Time synchronization method, apparatus and network device

Abstract

The application provides a time synchronization method and device and network equipment, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method comprises the following steps: obtaining first information; wherein the first information comprises one or more of the following information: time synchronization error budget; Uu error budget; first threshold; the first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget. By using the method, the first network side equipment can obtain the first information for time synchronization service exception judgment, so that the first network side equipment has the function of judging the exception of the user time synchronization service, avoids the problem that the core network signaling overhead increases because the first network side equipment must interact with the TSCTSF / TSN AF for air interface time service, and can ensure the flexibility of the air interface time mechanism.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of core network technology, and in particular to a time synchronization method, apparatus, and network equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, when the Next Generation-Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) detects an anomaly in time synchronization, it reports the anomaly information to the Time Sensitive Communication and Time Synchronization function (TSCTSF) network element / Time Sensitive Networking Application Function (TSN AF) network element. This includes: clock source anomalies (such as Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) deviation, clock source degradation / failure / recovery, etc.) and UEs within the affected range / area of ​​the clock source anomaly. Based on the anomaly information reported by NG-RAN, TSCTSF / TSN AF further determines whether the UE's time synchronization service will be affected and reports the UE information whose time synchronization service is affected to the corresponding Application Function (AF) network element and / or user.

[0003] However, with the above-mentioned anomaly detection method for time synchronization service, the anomaly detection function for user time synchronization service is concentrated on the TSCTSF / TSN AF side. NG-RAN cannot directly provide time synchronization services to users (such as activating or deactivating users) based on the detection results of the clock source status, nor can it report user time synchronization service anomalies to the core network. Therefore, the air interface time synchronization mechanism is inflexible. Moreover, NG-RAN's air interface time synchronization for users requires signaling interaction between the Radio Access Network (RAN) and TSCTSF / TSN AF, which increases the signaling overhead of the core network. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a time synchronization method, apparatus, and network device to solve the problem that the anomaly judgment function of the existing user time synchronization service is concentrated in TSCTSF / TSN AF, which results in inflexible air interface time synchronization, and the NG-RAN needs to perform signaling interaction with TSCTSF / TSN AF to provide air interface time synchronization to users, which leads to increased core network signaling overhead.

[0005] This invention provides a time synchronization method, wherein the method is executed by a first network-side device, and the method includes:

[0006] Obtain first information; wherein, the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0007] Time synchronization error budget;

[0008] Uu error budget;

[0009] The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0010] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, obtaining the first information includes:

[0011] Obtain the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element.

[0012] Optionally, the time synchronization method further includes:

[0013] Perform the first operation on the first user; and / or

[0014] Send the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation to the third network element;

[0015] The first user is a user who meets the first condition, which is determined based on the first information.

[0016] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, the Uu error budget includes one or more of the following information:

[0017] User-subscribed Uu error budget;

[0018] Business Uu error budget;

[0019] The smaller of the user's contracted Uu error budget and the business's Uu error budget.

[0020] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, obtaining the first information includes:

[0021] The first network-side device obtains the user-subscribed Uu error budget and the service Uu error budget sent by the first network element through the second network element;

[0022] The first network-side device uses the smaller of the user's subscribed Uu error budget and the service's Uu error budget as the Uu error budget.

[0023] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, obtaining the first information includes:

[0024] The first network-side device obtains the user-subscribed Uu error budget sent by the first network element through the second network element;

[0025] The first network-side device obtains the Uu error budget sent by the second network element; wherein, the Uu error budget is determined by the second network element after obtaining the Uu error budget of the service, and the smaller of the Uu error budget of the user's subscription and the Uu error budget of the service is determined as the Uu error budget, and the Uu error budget is sent to the first network-side device; the Uu error budget of the service obtained by the second network element is sent by the first network element.

[0026] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0027] Clock source malfunction;

[0028] Clock source restored;

[0029] The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold;

[0030] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget;

[0031] The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold;

[0032] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

[0033] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, the first network element includes at least one of the following: a Time Sensitive Communication and Time Synchronization Function (TSCTSF) network element, a Time Sensitive Network Application Function (TSN AF) network element, a Service Management Function (SMF) network element, and a Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF) network element; and the second network element includes an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element.

[0034] Optionally, the time synchronization method, wherein, when the first network element includes a TSCTSF network element or a TSN AF network element, obtaining the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element includes:

[0035] After the first network element sends the time synchronization status information of the first network-side device to the second network element, the first information sent by the second network element is obtained; wherein, the time synchronization status information includes the first information.

[0036] Optionally, the time synchronization method, wherein, when the first network element includes an SMF network element, obtaining the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element includes:

[0037] After the first network element receives the time synchronization request for application function AF from the fourth network element, it obtains the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element.

[0038] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, the first information is sent via Time Sensitive Communication Auxiliary Information (TSCAI) or via preset independent parameters.

[0039] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, the first network-side device performs a first operation on the first user by at least one of the following methods:

[0040] System Information Block (SIB9) signaling;

[0041] Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

[0042] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, after sending the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation to the third network element, the method further includes:

[0043] The third network element receives an air interface timing indication sent through the second network element; the air interface timing indication is used to indicate that the first network-side device is allowed to perform the first operation on the first user, or the air interface timing indication is used to indicate that the first network-side device is not allowed to perform the first operation on the first user.

[0044] When the air interface timing indication is to allow the first network-side device to perform the first operation on the first user, the first network-side device performs the first operation on the first user.

[0045] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, the first operation includes at least one of activating and deactivating the first user.

[0046] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, obtaining the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element includes:

[0047] Obtain the time synchronization error budget and Uu error budget sent by the first network element through the second network element;

[0048] The first threshold is calculated based on the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0049] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, the user information includes a user identifier and / or a service flow identifier for the user's business.

[0050] This invention provides a time synchronization method, wherein the method is executed by a first network element, and the method includes:

[0051] Send the first message to the first network-side device;

[0052] The first information includes one or more of the following:

[0053] Time synchronization error budget;

[0054] Uu error budget;

[0055] The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0056] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, sending the first information to the first network-side device includes:

[0057] The first information is sent to the first network-side device through the second network element.

[0058] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, the first network element includes at least one of the following: a Time Sensitive Communication and Time Synchronization Function (TSCTSF) network element, a Time Sensitive Network Application Function (TSN AF) network element, a Service Management Function (SMF) network element, and a Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF) network element; and the second network element includes an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element.

[0059] Optionally, the time synchronization method, wherein when the first network element includes a TSCTSF network element or a TSN AF network element, sending the first information to the first network-side device through the second network element includes:

[0060] When the first network element sends the time synchronization status information of the first network-side device to the second network element, it simultaneously sends the first information to the second network element, so that the second network element sends the first information to the first network-side device; wherein, the time synchronization status information includes the first information.

[0061] Optionally, the time synchronization method, wherein when the first network element includes an SMF network element, sending first information to the first network-side device through the second network element includes:

[0062] After the first network element receives the application function AF time synchronization request from the fourth network element, the first network element sends the first information to the first network-side device through the second network element.

[0063] Optionally, the time synchronization method further includes:

[0064] Receive user information of the first user and operation instruction information of the first operation sent by the first network-side device;

[0065] The first user is a user who meets the first condition, which is determined based on the first information.

