Communication method and communication device

Abstract

Provided are a communication method and a communication device, the method comprising: a first network element obtaining at least one piece of first information, the at least one piece of first information being used for indicating an internal error of at least one communication device in a communication device group; the first network element determines, according to the at least one piece of first information, at least one time synchronization error budget, the at least one time synchronization error budget comprising a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and each of the at least one communication device, the first communication device is a communication device in a communication device group for providing clock synchronization information. The first network element sends the at least one time synchronization error budget to the first communication device. The clock synchronization error can be reduced, and the clock synchronization precision is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] The Industrial Internet can realize the digitization, networking and intelligence of industrial production through the comprehensive connection of people, machines, objects and systems. In order to support the Industrial Internet, the integration of mobile communication networks and time sensitive networking (TSN) is proposed to realize the wirelessization of industrial networks. The wirelessization of industrial networks can solve the problems of poor mobility of industrial wired technology, inflexible networking, difficulty in laying in special environments and high costs.

[0003] However, in industrial production, each device needs to be precisely controlled and work closely together without collision, which places strict requirements on the clock synchronization between devices. How to ensure the accuracy of clock synchronization between devices through mobile communication networks is the focus of current research. Summary of the invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and a communication device, which can reduce clock synchronization errors and improve clock synchronization accuracy.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first network element, and the first network element can be a communication device, such as a core network element or an access network device, or the first network element can also be configured in the communication device, such as the first network element can be a device in the communication device (such as a chip, a chip system or a processor).

[0006] The method includes: a first network element acquires at least one first information, the at least one first information is used to indicate an internal error of at least one communication device. The first network element determines at least one time synchronization error budget according to the at least one first information, the at least one time synchronization error budget is a time synchronization error budget between a first communication device and each communication device in the at least one communication device, the first communication device is a communication device in the communication device group for providing clock synchronization information. The first network element sends the at least one time synchronization error budget to the first communication device.

[0007] In this solution, the at least one time synchronization error budget is used for the first communication device to determine clock synchronization information. The first network element determines the time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and the communication devices in the communication device group based on the internal errors of the communication devices in the communication device group, and provides it to the first communication device, so that the first communication device can obtain a more accurate time synchronization error budget, thereby determining the clock synchronization information provided for the communication devices in the communication device group, which can improve the clock synchronization accuracy and reduce the clock synchronization error.

[0008] In one implementation, the first information indicates topology information of a set of devices corresponding to the communication device.

[0009] Exemplarily, the topology information is used to indicate the number of hops for clock synchronization information transmission in the device set corresponding to the communication device. The first network element can obtain the clock transmission error between the device sets within the communication device by acquiring the number of hops for clock synchronization information transmission in the communication device.

[0010] In another implementation, the first information indicates an internal error of the communication device.

[0011] That is, the first information includes a clock error of the clock synchronization information transmitted between the internal device sets of the communication equipment.

[0012] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first network element is a terminal, a core network element, or an application function network element for managing the communication device group; or, the first network element is a communication device in the communication device group.

[0013] In one implementation, the first network element may be a communication device outside the communication device group.

[0014] Exemplarily, the first network element may be a core network element, such as the first network element may be a TSCTSF network element, or the core network element may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element or a unified data management (UDM) function network element. This application does not limit this. The first network element may also be an AF network element, or the first network element may be an administrator terminal that manages the communication device group.

[0015] In another implementation, the first network element may be a communication device in the communication device group. Alternatively, each communication device in the communication device group may have the function of the first network element.

[0016] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first information further includes one or more of the following information used to indicate the communication device:

[0017] Supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence levels, communication service quality, power supply information or supported clock synchronization methods.

[0018] The access type supported by the communication device may be a 3GPP access mode and / or a non-3GPP access mode. The clock capability information of the communication device may include one or more of the following information:

[0019] Clock source information, clock quality level information (clock class), clock accuracy (clock accuracy) or clock frequency stability (frequency stability).

[0020] The clock synchronization error supported by the above communication device may be a supported delay compensation capability (PDC), or a supported clock synchronization error value, which is used to indicate the clock synchronization error between two communication devices when the communication device provides clock synchronization reference information to other communication devices.

[0021] The clock synchronization mode supported by the above communication device may refer to whether the communication device has a delay correction capability or a time offset correction capability, and the specific mode may be any one of the following:

[0022] Whether PDC delay compensation is supported, whether delay compensation algorithm is supported, whether time-advanced-based (TA-based) algorithm is supported, or whether round-trip time-based (RTT-based) algorithm is supported.

[0023] In the clock synchronization mode, the communication device that sends time synchronization information (i.e., the timing communication device) needs to determine the propagation delay compensation amount (or time offset compensation amount) of the time synchronization information. The communication devices in the communication device group need to send response information to the timing communication device after receiving the information sent by the timing communication device, so that the timing communication device can determine the propagation delay compensation amount (or time offset compensation amount) based on the response information from the communication device, thereby realizing time synchronization between the timing communication device and the timing communication device.

[0024] In some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network element determining the first communication device in the communication device group.

[0025] According to the above scheme, the first network element can determine the first communication device in the communication device group as the communication device in the communication device group that provides clock synchronization information. The communication devices in the communication device group can achieve clock synchronization through direct communication (such as communication through a side link or other communication link). This scheme does not require each communication device in the communication device group to have Uu interface (i.e., air interface, referred to as air interface) communication capability, and the clock synchronization of the communication device group is achieved through communication with the network device through the Uu port. This scheme can achieve clock synchronization of the communication device group through direct communication between the communication devices in the communication device group.

[0026] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first information is further used to indicate information about clock synchronization errors supported by the communication device. The first network element determines the first communication device in the communication device group, comprising: the first network element determines the first communication device according to the second information and the at least one first information, wherein the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of the communication device group.

[0027] The service error budget may be an end-to-end clock synchronization service error budget, which may be determined by a third-party AF network element based on the clock synchronization error budget that needs to be satisfied between communication devices, and may be viewed as a time synchronization service error budget that needs to be satisfied for services between communication devices.

[0028] According to the above solution, the first network element can determine the first communication device that can meet the service error budget as the communication device that provides clock synchronization information in the communication device group based on the service error budget of the service of the communication device group, the internal error of the communication device in the communication device group, and one or more of the supported clock synchronization errors, so that the communication devices in the communication device group can achieve clock synchronization that meets the service clock error budget through direct communication.

[0029] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first network element determines the first communication device according to the second information and / or the at least one first information, including: the first network element determines the time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group according to the second information and internal errors of the communication devices in the communication device group. The first network element determines the first communication device according to the clock synchronization errors supported by the communication devices in the communication device group and the time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group.

[0030] According to the above scheme, the first network element can specifically determine the time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group based on the service error budget and the internal errors of the communication devices in the communication device group, that is, the error budget remaining from the service error budget after excluding the internal errors of the communication devices, and the time synchronization error budget is the maximum error of clock synchronization information transmitted between the communication devices. The first network element determines the first communication device that can meet the time synchronization error budget with each communication device based on the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device and the time synchronization error budget between the communication devices. Thereby, the communication devices in the communication device group can complete clock synchronization that meets the service clock error budget through direct communication.

[0031] In certain implementations of the first aspect, a clock synchronization error supported by the first communication device is less than or equal to a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and any one communication device in the communication device group except the first communication device.

[0032] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method also includes: the first network element sends fourth information to the first communication device, and the fourth information is used to instruct the first communication device to send clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group, that is, to instruct the first communication device to synchronize time with the communication devices in the communication device group.

[0033] In certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network element sending fifth information to communication devices other than the first communication device in the communication device group, wherein the fifth information is used to indicate reception of clock synchronization information from the first communication device.

[0034] According to the above scheme, after the first network element determines the first communication device that provides clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group, it notifies the communication devices in the communication device group so that the communication devices in the communication device group can reach a consensus on the communication device that provides clock synchronization information to achieve clock synchronization.

[0035] In some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network element sends third information to the plurality of communication devices, the third information being used to indicate the establishment of the communication device group, the communication device group including the plurality of communication devices. The plurality of communication devices in the communication device group may be formed into a communication device group based on service requirements, and in the communication device group, the communication devices have the same service error budget.

[0036] According to the above solution, the first network element can notify multiple communication devices to establish a communication device group, thereby completing clock synchronization of the communication device group.

[0037] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first network element receives third information from the second network element, the third information being used to indicate the establishment of the communication device group. The first network element receives the first information from a communication device in the communication device group. When the first network element is a communication device in the communication device group, the first network element receives the first information from a communication device in the communication device group other than the first network element.

[0038] According to the above scheme, the first network element may be a communication device in a communication device group. After the communication devices in the communication device group establish a communication device group, the first information of other communication devices in the communication device group is obtained, so that the communication device providing clock synchronization information can be determined.

[0039] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network element receives second information from the second network element, and the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of the communication service of the communication device group.

[0040] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the second network element is a terminal, a core network element, or an application function network element for managing the communication device group.

