A clock synchronization method and apparatus

Abstract

This application provides a clock synchronization method and apparatus, relating to the field of wireless communication technology. In this method, a first communication device sends a first single-tone signal of a first communication standard to a second device. The first communication device receives a second single-tone signal of the first communication standard from the second device. The first communication device determines first time difference information based on the second single-tone signal; the first time difference information is the time difference between the second device and the first device. The first communication device receives second time difference information from the second device, also based on the first single-tone signal; the second time difference information is the time difference between the first device and the second device. Based on the first and second time difference information, the first communication device instructs the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with a second communication standard different from the first communication standard. This clock synchronization method does not affect normal network services and does not occupy the air interface resources of the second communication standard.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a clock synchronization method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of wireless communication technologies such as Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Bluetooth, and Starlink, many fields, including the Internet of Things (IoT), telemedicine, and intelligent transportation, are increasingly evolving towards wireless connectivity. This has also spurred new demands, including improved anti-interference capabilities in dense deployments, precise time measurement, and integrated sensing and ranging positioning. Faced with these new scenarios and demands, clock synchronization technology, as a crucial component of wireless communication systems, is becoming increasingly important.

[0003] Clock synchronization is the cornerstone of ensuring the performance of wireless communication systems. However, due to limitations in current protocol design and hardware factors, the implementation of clock synchronization faces many challenges. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a clock synchronization method and apparatus to achieve clock synchronization between stations.

[0005] Firstly, a clock synchronization method is provided. This method can be executed by a first device. Unless otherwise specified, "first device" in this application can refer to a first communication device (e.g., a station, access point), a component within the first communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first communication device. In this method, the first communication device sends a first single-tone signal to a second device, the first single-tone signal being a signal of a first communication standard. The first communication device receives a second single-tone signal from the second device, the second single-tone signal being a signal of the first communication standard. The first communication device determines first time difference information, the first time difference information being determined based on the second single-tone signal, and the first time difference information being time difference information from the second device to the first device. The first communication device receives second time difference information from the second device, the second time difference information being determined based on the first single-tone signal, and the second time difference information being time difference information from the first device to the second device. Based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information, the first communication device instructs the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with a second communication standard different from the first communication standard.

[0006] Based on the above scheme, when performing clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard, the first and second communication devices can determine the time difference information through the single-tone signal of the first communication standard to complete clock synchronization. This method does not require the radio frequency module of the second communication standard to switch to the same channel, does not affect normal network services, and does not occupy the air interface resources of the second communication standard.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the first communication device performs clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information. Based on the above scheme, the first communication device can also perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard without affecting normal network services and without occupying the air interface resources of the second communication standard.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the first communication device determines a third time difference based on a first time difference and a second time difference. The third time difference is the time difference between the first device and the second device. The first communication device sends the third time difference to the second device, and this third time difference is used by the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with a second communication standard that is different from the first communication standard.

[0009] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device can acquire bidirectional time difference information and determine the final time difference information to feed back to the second communication device. Since the first communication device can acquire bidirectional time difference information, it can achieve high-precision clock synchronization.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the first time difference information includes a first phase difference and a first frequency difference, and the second time difference information includes a second phase difference and a second frequency difference.

[0011] In one possible implementation, before instructing the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, the first communication device determines time difference information between the first and second communication standards. The first communication device then performs clock synchronization between the first and second communication standards based on the time difference information.

[0012] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device and the second communication device synchronize the clock of the second communication system through the single-tone signal of the first communication system. Therefore, the clock of the first communication system and the clock of the second communication system can be synchronized before clock synchronization to avoid errors.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the first communication device instructs the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with a second communication standard that is different from the first communication standard, based on the first time difference information, the second time difference information, and the time difference information between the first communication standard and the second communication standard.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the first monotone signal is multicast or broadcast.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the first communication device receives a third monotone signal from the third device. This third monotone signal represents a third communication standard, which differs from the second communication standard. Based on the third monotone signal, the first communication device determines a fourth time difference information between the third device and the first device. The first communication device also receives a fifth time difference information from the third device, which is the time difference information between the first device and the third device, determined based on the first monotone signal. Based on the fourth and fifth time difference information, the first communication device instructs the third device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard.

[0016] Based on the above scheme, the first communication device can achieve clock synchronization of multiple stations by multicasting or broadcasting the first single-tone signal.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the first communication device determines a sixth time difference based on the fourth and fifth time difference information. The sixth time difference information is the time difference between the first device and the third device. The first communication device sends the sixth time difference information to the third device, and this sixth time difference information is used by the third device for clock synchronization in the second communication standard association.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the first communication device receives a third monotone signal from a third device. This third monotone signal represents a third communication standard, which differs from the second communication standard. Based on the third monotone signal, the first communication device determines a fourth time difference between the third device and the first device. The first communication device also receives a fifth time difference from the third device, which is the time difference between the first device and the third device, determined based on the first monotone signal. Based on the first, second, fourth, and fifth time difference information, the first communication device instructs the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first communication device determines a seventh time difference information between the second device and the third device based on a first time difference information, a second time difference information, a fourth time difference information, and a fifth time difference information. The first communication device sends the seventh time difference information to the second device, and the seventh time difference information is used by the second device for clock synchronization in the second communication standard association.

[0020] Based on the above scheme, in actual networking scenarios, there are often situations where two stations cannot listen to each other or where it is inconvenient to measure the phase difference due to multipath factors. However, both stations may be listening to the first communication device. In the above scheme, the first device can act as an intermediate station to achieve clock synchronization between the second and third devices.

[0021] In one possible implementation, after receiving the fifth time difference information from the third device, the first communication device instructs the third device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard based on the first time difference information, the second time difference information, the fourth time difference information, and the fifth time difference information.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the first communication device determines a seventh time difference information between the second and third devices based on a first time difference information, a second time difference information, a fourth time difference information, and a fifth time difference information. The first communication device sends the seventh time difference information to the third device, and the seventh time difference information is used by the third device for clock synchronization in the second communication standard association.

[0023] Secondly, a clock synchronization method is provided. This method can be executed by a second device. Unless otherwise specified, "second device" in this application can refer to a second communication device (e.g., a station, access point), a component within the second communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second communication device. In this method, the second communication device receives a first single-tone signal from a first device, the first single-tone signal being a signal of a first communication standard. The second communication device sends a second single-tone signal to the first device, the second single-tone signal being a signal of the first communication standard. The second communication device sends second time difference information to the first device, the second time difference information being determined based on the first single-tone signal, and the second time difference information being time difference information from the first device to the second device. The second communication device receives third time difference information from the first device, the third time difference information being determined based on the second time difference information. Based on the third time difference information, the second communication device performs clock synchronization associated with a second communication standard different from the first communication standard.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the third time difference information is determined based on the second time difference information and the first time difference information. The first time difference information is determined based on the second monotone signal and is the time difference information from the second device to the first device.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the first time difference information includes a first phase difference and a first frequency difference, and the second time difference information includes a second phase difference and a second frequency difference.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the second communication device performs clock synchronization with a second communication standard that is different from the first communication standard. The second communication device determines the time difference information between the first and second communication standards. Based on the time difference information between the first and second communication standards, the second communication device performs clock synchronization between the first and second communication standards.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the third time difference information is also determined based on the time difference information between the first communication standard and the second communication standard of the first device.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the first monotone signal is multicast or broadcast.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the second communication device receives a seventh time difference information from the first device. This seventh time difference information is the time difference between the second and third devices, and it is determined based on the first and second time difference information. The second communication device then performs clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard based on the seventh time difference information.