[0066] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0067] Clock source malfunction;

[0068] Clock source restored;

[0069] The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold;

[0070] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget;

[0071] The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold;

[0072] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

[0073] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, the first operation includes at least one of activating and deactivating the first user.

[0074] Optionally, the time synchronization method further includes:

[0075] According to the operation instruction information, the second network element sends an air interface timing instruction to the first network-side device; the air interface timing instruction is used to indicate that the first network-side device is allowed to perform the first operation on the first user, or the air interface timing instruction is used to indicate that the first network-side device is not allowed to perform the first operation on the first user.

[0076] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, the Uu error budget includes one or more of the following information:

[0077] User-subscribed Uu error budget;

[0078] Business Uu error budget;

[0079] The smaller of the user's contracted Uu error budget and the business's Uu error budget.

[0080] This invention also provides a network device, wherein the network device is a first network-side device, comprising a processor, wherein:

[0081] The processor is configured to acquire first information; wherein the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0082] Time synchronization error budget;

[0083] Uu error budget;

[0084] The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0085] This invention also provides a network device, wherein the network device is a first network element, comprising a transceiver, wherein:

[0086] The transceiver is used to send first information to the first network-side device;

[0087] The first information includes one or more of the following:

[0088] Time synchronization error budget;

[0089] Uu error budget;

[0090] The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0091] This invention also provides a time synchronization device, which is applied to a first network-side device, the device comprising:

[0092] The acquisition module is used to acquire first information; wherein the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0093] Time synchronization error budget;

[0094] Uu error budget;

[0095] The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0096] This invention also provides a time synchronization device, which is applied to a first network element, the device comprising:

[0097] The sending module is used to send first information to the first network-side device;

[0098] The first information includes one or more of the following:

[0099] Time synchronization error budget;

[0100] Uu error budget;

[0101] The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0102] This invention also provides a network device, including: a transceiver, a processor, a memory, and a program or instructions stored in the memory and executable on the processor; wherein, when the processor executes the program or instructions, it implements the time synchronization method as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0103] This invention also provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions thereon, wherein the program or instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the time synchronization method as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0104] The beneficial effects of the above-described technical solution of the present invention are as follows:

[0105] Using the time synchronization method described in this embodiment of the invention, during the time synchronization process, the first network-side device can obtain first information including at least one of the time synchronization error budget, Uu error budget, and the difference between the two. The time synchronization error budget, Uu error budget, and / or the difference between the two can be used for time synchronization service anomaly judgment, enabling the first network-side device to have the function of judging the anomaly of user time synchronization service. This avoids the problem that the first network-side device must perform signaling interaction with TSCTSF / TSN AF to provide air interface time synchronization to users, which increases the core network signaling overhead, and can ensure the flexibility of the air interface time synchronization mechanism. Attached Figure Description

[0106] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating one implementation of the time synchronization method described in this invention.

[0107] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the implementation process of the method described in this embodiment of the invention.

[0108] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the second implementation process of the method described in this embodiment of the invention;

[0109] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the third implementation process of the method described in this embodiment of the invention;

[0110] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the method described in the present invention;

[0111] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the network device described in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0112] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the network device described in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0113] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the time synchronization device described in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0114] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the time synchronization device described in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0115] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the network device described in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0116] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the network device described in Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0117] To make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, a detailed description will be given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0118] It should be understood that the phrase "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" throughout the specification means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic related to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Therefore, "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these specific features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0119] In various embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the sequence number of each process described below does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0120] To address the issues of existing technologies where anomaly detection for user time synchronization services is concentrated in the TSCTSF / TSN AF, resulting in inflexible air interface time synchronization and increased core network signaling overhead due to the need for signaling interaction between NG-RAN and the TSCTSF / TSN AF for air interface time synchronization, this invention provides a time synchronization method. Using this method, a first network-side device can obtain first information including at least one of a time synchronization error budget, a Uu error budget, and the difference between the two. This enables the first network-side device to perform anomaly detection and reporting for time synchronization services based on the first information, ensuring the timeliness and effectiveness of the air interface time synchronization mechanism and avoiding the problem of existing technologies where anomaly detection for user time synchronization services is concentrated in the TSCTSF / TSN AF.

[0121] In one embodiment of the present invention, a time synchronization method is provided, which is executed by a first network-side device, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the method includes:

[0122] S110, Obtain first information; wherein, the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0123] Time synchronization error budget;

[0124] Uu error budget;

[0125] The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0126] Optionally, in this embodiment of the invention, the first network-side device includes at least one of Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN), RAN, AN, next generation base station gNB, base station, User Plane Function (UPF), and Network-side TSN Translator (NW-TT).

[0127] In this implementation, during time synchronization, the first network-side device can obtain first information including at least one of the time synchronization error budget, Uu error budget, and the difference between the two. The time synchronization error budget, Uu error budget, and / or the difference between the two can be used for time synchronization service anomaly judgment, enabling the first network-side device to have the function of judging the anomaly of user time synchronization service. This avoids the problem that the first network-side device must perform signaling interaction with TSCTSF / TSN AF to provide air interface time synchronization to users, which would increase the core network signaling overhead, and can ensure the flexibility of the air interface time synchronization mechanism.

[0128] In one embodiment of the present invention, optionally, in step S110, obtaining first information includes:

[0129] Obtain the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element.

[0130] The first network element includes at least one of the following: Time-Sensitive Communication and Time Synchronization Function (TSCTSF) network element, Time-Sensitive Network Application Function (TSN AF) network element, Service Management Function (SMF) network element, and Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF) network element; the second network element includes the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element.

[0131] In one implementation, each piece of information in the first information obtained by the first network-side device can be sent by the first network element through the second network element, that is, the first information is provided by the first network element.

[0132] Optionally, in another implementation, obtaining the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element includes:

[0133] Obtain the time synchronization error budget and Uu error budget sent by the first network element through the second network element;

[0134] The first threshold is calculated based on the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0135] In this implementation, the time synchronization error budget and Uu error budget in the first information can be provided by the first network element, and the first threshold in the first information can be calculated and determined by the first network-side device based on the time synchronization error budget and Uu error budget.

[0136] In one implementation, the Uu error budget may optionally include one or more of the following information:

[0137] User-subscribed Uu error budget;

[0138] Business Uu error budget;

[0139] The smaller of the user's contracted Uu error budget and the business's Uu error budget.

[0140] Optionally, obtaining the first information includes:

[0141] The first network-side device obtains the user-subscribed Uu error budget and the service Uu error budget sent by the first network element through the second network element;

[0142] The first network-side device uses the smaller of the user's subscribed Uu error budget and the service's Uu error budget as the Uu error budget.

[0143] In this embodiment, the first network element provides the first network-side device with the user's subscribed Uu error budget and the service's Uu error budget. The first network-side device can determine the Uu error budget in the first information based on the user's subscribed Uu error budget and the service's Uu error budget. Optionally, the Uu error budget is the smaller of the user's subscribed Uu error budget and the service's Uu error budget.

[0144] In one embodiment of the present invention, the user's subscribed Uu error budget can be obtained by the first network element (such as the TSCTSF network element or the TSN AF network element) from the UDM or UDR network element, and then sent to the first network-side device by the TSCTSF network element or the TSN AF network element through the AMF network element.