[0041] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method can be executed by a communication device, or executed by a device (such as a chip, a chip system or a processor) configured in the communication device. The following is an example of a first communication device executing the method.

[0042] The method comprises: a first communication device acquires at least one time synchronization error budget, the at least one time synchronization error budget comprising a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and each communication device in at least one communication device in a communication device group, the at least one time synchronization error budget being determined based on at least one first information, the at least one first information being used to indicate an internal error of at least one communication device in the communication device group, the communication device group including the first communication device;

[0043] The first communication device sends clock synchronization information to communication devices in the group of communication devices based on the at least one time synchronization error budget.

[0044] In certain implementations of the second aspect, the first information is used to indicate topology information of a set of devices corresponding to the communication device; or, the first information is used to indicate an internal error of the communication device.

[0045] In some implementations of the second aspect, the first information is further used to indicate one or more of the following information of the communication device:

[0046] Supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence levels, communication service quality, power supply information or supported clock synchronization methods.

[0047] The access type supported by the communication device may be a 3GPP access mode and / or a non-3GPP access mode. The clock capability information of the communication device may include one or more of the following information:

[0048] Clock source information, clock quality level information (clock class), clock accuracy (clock accuracy) or clock frequency stability (frequency stability).

[0049] The clock synchronization error supported by the above communication device may be a supported delay compensation capability (PDC), or a supported clock synchronization error value, which is used to indicate the clock synchronization error between two communication devices when the communication device provides clock synchronization reference information to other communication devices.

[0050] The clock synchronization mode supported by the above communication device may refer to whether the communication device has a delay correction capability or a time offset correction capability, and the specific mode may be any one of the following:

[0051] Whether it supports PDC delay compensation, whether it supports delay compensation algorithm, whether it supports TA (time-advanced)-based algorithm or whether it supports RTT (round-trip time)-based algorithm.

[0052] In the clock synchronization mode, the communication device that sends time synchronization information (i.e., the timing communication device) needs to determine the propagation delay compensation amount (or time offset compensation amount) of the time synchronization information. The communication devices in the communication device group need to send response information to the timing communication device after receiving the information sent by the timing communication device, so that the timing communication device can determine the propagation delay compensation amount (or time offset compensation amount) based on the response information from the communication device, thereby realizing time synchronization between the timing communication device and the timing communication device.

[0053] In some implementations of the second aspect, the first communications device acquires at least one time synchronization error budget, including:

[0054] The first communication device receives the at least one time synchronization error budget from a first network element.

[0055] In some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0056] The first communication device receives the at least one first information from the at least one communication device;

[0057] And, the first communication device obtains at least one time synchronization error budget, including:

[0058] The first communication device determines the at least one time synchronization error budget based on the at least one first information.

[0059] In some implementations of the second aspect, the first information is further used to indicate information of a clock synchronization error supported by the communication device; and the method further includes:

[0060] The first communication device determines, based on the second information and / or the at least one first information, that the first communication device is a communication device in the communication device group that provides clock synchronization information, wherein the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of the communication device group.

[0061] In some implementations of the second aspect, the first communications device determines, according to the second information and / or the at least one first information, that the first communications device is a communications device in the communications device group that provides clock synchronization information, including:

[0062] The first communication device determines a time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group according to the second information and internal errors of the communication devices in the communication device group;

[0063] The first communication device determines that the first communication device is the communication device in the communication device group that provides clock synchronization information according to the clock synchronization error supported by the communication devices in the communication device group and / or the time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group.

[0064] In certain implementations of the second aspect, a clock synchronization error supported by the first communication device is less than or equal to a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and any one communication device in the communication device group except the first communication device.

[0065] In some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0066] The first communication device determines a method for sending clock synchronization information by the first communication device to each communication device in the communication device group based on a time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group, wherein the method for sending clock synchronization information is a multicast method or a unicast method.

[0067] In some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0068] The first communication device receives third information from the first network element, where the third information is used to instruct establishment of the communication device group.

[0069] In some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0070] The first communication device receives second information from a first network element, where the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of a communication service of the communication device group.

[0071] In some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0072] The first communication device receives sixth information from the first network element, where the sixth information is used to instruct one or more communication devices in the communication device group to leave the communication device group or join a second communication device group.

[0073] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided. In one design, the device may include a module corresponding to executing the method / operation / step / action described in the first aspect or any one of the embodiments of the first aspect. The module may be a hardware circuit, or software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In another design, the device includes: a processing unit for obtaining at least one first information, wherein the at least one first information is used to indicate an internal error of at least one communication device in the communication device group;

[0074] The processing unit is further configured to determine at least one time synchronization error budget based on the at least one first information, the at least one time synchronization error budget comprising a time synchronization error budget between a first communication device and each communication device in the at least one communication device, the first communication device being a communication device in the communication device group for providing clock synchronization information;

[0075] A transceiver unit is configured to send the at least one time synchronization error budget to the first communication device.

[0076] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the first information is used to indicate topology information of a set of devices corresponding to the communication device; or, the first information is used to indicate an internal error of the communication device.

[0077] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the communication device is a terminal, a core network element, or an application function network element for managing the communication device group; or, the communication device is a communication device in the communication device group.

[0078] In some implementations of the third aspect, the first information is further used to indicate one or more of the following information of the communication device:

[0079] Supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence levels, communication service quality, power supply information or supported clock synchronization methods.

[0080] For the introduction of the above information, please refer to the relevant introduction in the previous article. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0081] In some implementations of the third aspect, the processing unit is further configured to determine the first communication device in the communication device group.

[0082] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the first information is also used to indicate information about clock synchronization errors supported by the communication device; the processing unit is specifically used to determine the first communication device based on the second information and the at least one first information, wherein the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of the communication device group.

[0083] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine a time synchronization error budget between communication devices in the communication device group based on the second information and / or an internal error of a communication device in the communication device group;

[0084] The processing unit is specifically configured to determine the first communication device according to a clock synchronization error supported by communication devices in the communication device group and / or a time synchronization error budget between communication devices in the communication device group.

[0085] In certain implementations of the third aspect, a clock synchronization error supported by the first communication device is less than or equal to a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and any one communication device in the communication device group except the first communication device.

[0086] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to send fourth information to the first communication device, where the fourth information is used to instruct sending clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group.

[0087] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to send fifth information to communication devices other than the first communication device in the communication device group, where the fifth information is used to indicate reception of clock synchronization information from the first communication device.

[0088] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to send third information to the multiple communication devices, where the third information is used to indicate the establishment of the communication device group, and the communication device group includes the multiple communication devices.

[0089] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to receive third information from a second network element, where the third information is used to indicate establishment of the communication device group;

[0090] The transceiver unit is further configured to receive the first information from a communication device in the communication device group other than the first network element.

[0091] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to receive second information from the second network element, where the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of a communication service of the communication device group.

[0092] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the second network element is a terminal, a core network element, or an application function network element for managing the communication device group.

[0093] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the topology information includes the number of hops for transmitting clock synchronization information in a set of devices corresponding to the communication device.

[0094] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. In one design, the device may include a module corresponding to executing the method / operation / step / action described in the second aspect or any one of the embodiments of the second aspect. The module may be a hardware circuit, or software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In another design, the device includes: a processing unit, used to obtain at least one time synchronization error budget, the at least one time synchronization error budget including a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and each communication device in at least one communication device in a communication device group, the at least one time synchronization error budget being determined based on at least one first information, the at least one first information being used to indicate an internal error of at least one communication device in the communication device group, the communication device group including the first communication device;

[0095] The transceiver unit sends clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group according to the at least one time synchronization error budget.

[0096] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information is used to indicate topology information of a set of devices corresponding to the communication device; or, the first information is used to indicate an internal error of the communication device.

[0097] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information is further used to indicate one or more of the following information of the communication device:

[0098] Supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence levels, communication service quality, power supply information or supported clock synchronization methods.

[0099] For the introduction of the above information, please refer to the relevant introduction in the previous article. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0100] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to receive the at least one time synchronization error budget from the first network element.

[0101] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive the at least one first information from the at least one communication device;

[0102] The processing unit is specifically configured to determine the at least one time synchronization error budget according to the at least one first information.

[0103] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information is further used to indicate information about a clock synchronization error supported by the communication device;

[0104] The processing unit is further used to determine, based on second information and the at least one first information, that the first communication device is a communication device in the communication device group that provides clock synchronization information, wherein the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of the communication device group.

[0105] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to determine a time synchronization error budget between communication devices in the communication device group based on the second information and internal errors of the communication devices in the communication device group;

[0106] The processing unit is further specifically configured to determine that the first communication device is a communication device in the communication device group that provides clock synchronization information based on clock synchronization errors supported by communication devices in the communication device group and a time synchronization error budget between communication devices in the communication device group.

[0107] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, a clock synchronization error supported by the first communication device is less than or equal to a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and any one communication device in the communication device group except the first communication device.

