Clock Synchronization Method, Device, and Storage Medium

Abstract

The present application provides a clock synchronization method, device, and storage medium. The clock synchronization method applied to a first communication node includes: generating corresponding clock source switching information according to a target clock source when it is detected that a source clock source where a master clock is located fails; and sending the clock source switching information to a second communication node or a third communication node.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a clock synchronization method, device, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] The 5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology (5G) system relies on a reference precision clock signal for network synchronization to operate. These synchronization clocks are generated by a master clock, which usually obtains clock information from a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver, and in order to meet the relevant synchronization requirements even under fault conditions, the synchronization network design usually includes means to address potential degradation of GNSS signal performance. Some deployments of 5G involve applications that may be sensitive to any degradation of the clock signal. In this case, it is beneficial to enhance the 5G system as a backup for the loss of its GNSS reference. In some embodiments, the timing resilience enhancement of the 5G system can work in cooperation with different types of time sources (e.g., atomic clocks, time services transmitted via optical fibers) to provide robust time synchronization.

[0003] For the cooperation of different types of time sources, a clock source transformation mechanism needs to be designed within the 5G system, that is, the 5G system should be able to support a mechanism for indicating to devices (e.g., UEs, applications) the existence of alternative time sources available for use (e.g., 5G system internal retention capabilities, atomic clocks, optical fiber synchronization, Terrestrial Beacon System (TBS), GNSS). Therefore, in the case where the 5G system supports the above-mentioned resilient clocks, how to achieve the switching between different clock sources is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] An embodiment of this application provides a clock synchronization method, which is applied to a first communication node and includes:

[0005] In the case of detecting a failure of the source clock source where the master clock is located, generating corresponding clock source switching information according to a target clock source;

[0006] Sending the clock source switching information to a second communication node or a third communication node.

[0007] An embodiment of this application provides a clock synchronization method, which is applied to a first communication node and includes:

[0008] Receiving clock source switching information sent by a third communication node through downlink information;

[0009] Determine a clock according to the clock source switching information.

[0010] An embodiment of the present application provides a clock synchronization method, which is applied to a second communication node and includes:

[0011] Receive the clock source switching information sent by the first communication node;

[0012] Determine a clock according to the clock source switching information.

[0013] An embodiment of the present application provides a clock synchronization method, which is applied to a third communication node and includes:

[0014] Receive the clock source switching information sent by the first communication node;

[0015] Determine a clock source according to the clock source switching information.

[0016] An embodiment of the present application provides a clock synchronization method, which is applied to a third communication node and includes:

[0017] Send the clock source switching information to the first communication node through downlink information.

[0018] An embodiment of the present application provides a clock synchronization method, which is applied to a fourth communication node and includes:

[0019] Receive a first switching request message sent by the first communication node, where the first switching request message carries at least one of the following: clock source switching information; a status report of the source clock source;

[0020] Send the clock source switching information to the second communication node and the third communication node.

[0021] An embodiment of the present application provides a dry clock synchronization device, including: a memory, and one or more processors;

[0022] The memory is configured to store one or more programs;

[0023] When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method described in any of the above embodiments.

[0024] An embodiment of the present application provides a storage medium, where the storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the method described in any of the above embodiments is implemented. Description of the Drawings

[0025] Figure 1 is a flowchart of a clock synchronization method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 2It is a flowchart of another clock synchronization method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 3 It is a flowchart of yet another clock synchronization method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of still another clock synchronization method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 5 It is a flowchart of still another clock synchronization method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 6 It is a flowchart of still another clock synchronization method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 7 It is an interaction schematic diagram of a clock synchronization provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 8 It is another interaction schematic diagram of a clock synchronization provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 9 It is yet another interaction schematic diagram of a clock synchronization provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 10 It is still another interaction schematic diagram of a clock synchronization provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 11 It is still another interaction schematic diagram of a clock synchronization provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 12 It is still another interaction schematic diagram of a clock synchronization provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 13 It is still another interaction schematic diagram of a clock synchronization provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 14 It is a structural block diagram of a clock synchronization device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 15 It is a flowchart of another clock synchronization device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 16 It is a flowchart of yet another clock synchronization device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 17 It is a flowchart of still another clock synchronization device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 18 It is a flowchart of another clock synchronization device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 19 It is a flowchart of another clock synchronization device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 20 It is a schematic structural diagram of a clock synchronization device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Specific embodiments

[0045] In the following, embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments is for explaining the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application.

[0046] In one embodiment, Figure 1 It is a flowchart of a clock synchronization method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment can be executed by a first communication node. Among them, the first communication node can be a base station. In this embodiment, the first communication node directly obtains clock information from the GNSS receiver to generate corresponding clock source switching information. As Figure 1 shown, the clock synchronization in this embodiment includes: S110 - S120.

[0047] S110. When it is detected that the source clock source where the master clock is located fails, generate corresponding clock source switching information according to the target clock source.

[0048] Among them, the source clock source where the master clock is located refers to the clock source where the master clock of the first communication node is currently located. In the embodiment, when the second communication node detects that its own clock source drifts or its own master clock has inaccurate accuracy, the second communication node automatically sends a request for obtaining valid clock information to the first communication node. After receiving the request for obtaining valid clock information, the first communication node detects the source clock source where its own master clock is located to determine whether the master clock is valid (i.e., whether it fails); or, the first communication node itself periodically monitors whether the master clock is valid (i.e., whether it fails), that is, monitors whether the clock source where the master clock is located drifts, or whether its own master clock has inaccurate accuracy. When the source clock source where the master clock of the first communication node itself is located fails, that is, when the source clock source where the master clock of the first communication node itself drifts or its own master clock has inaccurate accuracy, the first communication node actively obtains clock information from the GNSS receiver to determine the target clock source, and switches from the source clock source to the target clock source to obtain valid clock information. Among them, the target clock source refers to the clock source that the first communication node is about to switch to, and can also be understood as the clock source that can update the master clock of the source clock source.

[0049] Among them, the clock source switching information refers to the auxiliary information for clock source switching, that is, the clock switching information can assist the first communication node to update the master clock of the source clock source, or assist the first communication node to switch to the target clock source to obtain valid clock information.

[0050] S120. Send the clock source switching information to the second communication node or the third communication node.

[0051] Among them, the second communication node refers to the terminal side (for example, it can be a User Equipment (UE)); the third communication node refers to the core network (for example, it can be an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)). In the embodiment, the first communication node sends the clock source switching information to the second communication node so that the second communication node determines according to the clock source switching information to obtain valid clock information based on the clock; or the first communication node sends the clock source switching information to the third communication node so that the third communication node determines the clock source according to the clock source switching information to switch to the target clock source, thereby ensuring that when the accuracy of the master clock of the first communication node decreases or the clock source where it is located is lost, the source clock source can be replaced by other clock sources in time, and thus clock synchronization is ensured.