[0030] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, including a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0031] The transceiver unit is configured to send a first monotone signal to the second device, the first monotone signal being a signal of a first communication standard. The transceiver unit is also configured to receive a second monotone signal from the second device, the second monotone signal being a signal of the first communication standard. The processing unit is configured to determine first time difference information, the first time difference information being determined based on the second monotone signal, and the first time difference information being the time difference information between the second device and the first device. The transceiver unit is also configured to receive second time difference information from the second device, the second time difference information being determined based on the first monotone signal, and the second time difference information being the time difference information between the first device and the second device. The processing unit is also configured to, based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information, instruct the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with a second communication standard different from the first communication standard.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is also used to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine a third time difference information based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information. The third time difference information is the time difference information between the first device and the second device. The transceiver unit is further configured to send the third time difference information to the second device, which is used for clock synchronization of the second device with a second communication standard different from the first communication standard.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the first time difference information includes a first phase difference and a first frequency difference, and the second time difference information includes a second phase difference and a second frequency difference.

[0035] In one possible implementation, before instructing the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, the processing unit is further configured to determine time difference information between the first and second communication standards, and perform clock synchronization between the first and second communication standards based on the time difference information between the first and second communication standards.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically used to instruct the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with a second communication standard that is different from the first communication standard, based on the first time difference information, the second time difference information, and the time difference information between the first communication standard and the second communication standard.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the first monotone signal is multicast or broadcast.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a third monotone signal from the third device, the third monotone signal being a signal of a third communication standard, which differs from the second communication standard. The processing unit is further configured to determine a fourth time difference information between the third device and the first device based on the third monotone signal. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a fifth time difference information from the third device, the fifth time difference information being time difference information between the first device and the third device, and the fifth time difference information being determined based on the first monotone signal. The processing unit is further configured to instruct the third device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard based on the fourth and fifth time difference information.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine a sixth time difference based on the fourth and fifth time difference information. The sixth time difference information is the time difference between the first device and the third device. The transceiver unit is further configured to send the sixth time difference information to the third device, which is used for clock synchronization of the third device in association with the second communication standard.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a third monotone signal from the third device, the third monotone signal being a signal of a third communication standard, which differs from the second communication standard. The processing unit is further configured to determine a fourth time difference information between the third device and the first device based on the third monotone signal. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a fifth time difference information from the third device, the fifth time difference information being time difference information between the first device and the third device, and the fifth time difference information being determined based on the first monotone signal. Specifically, the processing unit is configured to instruct the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard based on the first time difference information, the second time difference information, the fourth time difference information, and the fifth time difference information.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine a seventh time difference information between the second device and the third device based on the first time difference information, the second time difference information, the fourth time difference information, and the fifth time difference information. The transceiver unit is further configured to send the seventh time difference information to the second device, the seventh time difference information being used for clock synchronization of the second device in association with the second communication standard.

[0042] In one possible implementation, after receiving the fifth time difference information from the third device, the processing unit is further configured to instruct the third device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication mode based on the first time difference information, the second time difference information, the fourth time difference information, and the fifth time difference information.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine a seventh time difference information between the second device and the third device based on the first time difference information, the second time difference information, the fourth time difference information, and the fifth time difference information. The transceiver unit is further configured to send the seventh time difference information to the third device, the seventh time difference information being used by the third device for clock synchronization in association with the second communication standard.

[0044] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, including a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0045] The transceiver unit is configured to receive a first monotone signal from the first device, the first monotone signal being a signal of a first communication standard. The transceiver unit is also configured to send a second monotone signal to the first device, the second monotone signal being a signal of the first communication standard. The transceiver unit is further configured to send second time difference information to the first device, the second time difference information being determined based on the first monotone signal, and the second time difference information being time difference information from the first device to the second device. The transceiver unit is also configured to receive third time difference information from the first device, the third time difference information being determined based on the second time difference information. The processing unit is configured to perform clock synchronization based on the third time difference information, for a second communication standard that is different from the first communication standard.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the third time difference information is determined based on the second time difference information and the first time difference information. The first time difference information is determined based on the second monotone signal and is the time difference information from the second device to the first device.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the first time difference information includes a first phase difference and a first frequency difference, and the second time difference information includes a second phase difference and a second frequency difference.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to perform clock synchronization associated with a second communication standard different from the first communication standard. The processing unit is also configured to determine time difference information between the first and second communication standards. Furthermore, the processing unit is configured to perform clock synchronization between the first and second communication standards based on the time difference information between the first and second communication standards.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the third time difference information is also determined based on the time difference information between the first communication standard and the second communication standard of the first device.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the first monotone signal is multicast or broadcast.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to receive a seventh time difference information from the first device. This seventh time difference information is the time difference between the second and third devices, and is determined based on the first and second time difference information. The processing unit is specifically configured to perform clock synchronization for the second communication standard association based on the seventh time difference information.

[0052] Fifthly, a communication device is provided for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device may be a first communication device as described in the first aspect, or a device comprising the first communication device, or a device included in the first communication device, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a second communication device as described in the second aspect, or a device comprising the second communication device, or a device included in the second communication device. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the methods described above, which may be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0053] A sixth aspect provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface being used to communicate with a module outside the communication device; the processor being used to execute a computer program or instructions to cause the method described in any of the preceding aspects to be executed. The communication device may be a first communication device as described in the first aspect, or a device comprising the first communication device, or a device included in the first communication device, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a second communication device as described in the second aspect, or a device comprising the second communication device, or a device included in the second communication device.

[0054] A seventh aspect provides a communication device, comprising: at least one processor; the processor being configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to implement the method described in any of the preceding aspects. The memory may be coupled to the processor, or may be independent of the processor. The communication device may be a first communication device as described in the first aspect, or a device comprising the first communication device, or a device included in the first communication device, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a second communication device as described in the second aspect, or a device comprising the second communication device, or a device included in the second communication device.

[0055] Eighthly, this application provides a communication system that may include a first communication device that performs the method described in the first aspect and a second communication device that performs the method described in the second aspect.

[0056] Ninthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when read and executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects described above.

[0057] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a computer program product that, when read and executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a method in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects described above.

[0058] In one aspect, this application provides a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory to execute the method in any possible implementation of any of the first to second aspects described above.

[0059] It is understandable that the technical effects of aspects two through eleven can be referenced from the technical effects of aspect one, and will not be elaborated here. Attached Figure Description

[0060] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of clock synchronization provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 3 An exemplary flowchart of a clock synchronization method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 4 An exemplary flowchart of another clock synchronization method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 5 An exemplary flowchart of another clock synchronization method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of yet another communication system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0066] Figure 7 An exemplary flowchart of another clock synchronization method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0068] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of yet another communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0069] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of yet another communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0070] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0071] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application, the following describes the technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0072] 1) A single-tone signal is a signal that contains only a single frequency, also known as a pure tone signal or a sine wave signal.