[0108] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further used to determine a manner in which the first communication device sends clock synchronization information to each communication device in the communication device group based on a time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group, wherein the manner in which the clock synchronization information is sent is a multicast manner or a unicast manner.

[0109] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to receive third information from the first network element, where the third information is used to indicate establishment of the communication device group.

[0110] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to receive second information from the first network element, where the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of a communication service of the communication device group.

[0111] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to receive sixth information from the first network element, where the sixth information is used to instruct one or more communication devices in the communication device group to leave the communication device group or join a second communication device group.

[0112] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first network element is a terminal, a core network element, or an application function network element for managing the communication device group.

[0113] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory, the memory is used to store instructions, and the processor is used to execute the instructions in the memory, so that the communication device implements the method in the first aspect or the second aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0114] Optionally, the communication device also includes a memory, which can be used to execute instructions in the memory to implement the method in the above-mentioned first aspect or second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect or second aspect.

[0115] Optionally, the communication device further comprises a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication interface may be a transceiver, a pin, a circuit, a bus, a module or other types of communication interfaces, without limitation.

[0116] In one implementation, the communication device is a communication equipment (such as a terminal or an access network device). When the communication device is a communication equipment, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0117] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in a communication device. When the communication device is a chip configured in a communication device, the communication interface may be an input / output interface.

[0118] Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0119] In a sixth aspect, a processor is provided, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is used to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit a signal through the output circuit, so that the processor executes the method in the first aspect or the second aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0120] In the specific implementation process, the processor can be one or more chips, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, a gate circuit, a trigger, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, received and input by a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, output to a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as an input circuit and an output circuit at different times. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation methods of the processor and various circuits.

[0121] In the seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes: a computer program (also referred to as code, or instruction), which, when executed, enables a computer to execute the method in the above-mentioned first aspect or second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect or second aspect.

[0122] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code, or instructions). When the computer-readable storage medium is run on a computer, the computer executes the method in the above-mentioned first aspect or second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect or second aspect.

[0123] In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising at least one communication device provided in the third aspect and at least one communication device provided in the fourth aspect.

[0124] It can be understood that for the beneficial effects of the features corresponding to the first aspect in the second to eighth aspects, please refer to the relevant description in the first aspect and no repetition will be given. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0125] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0126] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a clock synchronization method between terminals provided by this application;

[0127] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of clock information transmission provided by this application;

[0128] Figures 4 to 7They are respectively different schematic flow charts of the communication method provided by the present application;

[0129] Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0130] Fig. 9 It is another schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0131] The technical solution in this application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0132] In the embodiment of the present application, " / " can indicate that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can indicate A or B; "and / or" can be used to describe that there are three relationships between the associated objects, for example, A and / or B can indicate: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In order to facilitate the description of the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, in the embodiment of the present application, the words "first" and "second" can be used to distinguish. The words "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit the difference. In the embodiment of the present application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations, and any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design. The use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a specific way for easy understanding. In the embodiments of the present application, at least one (kind) can also be described as one (kind) or more (kinds), and more (kinds) can be two (kinds), three (kinds), four (kinds) or more (kinds), and the present application does not impose any limitation.

[0133] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, fifth generation (5G) communication systems, etc. The communication method provided by the present application can also be applied to communication systems evolved after 5G, such as sixth generation (6G) communication systems, future communication systems or other communication systems. The present application does not limit this.

[0134] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 100 to which the present application can be applied. The communication system 100 may include at least one terminal, such as Figure 1As shown, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 110, a terminal 111, a terminal 112, and a terminal 113. The terminals can communicate with each other using wireless resources. Exemplarily, the terminals can communicate with each other through a proximity-based service communication (interface) 5 (PC5) interface, and the PC5 interface communication can also be called a sidelink (SL) communication.

[0135] The terminal provided in the embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. The terminal can be widely used in various scenarios for communication. The scenario includes, for example, but is not limited to at least one of the following scenarios: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, perception terminal, communication perception integrated terminal, or smart city, etc. The terminal may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, customer-premises equipment (CPE), a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a wearable device, a vehicle, a drone, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a robotic arm, a sensor, a perception device, or a smart home device, etc. This application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the terminal.

[0136] For example, Figure 1The terminals 110, 111, 112, and 113 shown may be terminals in industrial scenarios. For example, the terminals 111, 112, and 113 may be robots, robotic arms, or sensors. The terminals 111, 112, and 113 may communicate with each other via wireless links, and achieve collaboration and complete collaborative tasks through information interaction. In one implementation, the communication system 100 may include the terminal 110, which may be a terminal for configuring, controlling, and / or managing the communication between the terminals 111, 112, and 113. The terminal 110 may be called a control terminal, a management terminal, or an administrator terminal. The terminal 110 may communicate with Figure 1 The other terminals shown in the figure can communicate directly, such as through a side link between the terminals. Alternatively, the terminal 110 can communicate with the other terminals through signal forwarding of at least one device (such as a relay device, an access network device, etc.). Figure 1 The other terminals shown are used for communication. This application does not limit this. In another implementation, the terminal used to configure, control and / or manage the communication between the terminal 111, the terminal 112 and the terminal 113 may be one of the terminals 111, the terminal 112 and the terminal 113, which is not limited in this application. The terminal 111, the terminal 112 and the terminal 113 may be clock synchronized by the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application, thereby improving the reliability of the collaboration.

[0137] The communication system 100 may also include at least one access network device, such as Figure 1 The access network device 120 shown. The access network devices can be connected to each other by wired or wireless means. The terminal and the access network device can use wireless resources for wireless communication. For example, the terminal and the network device can communicate through the user equipment-universal mobile telecommunications system terrestrial access network (UE-UTRAN, Uu) interface.

[0138] The access network device may be a base station, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation Node B (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, an access network device in an open radio access network (O-RAN or open RAN), a next generation base station in a sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. Alternatively, the access network device may be a module or unit that performs some functions of a base station, for example, a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU control plane (CU-CP) module, or a CU user plane (CU-UP) module. The access network device may be a macro base station (such as a Figure 1 110a), or a micro base station or an indoor station (such as Figure 1 110b), it can also be a relay node, a donor node, a device that performs base station functions in D2D, V2X, and MTC communications, etc. The specific technology and specific device form adopted by the access network device are not limited in this application. Among them, the 5G system can also be called a new radio (NR) system.

[0139] The communication system 100 may also include a core network (CN), such as a core network 130. The access network device 120 may be connected to a core network element in the core network by wireless or wired means. The core network may include, but is not limited to, multiple functional units such as an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, a user plane function (UPF) network element, and a unified data management function (UDM) network element. Among them, the AMF network element is mainly responsible for services such as mobility management and access management, such as user location update, user registration network, user switching, etc. The SMF network element is mainly responsible for session management, terminal device address management and allocation, dynamic host configuration protocol functions, selection and control of user plane functions, etc. It is mainly responsible for session management in mobile networks, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include allocating IP addresses to users, selecting UPFs that provide message forwarding functions, etc. The UPF network element is mainly responsible for external connection to the data network (DN) and the data packet routing and forwarding of the user plane, message filtering, and execution of quality of service (QoS) control related functions. The UDM is mainly responsible for storing the contract data, credentials, and subscriber permanent identifier (SUPI) of the contracted terminal devices in the network. These data can be used for authentication and authorization of terminal devices to access the operator's network.

[0140] The communication system 100 may further include an application function (AF) network element, which may provide business services to the terminal through the core network.

[0141] It should be understood that Figure 1 This is only a schematic diagram, and the communication system may also include other communication devices, such as wireless relay equipment and wireless backhaul equipment.

[0142] In order to support the integration of mobile communication networks and TSN, the 5G network adds a time-sensitive communication (TSC) function, adds a network-side TSN translator (NW-TT) module to the user plane function (UPF) network element of the core network, and adds a terminal-side TSN translator (DS-TT) module to the terminal side. The two converter modules connect the 5G network to the TSN network to achieve protocol conversion between 5G services and TNS services, so that the 5G network can be regarded as a logical bridge of TSN. In addition, the core network control plane in the 5G network also adds a TSN clock synchronization function (TSCTSF) network element to provide clock synchronization services.

[0143] When the terminal needs to obtain clock information, it can send a clock synchronization request to the 5G network through existing technologies, and the TSC TSF network element or AMF network element will activate the timing capability of the corresponding access network equipment according to the clock synchronization request to provide the terminal with 5G system (5GS) reference time information. If multiple terminals need clock information at the same time, and the multiple terminals need to synchronize the clocks within the error requirement range, the AF network element will first initiate a request to the network, and the network will determine the DS-TT port pair based on the identifiers of the multiple terminals.

[0144] For example Figure 2 As shown, terminal 1 and terminal 2 need to perform clock synchronization within the error requirement range. At this time, the AF network element first initiates a request to the network, and the network determines the DS-TT1 port number of terminal 1 and the DS-TT2 port number of terminal 2 according to the identifier of terminal 1 and the identifier of terminal 2.