[0052] In one embodiment, the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following: clock source switching indication information; the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source; the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; the clock source switching moment; the status report of the source clock source. Among them, the clock source switching indication information refers to the information used to indicate the switch from the source clock source to the target clock source; the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment refers to the reference clock corresponding to the target clock source at the moment of clock source switching; the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source refers to the difference between the master clock of the source clock source and the master clock of the target clock source at any moment; the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment refers to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the moment of clock source switching; the clock source switching moment refers to the moment when the clock source switching is pre-announced to be executed; the status report of the source clock source refers to the report on the current state of the source clock source (such as the accuracy of the master clock, the loss of the master clock, the decrease in the accuracy of the master clock, or the clock source drift, etc.). It should be noted that when the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source is a fixed value, the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source is the same as the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment.

[0053] In one embodiment, the clock synchronization method applied to the first communication node further includes: notifying the second communication node to determine a clock according to clock source switching information;

[0054] Notifying the second communication node to determine a clock according to clock source switching information includes at least one of the following:

[0055] Notifying the second communication node to determine a clock at the clock source switching moment according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment;

[0056] Notifying the second communication node to update the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source;

[0057] Notifying the second communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and determine a clock at the clock source switching moment;

[0058] Notifying the second communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and determine a clock at the clock source switching moment.

[0059] In an embodiment, after the first communication node sends the clock source switching information to the second communication node, the first communication node notifies the second communication node to obtain valid clock information according to the clock source switching information, so that the second communication node determines its own reference clock. In one embodiment, when the clock information of the source clock source and the target clock source is consistent or the same, the first communication node may notify the second communication node to directly use the target clock source to update the reference clock. In one embodiment, when the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source is a fixed value, the first communication node may notify the second communication node to directly update the reference clock at the execution moment of the clock source switching according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; or, the first communication node may notify the second communication node to calculate the master clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source to update it as the reference clock; or, the first communication node may notify the second communication node to calculate the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and switch to the target clock source at the clock source switching moment to determine its own valid clock. In one embodiment, when the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source is a variable value, the first communication node may notify the second communication node to directly update the reference clock at the execution moment of the clock source switching according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; or, the first communication node may notify the second communication node to calculate the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and switch to the target clock source at the clock source switching moment to determine its own valid clock.

[0060] In one embodiment, the indication information corresponding to the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following: downlink information (DLInformationTransfer); reference clock information (ReferenceTimeInfo); system information block (SystemInformation Block, SIB); area identifier (Local ID, LCID) predefined in the downlink shared channel (DownLink Shared Channel, DL-SCH) for the media access control layer-control element (Media Access Control-Control Element, MAC CE); downlink control information (Downlink Control Information, DCI). In an embodiment, the first communication node may send the clock source switching information to the second communication node in a unicast or broadcast manner. In one embodiment, when the first communication node sends the clock source switching information to the second communication node in a unicast manner, the first communication node may include the clock source switching information in the downlink information or in the reference clock information. In one embodiment, when the first communication node sends the clock source switching information to the second communication node in a broadcast manner, the first communication node may include the clock source switching information in the SIB information; or may carry the clock source switching information in the MAC CE format predefined by the LCID reserved in the DL-SCH; or may carry the clock source switching information in the DCI format predefined; or may include the clock source switching information in the reference clock information, and there is no limitation on this.

[0061] In one embodiment, the clock synchronization method applied to the first communication node further includes: notifying a third communication node to determine a clock source according to the clock source switching information.

[0062] In one embodiment, notifying the third communication node to determine a clock source according to the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following:

[0063] Notifying the third communication node to switch at the clock source switching moment according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment;

[0064] Notifying the third communication node to update the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source;

[0065] Notifying the third communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source and switch at the clock source switching moment;

[0066] Notify the third communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and perform the switching at the clock source switching moment.

[0067] In an embodiment, after the first communication node sends the clock source switching information to the third communication node, the first communication node notifies the third communication node to determine the clock source according to the clock source switching information, so as to switch to the corresponding target clock source. In an embodiment, when the clock information of the source clock source and the target clock source is consistent or the same, the first communication node may notify the third communication node to directly update the reference clock using the target clock source. In an embodiment, when the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source is a fixed value, the first communication node may notify the third communication node to directly switch to the target clock source at the execution moment of the clock source switching according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; alternatively, the first communication node may notify the third communication node to calculate the master clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source for reference clock update; alternatively, the first communication node may notify the third communication node to calculate the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and switch to the target clock source at the clock source switching moment. In an embodiment, when the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source is a variable value, the first communication node may notify the third communication node to directly switch to the target clock source at the execution moment of the clock source switching according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; alternatively, the first communication node may notify the third communication node to calculate the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and switch to the target clock source at the clock source switching moment.

[0068] In an embodiment, when the first communication node includes a Centralized Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU), sending the clock source switching information to the second communication node or the third communication node includes:

[0069] The DU actively sends the clock source switching information to the CU through the uplink information;

[0070] Send the clock source switching information to the second communication node or the third communication node through the CU.

[0071] In an embodiment, when the first communication node is divided into a CU and a DU, the DU senses whether its source clock source fails, that is, after the DU senses that the source clock source fails, the DU actively sends the clock source switching information to the CU through the uplink information, so as to send the clock source switching information to the second communication node or the third communication node through the CU.

[0072] In one embodiment, Figure 2 is a flowchart of another clock synchronization method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment can be executed by a first communication node. Among them, the first communication node can be a base station. In this embodiment, a third communication node obtains clock information from a GNSS receiver to obtain corresponding clock source switching information. As Figure 2 shown, the clock synchronization method in this embodiment includes: S210 - S220.

[0073] S210. Receive the clock source switching information sent by the third communication node through downlink information.

[0074] S220. Determine the clock according to the clock source switching information.

[0075] In an embodiment, when the clock source of the third communication node switches, in order to ensure that the clock difference between the second communication node and the third communication node meets the service requirements, the third communication node can send the clock source switching information to the first communication node through downlink information, so that the first communication node sends the clock source switching information to the second communication node through downlink information to ensure clock synchronization.

[0076] It should be noted that for the explanation of the clock source switching information, reference can be made to the description in the above embodiment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0077] In one embodiment, determining the clock according to the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following:

[0078] Determine the clock at the clock source switching moment according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment;

[0079] Update the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source;

[0080] Determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and determine the clock at the clock source switching moment;

[0081] Determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and determine the clock at the clock source switching moment.

[0082] In an embodiment, after the first communication node receives the clock source switching information sent by the third communication node, the first communication node obtains valid clock information according to the clock source switching information to update its own reference clock.

[0083] In one embodiment, when the clock information of the source clock source is the same as that of the target clock source, the first communication node may directly use the target clock source to update the reference clock. In one embodiment, when the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source is a fixed value, the first communication node may directly update the reference clock at the execution time of the clock source switch according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switch time; alternatively, the first communication node may calculate the master clock of the source clock source based on the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source as the reference clock for update; alternatively, the first communication node may calculate the clock information of the target clock source based on the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and switch to the target clock source at the clock source switch time to determine its own effective clock. In one embodiment, when the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source is a variable value, the first communication node may directly update the reference clock at the execution time of the clock source switch according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switch time; alternatively, the first communication node may calculate the clock information of the target clock source based on the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switch time, and switch to the target clock source at the clock source switch time to determine its own effective clock.

