Method, apparatus and system for time mapping in wireless communications

Abstract

To provide a method, a device, and a system for time mapping for processing control signaling from different TSN networks in different time areas in a 5G system that supports a plurality of time-sensitive network (TSN) networks.SOLUTION: In a TSN network 600, a first network node receives a configuration including time information for scheduling from TSN controllers (CNCs) 611, 612, 613 and converts the time information into conversion time information of a wireless system 692.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to methods, apparatus, and systems for time mapping in wireless communications. [Background technology]

[0002] background Fourth-generation mobile communication technology (4G) Long Term Evolution (LTE) or LTE Advanced (LTE-A) and fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G) are facing increasing demands. One of the key goals of 5G systems is to support the Industrial Internet and vertical industrial applications, where time-sensitive networks (TSN) can meet the stringent requirements of industrial applications for both latency and jitter. 5G systems can support TSN traffic if they are extended to function as a virtual bridge in a TSN network. That is, from the perspective of the TSN network, the 5G system appears as a TSN bridge entity.

[0003] Every TSN network has its own time domain. That is, all TSN entities within a TSN network are time-synchronized with a TSN master clock. 5G systems also have their own time domain. For example, 5G system entities, such as user equipment (UE), next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN) base stations, and user plane functions (UPFs), are time-synchronized with a 5G master clock. The 5G master clock is different from the TSN master clock. The master clocks in different TSN networks are also different from each other. That is, the reference times of the TSN master clocks in two TSN networks are different.

[0004] The NG-RAN in a 5G system requires time information of TSN traffic to perform radio resource reservation. If a 5G system supports multiple TSN networks, there is no existing method to handle control signaling from different TSN networks in different time domains. If all 5G entities, especially the NG-RAN, are time-synchronized with all TSN master clocks, the system complexity increases dramatically. For example, if a 5G system supports six TSN networks, the NG-RAN must maintain time synchronization with the six master clocks in these TSN networks.

[0005] Thus, existing systems and methods for time mapping in wireless communications are not entirely satisfactory. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Summary of the Invention The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are intended to solve one or more problems associated with the prior art, and to provide additional features that will become readily apparent from a review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In accordance with various embodiments, exemplary systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are disclosed herein. It is understood, however, that these embodiments are presented by way of example, not limitation, and that those skilled in the art, upon reading this disclosure, will be able to readily understand and apply the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent that various modifications can be made to the present disclosure while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

[0007] In one embodiment, a method performed by a first network node of a wireless system is disclosed, the method including receiving a configuration from a controller of a time sensitive network (TSN) including time information for scheduling, and converting the time information into converted time information for the wireless system.

[0008] In another embodiment, a method performed by a first network node of a wireless system is disclosed, the method including receiving, from a controller of a time sensitive network (TSN), a configuration including time information for scheduling, and transmitting the time information received from the controller to a second network node of the wireless system.

[0009] In yet another embodiment, a method performed by a first network node of a wireless system is disclosed, the method including reporting to a second network node of the wireless system a time relationship between a first master clock of the wireless system and a second master clock of a time-sensitive network (TSN).

[0010] In a different embodiment, a network node configured to perform the methods disclosed in some embodiments is disclosed. In yet another embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for performing the methods disclosed in some embodiments is disclosed.

[0011] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and merely depict exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure to facilitate the reader's understanding of the disclosure. Therefore, the drawings should not be considered as limiting the breadth, scope, or applicability of the present disclosure. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration, the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of time synchronization in a TSN network, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of time synchronization in multiple TSN networks, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram of the configuration of schedule information for a TSN entity according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of time synchronization in a wireless system, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 is an exemplary diagram of a TSN network in which a wireless system supports the TSN network as a virtual bridge, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 is an example diagram of a wireless system that acts as a virtual bridge for multiple TSN networks, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a network node according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary method for a wireless system supporting quality of service (QoS) signaling in a TSN network, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 illustrates an example method in a wireless system for supporting QoS signaling in a TSN network, including time mapping from a TSN clock to a wireless system clock, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates another exemplary method for a wireless system to support QoS signaling in a TSN network, including time mapping from a TSN clock to a wireless system clock, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying figures to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the present disclosure. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, various changes or modifications can be made to the examples described herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. Furthermore, the specific order and / or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein is merely an example approach. Based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchy of steps in a disclosed method or process can be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, those skilled in the art will understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or operations in a sample order, and that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented, unless otherwise specified.