[0145] The Uu error budget of the service can be calculated by the first network element (such as the TSCTSF network element or the TSN AF network element) based on the time synchronization error budget obtained from the AF, and then sent to the first network-side device by the TSCTSF network element or the TSN AF network element through the AMF network element.

[0146] Alternatively, in another implementation, obtaining the first information may include:

[0147] The first network-side device obtains the user-subscribed Uu error budget sent by the first network element through the second network element;

[0148] The first network-side device obtains the Uu error budget sent by the second network element; wherein, the Uu error budget is determined by the second network element after obtaining the Uu error budget of the service, and the smaller of the Uu error budget of the user's subscription and the Uu error budget of the service is determined as the Uu error budget, and the Uu error budget is sent to the first network-side device; the Uu error budget of the service obtained by the second network element is sent by the first network element.

[0149] In this embodiment, the first network-side device can obtain the user-subscribed Uu error budget sent by the TSCTSF network element or TSN AF network element through the AMF network element; optionally, the AMF network element obtains the service's Uu error budget through the TSCTSF network element or TSN AF network element, and the AMF network element determines the smaller of the user-subscribed Uu error budget and the service's Uu error budget as the Uu error budget based on the user-subscribed Uu error budget and the service's Uu error budget, and then the AMF network element sends the determined Uu error budget to the first network-side device; optionally, the TSCTSF network element or TSN AF network element sends the service's Uu error budget to the AMF network element through the SMF network element.

[0150] In this embodiment of the invention, optionally, the time synchronization error budget is the time synchronization error budget provided by the application function AF.

[0151] In one implementation, when the first network element includes a TSCTSF network element or a TSN AF network element, the path for the first network-side device to obtain the first information includes:

[0152] After the TSCTSF network element or TSN AF network element requests or subscribes to time synchronization status information from the second network element (such as the AMF network element), the TSCTSF network element or TSN AF network element sends the first information to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element sends the first information to the first network-side device.

[0153] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the first network element includes a TSCTSF network element or a TSN AF network element, obtaining the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element includes:

[0154] After the first network element (such as a TSCTSF network element or a TSN AF network element) sends the time synchronization status information of the first network-side device to the second network element (such as an AMF network element), the first network-side device obtains the first information sent by the second network element; wherein, the time synchronization status information includes the first information.

[0155] In another implementation, when the first network element includes an SMF network element, the path for the first network-side device to obtain the first information includes:

[0156] The fourth network element receives the application function AF time synchronization request sent by the third network element, and forwards the received time synchronization request to the first network element. The first network element then sends the first information to the first network-side device through the second network element.

[0157] Optionally, the fourth network element includes, but is not limited to, network elements that can only include Policy Control Function (PCF) network elements; the third network element includes, but is not limited to, network elements that can only include TSCTSF network elements or TSN AF network elements.

[0158] In this implementation method, when the first network element includes an SMF network element, obtaining the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element includes:

[0159] After the first network element (e.g., SMF network element) receives the application function AF time synchronization request from the fourth network element (e.g., PCF network element), it obtains the first information sent by the first network element (e.g., SMF network element) through the second network element (e.g., AMF network element).

[0160] In this embodiment, the first information may optionally be sent via Time Sensitive Communication Auxiliary Information (TSCAI) or via preset independent parameters.

[0161] In this embodiment of the invention, optionally, after step S110, the method further includes:

[0162] Perform the first operation on the first user; and / or

[0163] Send the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation to the third network element;

[0164] The first user is a user who meets the first condition, which is determined based on the first information.

[0165] Optionally, the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0166] Clock source malfunction;

[0167] Clock source restored;

[0168] The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold;

[0169] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget;

[0170] The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold;

[0171] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

[0172] Optionally, the user information includes a user identifier and / or a service flow identifier for the user's service. For example, the user identifier includes a user ID and / or a SUbscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI), etc.; the service flow identifier includes a Quality of Service Flow ID (QoS Flow ID) and / or a QoS Flow Identifier (QFI), etc.

[0173] The first operation includes at least one of activating and deactivating the first user.

[0174] Using the time synchronization method described in this embodiment, the first network-side device can perform anomaly judgment on the time synchronization service based on the obtained first information, and perform corresponding time synchronization services (activate or deactivate the user) and / or report the user's time synchronization service anomaly based on the anomaly judgment result. This ensures the timeliness and effectiveness of the air interface time synchronization mechanism and avoids the problem that the anomaly judgment function of the user's time synchronization service in the prior art is concentrated on the TSCTSF / TSN AF side, which has the problem of inflexible air interface time synchronization, and that NG-RAN needs to perform signaling interaction with TSCTSF / TSN AF to provide air interface time synchronization to users, which leads to an increase in core network signaling overhead.

[0175] Optionally, after sending the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation to the third network element, the method further includes:

[0176] The third network element receives an air interface timing indication sent through the second network element; the air interface timing indication is used to indicate that the first network-side device is allowed to perform the first operation on the first user, or the air interface timing indication is used to indicate that the first network-side device is not allowed to perform the first operation on the first user.

[0177] When the air interface timing indication is to allow the first network-side device to perform the first operation on the first user, the first network-side device performs the first operation on the first user.

[0178] Optionally, if the air interface timing indication indicates that the first network-side device is not allowed to perform the first operation on the first user, the first network-side device shall not take any operation on the first user.

[0179] Optionally, in this embodiment, the third network element may include, but is not limited to, only TSCTSF network elements or TSN AF network elements.

[0180] In this embodiment, optionally, the first network-side device receives an air interface timing indication sent by the third network element through the second network element, including:

[0181] The third network element sends the air interface timing instruction to the second network element, which then sends the air interface timing instruction to the first network-side device.

[0182] In one embodiment of the present invention, the first network-side device performs a first operation on the first user through at least one of the following methods:

[0183] System Information Block (SIB9) signaling;

[0184] Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

[0185] Using the above implementation method, the first network-side device performs a first operation on the first user through SIB9 signaling and / or RRC signaling, which can activate or deactivate the first user, that is, send a request to activate or deactivate the first user to the first user.

[0186] The specific implementation process of the time synchronization method described in the embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to specific implementation methods.

[0187] Implementation Method 1

[0188] Combination Figure 2 In one embodiment of the present invention, the process by which the first network-side device (NG-RAN) obtains the first information includes the following steps:

[0189] S201, the AF network element sends a time synchronization request to the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element;

[0190] S202, the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element sends a response message to the AF network element based on the time synchronization request;

[0191] S203, the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element generates first information; optionally, the first information includes a first threshold; the first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget; wherein, the time synchronization error budget can be obtained through the time synchronization request in step S201, and the Uu error budget can be determined by the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element by comparing the user's subscribed Uu error budget and the service's Uu error budget, such that the Uu error budget is equal to the smaller of the user's subscribed Uu error budget and the service's Uu error budget;

[0192] S204, the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element issues a Time Sensitive Communication Assistance Container (TSCAC) to the SMF network element through the PCF network element;

[0193] S205, (optional, if step S203 is performed, this step S205 is skipped) The SMF network element generates TSCAI and first information. Optionally, the first information includes a first threshold. The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget; wherein, the time synchronization error budget can be obtained by the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element through the time synchronization request in step S201 and then sent to the SMF network element; the Uu error budget can be calculated by the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element and then sent to the SMF network element;

[0194] S206, the SMF network element sends TSCAI and first information to the first network-side device (NG-RAN network element) via the AMF network element.