[0145] Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 can respectively receive 5G clock information from gNB1 and gNB2 to obtain 5G clock. The device connected to Terminal 1 sends a (generalized) precision time protocol ((g)PTP) message of the clock domain of the device to Terminal 1. When the DS-TT1 module on Terminal 1 receives the (g)PTP message, it inserts a timestamp t1 into the (g)PTP message using the 5G time on Terminal 1. The (g)PTP message is transmitted to Terminal 2 through the 5G network. When the DS-TT2 module on Terminal 2 receives the (g)PTP message, the DS-TT2 module adds a timestamp t2 using the 5G time of Terminal 2 at this time. Therefore, the time difference t2-t1 between t2 and t1 is the time elapsed for the (g)PTP message in the 5G clock domain. The DS-TT2 module can use the clock domain ratio carried in the (g)PTP message (i.e., the ratio of the 5G clock domain to the clock domain of the device connected to Terminal 1 (i.e., the external TSN clock domain)) to convert the time difference t2-t1 into the transfer time corresponding to the clock domain of the device connected to Terminal 1. The DS-TT2 module can use the sending time of the message carried in the (g)PTP message and the converted transfer time to obtain the TSN clock domain synchronization time of the DS-TT2 module and pass it to the connected TSN device.

[0146] exist Figure 2 In the clock synchronization method shown, each terminal needs to obtain 5G clock information through the Uu interface, and then synchronize the clocks between the devices connected to the terminal by transmitting (g)PTP messages. This method requires the terminal to have the communication capability of the Uu interface. In addition, after obtaining the clock information, the terminal also needs to transmit the clock information to the device connected to the terminal. Since the terminal may be connected to multiple devices, the clock information may also need to be transmitted through multiple hops to reach the target device. For example Figure 3 As shown, in an industrial scenario, terminal 1 and terminal 2 are two robotic arms. The device 10 of terminal 1 and the device 20 of terminal 2 can communicate through a wireless link and realize operation task collaboration through information interaction. Task collaboration requires high clock synchronization accuracy. The device 10 of terminal 1 sends a (g)PTP message to terminal 2 through the 5G network. After terminal 2 receives the (g)PTP message through device 20 and determines the clock information of the device's clock domain, the clock information is transmitted to device 26 through multi-hop transmission from device 21 to device 25. The transmission of clock information has a transmission delay, so that the clock information obtained by device 26 has errors, which may not meet the clock synchronization error requirements of the business. For example, in this example, the clock synchronization error does not meet the business requirements and may cause production safety problems.

[0147] The present application proposes that multiple communication devices that need to be clock synchronized are regarded as a communication device group, and one of the communication devices in the communication device group provides clock synchronization information for the communication devices in the communication device group to achieve clock synchronization of the communication device group. The first network element can determine the actual time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group and the first communication device (the first communication device can be called a clock synchronization communication device) for which the communication devices in the communication device group provide clock synchronization information based on the internal errors of the communication devices in the communication device group, and provide it to the first communication device, wherein the actual time synchronization error budget between the communication devices refers to the remaining time synchronization error budget between the communication devices after the service error budget excludes the internal errors of the communication devices, such as Figure 3 In the example shown, when terminal 1 provides clock synchronization information for terminal 2, the first network element can determine the actual time synchronization error budget between terminal 1 and terminal 2 after excluding the internal error of terminal 2 based on the internal error of terminal 2, that is, the time synchronization error budget when device 10 transmits clock synchronization information to device 20. The time synchronization error when device 10 transmits clock synchronization information to device 20 needs to be less than or equal to the time synchronization error budget to meet the service error budget requirement. The first communication device can obtain an accurate time synchronization error budget, improve the clock synchronization accuracy, and reduce the clock synchronization error. And the solution provided by the present application enables direct communication between communication devices in the communication device group (such as communication through a side link or other communication link) to achieve clock synchronization, and the clock synchronization of the communication device group can be achieved without each communication device in the communication device group having Uu interface communication capability.

[0148] Figure 4 400 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 400 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method 400 includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0149] S401: A first network element obtains at least one first information, where the at least one first information is used to indicate an internal error of at least one communication device in a communication device group.

[0150] Each communication device in the communication device group corresponds to a device set. After a communication device obtains clock synchronization information, there is a delay in the clock synchronization information being transmitted to the device in the device set. The first information may indicate an internal error in the transmission of the clock synchronization information between devices within the communication device.

[0151] In one implementation, the first information includes an internal error of the communication device, that is, the first information includes an error in the transmission of clock synchronization information between a set of internal devices of the communication device.

[0152] In another implementation, the first information may include topology information of a device set corresponding to the communication device.

[0153] The topology information is used to indicate the number of hops for clock synchronization information transmission in the corresponding device set. The first network element can obtain the clock transmission error between the device sets inside the communication device by acquiring the number of hops for clock synchronization information transmission.

[0154] In one example, the topology information may include the hop count.

[0155] In another example, the topology information may indicate information used to determine the number of hops, for example, the topology information may indicate the device type of the corresponding communication device, and the number of devices included in the device set corresponding to the communication device may be determined based on the device type, thereby determining the number of hops for clock synchronization information transmission. However, the present application is not limited thereto.

[0156] The first network element obtains at least one first information from at least one communication device in the communication device group in S401, so that the first network element can determine the time synchronization error budget between the communication device in the communication device group and the first communication device providing clock synchronization information based on the at least one first information in S402.

[0157] As an example but not limitation, the first network element is a core network element, an application function network element, a terminal for managing a communication device group, or the first network element may be a communication device in the communication device group.

[0158] In one implementation, the first network element may be a communication device outside the communication device group.

[0159] For example, the first network element may be a communication device for configuring, controlling or managing a communication device group. The first network element may be an administrator terminal, which may be referred to in the following Figure 5 Embodiment shown. Alternatively, the first network element may be an AF network element. Alternatively, the first network element may be a core network element, such as the core network element may be a TSCTSF network element, or the core network element may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element or a unified data management (UDM) function network element. This application does not limit this.

[0160] In another embodiment, the first network element may be a communication device in the communication device group. Alternatively, each communication device in the communication device group may have the function of the first network element, that is, the first network element may be any communication device in the communication device group, and reference may be made to the following Figure 6 The embodiment shown.

[0161] The first network element acquiring at least one first information may include but is not limited to one or more of the following two implementation modes:

[0162] In one implementation, the first network element acquires at least one first information, including: the first network element acquires the at least one first information from the second network element.

[0163] For example, each of the at least one communication device may send first information indicating an internal error of the communication device to the first network element. After obtaining the at least one first information, the second network element sends the at least one first information to the first network element, so that the first network element obtains the at least one first information from the second network element. Exemplarily, the first network element may be a core network element or an AF network element, and the second network element may be an administrator terminal. Alternatively, the first network element may be an administrator terminal, and the second network element may be a core network element or an AF network element. Alternatively, the first network element and the second network element are respectively a core network element and an AF network element. This application does not limit this.

[0164] In another embodiment, the first network element obtains at least one first information, including: the first network element receives the at least one first information from at least one communication device in the communication device group. That is, each communication device in the at least one communication device can send first information indicating an internal error of the communication device to the first network element, and accordingly, the first network element receives the first information from each communication device in the at least one communication device to obtain the at least one first information.

[0165] In one implementation, the communication device includes a set of apparatuses corresponding to the communication device, and one set of apparatuses includes one or more apparatuses.

[0166] For example, a communication device in the communication device group may be Figure 3 The mechanical arm shown is terminal 2. The device set corresponding to terminal 2 includes devices 20 to 26. The number of hops transmitted by the clock synchronization information in the device set is 6, and the topology information of terminal 2 is used to indicate that the number of hops corresponding to the device set is 6. Figure 3 In the example shown, the first network element can obtain the first information of terminal 1 and terminal 2, determine the number of hops for transmitting clock synchronization information in the device sets corresponding to terminal 1 and terminal 2 respectively, and thereby determine the terminal that provides clock synchronization information in terminal 1 and terminal 2 based on business requirements and possible transmission delays of the clock synchronization information in S402.

[0167] Optionally, the first information further includes information indicating one or more of the following capabilities of the communication device:

[0168] Supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence levels, communication service quality, power supply information or supported clock synchronization methods.

[0169] In addition to indicating the internal error of the communication device, the first information may also include capability information of the communication device. The first network element may determine a timing communication device that meets the service requirements in the communication device group based on the capability of the communication device in the communication device group and the topology information corresponding to the communication device, thereby reducing the clock synchronization error and improving the clock synchronization accuracy.

[0170] The access type supported by the communication device may be a 3GPP access mode and / or a non-3GPP access mode. The clock capability information of the communication device may include one or more of the following information:

[0171] Clock source information, clock quality level information (clock class), clock accuracy (clock accuracy) or clock frequency stability (frequency stability).

[0172] The clock synchronization error supported by the above communication device may be a supported delay compensation capability (PDC), or a supported clock synchronization error value, which is used to indicate the clock synchronization error between two communication devices when the communication device provides clock synchronization reference information to other communication devices.