[0084] In one embodiment, when the first communication node includes a CU and a DU, receiving the clock source switch information sent by the third communication node through the downlink information includes:

[0085] Receiving, by the CU, the clock source switch information sent by the third communication node through the downlink information;

[0086] The CU actively sends the clock source switch information to the DU through the downlink information. In an embodiment, when the first communication node is split into a CU and a DU, the CU may receive the clock source switch information sent by the third communication node, and then the CU actively provides the clock source switch information to the DU through the downlink information.

[0087] In one embodiment, when the first communication node is the source base station, the clock synchronization method applied to the first communication node further includes: sending a first handover request message to the fourth communication node, where the first handover request message carries at least one of the following: clock source handover information; status report of the source clock source. In the embodiment, when the first communication node is the source base station, the fourth communication node refers to the target base station. In the embodiment, during the mobile handover of the second communication node, the fourth communication node can adopt the same clock source as the first communication node in order to more quickly achieve precise synchronization of the reference clock with the second communication node. In the embodiment, the first communication node sends the first handover request message to the fourth communication node based on the Xn interface. After the fourth communication node receives the first handover request message sent by the first communication node, the fourth communication node sends the reference clock to the second communication node based on the clock source handover information in the first handover request message to quickly achieve precise synchronization of the reference clock with the second communication node.

[0088] In one embodiment, the clock synchronization method applied to the first communication node further includes: receiving the clock source handover information sent by the fourth communication node. In the embodiment, if there is a different clock source for each first communication node in the third communication node, the fourth communication node can send the clock source handover information to the first communication node, so that the first communication node sends the clock source handover information to the second communication node to ensure the quick realization of precise synchronization of the reference clock between the second communication node and the fourth communication node.

[0089] In one embodiment, Figure 3 is a flowchart of another clock synchronization method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment can be executed by the second communication node. Wherein, the second communication node can be on the terminal side (for example, it can be a UE). As Figure 3 shown, the clock synchronization method in this embodiment includes: S310 - S320.

[0090] S310. Receive the clock source handover information sent by the first communication node.

[0091] S320. Determine the clock according to the clock source handover information.

[0092] In the embodiment, when the clock source where the master clock of the first communication node is located fails, the first communication node actively obtains clock information from the GNSS receiver to generate corresponding clock source handover information; or, receives the clock source handover information sent by the third communication node and sends the clock source handover information to the second communication node, so that the second communication node obtains valid clock information according to the clock source handover information, and then determines its own reference clock to ensure precise clock synchronization.

[0093] It should be noted that the explanation of the clock source switching information can be found in the description of the above embodiments, and will not be elaborated here.

[0094] In one embodiment, determining a clock according to the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following:

[0095] Determining a clock at the clock source switching moment according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment;

[0096] Updating the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source;

[0097] Determining the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and determining a clock at the clock source switching moment;

[0098] Determining the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and determining a clock at the clock source switching moment.

[0099] In an embodiment, after the first communication node sends the clock source switching information to the second communication node, the second communication node obtains valid clock information according to the clock source switching information, so that the second communication node determines its own reference clock. In one embodiment, when the clock information of the source clock source and the target clock source is consistent or the same, the second communication node directly uses the target clock source to update the reference clock. In one embodiment, when the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source is a fixed value, the second communication node directly updates the reference clock at the execution moment of the clock source switching according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; or, the second communication node calculates the master clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source to update the reference clock; or, the second communication node calculates the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and switches to the target clock source at the clock source switching moment to determine its own valid clock. In one embodiment, when the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source is a variable value, the second communication node directly updates the reference clock at the execution moment of the clock source switching according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; or, the second communication node calculates the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and switches to the target clock source at the clock source switching moment to determine its own valid clock.

[0100] In one embodiment, when the first communication node includes a Central Unit (CU) and a Distributed Unit (DU), receiving the clock source switching information sent by the first communication node includes: receiving the clock source switching information sent by the CU in the first communication node. In the embodiment, when the first communication node is split into a DU and a CU, the clock source switching information is sent to the second communication node through the CU.

[0101] In one embodiment, Figure 4 is a flowchart of yet another clock synchronization method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment can be executed by a third communication node. Among them, the third communication node can be a core network (for example, it can be an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)). As Figure 4 shown, the clock synchronization method in this embodiment includes: S410 - S420.

[0102] S410. Receive the clock source switching information sent by the first communication node.

[0103] S420. Determine the clock source according to the clock source switching information.

[0104] In the embodiment, the first communication node obtains clock information from a GNSS receiver to generate corresponding clock source switching information, and sends the clock source switching information to the third communication node, so that the third communication node determines the clock source according to the clock source switching information and switches to the corresponding clock source to ensure precise clock synchronization with the first communication node and the second communication node.

[0105] It should be noted that for the explanation of the clock source switching information, reference can be made to the description in the above embodiment, and details will not be elaborated here.

[0106] In one embodiment, determining the clock source according to the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following:

[0107] According to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment and perform the switching at the clock source switching moment;

[0108] Update the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source;

[0109] Determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source and perform the switching at the clock source switching moment;

[0110] Determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment and perform the switching at the clock source switching moment.

[0111] In an embodiment, after the first communication node sends the clock source switching information to the third communication node, the third communication node determines the clock source according to the clock source switching information so as to switch to the corresponding target clock source. In one embodiment, when the clock information of the source clock source is the same as that of the target clock source, the third communication node directly uses the target clock source to update the reference clock. In one embodiment, when the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source is a fixed value, the third communication node directly switches to the target clock source at the execution time of the clock source switching according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; or, the third communication node calculates the master clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source to update it as the reference clock; or, the third communication node calculates the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source and switches to the target clock source at the clock source switching moment. In one embodiment, when the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source is a variable value, the third communication node directly switches to the target clock source at the execution time of the clock source switching according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; or, the third communication node calculates the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment and switches to the target clock source at the clock source switching moment.

[0112] In one embodiment, Figure 5 is a flowchart of another clock synchronization method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment can be executed by the third communication node. Among them, the third communication node can be a core network (for example, it can be an AMF). As Figure 5 shown, the clock synchronization method in this embodiment includes: S510.

[0113] S510. Send clock source switching information to the first communication node through downlink information.

[0114] In an embodiment, when the clock source of the third communication node switches, in order to make the clock difference between the second communication node and the third communication node meet the service requirements, the third communication node can send the clock source switching information to the first communication node through downlink information, and send the clock source switching information to the second communication node through the first communication node to achieve clock synchronization.

[0115] It should be noted that for the explanation of the clock source switching information, reference can be made to the description in the above embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

[0116] In one embodiment, the clock synchronization method applied to the third communication node further includes: notifying the first communication node to determine the clock source according to the clock source switching information;

[0117] Notify the first communication node to determine the clock source according to the clock source switching information, including at least one of the following:

[0118] Notify the first communication node to perform a switch at the clock source switching moment according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment;

[0119] Notify the first communication node to update the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source;

[0120] Notify the first communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and perform a switch at the clock source switching moment;

[0121] Notify the first communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and perform a switch at the clock source switching moment.