[0195] In this implementation, after the AF issues a time synchronization request, the first network-side device (NG-RAN network element) can obtain the first information from the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element or SMF network element.

[0196] Implementation Method 2

[0197] Combination Figure 3 In one embodiment of the present invention, the process by which the first network-side device (NG-RAN) obtains the first information includes the following steps:

[0198] S301, the AF network element subscribes to / requests time synchronization status information from the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element;

[0199] S302, the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element determines the target terminal UEs requested by the AF network element;

[0200] S303, TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element selection, such as selecting the corresponding AMF network element, UPF network element, etc.;

[0201] S304, the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element subscribes to / requests time synchronization status information from the first network-side device (NG-RAN network element), that is, sends time synchronization status information to the AMF network element. This time synchronization status information also carries first information; optionally, the first information includes a first threshold. The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget; the time synchronization error budget can be obtained by the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element through the time synchronization status information in step S301; the Uu error budget can be calculated by the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element.

[0202] S305, TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element sends response information of time synchronization status information to AF network element;

[0203] S306, the AMF network element subscribes to / requests time synchronization status information from the NG-RAN, carrying the first information obtained, that is, the AMF network element sends time synchronization status information including the first information to the NG-RAN.

[0204] In this implementation, after the AF subscribes to / requests time synchronization status information from the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element, the first network-side device (NG-RAN network element) can obtain the first information sent by the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element through the AMF network element.

[0205] Implementation Method 3

[0206] In this embodiment, the first network-side device (NG-RAN network element) can determine the anomaly of the time synchronization service based on the obtained first information, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the specific implementation process includes:

[0207] S401, NG-RAN monitors / detects whether the network time synchronization status meets the first condition, and determines the first user and the first operation to be performed on the first user based on the monitoring results. The first operation indicates the status of the first user;

[0208] Optionally, in conjunction with the first condition, an example of selecting the first operation is as follows:

[0209] 1) If the (master) clock source is abnormal, and the clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold or the sum of the clock accuracy and the Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget, the first operation is to "deactivate" the first user;

[0210] 2) If the (master) clock source is abnormal, and the clock accuracy is less than the first threshold or the sum of the clock accuracy and the Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget, the second operation is to keep the first user's state "unchanged".

[0211] 3) If the (master) clock source is restored, and the clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold or the sum of the clock accuracy and the Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget, the second operation is to keep the first user's state "unchanged".

[0212] 4) If the (master) clock source is restored, and the clock accuracy is less than the first threshold or the sum of the clock accuracy and the Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget, the second operation is to "activate" the first user.

[0213] S402, NG-RAN reports the network time synchronization status to the AMF network element. The network time synchronization status carries the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation.

[0214] S403, the AMF network element reports the network time synchronization status of NG-RAN to the TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element. The network time synchronization status carries the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation.

[0215] S404, The TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element reports the network time synchronization status to the AF network element;

[0216] S405, (optional) The TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element decides to notify the first user based on the operation instruction information of the first operation;

[0217] S406, (optional) The TSCTSF network element / TSN AF network element initiates a network triggering procedure to notify the first user;

[0218] S407, (optional) If step S405 is executed, this step is skipped; the NG-RAN network element decides to notify the first user according to the operation instruction information of the first operation;

[0219] S408, the NG-RAN network element sends a network time synchronization status update to the first user to indicate whether the user is activated or deactivated. Optionally, the network time synchronization status is sent to the first user via SIB9 signaling or RRC signaling.

[0220] S409, (optional) NG-RAN network element notifies TSCTSF / TSN AF that the network time synchronization status of the first user has been updated.

[0221] This invention provides a time synchronization method. Using this method, a first network-side device can obtain first information including at least one of a time synchronization error budget, a Uu error budget, and the difference between the two. This enables the first network-side device to perform time synchronization service anomaly judgment and anomaly reporting based on the first information, ensuring the timeliness and effectiveness of the air interface time synchronization mechanism and avoiding the problem in the prior art where the anomaly judgment function of user time synchronization service is concentrated in TSCTSF / TSN AF.

[0222] Another embodiment of the present invention also provides a time synchronization method, executed by a first network element, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the method includes:

[0223] S510, sends the first information to the first network-side device;

[0224] The first information includes one or more of the following:

[0225] Time synchronization error budget;

[0226] Uu error budget;

[0227] The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0228] The time synchronization method described in this embodiment sends first information to the first network-side device through the first network element. The first network-side device can perform anomaly judgment of the time synchronization service based on the obtained first information, and perform corresponding time synchronization services (activate or deactivate the user) and / or report the user's time synchronization service anomaly based on the anomaly judgment result. This ensures the timeliness and effectiveness of the air interface time synchronization mechanism and avoids the problem that the anomaly judgment function of the user's time synchronization service in the prior art is concentrated on the TSCTSF / TSN AF side, which has the problem of inflexible air interface time synchronization, and that NG-RAN needs to perform signaling interaction with TSCTSF / TSN AF to provide air interface time synchronization to users, which leads to an increase in core network signaling overhead.

[0229] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, sending the first information to the first network-side device includes:

[0230] The first information is sent to the first network-side device through the second network element.

[0231] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, the first network element includes at least one of the TSCTSF network element, TSN AF network element, SMF network element, and NWDAF network element, and the second network element includes the AMF network element.

[0232] Optionally, the time synchronization method, wherein when the first network element includes a TSCTSF network element or a TSN AF network element, sending the first information to the first network-side device through the second network element includes:

[0233] When the first network element sends the time synchronization status information of the first network-side device to the second network element, it simultaneously sends the first information to the second network element, so that the second network element sends the first information to the first network-side device; wherein, the time synchronization status information includes the first information.

[0234] Optionally, the time synchronization method, wherein when the first network element includes an SMF network element, sending first information to the first network-side device through the second network element includes:

[0235] After the first network element receives the application function AF time synchronization request from the fourth network element, the first network element sends the first information to the first network-side device through the second network element.

[0236] Optionally, the time synchronization method further includes:

[0237] Receive user information of the first user and operation instruction information of the first operation sent by the first network-side device;

[0238] The first user is a user who meets the first condition, which is determined based on the first information.

[0239] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0240] Clock source malfunction;

[0241] Clock source restored;

[0242] The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold;

[0243] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget;

[0244] The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold;

[0245] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

[0246] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, the first operation includes at least one of activating and deactivating the first user.

[0247] Optionally, the time synchronization method further includes:

[0248] According to the operation instruction information, the second network element sends an air interface timing instruction to the first network-side device; the air interface timing instruction is used to indicate that the first network-side device is allowed to perform the first operation on the first user, or the air interface timing instruction is used to indicate that the first network-side device is not allowed to perform the first operation on the first user.

[0249] Optionally, in the time synchronization method, the Uu error budget includes one or more of the following information:

[0250] User-subscribed Uu error budget;

[0251] Business Uu error budget;

[0252] The smaller of the user's contracted Uu error budget and the business's Uu error budget.

[0253] The time synchronization method described in this embodiment of the invention, applied to a specific implementation of the first network element, can be combined with... Figures 1 to 4 For a detailed description of the specific implementation method applied to the first network-side device, please refer to the detailed description, which will not be repeated here.