[0173] The clock synchronization mode supported by the above communication device may refer to whether the communication device has a delay correction capability or a time offset correction capability, and the specific mode may be any one of the following:

[0174] Whether PDC delay compensation is supported, whether the delay compensation algorithm is supported, whether the time-advanced-based (TA-based) algorithm is supported, or whether the round-trip time-based (RTT-based) algorithm is supported.

[0175] In the clock synchronization mode, the communication device that sends time synchronization information (i.e., the timing communication device) needs to determine the propagation delay compensation amount (or time offset compensation amount) of the time synchronization information. The communication devices in the communication device group need to send response information to the timing communication device after receiving the information sent by the timing communication device, so that the timing communication device can determine the propagation delay compensation amount (or time offset compensation amount) based on the response information from the communication device, thereby realizing time synchronization between the timing communication device and the timing communication device.

[0176] S402: The first network element determines at least one time synchronization error budget between the at least one communication device and a first communication device according to at least one first information, where the first communication device is a communication device in the communication device group for providing clock synchronization information.

[0177] Before the first network element determines at least one time synchronization error budget between the at least one communication device and the first communication device based on at least one first information, the first network element determines a first communication device in the communication device group for providing clock synchronization information based on the at least one first information.

[0178] In one implementation, the first information further includes information for indicating a clock synchronization error supported by the communication device. The first network element determines the first communication device in the communication device group according to the first information of the communication device in the communication device group, including: the first network element determines the first communication device according to the second information, at least one first information, and the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device in the communication device group. The second information is used to indicate a service error budget of a communication service of the communication device group.

[0179] The clock synchronization error supported by a communication device refers to the minimum timing error or clock synchronization error that can be supported by the communication device when providing clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group. The clock synchronization error supported by the communication device can also be called the timing accuracy supported by the communication device. The smaller the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device, the higher the timing accuracy supported by the communication device. The clock synchronization error supported by the communication device can be used to characterize the timing capability of the communication device. The smaller the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device, the stronger the timing capability of the communication device. The clock synchronization error supported by a communication device is related to the processing capability of the communication device, such as the software and / or hardware processing capability of the communication device. The first information can directly indicate the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device, or the first information can indirectly indicate the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device by indicating the processing capability of the communication device. The first network element can obtain the first information of the communication device to determine the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device.

[0180] The service error budget of the communication service of the communication equipment group refers to the maximum value of the clock error allowed by the communication service between the communication equipment groups. For example, the communication service of the communication equipment group is the communication service for the communication equipment group to perform information exchange in performing industrial production collaboration tasks. The service error budget can be the maximum value of the clock synchronization error between the communication equipment to ensure that the production collaboration task is carried out in an orderly manner (such as ensuring production safety). However, the present application is not limited to this.

[0181] The first network element can determine the possible transmission error of clock synchronization information transmitted between communication devices in the communication device group based on the first information, and the first network element then determines the first communication device based on the capabilities of the communication device, such as the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device, so that the first communication device provides clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group so that the clock synchronization error of the communication device group is within the service error budget.

[0182] Exemplarily, the first network element may determine the first communication device based on one or more of the second information, the first information, and the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device in the communication device group, specifically including: the first network element determines the time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group based on the second information and the first information corresponding to the communication device in the communication device group. The first network element determines the first communication device based on the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device in the communication device group and the time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device. The clock synchronization error supported by the first communication device is less than or equal to the time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and any communication device in the communication device group other than the first communication device.

[0183] The time synchronization error budget between communication device A and communication device B in the communication device group refers to the error budget between the clock synchronization information provided by communication device A and the clock synchronization information obtained on communication device B when communication device A, as a timing communication device, provides clock synchronization information to communication device B, that is, the time synchronization error budget between communication device A and communication device B. Conversely, the time synchronization error budget between communication device B and communication device A refers to the error budget between the clock synchronization information provided by communication device B and the clock synchronization information obtained on communication device A when communication device B, as a timing communication device, provides clock synchronization information to communication device A, that is, the time synchronization error budget between communication device A and communication device B.

[0184] For example, the communication device group includes terminal A, terminal B and terminal C, the device set corresponding to terminal A includes 10 devices, the device set corresponding to terminal B includes 1 device, and the device set corresponding to terminal C includes 4 devices. If the first information includes the topological structure information of the device set corresponding to the communication device, the topological structure information corresponding to terminal A, terminal B and terminal C indicates that the number of hops for clock synchronization information transmission is 10, 1 and 4 respectively. The first network element can obtain the first information of terminal A, terminal B and terminal C, and determine the number of hops for clock synchronization information transmission in the device set corresponding to each terminal. And the first information also indicates the capability information of the terminal, the first network element can determine the clock synchronization error supported by each terminal, for example, the first network element can determine that the clock synchronization error supported by terminal A is 200 nanoseconds (nano second, ns), the clock synchronization error supported by terminal B is 150ns, and terminal C does not support timing, then the first network element needs to determine the timing terminal in terminal A and terminal B.

[0185] The transmission error (i.e., the clock synchronization error caused) of the clock synchronization information transmitted between each hop of the devices in the communication device can be predefined or indicated by the first information. For example, the first network element can determine the clock synchronization error T of each hop between the devices in the communication device. hop is 40ns.

[0186] Terminal A transmits the clock synchronization information to the clock synchronization error T of the end device in the device set of terminal A. A It is T A =10*40ns=400ns, the clock synchronization error T of the terminal B transmitting the clock synchronization information to the terminal device in the device set of terminal B B It is T B =1*40ns=40ns, the clock synchronization error T of the terminal C transmitting the clock synchronization information to the terminal device in the device set of terminal C C It is T C =4*40ns=160ns.

[0187] If the communication service error budget T of the communication equipment group service is 500ns. If terminal A is a timing terminal, the time synchronization error budget T between the devices that transmit clock synchronization information between terminal A and terminal B is AB T service -T B = 460ns, the time synchronization error budget T between the devices transmitting clock synchronization information between terminal A and terminal C AC T service -T C =340ns. Terminal A can support a synchronization error budget of more than 200ns, T AB 、TAC are all greater than the clock synchronization error supported by terminal A, that is, the clock synchronization error supported by terminal A is less than the time synchronization error budget between terminal A and any terminal in the communication device group except terminal A. Therefore, terminal A can be used as the timing terminal (i.e., the first communication device) of the communication device group. If terminal B is a timing terminal, the time synchronization error budget T between the devices that transmit clock synchronization information between terminal B and terminal A is BA T service -T A = 100ns, the time synchronization error budget T between the devices that transmit clock synchronization information between terminal B and terminal C BC T service -T C =340ns. Terminal B can support a synchronization error budget of more than 150ns, where T BA =100ns, terminal B as a timing terminal cannot meet the time synchronization error budget requirement between terminal A and terminal B. Therefore, terminal B cannot be used as the timing terminal in the communication device group.

[0188] It can be seen that even if the synchronization error budget supported by terminal B is smaller than the synchronization error budget supported by terminal A, the transmission error of clock synchronization information is caused by the fact that the device set corresponding to terminal A contains more devices, so that terminal B cannot meet the time synchronization error budget requirements of the service when used as a timing terminal. Terminal A can meet the time synchronization error budget requirements of the service when used as a timing terminal. The solution of this application can reduce the clock synchronization error between devices and improve the accuracy of clock synchronization.

[0189] In one implementation, when determining the first communication device in the communication device group, the first network element may also refer to the access type supported by the communication devices in the communication device group.

[0190] For example, the first information includes information for indicating the access type of the communication device. The first network element can determine, based on the first information obtained, that at least one communication device in the communication device group does not have the Uu interface communication capability, and the communication device cannot obtain clock information from the mobile communication network through the Uu interface. Therefore, the first network element can determine the first communication device among the communication devices that support the Uu interface communication capability in the communication device group based on the first information of the communication device, so that the first communication device can obtain clock information through the Uu interface, and then provide clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group through the communication link (such as a side link or other communication link) with the communication devices in the communication device group, thereby realizing clock synchronization of the communication devices in the communication device group. In this implementation, the communication devices in the communication device group that do not support Uu interface communication can also obtain the clock information of the mobile communication network, thereby realizing clock synchronization with other communication devices in the communication device group.

[0191] The first information may also include other capability information of the communication device, such as one or more of clock capability, information processing capability, intelligence level, communication service quality, or power supply information. The first network element may also refer to one or more of the capability information when determining the first communication device in the communication device group. This application does not limit this.

[0192] After determining the first communication device, the first network element notifies the communication devices in the communication device group, and the communication devices in the communication device group may determine that the first communication device provides clock synchronization information for the communication device group.

[0193] S403: The first network element sends at least one time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and the at least one communication device to the first communication device.

[0194] The first communication device receives the at least one time synchronization error budget from the first network element, so that the first communication device can determine the clock synchronization information sent to the communication devices in the communication device group based on the at least one time synchronization error budget, so that the clock synchronization information can meet the time synchronization budget requirements of the service.