[0073] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0074] This application's embodiments are applicable to local area networks (LANs), particularly wireless local area networks (WLANs), such as WLANs employing any of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series protocols. Examples of the 802.11 series protocols include IEEE 802.11ax, known as Extremely High Throughput (EHT) or Wi-Fi 7's 802.11be, known as Wi-Fi 8's 802.11be Next Generation, and known as Ultra High Reliability (UHR) 802.11bn, etc. The WLAN may include one or more basic service sets (BSS), and the network nodes in the BSS include access points (APs) and stations (STAs). This application's embodiments can also be applied to wireless personal area network systems supporting ultra-wideband (UWB) based sensing systems.

[0075] The embodiments of this application can also be applied to wireless local area networks such as Internet of Things (IoT) networks or vehicle-to-X (V2X) networks. Of course, the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other possible communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) communication systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) communication systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) communication systems, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) communication systems, or future evolutionary communication systems (such as 6th generation (6G) communication systems).

[0076] The following description uses an embodiment of this application applied to WLAN as an example. See also... Figure 1This is a network architecture diagram of a WLAN applicable to the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 This WLAN includes one AP and two STAs, with the STA being a mobile phone as an example. The STA associated with the AP can receive frames (e.g., trigger frames) sent by the AP and can also send frames (e.g., uplink data) to the AP. This application embodiment can be applied to communication between APs and STAs, or to communication between APs themselves, for example, APs can communicate with each other through a distributed system (DS). Alternatively, this application embodiment can also be applied to communication between STAs themselves, for example, STAs can communicate directly without going through an AP. In this application embodiment, the number of APs performing communication can be one or more, and the number of STAs performing communication can be one or more.

[0077] An access point (AP) can be an access point for terminal devices to access a wired (or wireless) network. An AP acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the wired network. For example, an AP can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router) with a mobile hotspot (Wi-Fi) chip. In this embodiment, the AP can be a device supporting the 802.11be standard, or it can be a device supporting various WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11ay, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11be, 802.11bn, and future 802.11 series.

[0078] A STA can be a wireless communication chip, wireless sensor, or wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user. For example, a STA can be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication, a tablet computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart TV supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication, an in-vehicle communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication, or a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication. Optionally, the STA can support the 802.11be standard, or it can also support various WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11ay, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, or 802.11be, 802.11bn, and future 802.11 series.

[0079] in, Figure 1 The number of APs and STAs shown is just an example; there could be more or fewer.

[0080] In this application embodiment, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0081] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. For example, the first type and the second type can be the same type or different types, and such names do not indicate that the two types correspond to different devices, application scenarios, priorities, or importance. In addition, the numbering of steps in the various embodiments described in this application is only to distinguish different steps and is not used to limit the order of steps.

[0082] With the rapid development of wireless communication technologies such as WLAN, Bluetooth, and Starlink, many fields, including the Internet of Things, telemedicine, and intelligent transportation, are increasingly evolving towards wireless connectivity. This has also spurred new demands, such as improved anti-interference capabilities in dense deployments, precise time measurement, and integrated sensing ranging and positioning. Faced with these new scenarios and demands, clock synchronization technology, as a crucial component of wireless communication systems, is becoming increasingly important.

[0083] Clock synchronization, namely clock phase synchronization and clock frequency synchronization among multiple stations, is the cornerstone of ensuring the performance of wireless communication systems. For example, clock synchronization is particularly important in multi-carrier technologies used in WLANs, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), and multi-antenna technologies, such as multi-input multi-output (MIMO). These technologies effectively combat multipath fading interference and improve the system's spectral efficiency, but they also place higher demands on clock synchronization accuracy, directly affecting signal demodulation quality, system capacity, and communication reliability. Taking OFDM systems as an example, inter-symbol interference (ISI), inter-carrier interference (ICI), and carrier frequency offset (CFO) are the main performance limiting factors, while accurate clock synchronization can effectively ensure the orthogonality of carriers between stations, thereby overcoming these problems. For example, in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Sparklink Low Energy (SLE) systems, although OFDM modulation is not used, these systems employ frequency hopping to improve their resistance to narrowband interference and use uplink and downlink time slot allocation based on centralized scheduling. It is clear from the above mechanisms that the orderly verification of transmission channel adjustments and contention between the master and slave stations depends on precise clock and frequency synchronization.

[0084] However, due to limitations in current protocol design and hardware, clock synchronization faces numerous challenges. For example, especially in indoor scenarios, signal propagation is significantly affected by multipath effects. Multipath signals propagating in space can cause multiple "copies" of the original transmitted signal to arrive at the receiver successively, potentially leading to various problems such as phase flipping and introducing ISI. Furthermore, clock synchronization often requires the transmitter to send a synchronization signal carrying a transmission timestamp to the receiver, which then calculates the signal propagation time. However, both the receiver and transmitter struggle to obtain high-precision timestamps of when the signal is sent to or received from the air interface, making it difficult to accurately estimate the signal propagation time. In high-precision ranging and other fields, these errors limit ranging accuracy to the hundred-meter level. Additionally, Doppler shift caused by station movement also reduces the accuracy of clock synchronization. Currently, to address the impact of rapid channel time-varying, pilot signals are commonly added intermittently during transmission. When channel time-varying is severe, master and slave stations negotiate to increase pilot density for more frequent measurements, but this obviously consumes air interface resources and reduces data throughput.

[0085] In dense network deployments, clock synchronization among multiple access points (APs) can be achieved using a beacon-frame-based hierarchical clock synchronization method. Each AP periodically sends a beacon frame to the air interface to broadcast its capabilities, allowing other devices on the air interface to discover it. Currently, a single AP can serve as the network-wide clock synchronization reference to initiate synchronization. In this case, the AP adds a transmission timestamp to the beacon frame to declare its local clock. This beacon frame can be received by APs on the same frequency within mutual listening range, or by APs on different frequencies that are scanning the channel. After reception, each AP can easily calculate the time difference between the two stations by subtracting the parsed transmission timestamp from its local timestamp at the time of reception, and can repeatedly measure to obtain an average result.

[0086] However, in the clock synchronization methods described above, multiple APs performing clock synchronization need to be on the same channel. In dense network scenarios, adjusting adjacent APs to the same channel may adversely affect existing services and increase co-channel interference on that channel, thereby reducing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of other sites on that channel.

[0087] See Figure 2 The essential purpose of inter-site clock synchronization is to align the "local clocks" of two sites, ensuring that the two local clocks "run at the same speed" and display the same time at the same moment, meaning they have the same frequency and initial phase. Therefore, the clock synchronization problem can be equivalently transformed into ensuring that the frequency and phase of the signals remain consistent, i.e., the phase difference and frequency difference between the signals are always zero. In the embodiments of this application, clock synchronization can also be referred to as time-frequency synchronization or time synchronization.