[0014] A typical wireless communication network includes one or more base stations (typically known as "BS"), each providing geographic radio coverage, and one or more wireless user equipment devices (typically known as "UE") that can transmit and receive data within the radio coverage. In a wireless communication network, the BS and UE can communicate with each other via a communication link, for example, via a downlink radio frame from the BS to the UE or via an uplink radio frame from the UE to the BS. The 5G BS may be located on the network side, including various network nodes, for example, a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) base station, a User Plane Function (UPF), a Session Management Function (SMF), an Access and Mobility Control Function (AMF), a Policy Control Function (PCF), an Application Function (AF), etc.

[0015] In one embodiment, the AMF is a common control plane function in the 5G core network and is responsible for user authentication, authorization, and subscription checks to ensure that users are legitimate users. The SMF interacts with the UE and is primarily responsible for processing protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment, modification, and deletion requests, selecting a UPF and establishing a user plane connection from the UE to the UPF, and determining the QoS parameters of the session with the PCF. The UPF provides user plane processing functions, including data forwarding and QoS enforcement. The UPF also provides a user plane anchor during user mobility to ensure business continuity. The PCF supports a unified policy framework, provides resource authorization, and provides policy rules to the control plane. The AF provides business functions and can request resource authorization from the PCF.

[0016] The present teachings disclose various systems and methods for time mapping between a master clock of a wireless system (e.g., a 5G system) and a TSN network. The wireless system may function as a virtual element of the TSN network, which may require a translation from the time information of the TSN network to the time information of the wireless system. In one embodiment, the AF includes a TSN translator (TT) function and is time-synchronized with both the TSN master clock and the 5G master clock. In this way, the AF receives the TSN time information from a centralized network controller (CNC) of the TSN network. Upon receiving a configuration containing the information, the TSN time information in the configuration can be converted to time information corresponding to the 5G master clock.

[0017] In another embodiment, the AF can send TSN time control information and the time relationship between the 5G master clock and the TSN master clock to the PCF, and the PCF then converts the TSN time control information into 5G time information based on the sent information.

[0018] In a different embodiment, the UPF includes a TT function and is time-synchronized with both the TSN master clock and the 5G master clock. During or after the establishment of a protocol data unit (PDU) session, the UPF can report the time relationship between the 5G master clock and the TSN master clock to the 5G core system via the SMF, for example, to the PCF. The AF then forwards the TSN time information to the PCF after receiving the configuration from the CNC. The PCF can convert the TSN time information into 5G clock time information based on the time relationship.

[0019] In various embodiments, a BS in this disclosure may be referred to as a network side and may include or be implemented as an evolved Node B (gNB), an E-UTRAN Node B (eNB), a transmit / receive point (TRP), an access point (AP), etc., while a UE in this disclosure may be referred to as a terminal and may include or be implemented as a mobile station (MS), a station (STA), etc. The BS and UE may be described herein as non-limiting examples of a "wireless communication node" and a "wireless communication device," respectively, that may be capable of practicing the methods disclosed herein and that may be capable of wireless and / or wired communication in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] 1 shows an example diagram of time synchronization in a TSN network 100, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the TSN network 100 includes a master clock 101, one or more TSN termination stations 121, 122, and one or more TSN bridges 131, 132. To ensure the time sensitivity requirements of the TSN network 100, all network elements must maintain time synchronization. That is, for all network elements 121, 122, 131, and 132, their local times are essentially the same, with an error typically at the nanosecond level.