[0122] In an embodiment, after the third communication node sends the clock source switching information to the first communication node, the third communication node notifies the first communication node to determine the clock source according to the clock source switching information, so as to switch to the corresponding target clock source. In an embodiment, when the clock information of the source clock source and the target clock source is the same or identical, the third communication node may notify the first communication node to directly update the reference clock using the target clock source. In an embodiment, when the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source is a fixed value, the third communication node may notify the first communication node to directly switch to the target clock source at the execution moment of the clock source switch according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; or, the third communication node may notify the first communication node to calculate the master clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source for updating as the reference clock; or, the third communication node may notify the first communication node to calculate the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source and switch to the target clock source at the clock source switching moment. In an embodiment, when the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source is a variable value, the third communication node may notify the first communication node to directly switch to the target clock source at the execution moment of the clock source switch according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; or, the third communication node may notify the first communication node to calculate the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment and switch to the target clock source at the clock source switching moment.

[0123] In an embodiment, Figure 6 is a flowchart of yet another clock synchronization method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment may be executed by a fourth communication node. Among them, the fourth communication node may be a target base station. As Figure 6As shown in the figure, the clock synchronization method in this embodiment includes: S610 - S620.

[0124] S610. Receive a first handover request message sent by a first communication node.

[0125] Among them, the first handover request message carries at least one of the following: clock source handover information; status report of the source clock source.

[0126] S620. Send the clock source handover information to a second communication node and a third communication node.

[0127] In the embodiment, during the handover process of the second communication node, in order to achieve more accurate synchronization of the reference clock with the second communication node more quickly, the fourth communication node may adopt the same clock source as the first communication node. In the embodiment, after receiving the first handover request message sent by the first communication node, send the clock source handover information to the second communication node and the third communication node, so that the second communication node and the third communication node determine the reference clock according to the clock source handover information.

[0128] In one embodiment, the clock synchronization method applied to the fourth communication node further includes: receiving a second handover request message sent by the third communication node, where the second handover request message carries at least one of the following: clock source handover information; status report of the source clock source;

[0129] Send the clock source handover information to the second communication node. In the embodiment, in the handover between base stations based on the NG interface, due to the existence of multiple clock sources, in order to quickly achieve clock synchronization, the third communication node sends a second handover request message to the fourth communication node to indicate the clock source of the second communication node.

[0130] In one example, Figure 7 is an interaction schematic diagram of clock synchronization provided by an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, taking the first communication node as a base station (denoted as gNB), the second communication node as a UE, the source clock source as clock source A, and the target clock source as clock source B as an example, the interaction process of clock synchronization is described. As Figure 7 shown, the interaction process of clock synchronization in this embodiment includes: S710.

[0131] S710. Send the clock source handover information to the UE through downlink information.

[0132] When the UE supports multiple clock sources, the clock sources of the reference clocks used between the UE and the gNB need to be consistent. Therefore, when the clock source switches, the gNB needs to send indication information related to the clock source switch information to the UE. When the UE sends a request for obtaining valid clock information to the gNB, or when the gNB needs to update the reference clock and the clock source A fails and needs to be switched to the clock source B, the gNB sends the clock source switch information to the UE through unicast or broadcast and indicates the clock source switch information to the UE. Among them, the clock source switch information includes at least one of the following: the switch indication information for switching from the clock source A to the clock source B, the reference clock of the clock source B at the clock source switch moment, the clock difference between the clock source A and the clock source B, the clock difference between the clock source A and the clock source B at the clock source switch moment, the clock source switch moment, and the status report of the source clock source.

[0133] When the clock information of the clock source A and the clock source B is consistent or the clock difference between them is a fixed value, the clock switching scheme includes the following:

[0134] During the valid time of the clock source A on the UE side, the methods for the base station or the UE to switch the reference clock source include at least one of the following:

[0135] When the clock information is the same, the base station or the UE uses the clock source B to update the reference clock;

[0136] When the clock difference is a fixed value, the base station or the UE determines the clock at the clock source switch moment through the reference clock of the clock source B.

[0137] When the clock difference is a fixed value, the base station or the UE calculates the clock of the clock source A through the clock difference between the clock source A and the clock source B and uses it as the reference clock for updating.

[0138] When the clock difference is a fixed value, the base station or the UE calculates the clock information of the clock source B through the clock difference between the clock source A and the clock source B and switches at the clock source switch moment.

[0139] When the clock information of the clock source A and the clock source B is inconsistent and the clock difference between them is not a fixed value, the clock switching scheme includes the following:

[0140] During the valid time of the clock source A on the UE side, the methods for the base station or the UE to determine the clock include at least one of the following:

[0141] The base station or the UE determines the clock at the clock source switch moment through the reference clock of the clock source B at the clock source switch moment.

[0142] The base station or the UE calculates the clock information of clock source B based on the clock difference between clock source A and clock source B at the clock source switching moment, and performs the switching at the clock source switching moment.

[0143] The sending methods of the above clock source switching information include the following situations:

[0144] In the case of unicast sending of clock source switching information, the gNB sends indication information containing the clock source switching information to the UE. This indication method includes at least one of the following: including the clock source switching information in the downlink information transfer (DL Information Transfer), and including the clock source switching information in the reference clock information (Reference Time Info IE).

[0145] In the case of broadcast sending of clock information, the base station indicates the clock source switching information to the UE through SIB information or MAC CE or DCI. This indication method includes at least one of the following: including the clock source switching information in the SIB information; predefining the MAC CE format containing the clock source switching information through the LCID reserved in the DLSCH; using the DCI format predefining to carry the clock source switching information; including the clock source switching information in the reference clock information.

[0146] In an example, Figure 8 is another interaction schematic diagram of clock synchronization provided by the embodiments of the present application. In this embodiment, taking the first communication node as the base station (denoted as gNB), the second communication node as the UE, the source clock source as clock source A, and the target clock source as clock source B as an example, the interaction process of clock synchronization is described. As Figure 8 shown, the interaction process of clock synchronization in this embodiment includes: S810.

[0147] S810. Send the clock source switching information to the AMF through the uplink information.

[0148] In the embodiment, in the case where the clock source of the gNB switches, in order to make the clock error between the UE and the AMF meet the service requirements, the gNB needs to notify the AMF through the uplink information. In the embodiment, the method for the gNB to notify the AMF of the clock source switching information is as follows:

[0149] In the case where the clock information of clock source A and clock source B is the same or the clock difference between the two is a fixed value, the clock switching scheme includes the following:

[0150] During the valid time of clock source A on the UE side, the base station's scheme for notifying the AMF to switch the clock source includes at least one of the following:

[0151] In the case of the same clock information, the base station notifies the AMF to use clock source B for reference clock update;

[0152] When the clock difference is a fixed value, the base station notifies the AMF to determine and switch the clock source at the clock source switching moment through the reference clock of clock source B.