[0088] Therefore, this application provides a clock synchronization method. In this method, a first device can send a first single-tone signal to a second device, and the first device can receive a second single-tone signal from the second device. The first and second single-tone signals are signals of a first communication standard. The first device can determine first time difference information based on the second single-tone signal, and receive second time difference information determined by the second device based on the first single-tone signal. The first time difference information is the time difference information between the first and second devices, and the second time difference information is the time difference information between the second and first devices. The first device can instruct the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with a second communication standard based on the first and second time difference information. The second communication standard is different from the first communication standard. The first and second communication standards are two different communication standards among multiple communication standards. For example, multiple communication standards may include WLAN, LTE, 5G, Starlink, or Bluetooth. For example, when the first communication standard is Bluetooth, the second communication standard can be WLAN. As another example, when the first communication standard is Starlink, the second communication standard can be WLAN. For example, when the first communication standard is Bluetooth, the second communication standard is StarFlash.

[0089] Based on the above scheme, when performing clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard, the first device and the second device can determine the time difference information through the single-tone signal of the first communication standard to complete clock synchronization. This method does not require the radio frequency module of the second communication standard to switch to the same channel, does not affect normal network services, and does not occupy the communication air interface resources of the second communication standard.

[0090] Unless otherwise specified, the term "first device" in this application can refer to an access point site or a non-access point site, or it can be a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of an access point site or a non-access point site. Similarly, the term "second device" in this application can refer to an access point site or a non-access point site, or it can be a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of an access point site or a non-access point site.

[0091] See Figure 3 The following is an exemplary flowchart of a clock synchronization method provided in an embodiment of this application, which may include the following steps.

[0092] S301: The first device sends a first monotone signal to the second device.

[0093] Correspondingly, the second device receives the first monotone signal from the first device.

[0094] In some embodiments, the first monotone signal may be a signal of a first communication standard. The first communication standard may be a narrowband system communication standard. For example, the first communication standard may include StarFlash or Bluetooth.

[0095] In S301, the second device can determine the second time difference information between the first device and the second device, such as the second phase difference and the second frequency difference.

[0096] S302: The second device sends a second monotone signal to the first device.

[0097] Correspondingly, the first device receives the second monotone signal from the second device.

[0098] In S302, the second single-tone signal is the signal of the first communication mode.

[0099] It should be noted that S302 can be implemented before or after S301. In one possible scenario, if the first device initiates the clock synchronization process, then S301 can be executed first; if the second device initiates the clock synchronization process, then S302 can be executed first.

[0100] In some embodiments, in S302, the first device may determine first time difference information between the second device and the first device, such as a first phase difference and a second frequency difference.

[0101] In this embodiment, the initial phase of the single-tone signal is the same as the phase of the clock of the corresponding communication standard in the device transmitting the single-tone signal at the time of single-tone signal transmission. For example, the initial phase of the second single-tone signal is the same as the phase of the clock of the first communication standard in the second device at the time of second single-tone signal transmission, and the initial phase of the first single-tone signal is the same as the phase of the clock of the first communication standard in the first device at the time of first single-tone signal transmission. Furthermore, the frequency of the single-tone signal is the same as the frequency of the clock of the corresponding communication standard in the device transmitting the single-tone signal, or the frequency of the single-tone signal is k times the frequency of the clock of the corresponding communication standard in the device transmitting the single-tone signal, where k is greater than 0. For example, the frequency of the second single-tone signal is the same as the frequency of the clock of the first communication standard in the second device, or the frequency of the second single-tone signal is k times the frequency of the clock of the first communication standard in the second device. It should be understood that the aforementioned k is known to both the sender and receiver of the single-tone signal, such as being predefined by the protocol, pre-negotiated, or indicated by the sending or receiving end.

[0102] For example, see Figure 4 The first device has an initial phase at the initial moment. The second device has an initial phase at the initial moment. Clearly, the phase difference we want to solve for is The first device sends a first single-tone signal to the second device at time t0. At this time, the first single-tone signal has an initial phase. The phase of the clock of the first communication standard in the first device at time t0 is also... Assuming the first and second devices are separated by a certain distance, and the signal takes a propagation time Δt to reach the other, the first single-tone signal arrives at the second device at time t0 + Δt. At this time, the current phase of the second device's clock after a duration of (t0 + Δt) is... The second device can obtain the initial phase of the first single-tone signal by analyzing the first single-tone signal. The second device can calculate the one-way phase difference between the first device and the second device by combining the current phase of the clock of the second device and the initial phase of the first tone signal.

[0103] Similarly, the second device sends a second monotone signal to the first device at time t1, at which point the second monotone signal has an initial phase. The phase of the clock of the first communication standard in the second device at time t1 is also... The first single-tone signal arrives at the second device at time t1 + Δt. At this time, the current phase of the clock of the first device is... Similarly, the first device can calculate the unidirectional phase difference between the second device and the first device.

[0104] S303: The second device sends the second time difference information to the first device.

[0105] Correspondingly, the first device receives the second time difference information from the second device.

[0106] In some embodiments, the second device may feed back the second time difference information determined based on the first single-tone signal to the first device, so that the first device can determine the time difference information between the first device and the second device. In other embodiments, the first device may feed back the first time difference information determined based on the second single-tone signal to the second device, so that the second device can determine the time difference information between the first device and the second device.

[0107] This article takes the determination of the time difference information between the first device and the second device by the first device as an example. The method by which the second device determines the time difference information between the first device and the second device can refer to the implementation of the method by which the first device determines the time difference information between the first device and the second device.

[0108] For example, by Figure 4 The illustrated embodiment determines that the unidirectional phase difference from the first device to the second device, as determined by the second device, is... Then the first device can determine the time difference information between the first device and the second device. like

[0109] It can be seen that the propagation time Δt of the single-tone signal, as well as the times t0 and t1 when the first and second devices send the single-tone signal, are all canceled out.

[0110] Based on the above process, the first device can determine the phase difference of the clock between the first device and the second device regarding the first communication standard. In some embodiments, the first device can also determine the frequency difference of the clock between the first device and the second device regarding the first communication standard. In this embodiment, the frequency of the single-tone signal is known to both the first and second devices, such as through prior negotiation or protocol predefinition. The second device can determine the frequency difference between the clock of the first communication standard in the second device and the clock of the first communication standard in the first device by measuring the frequency of the actually received first single-tone signal and the frequency of a preset single-tone signal, such as measuring the frequency of the actually received first single-tone signal minus the frequency of the preset single-tone signal as the frequency difference between the clock of the first communication standard in the second device and the clock of the first communication standard in the first device. Optionally, in S303, the second device can send the calculated frequency difference between the clock of the first communication standard in the second device and the clock of the first communication standard in the first device to the first device. Alternatively, the first device can optionally determine the frequency difference between the clock of the first communication standard in the first device and the clock of the first communication standard in the second device by measuring the frequency of the actually received second single-tone signal and the frequency of a preset single-tone signal. Through the two methods described above, the first device can determine the frequency difference between the clock of the first communication standard in the first device and the clock of the first communication standard in the second device.

[0111] It should be noted that the frequency points used by the single-tone signal in the embodiments of this application can be predetermined, for example, the frequency points used by the first single-tone signal and the second single-tone signal can be determined by a protocol or by both parties first using certain signaling interaction.

[0112] In S303, the second device can send the second time difference information to the first device through either the first communication standard or the second communication standard.

[0113] In one possible implementation, the first device and the second device synchronize their clocks with the second communication standard via a single-tone signal of the first communication standard. Therefore, optional... Figure 3 The illustrated embodiment may also include the following step S304.