[0021] The TSN network 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a grandmaster clock 101. All TSN entities (e.g., TSN termination stations 121 and 122, TSN bridges 131 and 132, etc.) must be time-synchronized with the TSN master clock 101. Clock time synchronization within the TSN network 100 can be performed based on protocols such as IEEE 802.1AS or IEEE 1588. In this way, all TSN network elements within the TSN network 100 can be considered clock-synchronized. This means that all TSN entities within the TSN network 100 have the same clock within a controlled error range. For example, if the master clock time is T1 and the synchronization error is A nanoseconds, the time T at each TSN network element is between T1-A and T1+A. The clock error between any two TSN network elements is 2A nanoseconds. If A is sufficiently small, the local times of the two TSN network elements can be considered the same, i.e., the two TSN network elements are time-synchronized.

[0022] 2 shows an example diagram of time synchronization in multiple TSN networks 200, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. These TSN networks 200 all have their own master clock. TSN entities within each TSN network However, these master clocks in different TSN networks may not be time-synchronized and may differ.

[0023] 3 illustrates an example diagram of the configuration of schedule information for TSN entities within a TSN network 300, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the TSN network 300 includes a centralized network controller (CNC) 302, one or more TSN termination stations 321, 322, and one or more TSN bridges 331, 332. The CNC 302 within the TSN network 300 can control and / or configure each TSN entity using TSN clock information to process TSN traffic. For example, the CNC 302 can send schedule control information to a TSN bridge, where the schedule control information is used to determine when gates within the bridge can open, the length of time the gates can be open, the gate control periodicity, etc. The control information can include TSN time information regarding timing points according to a master clock of the TSN network 300 for each controlled operation.

[0024] 4 illustrates an example diagram of time synchronization in a wireless system 400, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless system 400 may be a 5G system. As shown in FIG. 4 , the 5G system 400 includes a 5G master clock 401, one or more UEs 410, one or more Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) base stations 420, an Access and Mobility Control Function (AMF) 430, a User Plane Function (UPF) 440, a Session Management Function (SMF) 450, and a Policy Control Function (PCF) 460.

[0025] There is clock synchronization within the 5G system. First, all 5G NG-RAN base stations 420 are synchronized with the 5G master clock 401. The time synchronization can be based on, for example, GPS, 802.1AS, and / or IEEE 1588. Then, each NG-RAN 420 broadcasts time, for example, through a specific system information block (SIB), to complete time synchronization between the NG-RAN and the UEs associated with the NG-RAN. Therefore, all NG-RAN base stations in the 5G system 400 are time-synchronized with each other because each of them is synchronized with the master clock 401. In addition, the UEs and the NG-RAN are also time-synchronized with each other. Therefore, the UEs can also be time-synchronized with each other.

[0026] 5 illustrates an example diagram of a TSN network 500 in which a wireless system 592 supports the TSN network 500 as a virtual bridge, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the TSN network 500 includes a TSN termination station 591, a TSN bridge 592, a TSN entity 593, and a CNC 502. In this example, a 5G system 592 can simulate a TSN bridge to the TSN network 500. As shown in FIG. 5, the 5G system 592 includes one or more UEs 510, one or more NG-RAN base stations 520, an AMF 530, a UPF 540, an SMF 550, a PCF 560, and an AF 570.

[0027] The 5G system 592 may be referred to as a virtual or logical TSN bridge. This logical TSN bridge may include a TSN translator (TT) function for interoperation between the TSN network 500 and the 5G system 592. The TT function may be in both the user plane (UPF / TT) 540 and the control plane (AF / TT) 570. 5G system-specific procedures within the 5G core system and RAN, wireless communication links, etc., remain hidden from the TSN network 500. To achieve such transparency of the 5G system 592 to the TSN network 500, the 5G system 592 may be configured to communicate with the TSN network 500. It provides TSN ingress and egress ports towards the network 500 via TT functions on the UE side and via TT functions on the 5G core side (both user plane and control plane).

[0028] 6 illustrates an example diagram of a wireless system 692 functioning as a virtual bridge for multiple TSN networks 600, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the three TSN networks 600 include TSN termination stations 621, 622, and 623, a TSN bridge 692, TSN entities 631, 632, and 633, and CNCs 611, 612, and 613. In this example, the 5G system 692 can simulate a TSN bridge simultaneously serving the three TSN networks 600. In one embodiment, the wireless system 692 has a structure similar to that of the 5G system 592. However, the wireless system 692 simultaneously serves multiple TSN networks. Therefore, for each of these TSN networks, the wireless system 692 needs to convert TSN time information to its own 5G time information for QoS signaling and / or radio resource control.