[0195] The first communication device can send the clock synchronization information to other communication devices in the communication device group, and the other communication devices receive the clock synchronization information from the communication device group and pass the acquired clock synchronization information to the corresponding device set to achieve clock synchronization of the communication device group. According to the above scheme of the present application, the internal error of the communication device is considered when determining the time synchronization error budget between the timing communication device and the timing communication device, which can reduce the error of the clock synchronization of the communication device group and improve the accuracy of the clock synchronization.

[0196] Figure 5FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 500 provided in an embodiment of the present application. In the communication method 500, the first network element is an administrator terminal (ie Figure 5 The terminal M) shown in the figure is used as an example to illustrate the solution provided by the present application. It should be understood that the present application is not limited to this, and the first network element can also be an AF network element or a core network element. For details, please refer to Figure 5 The method 500 includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0197] S501, terminal M sends terminal group establishment information to terminal A, terminal B and terminal C.

[0198] Accordingly, terminal A, terminal B, and terminal C respectively receive terminal group establishment information from terminal M (the terminal group establishment information is an example of the third information).

[0199] Terminal M, as an administrator terminal, may determine to create a terminal group (i.e., an example of a communication device group) according to business requirements, and the terminal group includes terminal A, terminal B, and terminal C. Terminal M executes S501 to send terminal group establishment information to terminal A, terminal B, and terminal C. The terminal group establishment information may include an identifier of the terminal group.

[0200] S502, terminal A, terminal B and terminal C send terminal group establishment response information to terminal M respectively.

[0201] For example, terminal A sends response information A to terminal M to confirm that terminal A has received the terminal group establishment information from terminal M. Terminal B and terminal C send response information B and response information C to terminal M, respectively, to confirm that terminal B and terminal C have received the terminal group establishment information from terminal M. If terminal M receives response information from each terminal in the terminal group, terminal M can determine that the terminal group establishment is complete.

[0202] In one implementation, the response information sent by the terminal in the terminal group to the terminal M includes the first information mentioned above. The response information from the terminal in the terminal group is also used by the terminal M to determine the terminal in the terminal group that provides clock synchronization information, which can be called a timing terminal, that is, an example of a second communication device.

[0203] In another implementation manner, after receiving the response information, the terminal M may obtain the first information from the terminals in the terminal group.

[0204] S503: Terminal M determines that terminal A is a timing terminal according to the first information of the terminals in the terminal group.

[0205] The first information is used to indicate an internal error of the terminal, or in other words, the first information is used to indicate an error when the clock synchronization information is transmitted inside the terminal.

[0206] The first information includes the internal error of the terminal, or the first information includes the topological structure information of the device set corresponding to the terminal. Optionally, the first information may also include information for indicating the capabilities of the terminal, such as the first information includes one or more of the supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence levels, communication service quality, power supply information, or supported clock synchronization methods of the terminal. Terminal M can determine that terminal A is a timing terminal in the terminal group based on the first information and the service error budget of the communication service of the terminal group. The specific determination method can refer to the above description of Figure 4 The description of the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here.

[0207] Optionally, the terminal M determines terminal A as a timing terminal based on the first information of the terminals in the terminal group, including: terminal M determines terminal A based on the first information of the terminals in the terminal group, and terminal A is the leader terminal in the terminal group, the leader terminal is used to provide clock synchronization information for the terminals in the terminal group, and the leader terminal is also used to organize and / or coordinate communications of the terminal group, such as the leader terminal can be responsible for communication resource scheduling of terminals in the terminal group, etc.

[0208] Specifically, the first information is used to indicate the internal error of the terminal and the capability of the terminal. Terminal M can determine the time synchronization error budget between the terminals in the terminal group based on the service error budget and the first information of the terminals in the terminal group, and determine terminal A as the leader terminal of the terminal group based on the clock synchronization error supported by the terminals in the terminal group and the time synchronization error budget between the terminals. Terminal A provides clock synchronization information for the terminals in the terminal group, and organizes and / or coordinates communications of the terminal group.

[0209] S504, terminal M notifies the terminal group that terminal A is the timing terminal of the terminal group.

[0210] For example, terminal M sends fourth information to terminal A, the fourth information is used to instruct terminal A to send clock synchronization information to the terminals in the terminal group. Terminal M sends fifth information to the terminals other than terminal A in the terminal group, the fifth information is used to instruct the terminals to receive clock synchronization information from terminal A.

[0211] The fourth information and the fifth information may be information of different contents, such as the fifth information may be timing terminal indication information sent to different terminals, for example, the fifth information may include the identifier of terminal A, and the timing terminal indication information is used for the terminals other than terminal A in the terminal group to determine that terminal A is the timing terminal of the terminal group. The fourth information may be timing indication information, and the identifiers of the terminals other than terminal A in the terminal group included in the timing indication information are used to indicate that terminal A sends clock synchronization information to other terminals in the terminal group, and the terminals other than terminal A in the terminal group can receive clock synchronization information from terminal A. Alternatively, the fourth information and the fifth information may be the same information, such as information of the terminal group used to indicate the timing terminal. For example, the information includes the identifier of the terminal group and the identifier of the terminal A. After receiving the multicast information, the terminals in the terminal group can determine that terminal A is the timing terminal of the terminal group.

[0212] S505: Terminal A sends clock synchronization information to terminals B and C.

[0213] In one implementation, terminal A may obtain indication information from the terminal M, where the indication information is used to indicate time synchronization error budgets between terminal A and terminal B and terminal C, respectively. Terminal A may send clock synchronization information to terminal B and terminal C according to the time synchronization error budgets between terminal A and terminal B and terminal C. Optionally, terminal A may select to perform a propagation delay compensation (PDC) algorithm on terminal B and / or terminal C according to the time synchronization error budgets of terminal B and / or terminal C, so as to meet the requirements of the time synchronization error budget.

[0214] Exemplarily, the indication information may be included in the fourth information sent by the terminal M to the terminal A.

[0215] In another implementation manner, terminal M may send second information indicating a service error budget and topology information of terminal B and terminal C to terminal A. Terminal A may determine the time synchronization error budget between terminal A and terminal C and between terminal A and terminal C based on the service error budget and topology information. For a specific determination method, please refer to the above description of the first communication device determining T AB and T AC Terminal A may send clock synchronization information to terminal B and terminal C according to the time synchronization error budget between terminal A and terminal B and terminal C. Optionally, terminal A may select to perform a PDC algorithm on terminal B and / or terminal C according to the time synchronization error budget of terminal B and / or terminal C so as to meet the requirements of the time synchronization error budget.

[0216] The clock synchronization information sent by terminal A to terminal B and terminal C may be multicast information, and the clock synchronization information includes the identifier of the terminal group and the reference time information used for clock synchronization of terminal B and terminal C. For example, terminal A may determine the reference time information based on the time synchronization error budget between terminal B and terminal C, and provide time to terminal B and terminal C by sending the clock synchronization information including the reference time information and the terminal group identifier. However, the present application is not limited to this, and the clock synchronization information sent by terminal A to terminal B and terminal C may be unicast information. For example, terminal A may determine the reference time information B used for clock synchronization of terminal B based on the time synchronization error budget between terminal B and terminal B, and send the clock synchronization information including the reference time information B to terminal B. And terminal A sends clock synchronization information to terminal C, and the clock synchronization information may include reference time information C determined based on the time synchronization error budget with terminal C.

[0217] In one implementation, terminal A determines a method for sending clock synchronization information from terminal A to each terminal in the terminal group based on a time synchronization error budget between terminal A and each terminal in the terminal group, which method is a multicast method or a unicast method.

[0218] For example, the terminal group also includes other terminals except terminal B and terminal C. Terminal A determines that the way in which terminal A sends clock synchronization information to terminal B is unicast based on the time synchronization error budget between terminal A and the terminals in the terminal group, and sends clock synchronization information to the terminals except terminal B in the terminal group in multicast.

[0219] Specifically, terminal A sends multicast clock synchronization information, which includes reference time information 1. Terminals other than terminal B in the terminal group receive the multicast clock synchronization information and perform clock synchronization according to reference time information 1 in the multicast clock synchronization information. Terminal A sends unicast clock synchronization information to terminal B, which includes reference time information 2. Accordingly, terminal B receives the unicast clock synchronization information from terminal A and sends response information of the unicast clock synchronization information to terminal A, and the response information carries time information T when terminal B receives the unicast clock synchronization information. r And the time information T of sending the response information t After receiving the response information, terminal A can determine the transmission path of the unicast clock synchronization information and send clock synchronization compensation information to terminal B. The clock synchronization compensation information is used to compensate for the path transmission delay of the clock synchronization information. The clock synchronization error between terminal B and terminal A is reduced, and the accuracy of clock synchronization is improved.