[0153] When the clock difference is a fixed value, the base station notifies the AMF to calculate the clock of clock source A as the reference clock for update through the clock difference between clock source A and clock source B.

[0154] When the clock difference is a fixed value, the base station notifies the AMF to calculate the clock information of clock source B based on the clock difference between clock source A and clock source B, and determine and switch the clock source at the clock source clock switching moment.

[0155] When the clock information of clock source A and clock source B is inconsistent and the clock difference is not a fixed value, the clock switching scheme includes the following:

[0156] During the valid time of clock source A on the UE side, the base station notifies the AMF that the clock source switching scheme includes at least one of the following:

[0157] The base station notifies the AMF to determine the clock source at the clock source switching moment through the reference clock of clock source B at the clock source switching moment.

[0158] The base station notifies the AMF to calculate the clock information of clock source B through the clock difference between clock source A and clock source B at the clock source switching moment, and perform the switching at the clock source switching moment.

[0159] Among them, the uplink information includes one of the following: switching indication information for switching the clock source A to the clock source B, the reference clock of the clock source B at the switching moment, the clock difference between the clock source A and the clock source B, the clock source switching moment, and the status report of the current clock source. The above uplink information includes at least one of the following: a predefined signaling dedicated to containing the above information, a configuration request for the NG interface (NG SETUP REQUEST), a RAN configuration update message (RAN CONFIGURATION UPDATE message), an AMF configuration update acknowledgment message (AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE message), an NG interface reconfiguration acknowledgment message (NG RESET ACKNOWLEDGE message), an error indication message (ERROR INDICATION message), an overload start message (OVERLOAD START message), an uplink RAN configuration transfer message (UPLINK RAN CONFIGURATION TRANSFER message), a write-replace warning response message (WRITE-REPLACE WARNING RESPONSE message), and a handover request acknowledgment message (HANDOVER REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE message).

[0160] Furthermore, in the case where the gNB is divided into the central unit gNB-CU of the base station and the distributed unit gNB-DU of the base station, the accurate clock information carried by the RRC message is sourced from the gNB-DU. In the case of a clock source switch, the gNB-DU needs to actively provide the clock source switch information to the gNB-CU. Figure 9 It is another interaction schematic diagram of clock synchronization provided by the embodiments of the present application. In this embodiment, taking the source clock source as the clock source A and the target clock source as the clock source B as an example, the interaction process of clock synchronization is described. As Figure 9 shown, the clock synchronization interaction process between the CU and the DU in this embodiment includes:

[0161] S910: Send the clock source switch information to the CU through the uplink information.

[0162] After the gNB-DU detects a failure in the source clock, the gNB-DU needs to actively send clock source switching information to the gNB-CU through uplink information. The clock source switching information includes one of the following: switching indication information from clock source A to clock source B, the reference clock of clock source B during the switching, the clock error value between clock source A and clock source B, and the clock source switching time. The uplink information includes at least one of the following: REFERENCE TIME INFORMATION REPORT, gNB-DU CONFIGURATION UPDATE, gNB-DU STATUS INDICATION, UE CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST, UE CONTEXT RELEASE REQUEST, UE CONTEXT MODIFICATION REQUIRED, UE INACTIVITY NOTIFICATION, NOTIFY, INITIAL UL RRC MESSAGE TRANSFER, UL RRC MESSAGE TRANSFER, RRC CONTAINER DELIVERY REPORT.

[0163] In one example, Figure 10 is another interaction schematic diagram of clock synchronization provided by an embodiment of this application. In this embodiment, taking the first communication node as a base station (denoted as gNB), the third communication node as AMF, the source clock source as clock source A, and the target clock source as clock source B as an example, the interaction process of clock synchronization is described. As Figure 10 shown, the interaction process of clock synchronization in this embodiment includes: S1010.

[0164] S1010. Send clock source switching information to the gNB through downlink information.

[0165] In the case where the clock source of the AMF has switched, in order to make the clock error between the UE and the AMF meet the service requirements, the AMF needs to notify the gNB through downlink information. The method of notification by the AMF is as follows:

[0166] In the case where the clock information of clock source A and clock source B is the same or the clock difference between the two is a fixed value, the clock switching scheme includes the following:

[0167] During the valid time of clock source A on the UE side, the AMF notifies the base station that the scheme for determining the clock includes at least one of the following:

[0168] When the clock information is the same, the AMF notifies the base station to use clock source B to update the reference clock;

[0169] When the clock difference is a fixed value, the AMF notifies the base station to determine and switch the clock source at the clock source switching moment through the reference clock of clock source B;

[0170] When the clock difference is a fixed value, the AMF notifies the base station to calculate the clock of clock source A as the reference clock for update through the clock difference between clock source A and clock source B;

[0171] When the clock difference is a fixed value, the AMF notifies the base station to calculate the clock information of clock source B through the clock difference between clock source A and clock source B, and determine and switch the clock source at the clock source clock switching moment.

[0172] When the clock information of clock source A and clock source B is inconsistent and the clock difference is not a fixed value, the AMF notifies the base station that the scheme for determining the clock includes at least one of the following:

[0173] During the valid time of clock source A on the UE side, the AMF notifies the base station that the scheme for determining the clock includes at least one of the following:

[0174] The AMF notifies the base station to determine the clock source at the clock source switching moment through the reference clock of clock source B at the clock source switching moment;

[0175] The AMF notifies the base station to calculate the clock information of clock source B through the clock difference between clock source A and clock source B at the clock source switching moment, and perform the switch at the clock source switching moment.

[0176] Among them, the following information is included in the downlink information: one of the following: the switching indication information for switching from clock source A to clock source B, the reference clock of clock source B during switching, the clock error value between clock source A and clock source B, the clock source switching moment. The above downlink information includes at least one of the following: a predefined signaling dedicated to including the above information, HANDOVER REQUEST ACKNOWLEDGE, PATH SWITCH REQUEST, UE CONTEXT RELEASE COMPLETE, UE CONTEXT RELEASE, PAGING, LOCATION REPORT.

[0177] Further, in the case of the central unit gNB-CU of the split base station and the distributed unit gNB-DU of the base station, the precise clock information carried by the RRC message is sourced from the gNB-DU. In the case of a clock source transmission switch, the gNB-CU provides clock source switch information to the gNB-DU.

[0178] Figure 11 It is another interaction schematic diagram of clock synchronization provided by the embodiments of the present application. In this embodiment, taking the source clock source as clock source A and the target clock source as clock source B as an example, the interaction process of clock synchronization is described. As Figure 11 shown, the clock synchronization interaction process between the CU and the DU in this embodiment includes:

[0179] S1110. Send clock source switch information to the gNB-DU through downlink information.

