and the first duration is determined according to clock performance and required clock synchronization performance requirements.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that After the first time period, receiving again the control message sent by the terminal device includes: After the timer times out, receiving the control message sent by the terminal device again; The duration of the timer is set to the first duration, and the timer is started when the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, or the timer is started after the terminal device sends a reference to the network device.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The first duration is determined in one of the following ways: Configured by network devices, determined by terminal devices, and specified in protocols.

7. A terminal device, characterized in that: include: A receiving module, used for receiving reference clock information sent by a network device; A sending module, used for sending a control message to the network device before the receiving module receives the reference clock information sent by the network device, wherein the control message is used to request the reference clock information from the network device; The sending module is further configured to send a control message to the network device again after sending the control message to the network device and after a first time period; The first duration is the duration between two times that the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, and the first duration is determined according to clock performance and required clock synchronization performance requirements.

8. The terminal device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The sending module is specifically used to send the control message to the network device again after the timer times out; The duration of the timer is set to the first duration, and the timer is started when the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, or the timer is started after the terminal device sends a control message to the network device.

9. The terminal device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The first duration is determined in one of the following ways: Configured by network devices, determined by terminal devices, and specified in protocols.

10. A network device, characterized in that: include: A sending module, used for sending reference clock information to a terminal device; A receiving module, used for receiving a control message sent by the terminal device before the sending module sends the reference clock information to the terminal device, wherein the control message is used for requesting the reference clock information from the network device; The receiving module is further configured to receive the control message sent by the terminal device again after receiving the control message sent by the terminal device and after a first time period; The first duration is the duration between two times that the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, and the first duration is determined according to clock performance and required clock synchronization performance requirements.

11. The network device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The receiving module is specifically configured to receive the control message sent by the terminal device again after the timer times out; The duration of the timer is set to the first duration, and the timer is started when the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, or the timer is started after the terminal device sends a reference to the network device.

12. The network device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: The first duration is determined in one of the following ways: Configured by network devices, determined by terminal devices, and specified in protocols.

13. A terminal device, characterized in that: include: A receiver, used for receiving reference clock information sent by a network device; A transmitter, configured to send a control message to the network device before the receiver receives the reference clock information sent by the network device, wherein the control message is used to request the reference clock information from the network device; The transmitter is further configured to send a control message to the network device again after sending the control message to the network device and after a first time period; The first duration is the duration between two times that the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, and the first duration is determined according to clock performance and required clock synchronization performance requirements.

14. The terminal device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The transmitter is specifically used to send the control message to the network device again after the timer expires; The duration of the timer is set to the first duration, and the timer is started when the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, or the timer is started after the terminal device sends a control message to the network device.

15. The terminal device according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that: The first duration is determined in one of the following ways: Configured by network devices, determined by terminal devices, and specified in protocols.

16. A network device, characterized in that: include: A transmitter, used to send reference clock information to a terminal device; A receiver, used for receiving a control message sent by a terminal device before the transmitter sends the reference clock information to the terminal device, wherein the control message is used for requesting the reference clock information from the network device; The receiver is further configured to receive the control message sent by the terminal device again after receiving the control message sent by the terminal device and after a first time period; The first duration is the duration between two times that the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, and the first duration is determined according to clock performance and required clock synchronization performance requirements.

17. The network device according to claim 16, characterized in that: The receiver is specifically configured to receive the control message sent by the terminal device again after the timer times out; The duration of the timer is set to the first duration, and the timer is started when the terminal device sends a control message to the network device, or the timer is started after the terminal device sends a reference to the network device.

18. The network device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that: The first duration is determined in one of the following ways: Configured by network devices, determined by terminal devices, and specified in protocols.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: A computer instruction, when the computer instruction is executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, or execute the method according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

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