[0254] Another embodiment of the present invention also provides a network device, wherein the network device is a first network-side device, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the network device 600 includes a processor 610 and a transceiver 620, wherein:

[0255] The processor 610 is configured to acquire first information; wherein the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0256] Time synchronization error budget;

[0257] Uu error budget;

[0258] The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0259] Optionally, in the network device, the processor 610 acquires the first information, including:

[0260] Obtain the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element.

[0261] Optionally, in the network device, the transceiver 620 is used for:

[0262] Perform the first operation on the first user; and / or

[0263] Send the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation to the third network element;

[0264] The first user is a user who meets the first condition, which is determined based on the first information.

[0265] Optionally, in the network device, the Uu error budget includes one or more of the following information:

[0266] User-subscribed Uu error budget;

[0267] Business Uu error budget;

[0268] The smaller of the user's contracted Uu error budget and the business's Uu error budget.

[0269] Optionally, in the network device, the processor 610 acquires the first information, including:

[0270] Obtain the user-subscribed Uu error budget and the service Uu error budget sent by the first network element through the second network element;

[0271] The smaller of the user's subscribed Uu error budget and the service's Uu error budget is used as the Uu error budget.

[0272] Optionally, in the network device, the processor 610 acquires the first information, including:

[0273] Obtain the Uu error budget of the user subscription sent by the first network element through the second network element;

[0274] The Uu error budget is obtained from the second network element; wherein, after the second network element obtains the Uu error budget of the service, it determines the smaller of the Uu error budget of the user's subscription and the Uu error budget of the service as the Uu error budget, and sends the Uu error budget to the first network-side device; the Uu error budget of the service obtained by the second network element is sent by the first network element.

[0275] Optionally, the network device wherein the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0276] Clock source malfunction;

[0277] Clock source restored;

[0278] The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold;

[0279] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget;

[0280] The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold;

[0281] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

[0282] Optionally, in the network device, the first network element includes at least one of the following: a Time-Sensitive Communication and Time Synchronization Function (TSCTSF) network element, a Time-Sensitive Network Application Function (TSN AF) network element, a Service Management Function (SMF) network element, and a Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF) network element; and the second network element includes an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element.

[0283] Optionally, in the network device, when the first network element includes a TSCTSF network element or a TSN AF network element, the processor 610 acquires the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element, including:

[0284] After the first network element sends the time synchronization status information of the first network-side device to the second network element, the first information sent by the second network element is obtained; wherein, the time synchronization status information includes the first information.

[0285] Optionally, in the network device, when the first network element includes an SMF network element, the processor 610 acquires the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element, including:

[0286] After the first network element receives the time synchronization request for application function AF from the fourth network element, it obtains the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element.

[0287] Optionally, in the network device, the first information is sent via Time-Sensitive Communication Auxiliary Information (TSCAI) or via preset independent parameters.

[0288] Optionally, in the network device, the first network-side device performs the first operation to the first user through at least one of the following methods:

[0289] SIB9 signaling;

[0290] RRC signaling.

[0291] Optionally, in the network device, after sending the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation to the third network element, the processor 610 is further configured to:

[0292] The system receives an air interface timing indication sent by the third network element through the second network element; the air interface timing indication is used to indicate that the first network-side device is allowed to perform the first operation on the first user, or the air interface timing indication is used to indicate that the first network-side device is not allowed to perform the first operation on the first user.

[0293] When the air interface timing indication is to allow the first network-side device to perform the first operation on the first user, the first network-side device performs the first operation on the first user.

[0294] Optionally, in the network device, the first operation includes at least one of activating and deactivating the first user.

[0295] Optionally, in the network device, the processor 610 acquires the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element, including:

[0296] Obtain the time synchronization error budget and Uu error budget sent by the first network element through the second network element;

[0297] The first threshold is calculated based on the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0298] Optionally, in the network device, the user information includes a user identifier and / or a service flow identifier for the user's service.

[0299] This invention also provides a network device, wherein the network device is a first network element, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the network device 700 includes a transceiver 710, wherein:

[0300] The transceiver 710 is used to send first information to the first network-side device;

[0301] The first information includes one or more of the following:

[0302] Time synchronization error budget;

[0303] Uu error budget;

[0304] The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0305] Optionally, in the network device, the transceiver 710 sends first information to the first network-side device, including:

[0306] The first information is sent to the first network-side device through the second network element.

[0307] Optionally, in the network device, the first network element includes at least one of the following: TSCTSF network element, TSN AF network element, SMF network element, and NWDAF network element, and the second network element includes the AMF network element.

[0308] Optionally, in the network device, where the first network element includes a TSCTSF network element or a TSN AF network element, the transceiver 710 sends first information to the first network-side device through the second network element, including:

[0309] When the first network element sends the time synchronization status information of the first network-side device to the second network element, it simultaneously sends the first information to the second network element, so that the second network element sends the first information to the first network-side device; wherein, the time synchronization status information includes the first information.

[0310] Optionally, in the network device, where the first network element includes an SMF network element, the transceiver 710 sends first information to the first network-side device through the second network element, including:

[0311] After the first network element receives the application function AF time synchronization request from the fourth network element, the first network element sends the first information to the first network-side device through the second network element.

[0312] Optionally, in the network device, the transceiver 710 is further configured to:

[0313] Receive user information of the first user and operation instruction information of the first operation sent by the first network-side device;

[0314] The first user is a user who meets the first condition, which is determined based on the first information.

[0315] Optionally, the network device wherein the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0316] Clock source malfunction;

[0317] Clock source restored;

[0318] The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold;

[0319] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget;

[0320] The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold;

[0321] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

[0322] Optionally, in the network device, the first operation includes at least one of activating and deactivating the first user.

[0323] Optionally, in the network device, the transceiver 710 is further configured to:

[0324] According to the operation instruction information, the second network element sends an air interface timing instruction to the first network-side device; the air interface timing instruction is used to indicate that the first network-side device is allowed to perform the first operation on the first user, or the air interface timing instruction is used to indicate that the first network-side device is not allowed to perform the first operation on the first user.

[0325] Optionally, in the network device, the Uu error budget includes one or more of the following information:

[0326] User-subscribed Uu error budget;

[0327] Business Uu error budget;

[0328] The smaller of the user's contracted Uu error budget and the business's Uu error budget.

[0329] Another embodiment of the present invention also provides a time synchronization device, applied to a first network-side device, such as... Figure 8 As shown, the device includes:

[0330] The acquisition module 810 is used to acquire first information; wherein the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0331] Time synchronization error budget;

[0332] Uu error budget;

[0333] The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0334] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the acquisition module 810 acquires the first information, including:

[0335] Obtain the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element.

[0336] Optionally, the time synchronization device further includes a transmitting module 820 for:

[0337] Perform the first operation on the first user; and / or

[0338] Send the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation to the third network element;

[0339] The first user is a user who meets the first condition, which is determined based on the first information.

[0340] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the Uu error budget includes one or more of the following information:

[0341] User-subscribed Uu error budget;

[0342] Business Uu error budget;

[0343] The smaller of the user's contracted Uu error budget and the business's Uu error budget.

[0344] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the acquisition module 810 acquires the first information, including:

[0345] Obtain the user-subscribed Uu error budget and the service Uu error budget sent by the first network element through the second network element;

[0346] The smaller of the user's subscribed Uu error budget and the service's Uu error budget is used as the Uu error budget.