[0114] S304: The first device performs clock synchronization between the first communication standard and the second communication standard.

[0115] In S304, the first device can determine the time difference information between the first communication standard and the second communication standard, such as the phase difference and frequency difference of the clocks between chips. Therefore, the first device can adjust the clock of the second communication standard according to this time difference information to synchronize the clock of the second communication standard with the clock of the first communication standard.

[0116] It should be noted that S304 can be implemented before S301 to S303, or after S301 to S303, or between S301 and S303; this application does not impose any specific limitations. For example, the first device can synchronize the clocks of the first communication system and the second communication system after power-on, or synchronize the clocks of the first communication system and the second communication system on demand.

[0117] Similarly, the second device synchronizes the clocks of the first and second communication systems. For example, the second device determines the time difference information between the first and second communication systems, adjusts the clock of the first communication system to align with the clock of the second communication system, or adjusts the clock of the second communication system to align with the clock of the first communication system.

[0118] In some embodiments, the first communication standard and the second communication standard of the first device may use a common reference clock, that is, there is no clock difference between the clock of the first communication standard and the clock of the second communication standard of the first device, so the first device may not execute S304. Similarly, the first communication standard and the second communication standard of the second device may use a common reference clock, that is, there is no clock difference between the clock of the first communication standard and the clock of the second communication standard of the second device, so the second device may not execute S304.

[0119] Figure 3 The illustrated embodiment further includes the following step S305.

[0120] S305: The first device instructs the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information.

[0121] In S305, the first device can send third time difference information to the second device, instructing the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard. For example, the first device can use the calculated initial phase difference between the first device and the second device. The signal is sent to the second device. Optionally, the frequency difference between the first and second devices can also be sent from the first device to the second device, or it can be obtained by the second device based on the first monotone signal, as can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 4The relevant descriptions in the illustrated embodiments will not be repeated here.

[0122] In some embodiments, if S304 is implemented after S301 to S303, and the first device adjusts the clock of the first communication system when synchronizing the clocks of the first and second communication systems, then the third time difference information may also include the time difference information between the first and second communication systems. The main reason is that the first device has already obtained the time difference information of the first communication system between the first and second devices through S301 to S303. If the first device adjusts the clock of the first communication system at this time, it needs to inform the second device of the adjusted time difference.

[0123] In other embodiments, when the first device synchronizes the clocks of the first communication system and the second communication system, it adjusts the clock of the second communication system. In this case, the third time difference information may not include the time difference information between the first communication system and the second communication system.

[0124] Based on the third time difference information, the second device can determine the time difference information between the clock of the second communication system in the first device and the clock of the second communication system in the second device. Since the second device has synchronized the clock of the first communication system with the clock of the second communication system, the second device can adjust the clock of the second communication system to align with the clock of the second communication system of the first device.

[0125] It should be noted that, Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, since the first device determines the time difference information between the first device and the second device, and the first device instructs the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard, the reference device for clock synchronization can be considered to be the first device. That is, the clock of the second communication standard in the second device is synchronized with the clock of the second communication standard in the first device. If the reference device for clock synchronization is the second device, then the first device needs to adjust the clock of the second communication standard to align the clock of the second communication standard in the first device with the clock of the second communication standard in the second device.

[0126] Based on the above scheme, when performing clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard, the first device and the second device can determine the time difference information through the single-tone signal of the first communication standard to complete clock synchronization. This method does not require the radio frequency module of the second communication standard to switch to the same channel, does not affect normal network services, and does not occupy the communication air interface resources of the second communication standard.

[0127] Furthermore, both the first and second single-tone signals carry the phase information of the clock at the time of transmission. Compared to using timestamps to carry clock phase information, using the initial phase of the single-tone signal to carry the clock phase information allows for generation and acquisition closer to the moment the signal is transmitted from the air interface, thus eliminating time-consuming software processing and modulation / demodulation procedures. This method is also beneficial for removing the effects of channel delay if bidirectional time difference methods are needed to obtain bidirectional average propagation time information.

[0128] In one possible implementation, Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the first single-tone signal can be multicast or broadcast. Thus, the first single-tone signal can be received by multiple other devices. Therefore, in some embodiments, multiple stations can perform clock synchronization simultaneously. The following description uses three devices performing clock synchronization as an example. See also... Figure 5 The following is an exemplary flowchart of a clock synchronization method provided in an embodiment of this application, which may include the following steps.

[0129] S501: The first device broadcasts or multicasts the first monotone signal.

[0130] Correspondingly, the second device receives the first monotone signal broadcast or multicast by the first device, and the third device receives the first monotone signal broadcast or multicast by the first device.

[0131] In some embodiments, the first monotone signal received by the second device may be a signal of a first communication standard, and the first monotone signal received by the third device may be a signal of a third communication standard. In this document, the third communication standard is different from the second communication standard. Optionally, the third communication standard may be the same as or different from the first communication standard. For example, the third communication standard may be a satellite signal or Bluetooth.

[0132] In one possible scenario, the second device can determine the second time difference information between the first and second devices, which can be referenced. Figure 3 The implementation shown in the embodiment will not be repeated here. In another possible scenario, the third device can determine the fifth time difference information between the first and third devices, such as the fifth phase difference and the fifth frequency difference, which can be referred to... Figure 4 The embodiments shown are implemented as described, and will not be repeated here.

[0133] In one possible implementation, before initiating the clock synchronization process, the first device can notify other devices participating in clock synchronization, such as the second and third devices, to initiate clock synchronization via any one of the first, second, or third communication standards. Optionally, the first device can agree with the second and third devices on subsequent signaling interaction procedures, such as the timing of the second and third single-tone signals in S502.

[0134] S502: The second device sends a second monotone signal to the first device, and the third device sends a third monotone signal to the first device.

[0135] Correspondingly, the first device receives the second monotone signal from the second device, and the first device receives the third monotone signal from the second device.

[0136] In some embodiments, the second monotone signal is a signal of the first communication standard, and the third monotone signal is a signal of the third communication standard.

[0137] In one possible scenario, the second device can send a second monotone signal to the first device at a predetermined time. Similarly, the third device can send a third monotone signal to the first device at a predetermined time.

[0138] In S502, the first device can determine the first time difference information between the second device and the first device based on the second single-tone signal, such as the first phase difference and the first frequency difference, which can be referenced. Figure 3 The embodiment shown is implemented as follows. The first device can determine the fourth time difference information between the third device and the first device, such as the fourth phase difference and the fourth frequency difference, based on the third single-tone signal. The embodiment shown in Figure 4 can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0139] S503: The second device sends the second time difference information to the first device, and the third device sends the fifth time difference information to the first device.

[0140] Correspondingly, the first device receives the second time difference information from the second device, and the first device receives the fifth time difference information from the third device.

[0141] In one possible implementation, the second device can send second time difference information to the first device via any one of the first, second, or third communication standards. Similarly, the third device can send fifth time difference information to the first device via any one of the first, second, or third communication standards.

[0142] S504: The first device performs clock synchronization between the first communication standard and the second communication standard.