[0029] 7 illustrates a block diagram of a network node 700 of a wireless system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The network node 700 is an example of a network node that may be configured to implement various methods described herein. As shown in FIG. 7 , the network node 700 includes a housing 740 that contains a system clock 702, a processor 704, a memory 706, a transceiver 710 including a transmitter 712 and a receiver 714, a power module 708, a time synchronizer 720, a configuration analyzer 722, a time information converter 724, a time relationship determiner 726, a time relationship reporter 728, and a message generator and analyzer 729.

[0030] In this embodiment, system clock 702 provides timing signals to processor 704 for controlling the timing of all operations of network node 700. Processor 704 controls the general operation of network node 700 and may include one or more processing circuits or modules, such as a central processing unit (CPU) and / or general-purpose microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), programmable logic device (PLD), controller, state machine, gate logic, discrete hardware components, dedicated hardware finite state machine, or any other suitable circuit, device and / or structure capable of performing calculations or other manipulations of data.

[0031] Memory 706, which may include both read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM), may provide instructions and data to processor 704. A portion of memory 706 may also include non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM). Processor 704 typically performs logical and arithmetic operations based on program instructions stored in memory 706. The instructions (also known as software) stored in memory 706 may be executed by processor 704 to perform the methods described herein. Processor 704 and memory 706 together form a processing system that stores and executes software. As used herein, "software" refers to any type of instructions, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, or the like, that can configure a machine or device to perform one or more desired functions or processes. Instructions may include code (e.g., in source code format, binary code format, executable code format, or any other suitable code format). When executed by one or more processors, the instructions cause the processing system to perform various functions described herein.

[0032] The transceiver 710, including a transmitter 712 and a receiver 714, enables the network node 700 to transmit and receive data to and from a remote device (e.g., another network node or a UE). An antenna 750 is typically mounted to the housing 740 and electrically coupled to the transceiver 710. In various embodiments, the network node 700 includes multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, and multiple transceivers (not shown). In one embodiment, the antenna 750 is replaced with a multi-antenna array 750 capable of forming multiple beams, each pointing in a different direction. The transmitter 712 may be configured to wirelessly transmit packets having different packet types or functions, such packets being generated by the processor 704. Similarly, the receiver 714 is configured to receive packets having different packet types or functions, and the processor 704 is configured to process packets of multiple different packet types. For example, the processor 704 may be configured to determine the type of packet and process the packet and / or fields of the packet accordingly.

[0033] According to various embodiments, the network node 700 may be a particular network node, where each of the time synchronizer 720, the configuration analyzer 722, the time information converter 724, the time relationship determiner 726, the time relationship reporter 728, and the message generator and analyzer 729 may be included, not included, or optionally included in the particular network node. In one embodiment, the network node 700 may function as an AF supporting application functions of a wireless system. The wireless system may function as a virtual TSN bridge for a TSN network. The network node 700 of the wireless system is a network element having a TSN translator function for interoperation between the wireless system and TSN.

[0034] In one embodiment, the network node 700 includes a time synchronizer 720 configured to perform time synchronization with a first master clock of the wireless system and to perform time synchronization with a second master clock of the TSN. The network node 700 may further include a configuration analyzer 722 configured to receive and analyze a configuration including time information of the TSN from a controller of the TSN. The configuration analyzer 722 may send the time information of the TSN to a time information converter 724 for time information conversion.

[0035] In one embodiment, the time information converter 724 can convert the TSN time information into converted time information for the wireless system. For example, the time information converter 724 may generate the converted time information for the wireless system based on the TSN time information and a time offset between a first time corresponding to a first master clock and a second time corresponding to a second master clock. The time information converter 724 can then transmit the converted time information to a second network node of the wireless system via the transmitter 712.