[0220] For another example, the terminal group also includes other terminals except terminal B and terminal C. Terminal A can determine to send the clock synchronization information of the terminal group in a multicast manner and send the clock synchronization compensation information to some terminals in the terminal group in a unicast manner based on the time synchronization error budget between the terminals in the terminal group. The terminals in the terminal group perform clock synchronization according to the received multicast clock synchronization information, and terminal A then sends the clock synchronization compensation information to the terminals with larger path transmission delay in a unicast manner. For example, terminal A sends the clock synchronization compensation information to terminal B. The clock synchronization compensation information can be determined based on the response information sent by terminal B to the multicast clock synchronization information, or terminal A can determine the path transmission delay between terminal B and terminal A by other means (such as reference signal measurement, perception measurement, etc.), thereby determining the clock synchronization compensation information based on the path transmission delay. After receiving the clock synchronization compensation information, terminal B performs clock synchronization compensation, thereby reducing the error of clock synchronization and improving the accuracy of clock synchronization.

[0221] according to Figure 5 In the scheme of the embodiment shown, terminal M, which is an administrator terminal, can obtain the first information indicating the internal error of the terminal in the terminal group. Terminal M considers the internal error of the terminal when determining the timing terminal in the terminal group, thereby determining the timing terminal, and terminal M provides the timing terminal with the time synchronization error budget between the timing terminal and the timing terminal, so that the timing terminal can provide more accurate clock synchronization information and reduce the error of clock synchronization. The clock synchronization of the terminal group is achieved, the accuracy of clock synchronization is improved, and the terminal group communicates through the communication link between the terminals, and the clock synchronization of the terminal group can be achieved without each terminal having a communication interface with the access network device, which reduces the implementation complexity and cost of the terminal clock synchronization.

[0222] Figure 6 6 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of the present application. In the communication method 600, the scheme provided by the present application is described by taking the first network element as any terminal in the terminal group as an example. The method 600 includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0223] S601, terminal M, terminal A, terminal B and terminal C execute a terminal group establishment process.

[0224] For example, after the terminal M determines to establish a terminal group according to the business requirements, it sends the terminal group establishment information to the terminal A, the terminal B and the terminal C, and the terminal A, the terminal B and the terminal C send the response information of the group establishment information to the terminal M to complete the terminal group establishment process. For details, please refer to the description of S501 and S502 in the previous text, which will not be repeated here.

[0225] It should be understood that Figure 6In the example shown, the terminal M as the administrator terminal is used as an example to illustrate the establishment of a terminal group. The present application is not limited to this. In a specific implementation, a communication device or a core network device with an application function AF may also be used to organize the establishment of a terminal group.

[0226] S602: Terminal M sends second information to the terminal group, where the second information is used to indicate a service error budget.

[0227] The second information may be multicast information of the terminal group, such as the second information including an identifier of the terminal group. The terminal M may notify the terminals in the terminal group of the service error budget of the communication service of the terminal group through the second information, so that the terminals in the terminal group may determine the terminal in the terminal group that provides clock synchronization information, i.e., the timing terminal, based on the service error budget in the subsequent communication.

[0228] S603: The terminal in the terminal group obtains first information of other terminals.

[0229] The terminals in the terminal group can exchange their respective first information. For example, terminal A sends the first information of terminal A, and terminal B and terminal C receive the first information from terminal A. Terminal B sends the first information of terminal B, and terminal A and terminal C receive the first information from terminal B. Terminal C sends the first information of terminal C, and terminal A and terminal B receive the first information from terminal C.

[0230] The first information includes topological information of a device set corresponding to the terminal. Optionally, the first information may also include information indicating the capabilities of the terminal, such as the first information including one or more of the supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence levels, communication service quality, power information, or supported clock synchronization methods of the terminal.

[0231] S604: The terminals in the terminal group determine that terminal A is the timing terminal according to the first information and the second information of the terminals in the terminal group respectively.

[0232] Each terminal in the terminal group determines that terminal A is a timing terminal in the terminal group based on the first information including topology information and the second information including service error budget of the terminals in the terminal group. The specific method for a terminal to determine a timing terminal in a terminal group can be referred to Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the first communication device determines the timing communication device, ie, the second communication device, and is implemented in a manner that will not be described in detail herein.

[0233] S605: Terminal A sends clock synchronization information to terminals B and C.

[0234] After terminal A determines that terminal A is a timing terminal in S604, terminal A may determine to send clock synchronization information to terminal B and terminal C. After terminal B and terminal C determine that terminal A is a timing terminal in S604, terminal B and terminal C determine to receive clock synchronization information from terminal A. Terminal A may determine clock synchronization information based on the time synchronization error budget between terminal B and terminal C, and send the clock synchronization information to terminal B and terminal C. For the specific method of terminal A sending clock synchronization information, please refer to Figure 5 The description of S505 in the illustrated embodiment is used for implementation and will not be repeated here.

[0235] according to Figure 6 In the scheme of the illustrated embodiment, the terminals in the terminal group determine the timing terminals in the terminal group according to the same rule based on the first information and the second information of the terminals in the terminal group, and the timing terminals provide clock synchronization information to the terminals in the terminal group to achieve clock synchronization of the terminal group, which can reduce the error of the clock synchronization of the terminal group and improve the accuracy of the clock synchronization. In addition, the terminal group communicates through the communication link between the terminals, and the clock synchronization of the terminal group can be achieved without each terminal having a communication interface with the access network device, thereby reducing the implementation complexity and cost of the terminal clock synchronization.

[0236] Figure 7 It is a schematic flow chart of the communication method 700 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0237] S701, terminal A, terminal B and terminal C execute a terminal group establishment process with the AF network element, complete clock synchronization, and execute communication services.

[0238] After the terminal group is established, terminal A serves as the timing terminal in the terminal group to provide timing for the terminals in the terminal group. After the terminal group completes clock synchronization, communication services are performed.

[0239] The AF network element may be a module with an application function AF configured in a communication device, or the AF network element may be a communication device with an AF function. It should be understood that Figure 7 The example shown is taken as an example to illustrate the establishment of a terminal group as an AF network element organization, which has an administrator terminal or a core network device, and this application does not limit this.

[0240] S702, the AF network element sends indication information 1 to terminal A, where the indication information 1 is used to indicate a change in service requirements.

[0241] The AF network element may determine to send indication information 1 to the terminal according to the change in service demand. The indication information 1 may indicate the changed service demand. Alternatively, the indication information 1 may notify terminal A of the change in service demand by instructing terminal A to leave the terminal group.

[0242] S703: Terminal A determines to leave the terminal group according to indication information 1.

[0243] Terminal A determines, based on indication information 1, that the service requirement has changed, and thus leaves the terminal group.

[0244] S704, the AF network element sends indication information 2 to terminal D, where the indication information 2 is used to instruct terminal D to access the terminal group.

[0245] Correspondingly, terminal D receives the indication information 2 from the AF network element and determines to join the terminal group. The indication information 2 may include the identifier of the terminal group.

[0246] S705, terminal D sends response information of the indication information 2 to the AF network element.

[0247] Correspondingly, the AF network element receives the response information from terminal D.

[0248] S706, the terminal group and / or the AF network element determines the timing terminal, the terminal group completes clock synchronization, and executes the communication service.

[0249] In one implementation, the AF network element determines the timing terminal and notifies the terminals in the terminal group. For details, please refer to Figure 5 The timing terminal in the illustrated embodiment is implemented in a determining manner.

[0250] In another implementation manner, the terminals in the terminal group respectively determine the timing terminals in the terminal group based on the same rule. For details, please refer to Figure 6 The timing terminal in the illustrated embodiment is implemented in a determining manner.

[0251] The timing terminals in the terminal group send clock synchronization information, and the terminals in the terminal group complete the clock synchronization of the terminal group based on the clock synchronization information, thereby executing the communication service of the terminal group, and being able to flexibly adjust the terminal group based on changes in service requirements.

[0252] In one implementation, if the terminal group does not need other terminals to join after terminal A leaves the terminal group, S702 to S706 do not need to be executed. The updated terminal group includes terminal B and terminal C, and the AF network element or the terminal in the terminal group can determine the timing terminal in the updated terminal group, and the terminal group completes clock synchronization and executes communication services.

[0253] The method provided by the present application is described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following drawings illustrate the communication device and communication equipment provided by the present application. In order to implement the various functions in the method provided by the present application, each network element may include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and implement the above functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. Whether one of the above functions is executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0254] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided by the present application. Figure 8 As shown, the communication device 800 may include a transceiver unit 820. The communication device 800 may correspond to the first network element, communication device or terminal in the above method.

[0255] When the communication device 800 corresponds to a terminal, the communication device 800 may be the entire terminal, or the communication device 800 may be a chip configured in (or used for) a terminal, or other devices, modules, circuits or units capable of implementing the terminal method.

[0256] It should be understood that the communication device 800 may include a unit for executing the method executed by the first network element or the terminal in the above method embodiment. In addition, each unit in the communication device 800 and the above other operations and / or functions are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes of the above method embodiment.

[0257] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include a processing unit 810, which may be used to process instructions or data to implement corresponding operations.