[0180] After the gNB-CU senses that the source clock has failed, the gNB-CU needs to actively send clock source switch information to the gNB-DU through downlink information. The clock source switch information includes one of the following: the switch indication information for switching from clock source A to clock source B, the clock source switch time. The downlink information includes at least one of the following: Reconfiguration Acknowledge, Error Indication, F1 Interface Configuration Response, gNB-DU Configuration Update Acknowledge, gNB-CU Configuration Update, gNB-DU Resource Coordination Request, F1 Interface Removal Request, F1 Interface Removal Response, Network Access Rate Reduction, Resource Status Request.

[0181] In one example, during a handover process, in order to achieve more precise synchronization of the reference clock between the target gNB and the UE faster, it is ensured by using the same clock source as the source gNB. The specific cases are described in the following two examples:

[0182] Example 1 Figure 12It is another interaction schematic diagram of clock synchronization provided by an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, taking the first communication node as the source gNB and the fourth communication node as the target gNB as an example, the process of clock synchronization will be described. As Figure 12 shown, the interaction process of clock synchronization in this embodiment includes:

[0183] S1210. Send a first handover request message to the target gNB.

[0184] In the embodiment, in the handover between base stations based on the Xn interface, considering that the clock sources between gNBs are different, that is, there is a different clock source for each gNB in the core network; therefore, when the source gNB sends a handover request message (HANDOVER REQUEST) to the target gNB, the information at least includes one of the following: the clock source information of the UE, the status report of the current clock source of the source gNB; after receiving the indication information about the UE clock source from the source gNB, the target gNB sends a reference to the UE based on the above information, and the target gNB notifies the core network of the handover indication information for switching from clock source A to clock source B or the clock error value between clock source A and clock source B. In addition, after receiving the status report of the current clock source from the source gNB, the target gNB sends a reference clock to the UE based on the above information.

[0185] Example 1 Figure 13 It is another interaction schematic diagram of clock synchronization provided by an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, taking the third communication node as the core network, the first communication node as the source gNB, and the fourth communication node as the target gNB as an example, the process of clock synchronization will be described. As Figure 13 shown, the interaction process of clock synchronization in this embodiment includes:

[0186] S1310. Send a second handover request message to the target gNB.

[0187] In the handover between base stations based on the NG interface, due to the existence of multiple clock sources, in order to quickly achieve clock synchronization, the core network indicates the clock source of the UE corresponding to the target gNB. Under the condition that the AMF sends a second handover request message (HANDOVERREQUEST) to the target gNB, the information at least includes one of the following: the clock source information of the UE, the status report of the current clock source corresponding to the source gNB. After receiving the indication information about the UE clock source or the status report of the current clock source of the source gNB from the AMF, the target gNB sends a reference clock to the UE based on the above information.

[0188] In one embodiment Figure 14 It is a structural block diagram of a clock synchronization device provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to the first communication node. As Figure 14As shown, the clock synchronization device in this embodiment includes: a generator 1410 and a transmitter 1420.

[0189] Among them, the generator 1410 is configured to generate corresponding clock source switching information according to a target clock source when a failure occurs in the source clock source where the master clock is located.

[0190] The transmitter 1420 is configured to send the clock source switching information to a second communication node or a third communication node.

[0191] In one embodiment, the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following: clock source switching indication information; the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source; the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; the clock source switching moment; the status report of the source clock source.

[0192] In one embodiment, the clock synchronization device applied to a first communication node further includes:

[0193] A first notification module configured to notify the second communication node to determine a clock according to the clock source switching information.

[0194] Notifying the second communication node to determine a clock according to the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following:

[0195] Notifying the second communication node to determine a clock at the clock source switching moment according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment;

[0196] Notifying the second communication node to update the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source;

[0197] Notifying the second communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and determine a clock at the clock source switching moment;

[0198] Notifying the second communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and determine a clock at the clock source switching moment.

[0199] In one embodiment, the clock source switching indication information includes at least one of the following: downlink information; reference clock information; system information block SIB; a region identifier LCID pre-defined media access control layer - control unit MAC CE reserved in the downlink shared channel DL-SCH; downlink control information DCI.

[0200] In one embodiment, the clock synchronization device applied to a first communication node further includes:

[0201] A second notification module, configured to notify a third communication node to determine a clock source according to clock source switching information.

[0202] In one embodiment, the second notification module is at least configured as one of the following:

[0203] Notify the third communication node to switch at the clock source switching moment according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment;

[0204] Notify the third communication node to update the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source;

[0205] Notify the third communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and switch at the clock source switching moment;

[0206] Notify the third communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and switch at the clock source switching moment.

[0207] In one embodiment, when the first communication node includes a central unit CU and a distributed unit DU, the transmitter 1420 includes:

[0208] A first sending unit, configured to enable the DU to actively send clock source switching information to the CU through uplink information;

[0209] A second sending unit, configured to send the clock source switching information to the second communication node or the third communication node through the CU.

[0210] The clock synchronization device provided in this embodiment is set to implement Figure 1 The clock synchronization method applied to the first communication node in the illustrated embodiment. The implementation principle and technical effects of the clock synchronization device provided in this embodiment are similar and will not be elaborated here.

[0211] In one embodiment, Figure 15 is a flowchart of another clock synchronization device provided in an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment can be executed by the first communication node. Among them, the first communication node can be a base station. As Figure 15 shown, the clock synchronization device in this embodiment includes: a first receiver 1510 and a determination module 1520.

[0212] The first receiver 1510 is configured to receive the clock source switching information sent by the third communication node through downlink information.

[0213] The determination module 1520 is configured to determine the clock according to the clock source switching information.

[0214] In one embodiment, the determination module 1520 includes at least one of the following:

[0215] Determine the clock at the clock source switching moment according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment;

[0216] Update the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source;

[0217] Determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and determine the clock at the clock source switching moment;

[0218] Determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and determine the clock at the clock source switching moment.

[0219] In one embodiment, when the first communication node includes a CU and a DU, the first receiver 1510 includes:

[0220] A receiving unit configured to receive, through the CU, the clock source switching information sent by the third communication node through downlink information;

[0221] A sending unit configured to actively send, through the CU, the clock source switching information to the DU through downlink information.

[0222] In one embodiment, when the first communication node is a source base station, the clock synchronization device applied to the first communication node further includes:

[0223] A transmitter configured to send a first handover request message to the fourth communication node, where the first handover request message carries at least one of the following: clock source switching information; a status report of the source clock source.

[0224] In one embodiment, the clock synchronization device applied to the first communication node further includes:

[0225] A second receiver configured to receive the clock source switching information sent by the fourth communication node.

[0226] The clock synchronization device provided in this embodiment is configured to implement Figure 2 the clock synchronization method applied to the first communication node in the illustrated embodiment. The implementation principle and technical effects of the clock synchronization device provided in this embodiment are similar and will not be elaborated here.

[0227] In one embodiment, Figure 16 is a flowchart of another clock synchronization device provided in an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment can be executed by the second communication node. Among them, the second communication node can be the terminal side (for example, it can be a UE). As Figure 16As shown, the clock synchronization device in this embodiment includes: a receiver 1610 and a determination module 1620.

[0228] The receiver 1610 is configured to receive clock source switching information sent by a first communication node.