[0036] In one embodiment, the second network node is a PCF including a message generator and analyzer 729 that generates a policy change carrying the transformation time information and notifies a third network node of the wireless system about the policy change. In one embodiment, the third network node is an SMF including a message generator and analyzer 729 that generates time and Quality of Service (QoS) information for a fourth network node of the wireless system. In one embodiment, the fourth network node is an NG-RAN including a message generator and analyzer 729 that utilizes the time and QoS information for radio resource control for an air interface between the NG-RAN and a wireless communication device, e.g., a UE, in the wireless system.

[0037] In another embodiment, the network node 700 may function as an AF including a configuration analyzer 722 configured to receive a configuration including time information of the TSN from a controller of the TSN. In this example, the configuration analyzer 722 transmits the time information of the TSN via the transmitter 712 to a second network node of the wireless system, such as a PCF.

[0038] The network node 700 may further include a time relationship determiner 726 configured to determine a time relationship between a first master clock of the wireless system and a second master clock of the TSN. The time relationship determiner 726 may transmit the time relationship between the first master clock and the second master clock to the second network node via the transmitter 712. In one example, the transmitted time relationship includes a time offset between a first time corresponding to the first master clock and a second time corresponding to the second master clock. In another example, the transmitted time relationship includes information regarding a local time of the wireless system at the first network node and a TSN time corresponding to the local time.

[0039] The second network node may be a PCF configured to receive the TSN time information and time relationship from the first network node, and convert the TSN time information into converted time information of the wireless system based on the TSN time information and time relationship via the time information converter 724 of the second network node.

[0040] In one embodiment, the second network node is a PCF including a message generator and analyzer 729 that generates a policy change carrying the transformation time information and notifies a third network node of the wireless system about the policy change. In one embodiment, the third network node is an SMF including a message generator and analyzer 729 that generates time and Quality of Service (QoS) information for a fourth network node of the wireless system. In one embodiment, the fourth network node is an NG-RAN including a message generator and analyzer 729 that utilizes the time and QoS information for radio resource control for an air interface between the NG-RAN and a wireless communication device, e.g., a UE, in the wireless system.

[0041] In different embodiments, the network node 700 may function as a UPF supporting user plane functions of the wireless system. The wireless system may function as a virtual TSN bridge for the TSN network. The network node 700 of the wireless system is a network element having a TSN translator function for interoperation between the wireless system and the TSN. The network node 700 may include a time synchronizer 720 configured to perform time synchronization with both a first master clock of the wireless system and a second master clock of the TSN.

[0042] Based on the time synchronization, the time relation determiner 726 of the UPF can determine a time relation between a first master clock of the wireless system and a second master clock of the TSN. In one example, the time relation includes a time offset between a first time corresponding to the first master clock and a second time corresponding to the second master clock. In another example, the time relation includes information regarding a local time of the wireless system at the first network node and a TSN time corresponding to the local time.

[0043] In one embodiment, the time relationship reporter 728 of the UPF may report the time relationship between the first master clock and the second master clock to a second network node, such as a PCF, of the wireless system. For example, the time relationship reporter 728 of the UPF may report the time relationship to the SMF of the wireless system. The SMF can then send the time relationship to the PCF. The time relationship may be reported during or after establishment of a protocol data unit (PDU) session.

[0044] In one embodiment, a third network node of the wireless system, e.g., an AF, includes a configuration analyzer 722 configured to receive TSN time information from a TSN controller and forward the TSN time information to a second network node. The second network node may be a PCF including a time information converter 724 configured to convert the TSN time information into converted time information of the wireless system based on the TSN time information and the time relationship between the first master clock and the second master clock.

[0045] In one embodiment, the second network node is a PCF including a message generator and analyzer 729 that generates a policy change carrying the transformation time information and notifies a fourth network node of the wireless system about the policy change. In one embodiment, the fourth network node is an SMF including a message generator and analyzer 729 that generates time and Quality of Service (QoS) information for a fifth network node of the wireless system. In one embodiment, the fifth network node is an NG-RAN that includes a message generator and analyzer 729 that utilizes the time and QoS information for radio resource control for an air interface between the NG-RAN and a wireless communication device, e.g., a UE, in the wireless system.