[0143] S504 can be implemented with reference to S304. Similarly, the second device synchronizes the clocks of the first and second communication standards. The third device synchronizes the clocks of the third and second communication standards. For example, the third device determines the time difference information between the third and second communication standards, adjusts the clock of the third communication standard to align the clocks of the first and second communication standards, or adjusts the clock of the second communication standard to align the clocks of the second and first communication standards.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first device performs clock synchronization for a first communication standard, a second communication standard, and a third communication standard. Similarly, the second and third devices perform clock synchronization for the first communication standard, the second communication standard, and the third communication standard.

[0145] S505: The first device instructs the second device to perform clock synchronization for the second communication standard association based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information, and instructs the third device to perform clock synchronization for the second communication standard association based on the fourth time difference information and the fifth time difference information. The first device instructing the second device to perform clock synchronization for the second communication standard association based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information can be implemented with reference to S304.

[0146] In S505, the first device can send a sixth time difference information to the third device, instructing the third device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard. For example, the first device can determine the phase difference between the clock of the second communication device in the first device and the clock of the second communication standard in the third device based on the fourth and fifth time difference information, optionally including the frequency difference, and send this information to the third device. (See reference...) Figure 3 The embodiments shown are implemented as described, and will not be repeated here.

[0147] In some embodiments, if S504 is implemented after S501 to S503, the sixth time difference information may further include time difference information between the first communication standard and the second communication standard. Optionally, the sixth time difference information includes time difference information between the first communication standard, the second communication standard, and the third communication standard.

[0148] In other embodiments, when the first device synchronizes the clocks of the first and second communication systems, it adjusts the clock of the second communication system. In this case, the sixth time difference information may not include the time difference information between the first and second communication systems. Optionally, the sixth time difference information may not include the time difference information between the first, second, and third communication systems.

[0149] Based on the sixth time difference information, the third device can determine the time difference information between the clock of the second communication system in the first device and the clock of the second communication system in the third device. Therefore, the third device can adjust the clock of the second communication system to align the clock of the second communication system in the third device with the clock of the second communication system in the first device.

[0150] Based on the above scheme, multiple devices in the communication domain can achieve clock synchronization for the second communication standard using a single-tone signal of the first communication standard. This method eliminates the need for the radio frequency module of the second communication standard to switch to the same channel, does not affect normal network services, and does not occupy the air interface resources of the second communication standard.

[0151] In other possible implementations, see [reference needed] for practical networking scenarios. Figure 6 There are often scenarios where two stations cannot communicate with each other, or where measuring phase difference is inconvenient due to multipath effects. However, both stations may be able to communicate with the "first device." In this possible implementation, the first device can act as an intermediate station to achieve clock synchronization between the second and third devices. (See also...) Figure 7 The following is an exemplary flowchart of a clock synchronization method provided in an embodiment of this application, which may include the following steps.

[0152] S701: The first device sends the first single-tone signal.

[0153] Accordingly, the second and third devices receive the first monotone signal. For example, the first device may send the first monotone signal to the second and third devices respectively. Also for example, the first device may broadcast or multicast the first monotone signal, and the second and third devices may receive the broadcast or multicast first monotone signal.

[0154] In some embodiments, the first monotone signal sent by the first device to the second device may be a signal of a first communication standard, and the first monotone signal sent by the first device to the third device may be a signal of a third communication standard. In this document, the third communication standard is different from the second communication standard. Optionally, the third communication standard may be the same as or different from the first communication standard. For example, the third communication standard may be a satellite signal or Bluetooth.

[0155] In one possible implementation, when the upper-layer application of the second and third devices initiates clock synchronization, if it identifies a station that cannot be directly synchronized, an intermediate station can be found in each device's list of stations that can be synchronized, based on certain conditions, such as finding the intermediate station with higher signal strength. In this embodiment, the second device can synchronize clocks with the first device, and the third device can synchronize clocks with the first device, but the second device and the third device cannot synchronize clocks, for example, because the phase difference of a single-tone signal cannot be measured.

[0156] In S701, the second device can determine the second time difference information between the first device and the second device, which can be referred to... Figure 3The implementation shown in the embodiment will not be repeated here. In another possible scenario, the third device can determine the fifth time difference information between the first and third devices, such as the fifth phase difference and the fifth frequency difference, which can be referred to... Figure 5 The embodiments shown are implemented as described, and will not be repeated here.

[0157] S702: The second device sends a second monotone signal to the first device, and the third device sends a third monotone signal to the first device.

[0158] S702 can be implemented with reference to S502.

[0159] S703: The second device sends the second time difference information to the first device, and the third device sends the fifth time difference information to the first device.

[0160] Correspondingly, the first device receives the second time difference information from the second device, and the first device receives the fifth time difference information from the third device.

[0161] In one possible implementation, the second device can send second time difference information to the first device via any one of the first, second, or third communication standards. Similarly, the third device can send fifth time difference information to the first device via any one of the first, second, or third communication standards.

[0162] S704: The first device performs clock synchronization between the first communication standard and the second communication standard.

[0163] S704 can be implemented with reference to S304.

[0164] S705: The first device instructs the second device to perform clock synchronization for the second communication standard association based on the first time difference information, the second time difference information, the fourth time difference information, and the fifth time difference information, and instructs the third device to perform clock synchronization for the second communication standard association.

[0165] For example, the first device can determine the frequency difference and phase difference between the clocks of the second device and the third device using the first time difference information, the second time difference information, the fourth time difference information, the fifth time difference information, and the clock of the first device. Assuming that the first device uses the second device as a reference station for clock synchronization, the first device can send the seventh time difference information between the second and third devices, such as the frequency difference and phase difference between the clocks of the second and third devices, to the third device.

[0166] Optionally, prior to S705, the second device can send the time difference between the first, second, and third communication standards of the second device to the first device, and the third device can send the time difference between the first, third, and second communication standards of the third device to the first device. Therefore, the seventh time difference information can also carry the time difference between the first, second, and third communication standards of the second device, enabling the third device to adjust the clock of the second communication standard to align with the clock of the second communication standard in the second device.

[0167] For example, assuming the first device uses the third device as a reference station for clock synchronization, the first device can send the seventh time difference information between the second and third devices, such as the frequency difference and phase difference between the clocks of the second and third devices, to the third device. Optionally, the seventh time difference information may also carry the time difference between the first, second, and third communication systems of the third device, so that the second device can adjust the clock of the second communication system to align with the clock of the third device.

[0168] Optionally, the first device can adjust the clock of the second communication standard to align with the clocks of the second and third devices of the second communication standard.

[0169] For example, assuming the first device uses itself as a reference station for clock synchronization, the first device can send the third time difference information between itself and the second device to the second device. Optionally, the third time difference information may also carry the time difference between the first device's first communication standard, second communication standard, and third communication standard, so that the second device can adjust the clock of the second communication standard to align with the clock of the second communication standard in the first device.

[0170] The first device can send the sixth time difference information between the first device and the third device to the third device. Optionally, the sixth time difference information may also carry the time difference between the first communication standard, the second communication standard and the third communication standard of the first device, so that the third device can adjust the clock of the second communication standard to align with the clock of the second communication standard in the first device.

[0171] Based on the above scheme, when the clocks of two stations cannot be directly synchronized, clock synchronization can be achieved through an intermediate station.