[0347] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the acquisition module 810 acquires the first information, including:

[0348] Obtain the Uu error budget of the user subscription sent by the first network element through the second network element;

[0349] The Uu error budget is obtained from the second network element; wherein, after the second network element obtains the Uu error budget of the service, it determines the smaller of the Uu error budget of the user's subscription and the Uu error budget of the service as the Uu error budget, and sends the Uu error budget to the first network-side device; the Uu error budget of the service obtained by the second network element is sent by the first network element.

[0350] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0351] Clock source malfunction;

[0352] Clock source restored;

[0353] The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold;

[0354] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget;

[0355] The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold;

[0356] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

[0357] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the first network element includes at least one of the following: a Time Sensitive Communication and Time Synchronization Function (TSCTSF) network element, a Time Sensitive Network Application Function (TSN AF) network element, a Service Management Function (SMF) network element, and a Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF) network element; and the second network element includes an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element.

[0358] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, when the first network element includes a TSCTSF network element or a TSN AF network element, the acquisition module 810 acquires the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element, including:

[0359] After the first network element sends the time synchronization status information of the first network-side device to the second network element, the first information sent by the second network element is obtained; wherein, the time synchronization status information includes the first information.

[0360] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, when the first network element includes an SMF network element, the acquisition module 810 acquires the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element, including:

[0361] After the first network element receives the time synchronization request for application function AF from the fourth network element, it obtains the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element.

[0362] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the first information is sent via Time Sensitive Communication Auxiliary Information (TSCAI) or via preset independent parameters.

[0363] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the sending module 820 performs a first operation to the first user by at least one of the following methods:

[0364] SIB9 signaling;

[0365] RRC signaling.

[0366] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, after the sending module 820 sends the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation to the third network element, the acquisition module 810 is further configured to:

[0367] The system receives an air interface timing indication sent by the third network element through the second network element; the air interface timing indication is used to indicate that the first network-side device is allowed to perform the first operation on the first user, or the air interface timing indication is used to indicate that the first network-side device is not allowed to perform the first operation on the first user.

[0368] When the air interface timing indication is to allow the first network-side device to perform the first operation on the first user, the first network-side device performs the first operation on the first user.

[0369] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the first operation includes at least one of activating and deactivating the first user.

[0370] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the acquisition module 810 acquires first information sent by the first network element through the second network element, including:

[0371] Obtain the time synchronization error budget and Uu error budget sent by the first network element through the second network element;

[0372] The first threshold is calculated based on the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0373] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the user information includes a user identifier and / or a service flow identifier for the user's business.

[0374] Another embodiment of the present invention also provides a time synchronization device, applied to a first network element, such as... Figure 9 As shown, the device includes:

[0375] The sending module 910 is used to send first information to the first network-side device;

[0376] The first information includes one or more of the following:

[0377] Time synchronization error budget;

[0378] Uu error budget;

[0379] The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0380] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the sending module 910 sends first information to the first network-side device, including:

[0381] The first information is sent to the first network-side device through the second network element.

[0382] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the first network element includes at least one of the TSCTSF network element, TSN AF network element, SMF network element, and NWDAF network element, and the second network element includes the AMF network element.

[0383] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, when the first network element includes a TSCTSF network element or a TSN AF network element, the transmitting module 910 transmits first information to the first network-side device through the second network element, including:

[0384] When the first network element sends the time synchronization status information of the first network-side device to the second network element, it simultaneously sends the first information to the second network element, so that the second network element sends the first information to the first network-side device; wherein, the time synchronization status information includes the first information.

[0385] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, when the first network element includes an SMF network element, the sending module 910 sends first information to the first network-side device through the second network element, including:

[0386] After the first network element receives the application function AF time synchronization request from the fourth network element, the first network element sends the first information to the first network-side device through the second network element.

[0387] Optionally, the time synchronization device further includes a receiving module 920 for:

[0388] Receive user information of the first user and operation instruction information of the first operation sent by the first network-side device;

[0389] The first user is a user who meets the first condition, which is determined based on the first information.

[0390] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0391] Clock source malfunction;

[0392] Clock source restored;

[0393] The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold;

[0394] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget;

[0395] The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold;

[0396] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

[0397] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the first operation includes at least one of activating and deactivating the first user.

[0398] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the transmitting module 910 is further configured to:

[0399] According to the operation instruction information, the second network element sends an air interface timing instruction to the first network-side device; the air interface timing instruction is used to indicate that the first network-side device is allowed to perform the first operation on the first user, or the air interface timing instruction is used to indicate that the first network-side device is not allowed to perform the first operation on the first user.

[0400] Optionally, in the time synchronization device, the Uu error budget includes one or more of the following information:

[0401] User-subscribed Uu error budget;

[0402] Business Uu error budget;

[0403] The smaller of the user's contracted Uu error budget and the business's Uu error budget.

[0404] Another embodiment of the network device of the present invention, such as Figure 10 As shown, it includes a transceiver 1010, a processor 1000, a memory 1020, and a program or instructions stored in the memory 1020 and executable on the processor 1000; when the processor 1000 executes the program or instructions, it implements the clock selection method applied to the first network-side device described above.

[0405] The transceiver 1010 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processor 1000.

[0406] The processor 1000 executes the program or instructions for:

[0407] Obtain first information; wherein, the first information includes one or more of the following:

[0408] Time synchronization error budget;

[0409] Uu error budget;

[0410] The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0411] Optionally, in the network device, the processor 1000 acquires the first information, including:

[0412] Obtain the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element.

[0413] Optionally, in the network device, the processor 1000 is further configured to:

[0414] Perform the first operation on the first user; and / or

[0415] Send the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation to the third network element;

[0416] The first user is a user who meets the first condition, which is determined based on the first information.

[0417] Optionally, in the network device, the Uu error budget includes one or more of the following information:

[0418] User-subscribed Uu error budget;

[0419] Business Uu error budget;

[0420] The smaller of the user's contracted Uu error budget and the business's Uu error budget.

[0421] Optionally, in the network device, the processor 1000 acquires the first information, including:

[0422] The first network-side device obtains the user-subscribed Uu error budget and the service Uu error budget sent by the first network element through the second network element;

[0423] The first network-side device uses the smaller of the user's subscribed Uu error budget and the service's Uu error budget as the Uu error budget.

[0424] Optionally, the network device wherein the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0425] Clock source malfunction;

[0426] Clock source restored;

[0427] The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold;

[0428] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget;

[0429] The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold;

[0430] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

[0431] Optionally, in the network device, the first network element includes at least one of the following: a Time-Sensitive Communication and Time Synchronization Function (TSCTSF) network element, a Time-Sensitive Network Application Function (TSN AF) network element, a Service Management Function (SMF) network element, and a Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF) network element; and the second network element includes an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element.

[0432] Optionally, in the network device, when the first network element includes a TSCTSF network element or a TSN AF network element, the processor 1000 acquires the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element, including:

[0433] After the first network element sends the time synchronization status information of the first network-side device to the second network element, the first information sent by the second network element is obtained; wherein, the time synchronization status information includes the first information.

[0434] Optionally, in the network device, when the first network element includes an SMF network element, the processor 1000 acquires the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element, including:

[0435] After the first network element receives the time synchronization request for application function AF from the fourth network element, it obtains the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element.