[0229] The determination module 1620 is configured to determine a clock according to the clock source switching information.

[0230] In one embodiment, the determination module 1620 includes at least one of the following:

[0231] Determine the clock at the clock source switching moment according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment;

[0232] Update the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source;

[0233] Determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and determine the clock at the clock source switching moment;

[0234] Determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and determine the clock at the clock source switching moment.

[0235] In one embodiment, when the first communication node includes a central unit CU and a distributed unit DU, the receiver 1610 includes: receiving the clock source switching information sent by the CU in the first communication node.

[0236] The clock synchronization device provided in this embodiment is configured to implement Figure 3 The clock synchronization method applied to the second communication node in the shown embodiment. The implementation principle and technical effect of the clock synchronization device provided in this embodiment are similar and will not be elaborated here.

[0237] In one embodiment, Figure 17 is a flowchart of another clock synchronization device provided in an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment can be executed by a third communication node. Among them, the third communication node can be a core network (for example, it can be an AMF). As Figure 17 As shown, the clock synchronization device in this embodiment includes: a receiver 1710 and a determination module 1720.

[0238] The receiver 1710 is configured to receive clock source switching information sent by a first communication node.

[0239] The determination module 1720 is configured to determine a clock source according to the clock source switching information.

[0240] In one embodiment, the determination module 1720 includes at least one of the following:

[0241] Switch according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and perform the switching at the clock source switching moment;

[0242] Update the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source;

[0243] Determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and perform the switching at the clock source switching moment;

[0244] Determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and perform the switching at the clock source switching moment.

[0245] The clock synchronization device provided in this embodiment is set to implement Figure 4 The clock synchronization method applied to the third communication node in the illustrated embodiment. The implementation principle and technical effects of the clock synchronization device provided in this embodiment are similar and will not be elaborated here.

[0246] In one embodiment, Figure 18 is a flowchart of another clock synchronization device provided in an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment can be executed by the third communication node. Among them, the third communication node can be a core network (for example, it can be an AMF). As Figure 18 shown, the clock synchronization device in this embodiment includes: a transmitter 1810.

[0247] The transmitter 1810 is configured to send clock source switching information to the first communication node through downlink information.

[0248] In one embodiment, the clock synchronization device applied to the third communication node further includes:

[0249] A notification module configured to notify the first communication node to determine the clock source according to the clock source switching information;

[0250] The notification module includes at least one of the following:

[0251] Notify the first communication node to switch at the clock source switching moment according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment;

[0252] Notify the first communication node to update the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source;

[0253] Notify the first communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and perform the switching at the clock source switching moment;

[0254] Instruct the first communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source based on the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and perform the switching at the clock source switching moment.

[0255] The clock synchronization device provided in this embodiment is configured to implement Figure 5 the clock synchronization method applied to the third communication node in the illustrated embodiment. The implementation principle and technical effects of the clock synchronization device provided in this embodiment are similar and will not be elaborated here.

[0256] In one embodiment, Figure 19 is a flowchart of another clock synchronization device provided in an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment can be executed by the fourth communication node. Among them, the fourth communication node can be a target base station. As Figure 19 shown, the clock synchronization device in this embodiment includes: a first receiver 1910 and a first transmitter 1920.

[0257] The first receiver 1910 is configured to receive a first handover request message sent by the first communication node.

[0258] Among them, the first handover request message carries at least one of the following: clock source handover information; status report of the source clock source.

[0259] The first transmitter 1920 is configured to send clock source handover information to the second communication node and the third communication node.

[0260] In one embodiment, the clock synchronization device applied to the fourth communication node further includes:

[0261] a second receiver, configured to receive a second handover request message sent by the third communication node, where the second handover request message carries at least one of the following: clock source handover information; status report of the source clock source;

[0262] a second transmitter, configured to send clock source handover information to the second communication node.

[0263] The clock synchronization device provided in this embodiment is configured to implement Figure 6 the clock synchronization method applied to the fourth communication node in the illustrated embodiment. The implementation principle and technical effects of the clock synchronization device provided in this embodiment are similar and will not be elaborated here.

[0264] Figure 20 is a schematic structural diagram of a clock synchronization device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 20 shown, the device provided in the present application includes: a processor 2010, a memory 2020, and a communication module 2030. The number of processors 2010 in this device can be one or more, Figure 20Take a processor 2010 as an example. The number of memories 2020 in this device can be one or more. Figure 20 Take a memory 2020 as an example. The processor 2010, memory 2020, and communication module 2030 of this device can be connected through a bus or other means. Figure 20 Take connection through a bus as an example. In this embodiment, this device can be a terminal side (for example, a user device).

[0265] As a computer-readable storage medium, the memory 2020 can be set to store software programs, computer-executable programs, and modules, such as the program instructions / modules corresponding to the devices in any embodiment of the present application (for example, the generator 1410 and transmitter 1420 in the clock synchronization device). The memory 2020 can include a program storage area and a data storage area. Among them, the program storage area can store an operating system and application programs required for at least one function; the data storage area can store data created according to the use of the device, etc. In addition, the memory 2020 can include high-speed random access memory and can also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk storage device, flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid-state storage devices. In some instances, the memory 2020 can further include a memory remotely set relative to the processor 2010, and these remote memories can be connected to the device through a network. Examples of the above network include but are not limited to the Internet, enterprise intranet, local area network, mobile communication network, and their combinations.

[0266] When the clock synchronization device is the first communication node, the device provided above can be set to execute the clock synchronization method applied to the first communication node provided in any of the above embodiments, and has the corresponding functions and effects.

[0267] When the clock synchronization device is the second communication node, the device provided above can be set to execute the clock synchronization method applied to the second communication node provided in any of the above embodiments, and has the corresponding functions and effects.

[0268] When the clock synchronization device is the third communication node, the device provided above can be set to execute the clock synchronization method applied to the third communication node provided in any of the above embodiments, and has the corresponding functions and effects.

[0269] When the clock synchronization device is the fourth communication node, the device provided above can be set to execute the clock synchronization method applied to the fourth communication node provided in any of the above embodiments, and has the corresponding functions and effects.

[0270] An embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions, and the computer-executable instructions are used to execute a clock synchronization method applied to a first communication node when executed by a computer processor. The method includes: when detecting that a source clock source where the master clock is located fails, generating corresponding clock source switching information according to a target clock source; and sending the clock source switching information to a second communication node or a third communication node.

[0271] An embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions, and the computer-executable instructions are used to execute a clock synchronization method applied to a first communication node when executed by a computer processor. The method includes: receiving clock source switching information sent by a third communication node through downlink information; and determining a clock according to the clock source switching information.

[0272] An embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions, and the computer-executable instructions are used to execute a clock synchronization method applied to a second communication node when executed by a computer processor. The method includes: receiving clock source switching information sent by a first communication node; and determining a clock according to the clock source switching information.

[0273] An embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions, and the computer-executable instructions are used to execute a communication method applied to a third communication node when executed by a computer processor. The method includes: receiving clock source switching information sent by a first communication node; and determining a clock source according to the clock source switching information.