[0172] The following embodiments illustrate the communication device provided in this application. Figure 8This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 800 can correspondingly implement the functions or steps implemented by the first device and the second device in the various method embodiments described above. The communication device may include a processing unit 810 and a transceiver unit 820. Optionally, it may also include a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions (code or program) and / or data. The processing unit 810 and the transceiver unit 820 may be coupled to the storage unit. For example, the processing unit 810 can read instructions (code or program) and / or data from the storage unit to implement the corresponding method. The aforementioned units can be set independently, or partially or completely integrated.

[0173] Optionally, the transceiver unit 820 may include a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit may be used to perform all transmitting operations performed by the communication device 800, and the receiving unit may be used to perform all receiving operations performed by the communication device 800.

[0174] In some possible implementations, the communication device 800 can correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the first device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 800 can be a transmitting end or a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) applied in the first device. The transceiver unit 820 can be used to perform... Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, all receiving or transmitting operations are performed by the first device. The processing unit 810 is used to perform operations such as... Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, all operations performed by the first device except for the transmit and receive operations are included.

[0175] For example, transceiver unit 820 is used to send a first monotone signal to the second device, the first monotone signal being a signal of the first communication standard. Transceiver unit 820 is also used to receive a second monotone signal from the second device, the second monotone signal being a signal of the first communication standard. Processing unit 810 is used to determine first time difference information, the first time difference information being determined based on the second monotone signal, and the first time difference information being the time difference information between the second device and the first device. Transceiver unit 820 is also used to receive second time difference information from the second device, the second time difference information being determined based on the first monotone signal, and the second time difference information being the time difference information between the first device and the second device. Processing unit 810 is also used to instruct the second device, based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information, to perform clock synchronization associated with a second communication standard different from the first communication standard.

[0176] In some possible implementations, the communication device 800 can correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the second device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 800 can be the second device, or it can be a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) applied in the second device. The transceiver unit 820 can be used to perform... Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, all receiving or transmitting operations are performed by the second device. The processing unit 810 is used to perform operations such as... Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, all operations except for the transmit and receive operations are performed by the second device.

[0177] For example, transceiver unit 820 is used to receive a first monotone signal from the first device, the first monotone signal being a signal of a first communication standard. Transceiver unit 820 is also used to send a second monotone signal to the first device, the second monotone signal being a signal of the first communication standard. Transceiver unit 820 is also used to send second time difference information to the first device, the second time difference information being determined based on the first monotone signal, and the second time difference information being time difference information from the first device to the second device. Transceiver unit 820 is also used to receive third time difference information from the first device, the third time difference information being determined based on the second time difference information. Processing unit 810 is used to perform clock synchronization based on the third time difference information, for a second communication standard that is different from the first communication standard.

[0178] For details regarding the operations performed by the processing unit 810 and the transceiver unit 820, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0179] It should be understood that the processing unit 810 in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components, and the transceiver unit 820 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components or a communication interface.

[0180] Based on the same concept, such as Figure 9 As shown, this application embodiment provides a communication device 900. The communication device 900 includes a processor 910. Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a memory 920 for storing instructions executed by the processor 910, input data required for executing the processor 910's instructions, or data generated after the processor 910 executes the instructions. The processor 910 can implement the method shown in the above method embodiment using the instructions stored in the memory 920.

[0181] Based on the same concept, such as Figure 10 As shown, this application provides a communication device 1000, which may be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, in this application embodiment, the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0182] The communication device 1000 may include at least one processor 1010 coupled to a memory, which may optionally be located within or outside the device. For example, the communication device 1000 may also include at least one memory 1020. The memory 1020 stores computer programs, configuration information, computer programs or instructions, and / or data necessary for implementing any of the above embodiments; the processor 1010 may execute the computer programs stored in the memory 1020 to perform the methods in any of the above embodiments.

[0183] The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1010 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1020. This embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver 1030, processor 1010, and memory 1020.

[0184] The communication device 1000 may also include a transceiver 1030, through which the communication device 1000 can exchange information with other devices. The transceiver 1030 can be a circuit, a bus, a transceiver unit, or any other device that can be used for information exchange, or a signal transceiver unit. Figure 10 As shown, the transceiver 1030 includes a transmitter 1031, a receiver 1032, and an antenna 1033. Furthermore, when the communication device 1000 is a chip-based device or circuit, the transceiver in the communication device 1000 can also be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, capable of inputting data (or receiving data) and outputting data (or transmitting data). The processor is an integrated processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit, and the processor can determine the output data based on the input data.

[0185] In one possible implementation, the communication device 1000 can be applied to the first device. Specifically, the communication device 1000 can be the first device itself, or it can be any device capable of supporting the first device in implementing the functions of the first device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The memory 1020 stores the necessary computer programs, computer programs or instructions and / or data for implementing the functions of the communication device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The processor 1010 can execute the computer program stored in the memory 1020 to complete the method executed by the transmitting end in any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0186] In one possible implementation, the communication device 1000 can be applied to the second device. Specifically, the communication device 1000 can be the second device itself, or it can be any device capable of supporting the second device in implementing the functions of the second device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The memory 1020 stores the necessary computer programs, computer programs or instructions and / or data for implementing the functions of the receiving end in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The processor 1010 can execute the computer programs stored in the memory 1020 to complete the methods executed by the receiving end in any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0187] In the embodiments of this application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0188] In the embodiments of this application, the memory can be non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or it can be volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM). The memory can also be any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiments of this application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store computer programs, computer program or instruction and / or data.

[0189] Based on the above embodiments, see Figure 11 This application embodiment also provides another communication device 1100, including: an input / output interface 1110 and a logic circuit 1120; the input / output interface 1110 is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the logic circuit 1120; the logic circuit 1120 is used to run the code instructions to execute the method executed by the first device or the second device in any of the above embodiments.

[0190] Optionally, the input / output interface 1110 can be an on-chip interface, and the logic circuit 1120 can be one or more processors. Optionally, the one or more processors can be located inside or outside the device.

[0191] The following is a detailed description of the operations performed by the communication device on the first device and the second device.

[0192] In one optional implementation, the communication device 1100 can be applied to the first device to execute the method performed by the first device, specifically as described above. Figure 3 The method performed by the first device in the illustrated embodiment.

[0193] For example, input / output interface 1110 is used to send a first monotone signal to the second device, the first monotone signal being a signal of the first communication standard. Input / output interface 1110 is also used to receive a second monotone signal from the second device, the second monotone signal being a signal of the first communication standard. Logic circuit 1120 is used to determine first time difference information, the first time difference information being determined based on the second monotone signal, and the first time difference information being the time difference information from the second device to the first device. Input / output interface 1110 is also used to receive second time difference information from the second device, the second time difference information being determined based on the first monotone signal, and the second time difference information being the time difference information from the first device to the second device. Logic circuit 1120 is also used to instruct the second device, based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information, to perform clock synchronization associated with a second communication standard different from the first communication standard.

[0194] Since the communication device 1100 provided in this embodiment can be applied to the first device to complete the method executed by the first device, the technical effects it can achieve can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0195] In one optional implementation, the communication device 1100 can be applied to a second device to execute the method performed by the second device, specifically as described above. Figure 3 The method performed by the second device in the illustrated embodiment.