[0436] Optionally, in the network device, the first information is sent via Time-Sensitive Communication Auxiliary Information (TSCAI) or via preset independent parameters.

[0437] Optionally, in the network device, the first network-side device performs the first operation to the first user through at least one of the following methods:

[0438] SIB9 signaling;

[0439] RRC signaling.

[0440] Optionally, in the network device, after sending the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation to the third network element, the processor 1000 is further configured to:

[0441] The system receives an air interface timing indication sent by the third network element through the second network element; the air interface timing indication is used to indicate that the first network-side device is allowed to perform the first operation on the first user, or the air interface timing indication is used to indicate that the first network-side device is not allowed to perform the first operation on the first user.

[0442] When the air interface timing indication is to allow the first network-side device to perform the first operation on the first user, the first network-side device performs the first operation on the first user.

[0443] Optionally, in the network device, the first operation includes at least one of activating and deactivating the first user.

[0444] Optionally, in the network device, the processor 1000 acquires the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element, including:

[0445] Obtain the time synchronization error budget and Uu error budget sent by the first network element through the second network element;

[0446] The first threshold is calculated based on the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0447] Optionally, in the network device, the user information includes a user identifier and / or a service flow identifier for the user's service.

[0448] Among them, Figure 10 In this context, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically linking various circuits together, represented by one or more processors (processor 1000) and memory (memory 1020). The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 1010 may be multiple elements, including transmitters and receivers, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over a transmission medium. The processor 1000 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1020 may store data used by the processor 1000 during operation.

[0449] Another embodiment of the network device of the present invention, such as Figure 11 As shown, it includes a transceiver 1110, a processor 1100, a memory 1120, and a program or instructions stored in the memory 1120 and executable on the processor 1100; when the processor 1100 executes the program or instructions, it implements the clock selection method applied to the first network-side device described above.

[0450] The transceiver 1110 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processor 1100.

[0451] The processor 1100 executes the program or instructions for:

[0452] Send the first message to the first network-side device;

[0453] The first information includes one or more of the following:

[0454] Time synchronization error budget;

[0455] Uu error budget;

[0456] The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

[0457] Optionally, in the network device, the processor 1100 sends first information to the first network-side device, including:

[0458] The first information is sent to the first network-side device through the second network element.

[0459] Optionally, in the network device, the first network element includes at least one of the following: TSCTSF network element, TSN AF network element, SMF network element, and NWDAF network element, and the second network element includes the AMF network element.

[0460] Optionally, in the network device, where the first network element includes a TSCTSF network element or a TSN AF network element, the processor 1100 sends first information to the first network-side device through the second network element, including:

[0461] When the first network element sends the time synchronization status information of the first network-side device to the second network element, it simultaneously sends the first information to the second network element, so that the second network element sends the first information to the first network-side device; wherein, the time synchronization status information includes the first information.

[0462] Optionally, in the network device, where the first network element includes an SMF network element, the processor 1100 sends first information to the first network-side device through the second network element, including:

[0463] After the first network element receives the application function AF time synchronization request from the fourth network element, the first network element sends the first information to the first network-side device through the second network element.

[0464] Optionally, in the network device, the processor 1100 is further configured to:

[0465] Receive user information of the first user and operation instruction information of the first operation sent by the first network-side device;

[0466] The first user is a user who meets the first condition, which is determined based on the first information.

[0467] Optionally, the network device wherein the first condition includes one or more of the following conditions:

[0468] Clock source malfunction;

[0469] Clock source restored;

[0470] The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold;

[0471] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget;

[0472] The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold;

[0473] The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

[0474] Optionally, in the network device, the first operation includes at least one of activating and deactivating the first user.

[0475] Optionally, in the network device, the processor 1100 is further configured to:

[0476] According to the operation instruction information, the second network element sends an air interface timing instruction to the first network-side device; the air interface timing instruction is used to indicate that the first network-side device is allowed to perform the first operation on the first user, or the air interface timing instruction is used to indicate that the first network-side device is not allowed to perform the first operation on the first user.

[0477] Optionally, in the network device, the Uu error budget includes one or more of the following information:

[0478] User-subscribed Uu error budget;

[0479] Business Uu error budget;

[0480] The smaller of the user's contracted Uu error budget and the business's Uu error budget.

[0481] Among them, Figure 11 In this context, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically linking various circuits together, represented by one or more processors (processor 1100) and memory (memory 1120). The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 1110 may be multiple elements, including transmitters and receivers, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over a transmission medium. The processor 1100 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1120 may store data used by the processor 1100 during operation.

[0482] An embodiment of the present invention provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the steps in the time synchronization method described above and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, further details are omitted here.

[0483] The processor mentioned above is the processor in the network device described in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0484] In this embodiment of the invention, the module can be implemented in software so that it can be executed by various types of analyzers. For example, an identified executable code module may include one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions, which may be constructed as objects, procedures, or functions. Nevertheless, the executable code of the identified module does not need to be physically located together, but may include different instructions stored in different bits, which, when logically combined, constitute the module and achieve the module's intended purpose.

[0485] In practice, an executable code module can be a single instruction or many instructions, and can even be distributed across multiple different code segments, different programs, and across multiple memory devices. Similarly, operational data can be identified within the module and can be implemented in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. This operational data can be collected as a single dataset or distributed across different locations (including different storage devices), and can exist, at least in part, solely as electronic signals within the system or network.

[0486] When a module can be implemented using software, considering the current level of hardware technology, modules that can be implemented in software can be implemented using hardware circuits by those skilled in the art to achieve the corresponding functions, without considering cost. These hardware circuits include conventional very-large-scale integrated circuits (VLSI) or gate arrays, as well as existing semiconductors such as logic chips and transistors, or other discrete components. Modules can also be implemented using programmable hardware devices, such as field-programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, and programmable logic devices.

[0487] The exemplary embodiments described above are with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many different forms and embodiments are feasible without departing from the spirit and teachings of the invention. Therefore, the invention should not be construed as limiting the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided to make the invention complete and convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In these drawings, component dimensions and relative dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, unless clearly indicated otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include all such forms. It will be further understood that the terms “comprising” and / or “including”, when used in this specification, indicate the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, components, and / or elements, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, and / or groups thereof. Unless otherwise indicated, when stated, a range of values ​​includes the upper and lower limits of the range and any subranges in between.

[0488] The above description represents the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A time synchronization method, characterized in that, Performed by a first network-side device, the method includes: Obtain first information; wherein, the first information includes one or more of the following: Time synchronization error budget; Uu error budget; The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget. The method further includes: Perform the first operation on the first user; and / or Send the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation to the third network element; the first operation includes activating or deactivating the first user. Wherein, the first user is a user who meets the first condition, and the first condition is determined based on the first information; The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold; The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget; The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold; The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

2. The time synchronization method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The acquisition of the first information includes: Obtain the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element.

3. The time synchronization method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The Uu error budget includes one or more of the following information: User-subscribed Uu error budget; Business Uu error budget; The smaller of the user's contracted Uu error budget and the business's Uu error budget.

4. The time synchronization method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The acquisition of the first information includes: The first network-side device obtains the user-subscribed Uu error budget and the service Uu error budget sent by the first network element through the second network element; The first network-side device uses the smaller of the user's subscribed Uu error budget and the service's Uu error budget as the Uu error budget.