[0274] An embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions, and the computer-executable instructions are used to execute a communication method applied to a third communication node when executed by a computer processor. The method includes: sending clock source switching information to a first communication node through downlink information.

[0275] An embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions, and the computer-executable instructions are used to execute a communication method applied to a fourth communication node when executed by a computer processor. The method includes: receiving a first switching request message sent by a first communication node, where the first switching request message carries at least one of the following: clock source switching information; a status report of the source clock source; and sending clock source switching information to a second communication node and a third communication node.

[0276] Those skilled in the art should understand that the term user equipment covers any suitable type of wireless user equipment, such as a mobile phone, a portable data processing device, a portable network browser, or a vehicle-mounted mobile station.

[0277] In general, various embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects can be implemented in hardware, while other aspects can be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, a microprocessor, or other computing devices, although the present application is not limited thereto.

[0278] Embodiments of the present application can be implemented by a data processor of a mobile device executing computer program instructions, for example, in a processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The computer program instructions can be assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-related instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages.

[0279] Any block diagram of a logical flow in the drawings of the present application can represent program steps, or can represent interconnected logical circuits, modules, and functions, or can represent a combination of program steps and logical circuits, modules, and functions. The computer program can be stored in a memory. The memory can have any type suitable for the local technical environment and can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), optical memory devices and systems (digital video disc (DVD) or compact disk (CD)), etc. The computer-readable medium can include non-transitory storage media. The data processor can be any type suitable for the local technical environment, such as, but not limited to, a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FGPA), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0280] The foregoing are only the preferred embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application can have various changes and modifications. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A clock synchronization method, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication node, including: In the case where a fault occurs in the source clock source where the master clock is located, generating corresponding clock source switching information according to a target clock source; Sending the clock source switching information to a second communication node or a third communication node; Informing the second communication node to determine a clock according to the clock source switching information; Wherein, the informing the second communication node to determine a clock according to the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following: Informing the second communication node to determine a clock at the clock source switching moment according to a reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; Informing the second communication node to update a reference clock of the source clock source according to a clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source; Informing the second communication node to determine clock information of the target clock source according to a clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and determine a clock at the clock source switching moment; Informing the second communication node to determine clock information of the target clock source according to a clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and determine a clock at the clock source switching moment.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The clock source switching information includes at least one of the following: clock source switching indication information; a reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; a clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source; A clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; The clock source switching moment; A status report of the source clock source.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The indication information corresponding to the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following: downlink information; reference clock information; system information block SIB; a region identifier LCID pre-defined media access control layer - control unit MAC CE reserved in a downlink shared channel DL-SCH; downlink control information DCI.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Informing the third communication node to determine a clock source according to the clock source switching information.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The informing the third communication node to determine a clock source according to the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following: Informing the third communication node to perform a switch at the clock source switching moment according to a reference clock of the target clock source; Informing the third communication node to update a reference clock of the source clock source according to a clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source; Informing the third communication node to determine clock information of the target clock source according to a clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and perform a switch at the clock source switching moment; Informing the third communication node to determine clock information of the target clock source according to a clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and perform a switch at the clock source switching moment.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein In the case where the first communication node includes a central unit CU and a distributed unit DU, the sending the clock source switching information to a second communication node or a third communication node includes: The DU actively sends clock source switching information to the CU through uplink information; Sending the clock source switching information to a second communication node or a third communication node through the CU.

7. A clock synchronization method, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication node, including: Receiving clock source switching information sent by a third communication node through downlink information; Determining a clock according to the clock source switching information; Among them, determining the clock according to the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following: Determining the clock at the clock source switching moment according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; Updating the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source; Determining the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and determining the clock at the clock source switching moment; Determining the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and determining the clock at the clock source switching moment.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein When the first communication node includes a CU and a DU, receiving the clock source switching information sent by the third communication node through downlink information includes: Receiving, by the CU, the clock source switching information sent by the third communication node through downlink information; The CU actively sends the clock source switching information to the DU through downlink information.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that, When the first communication node is the source base station, the method further includes: Sending a first handover request message to the fourth communication node, where the first handover request message carries at least one of the following: clock source switching information; status report of the source clock source.

10. The method according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving the clock source switching information sent by the fourth communication node.

11. A clock synchronization method, characterized in that, When applied to the second communication node, it includes: Receiving the clock source switching information sent by the first communication node; Determining the clock according to the clock source switching information; Among them, determining the clock according to the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following: Determining the clock at the clock source switching moment according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; Updating the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source; Determining the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and determining the clock at the clock source switching moment; Determining the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and determining the clock at the clock source switching moment.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein When the first communication node includes a central unit CU and a distributed unit DU, receiving the clock source switching information sent by the first communication node includes: Receiving the clock source switching information sent by the CU in the first communication node.

13. A clock synchronization method, characterized in that, When applied to the third communication node, it includes: Receiving the clock source switching information sent by the first communication node; Determining the clock source according to the clock source switching information; Among them, determining the clock source according to the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following: Switching at the clock source switching moment according to the reference clock of the target clock source; Updating the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source; Determining the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and switching at the clock source switching moment; Determining the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and switching at the clock source switching moment.

14. A clock synchronization method, characterized in that, When applied to the third communication node, it includes: Send clock source switching information to a first communication node via downlink information; Notify the first communication node to determine a clock source according to the clock source switching information; Among them, the step of notifying the first communication node to determine a clock source according to the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following: Notify the first communication node to perform a switch at the clock source switching moment according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; Notify the first communication node to update the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source; Notify the first communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and perform a switch at the clock source switching moment; Notify the first communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and perform a switch at the clock source switching moment.

15. A clock synchronization method, characterized in that, Applied to a fourth communication node, it includes: Receive a first switching request message sent by a first communication node, where the first switching request message carries at least one of the following: clock source switching information; status report of the source clock source; Send clock source switching information to a second communication node and a third communication node; Notify the second communication node to determine a clock according to the clock source switching information; Among them, the step of notifying the second communication node to determine a clock according to the clock source switching information includes at least one of the following: Notify the second communication node to determine a clock at the clock source switching moment according to the reference clock of the target clock source at the clock source switching moment; Notify the second communication node to update the reference clock of the source clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source; Notify the second communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source, and determine a clock at the clock source switching moment; Notify the second communication node to determine the clock information of the target clock source according to the clock difference between the source clock source and the target clock source at the clock source switching moment, and determine a clock at the clock source switching moment.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a second switching request message sent by a third communication node, where the second switching request message carries at least one of the following: clock source switching information; status report of the source clock source; Send clock source switching information to the second communication node.

17. A clock synchronization device, characterized in that, It includes: A memory, and one or more processors; The memory is configured to store one or more programs; When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method according to any one of claims 1-6, 7-10, 11-12, 13, 14 or 15-16 above.

18. A storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the method according to any one of claims 1-6, 7-10, 11-12, 13, 14 or 15-16 above.

Images