[0196] For example, input / output interface 1110 is used to receive a first monotone signal from the first device, the first monotone signal being a signal of the first communication standard. Input / output interface 1110 is also used to send a second monotone signal to the first device, the second monotone signal being a signal of the first communication standard. Input / output interface 1110 is also used to send second time difference information to the first device, the second time difference information being determined based on the first monotone signal, and the second time difference information being the time difference from the first device to the second device. Input / output interface 1110 is also used to receive third time difference information from the first device, the third time difference information being determined based on the second time difference information. Logic circuit 1120 is used to perform clock synchronization based on the third time difference information, associated with a second communication standard different from the first communication standard.

[0197] Since the communication device 1100 provided in this embodiment can be applied to the second device to complete the method executed by the second device described above, the technical effects it can achieve can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0198] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a communication system. The communication system includes at least one communication device applied to a first device and at least one communication device applied to a second device. The technical effects obtained can be referred to the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0199] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a system. The communication system includes at least one first device and at least one second device.

[0200] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions. When the instructions are executed, the method executed by the sending end in any of the above embodiments is implemented by the first device, the second device, or the second non-second device (STA). The computer-readable storage medium may include various media capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a portable hard drive, a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0201] To achieve the above Figures 7-11 In addition to the functions of the communication device, this application also provides a chip, including a processor, for supporting the communication device in implementing the functions involved in the first and second devices in the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the chip is connected to a memory or the chip includes a memory for storing the computer programs or instructions and data necessary for the communication device.

[0202] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0203] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this application. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by a computer program or instructions. Such computer programs or instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart... Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0204] These computer programs or instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0205] These computer programs or instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0206] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application without departing from the scope of the embodiments of this application. Therefore, if these modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A clock synchronization method, characterized in that, Applied to the first device, comprising: Send a first monotone signal to the second device, wherein the first monotone signal is a signal of the first communication standard; Receive a second monotone signal from the second device, wherein the second monotone signal is a signal of the first communication standard; Determine the first time difference information, which is determined based on the second monotone signal, and the first time difference information is the time difference information from the second device to the first device; The second time difference information is received from the second device. The second time difference information is determined based on the first monotone signal. The second time difference information is the time difference information from the first device to the second device. Based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information, the second device is instructed to perform clock synchronization associated with a second communication standard, which is different from the first communication standard.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information, clock synchronization for the second communication standard is performed.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information, instructing the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard includes: Based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information, a third time difference information is determined; wherein, the third time difference information is the time difference information between the first device and the second device; The third time difference information is sent to the second device, and the third time difference information is used by the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first time difference information includes a first phase difference and a first frequency difference, and the second time difference information includes a second phase difference and a second frequency difference.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Before instructing the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard, the method further includes: Determine the time difference information between the first communication standard and the second communication standard; Based on the time difference information between the first communication system and the second communication system, clock synchronization between the first communication system and the second communication system is performed.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information, instructing the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard includes: Based on the first time difference information, the second time difference information, and the time difference information between the first communication system and the second communication system, the second device is instructed to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication system.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first monotone signal is multicast or broadcast.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive a third monotone signal from a third device, wherein the third monotone signal is a signal of a third communication standard, which is different from the second communication standard; Based on the third monotone signal, determine the fourth time difference information between the third device and the first device; Receive fifth time difference information from a third device, the fifth time difference information being the time difference from the first device to the third device, the fifth time difference information being determined based on the first monotone signal; Based on the fourth time difference information and the fifth time difference information, the third device is instructed to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The step of instructing the third device to perform clock synchronization with the second communication standard based on the fourth time difference information and the fifth time difference information includes: Based on the fourth time difference information and the fifth time difference information, a sixth time difference information is determined; wherein, the sixth time difference information is the time difference information between the first device and the third device; The sixth time difference information is sent to the third device, and the sixth time difference information is used by the third device to perform clock synchronization for the second communication standard association.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive a third monotone signal from a third device, wherein the third monotone signal is a signal of a third communication standard, which is different from the second communication standard; Based on the third monotone signal, determine the fourth time difference information between the third device and the first device; Receive fifth time difference information from a third device, the fifth time difference information being the time difference from the first device to the third device, the fifth time difference information being determined based on the first monotone signal; The step of instructing the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information includes: Based on the first time difference information, the second time difference information, the fourth time difference information, and the fifth time difference information, the second device is instructed to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The step of instructing the second device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard based on the first time difference information, the second time difference information, the fourth time difference information, and the fifth time difference information includes: Based on the first time difference information, the second time difference information, the fourth time difference information, and the fifth time difference information, a seventh time difference information between the second device and the third device is determined; The seventh time difference information is sent to the second device, and the seventh time difference information is used by the second device to perform clock synchronization for the second communication standard association.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, After receiving the fifth time difference information from the third device, the method further includes: Based on the first time difference information, the second time difference information, the fourth time difference information, and the fifth time difference information, the third device is instructed to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The step of instructing the third device to perform clock synchronization associated with the second communication standard based on the first time difference information, the second time difference information, the fourth time difference information, and the fifth time difference information includes: Based on the first time difference information, the second time difference information, the fourth time difference information, and the fifth time difference information, a seventh time difference information between the second device and the third device is determined; The seventh time difference information is sent to the third device, and the seventh time difference information is used by the third device to perform clock synchronization for the second communication standard association.

14. A clock synchronization method, characterized in that, Applied to a second device, comprising: Receives a first monotone signal from the first device, wherein the first monotone signal is a signal of a first communication standard; Send a second monotone signal to the first device, wherein the second monotone signal is a signal of the first communication standard; Send a second time difference information to the first device. The second time difference information is determined based on the first monotone signal. The second time difference information is the time difference information from the first device to the second device. The third time difference information is received from the first device, and the third time difference information is determined based on the second time difference information. Based on the third time difference information, clock synchronization is performed with a second communication standard that is different from the first communication standard.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The third time difference information is determined based on the second time difference information and the first time difference information. The first time difference information is determined based on the second monotone signal. The first time difference information is the time difference information from the second device to the first device.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The first time difference information includes a first phase difference and a first frequency difference, and the second time difference information includes a second phase difference and a second frequency difference.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that, The clock synchronization associated with a second communication standard that is different from the first communication standard includes: Determine the time difference information between the first communication standard and the second communication standard; Based on the time difference information between the first communication system and the second communication system, clock synchronization between the first communication system and the second communication system is performed.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The third time difference information is also determined based on the time difference between the first communication standard and the second communication standard of the first device.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that, The first monotone signal is multicast or broadcast.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that, Receiving the third time difference information from the first device includes: The first device receives a seventh time difference information, which is the time difference information between the second device and the third device, and the seventh time difference information is determined based on the first time difference information and the second time difference information. The step of performing clock synchronization based on the third time difference information, which is associated with a second communication standard that is different from the first communication standard, includes: Based on the seventh time difference information, clock synchronization is performed for the second communication standard association.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor and a memory, the memory for storing a computer program, and the processor for executing the computer program stored in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or causing the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 20.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 20.

23. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 20.

24. A chip system, characterized in that, The chip system includes: A processor and an interface, the processor being configured to call and execute instructions from the interface, wherein when the processor executes the instructions, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, or implements the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 20.

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