[0258] It should also be understood that when the communication device 800 is a chip configured in (or used in) a terminal, the transceiver unit 820 in the communication device 800 can be the input / output interface or circuit of the chip, and the processing unit 810 in the communication device 800 can be the processor in the chip.

[0259] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include a storage unit 830, which may be used to store instructions or data, and the processing unit 810 may execute the instructions or data stored in the storage unit to enable the communication device to implement corresponding operations.

[0260] It should also be understood that the specific process of each unit executing the above corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0261] In another possible design, the communication device 800 may correspond to a network device, such as a network device with an application function AF, or the network device may be a core network device, such as a core network device with a time-sensitive communication and time synchronization function TSCTSF (i.e., a TSCTSF network element).

[0262] When the communication device 800 corresponds to a network device, the communication device 800 may be a complete network device, or the communication device 800 may be configured in (or used for) a chip in the network device, or other devices, modules, circuits or units that can implement the method of the network device.

[0263] It should be understood that the communication device 800 may include a unit for executing the method executed by the network device in the above method embodiment. In addition, each unit in the communication device 800 and the above other operations and / or functions are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiment.

[0264] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include a processing unit 810, which may be used to process instructions or data to implement corresponding operations.

[0265] It should also be understood that when the communication device 800 is a chip configured in (or used in) a network device, the transceiver unit 820 in the communication device 800 can be the input / output interface or circuit of the chip, and the processing unit 810 in the communication device 800 can be the processor in the chip.

[0266] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include a storage unit 830, which may be used to store instructions or data, and the processing unit 810 may execute the instructions or data stored in the storage unit to enable the communication device to implement corresponding operations.

[0267] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 820 in the communication device 800 can be implemented through a communication interface (such as a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, an input / output interface, or a pin, etc.), for example, Fig. 9 The processing unit 810 in the communication device 800 may be implemented by at least one processor, for example, corresponding to Fig. 9 The processor 910 in the communication device 900 shown in FIG. The processing unit 810 in the communication device 800 may also be implemented by at least one logic circuit. The storage unit 830 in the communication device 800 may correspond to Fig. 9 The memory 930 in the communication device 900 shown in FIG.

[0268] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 900 provided in the embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 As shown, the communication device 900 includes one or more processors 910. The processor 910 can be used for internal processing of the device to implement certain control processing functions. Optionally, the processor 910 includes instructions 911. Optionally, the processor 910 can store data.

[0269] Optionally, the communication device 900 includes one or more memories 930 for storing instructions 931. Optionally, data may also be stored in the memory 930. The processor and the memory may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0270] Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a transceiver 920 and / or an antenna 940. The transceiver 920 may be used to send information to other devices or receive information from other devices. The transceiver 920 may be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, an input / output interface, etc., and is used to implement the transceiver function of the communication device 900 through the antenna 940. Optionally, the transceiver 920 includes a transmitter and a receiver.

[0271] The communication device 900 can be applied to Figure 1 The communication device in the system shown in the figure, the communication device 900 may correspond to a terminal or a network device, and the communication device 900 may be the communication device itself. Alternatively, the communication device 900 is configured in the communication device, such as the communication device 900 may be a chip or module configured in the communication device. The communication device 900 may perform the operations of the terminal or the network device in the above method embodiment.

[0272] In the present application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams of the present application. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method in conjunction with the present application may be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0273] In the present application, the memory may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), etc., or a volatile memory (volatile memory), such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory is any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the present application may also be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0274] The present application also provides a processing device, including a processor and a (communication) interface; the processor is used to execute the method provided by the above method embodiment.

[0275] It should be understood that the above-mentioned processing device can be one or more chips. For example, the processing device can be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on chip (SoC), a central processor unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD) or other integrated chips.

[0276] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is run, the method performed by the terminal or network device in the above method embodiment is implemented. In this way, the functions described in the above embodiments can be implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be essentially or in other words, the part that contributes or the part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium, including several instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory RAM, a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0277] According to the method provided by the present application, the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, when the computer program code is executed by one or more processors, it enables the device including the processor to execute the method provided by the above method embodiment.

[0278] The technical solution provided in this application can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in this application is generated in whole or in part. The above-mentioned computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, and the computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or a data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium, etc.

[0279] According to the method provided by the present application, the present application also provides a system, which includes the aforementioned first network element. The system may further include the aforementioned communication device group.

[0280] In the several provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the devices described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0281] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the present technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first network element acquires at least one first information, where the at least one first information is used to indicate an internal error of at least one communication device in the communication device group; The first network element determines, according to the at least one first information, at least one time synchronization error budget, wherein the at least one time synchronization error budget includes a time synchronization error budget between a first communication device and each communication device in the at least one communication device, the first communication device being a communication device in the communication device group for providing clock synchronization information; The first network element sends the at least one time synchronization error budget to the first communications device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information is used to indicate topology information of a set of devices corresponding to the communication device; or, the first information is used to indicate an internal error of the communication device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first network element is a terminal, a core network element or an application function network element for managing the communication device group; or, the first network element is a communication device in the communication device group.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following information of the communication device: Supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence levels, communication service quality, power supply information or supported clock synchronization methods.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network element determines the first communication device in the communication device group.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The first information is also used to indicate information about clock synchronization errors supported by the communication device; The first network element determines the first communication device in the communication device group, including: The first network element determines the first communication device according to second information and the at least one first information, wherein the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of the communication device group.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The first network element determines the first communication device according to the second information and the at least one first information, including: The first network element determines, according to the second information and internal errors of the communication devices in the communication device group, a time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group; The first network element determines the first communication device according to clock synchronization errors supported by the communication devices in the communication device group and a time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that A clock synchronization error supported by the first communication device is less than or equal to a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and any communication device in the communication device group except the first communication device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network element sends fourth information to the first communication device, where the fourth information is used to instruct sending clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network element sends fifth information to the communication devices in the communication device group except the first communication device, where the fifth information is used to indicate receiving clock synchronization information from the first communication device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network element sends third information to the plurality of communication devices, where the third information is used to instruct establishment of the communication device group, where the communication device group includes the plurality of communication devices.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The first network element is a communication device in the communication device group, and the first network element obtains at least one first information, including: The first network element receives third information from the second network element, where the third information is used to instruct to establish the communication device group; The first network element receives the first information from communication devices other than the first network element in the communication device group.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network element receives second information from the second network element, where the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of a communication service of the communication device group.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The second network element is a terminal, a core network element or an application function network element used to manage the communication device group.

15. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The topology information includes the number of hops for transmitting clock synchronization information in a set of devices corresponding to the communication device.

16. A communication method, characterized in that: include: The first communication device acquires at least one time synchronization error budget, the at least one time synchronization error budget including a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and each communication device in at least one communication device in a communication device group, the at least one time synchronization error budget being determined based on at least one first information, the at least one first information being used to indicate an internal error of at least one communication device in the communication device group, the communication device group including the first communication device; The first communication device sends clock synchronization information to communication devices in the group of communication devices based on the at least one time synchronization error budget.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The first information is used to indicate topology information of a set of devices corresponding to the communication device; or, the first information is used to indicate an internal error of the communication device.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The first information is also used to indicate one or more of the following information of the communication device: Supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence levels, communication service quality, power supply information or supported clock synchronization methods.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that The first communication device obtains at least one time synchronization error budget, including: The first communication device receives the at least one time synchronization error budget from a first network element.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first communication device receives the at least one first information from the at least one communication device; And, the first communication device obtains at least one time synchronization error budget, including: The first communication device determines the at least one time synchronization error budget based on the at least one first information.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The first information is also used to indicate information about clock synchronization errors supported by the communication device; The first communication device determines, based on the second information and the at least one first information, that the first communication device is a communication device in the communication device group that provides clock synchronization information, wherein the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of the communication device group.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The first communication device determines, according to the second information and the at least one first information, that the first communication device is a communication device in the communication device group that provides clock synchronization information, including: The first communication device determines a time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group according to the second information and internal errors of the communication devices in the communication device group; The first communication device determines that the first communication device is the communication device in the communication device group that provides clock synchronization information according to the clock synchronization error supported by the communication devices in the communication device group and the time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that A clock synchronization error supported by the first communication device is less than or equal to a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and any communication device in the communication device group except the first communication device.

24. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 23, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first communication device determines a method for sending clock synchronization information by the first communication device to each communication device in the communication device group based on a time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group, wherein the method for sending clock synchronization information is a multicast method or a unicast method.

25. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 24, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first communication device receives third information from the first network element, where the third information is used to instruct establishment of the communication device group.

26. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 25, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first communication device receives second information from a first network element, where the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of a communication service of the communication device group.

27. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 26, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first communication device receives sixth information from the first network element, where the sixth information is used to instruct one or more communication devices in the communication device group to leave the communication device group or join a second communication device group.

28. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that The first network element is a terminal, a core network element or an application function network element used to manage the communication device group.

29. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory is used to store instructions, and the processor is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory, so that the device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, or executes the method according to any one of claims 16 to 28.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 16 to 28 is implemented.

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