5. The time synchronization method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The acquisition of the first information includes: The first network-side device obtains the user-subscribed Uu error budget sent by the first network element through the second network element; The first network-side device obtains the Uu error budget sent by the second network element; wherein, the Uu error budget is determined by the second network element after obtaining the Uu error budget of the service, and the smaller of the Uu error budget of the user's subscription and the Uu error budget of the service is determined as the Uu error budget, and the Uu error budget is sent to the first network-side device; the Uu error budget of the service obtained by the second network element is sent by the first network element.

6. The time synchronization method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first condition also includes one or more of the following conditions: Clock source malfunction; Clock source restored.

7. The time synchronization method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first network element includes at least one of the following: Time-Sensitive Communication and Time Synchronization Function (TSCTSF) network element, Time-Sensitive Network Application Function (TSNAF) network element, Service Management Function (SMF) network element, and Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF) network element; the second network element includes Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element.

8. The time synchronization method according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the first network element includes a TSCTSF network element or a TSN AF network element, the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element is obtained, including: After the first network element sends the time synchronization status information of the first network-side device to the second network element, the first information sent by the second network element is obtained; wherein, the time synchronization status information includes the first information.

9. The time synchronization method according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the first network element includes an SMF network element, obtaining the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element includes: After the first network element receives the time synchronization request for application function AF from the fourth network element, it obtains the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element.

10. The time synchronization method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first information is sent via Time-Sensitive Communication Auxiliary Information (TSCAI) or via preset independent parameters.

11. The time synchronization method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first network-side device performs the first operation on the first user by at least one of the following methods: System Information Block (SIB9) signaling; Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling.

12. The time synchronization method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After sending the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation to the third network element, the method further includes: The third network element receives an air interface timing indication sent through the second network element; the air interface timing indication is used to indicate that the first network-side device is allowed to perform the first operation on the first user, or the air interface timing indication is used to indicate that the first network-side device is not allowed to perform the first operation on the first user. When the air interface timing indication is to allow the first network-side device to perform the first operation on the first user, the first network-side device performs the first operation on the first user.

13. The time synchronization method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The step of obtaining the first information sent by the first network element through the second network element includes: Obtain the time synchronization error budget and Uu error budget sent by the first network element through the second network element; The first threshold is calculated based on the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget.

14. The time synchronization method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The user information includes the user identifier and / or the service flow identifier of the user's business.

15. A time synchronization method, characterized in that, The method, executed by the first network element, includes: Send the first message to the first network-side device; The first information includes one or more of the following: Time synchronization error budget; Uu error budget; The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget. The method further includes: The system receives user information of a first user and operation instruction information for a first operation from a first network-side device; the first operation includes activating or deactivating the first user. Wherein, the first user is a user who meets the first condition, and the first condition is determined based on the first information; The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold; The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget; The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold; The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

16. The time synchronization method according to claim 15, characterized in that, Sending the first information to the first network-side device includes: The first information is sent to the first network-side device through the second network element.

17. The time synchronization method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first network element includes at least one of the following: Time-Sensitive Communication and Time Synchronization Function (TSCTSF) network element, Time-Sensitive Network Application Function (TSNAF) network element, Service Management Function (SMF) network element, and Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF) network element; the second network element includes Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network element.

18. The time synchronization method according to claim 17, characterized in that, When the first network element includes a TSCTSF network element or a TSN AF network element, the first information is sent to the first network-side device through the second network element, including: When the first network element sends the time synchronization status information of the first network-side device to the second network element, it simultaneously sends the first information to the second network element, so that the second network element sends the first information to the first network-side device; wherein, the time synchronization status information includes the first information.

19. The time synchronization method according to claim 17, characterized in that, When the first network element includes an SMF network element, the first information is sent to the first network-side device through the second network element, including: After the first network element receives the application function AF time synchronization request from the fourth network element, the first network element sends the first information to the first network-side device through the second network element.

20. The time synchronization method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first condition also includes one or more of the following conditions: Clock source malfunction; Clock source restored.

21. The time synchronization method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: According to the operation instruction information, an air interface timing instruction is sent to the first network-side device through the second network element; the air interface timing instruction is used to indicate that the first network-side device is allowed to perform the first operation on the first user, or the air interface timing instruction is used to indicate that the first network-side device is not allowed to perform the first operation on the first user.

22. The time synchronization method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The Uu error budget includes one or more of the following information: User-subscribed Uu error budget; Business Uu error budget; The smaller of the user's contracted Uu error budget and the business's Uu error budget.

23. A network device, wherein the network device is a first network-side device, characterized in that, Including the processor, wherein: The processor is configured to acquire first information; wherein the first information includes one or more of the following: Time synchronization error budget; Uu error budget; The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget. The processor is further configured to: Perform the first operation on the first user; and / or Send the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation to the third network element; the first operation includes activating or deactivating the first user. Wherein, the first user is a user who meets the first condition, and the first condition is determined based on the first information; The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold; The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget; The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold; The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

24. A network device, wherein the network device is a first network element, characterized in that, Including transceivers, of which: The transceiver is used to send first information to the first network-side device; The first information includes one or more of the following: Time synchronization error budget; Uu error budget; The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget. The transceiver is also used for: The system receives user information of a first user and operation instruction information for a first operation from a first network-side device; the first operation includes activating or deactivating the first user. Wherein, the first user is a user who meets the first condition, and the first condition is determined based on the first information; The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold; The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget; The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold; The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

25. A time synchronization device, characterized in that, Applied to a first network-side device, the device includes: The acquisition module is used to acquire first information; wherein the first information includes one or more of the following: Time synchronization error budget; Uu error budget; The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget. The device includes a transmitting module, used for: Perform the first operation on the first user; and / or Send the user information of the first user and the operation instruction information of the first operation to the third network element; the first operation includes activating or deactivating the first user. Wherein, the first user is a user who meets the first condition, and the first condition is determined based on the first information; The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold; The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget; The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold; The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

26. A time synchronization device, characterized in that, Applied to the first network element, the device includes: The sending module is used to send first information to the first network-side device; The first information includes one or more of the following: Time synchronization error budget; Uu error budget; The first threshold is the difference between the time synchronization error budget and the Uu error budget. The device further includes a receiving module, used for: The system receives user information of a first user and operation instruction information for a first operation from a first network-side device; the first operation includes activating or deactivating the first user. Wherein, the first user is a user who meets the first condition, and the first condition is determined based on the first information; The first condition includes one or more of the following conditions: The clock accuracy is greater than the first threshold; The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is greater than the time synchronization error budget; The clock accuracy is less than the first threshold; The sum of clock accuracy and Uu error budget is less than the time synchronization error budget.

27. A network device, comprising: A transceiver, a processor, a memory, and a program or instructions stored in the memory and executable on the processor; characterized in that, when the processor executes the program or instructions, it implements the time synchronization method as described in any one of claims 1-14, or implements the time synchronization method as described in any one of claims 15 to 22.

28. A readable storage medium having a program or instructions stored thereon, characterized in that, When the program or instructions are executed by the processor, they implement the steps of the time synchronization method as described in any one of claims 1-14, or implement the steps of the time synchronization method as described in any one of claims 15 to 22.

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