[0046] In one embodiment, after receiving the time relationship between the first master clock and the second master clock, the second network node is a PCF including a time relationship reporter 728 configured to report the time relationship to a third network node of the wireless system. The third network node may be an AF including a configuration analyzer 722 configured to receive TSN time information from a controller of the TSN. A time information converter 724 of the AF may convert the TSN time information into converted time information of the wireless system based on the TSN time information and the time relationship, and send the converted time information to the second network node.

[0047] Power module 708 may include one or more power sources, such as batteries, and a power regulator to provide regulated power to each of the above modules in Figure 7. In some embodiments, if network node 700 is coupled to a dedicated external power source (e.g., a wall outlet), power module 708 may include a transformer and a power regulator.

[0048] The various modules discussed above are coupled together by a bus system 730. The bus system 730 may include a data bus and, in addition to a data bus, for example, a power bus, a control signal bus, and / or a status signal bus. It will be appreciated that the modules of the network node 700 may be operatively coupled to each other using any suitable techniques and media.

[0049] 7, one skilled in the art will understand that one or more of these modules can be combined or commonly implemented. For example, processor 704 can perform the functions described above with respect to processor 704 as well as the functions described above with respect to message generator and analyzer 729. Conversely, each of the modules shown in FIG. 7 can be implemented using multiple separate components or elements.

[0050] FIG. 8 illustrates a network architecture supporting QoS signaling in a TSN network, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 8 illustrates an exemplary method for a wireless system supporting 5G N5 authentication. In operation 801, the CNC 870 configures a 5G system TSN bridge with the TSN control information. This message may be a netconfig message and may be sent to the AF / TT 860. In operation 802, the AF / TT 860 converts the TSN control information into parameters for the 5G N5 interface between the AF 860 and the PCF 850. The AF / TT 860 may invoke a service operation request to the PCF 850. For example, the AF / TT 860 may invoke an Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Create service operation request or an Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Update service operation request to the PCF 850. In operation 803, the PCF 850 ​​invokes an SM policy association change to notify the SMF 840 about the policy change. In operation 804, the SMF 840 generates an N2 session request. In one example, the SMF 840 invokes Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer to the AMF 830. The message includes N2 SM information, an N1 SM container. The N2 SM information includes QoS information requested by the NG-RAN 820. The N1 SM container includes session and QoS information required by the UE 810. The AMF 830 forwards the message to the NG-RAN 820.

[0051] In operation 805, the NG-RAN 820 uses the QoS information in the N2 SM information for radio resource establishment and sends an N1 SM container to the UE 810 in a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration. In operation 806, the NG-RAN 820 sends an N2 response to the SMF 840 via the AMF 830. In operation 807, the SMF 840 sends an SM policy association change response to the PCF 850. In operation 808, the PCF 850 ​​sends response(s) including an Npcf_Policy Authorization_Create response and / or an Npcf_Policy Authorization_Update response to the AF / TT 860.

[0052] In the presence of TSN traffic, Figure 4 shows how the 5G system and CNC work together to guarantee the QoS of the TSN traffic. Because TSN traffic has limited time control requirements, the NG-RAN needs time information for radio resource access control and / or radio resource reservation.

[0053] 5G systems have their own clock domains, which means that the clocks in the 5G system are different from the TSN clocks. In addition, the clocks in different TSN networks are also different. That is, the time reference of the TSN master clock is different between two TSN networks.

[0054] The message in operation 801 in Figure 4 carries TSN network time information. Because the NG-RAN time clock is synchronized with the 5G system master clock rather than the TSN master clock, the time information cannot be used by the NG-RAN 820 for radio resource control. In one embodiment, all 5G system entities, including the NG-RAN 820 in particular, are time-synchronized with the TSN network master clock, so that the time control information in operation 801 can be used to calculate the time required by the NG-RAN 820 for radio resource control. However, if the 5G system supports multiple TSN networks simultaneously, this method poses significant scalability and complexity issues. For example, if the 5G system supports five TSN networks, the NG-RAN 820 must simultaneously maintain time synchronization with five master clocks in these TSN networks.

[0055] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the AF / TT is time-synchronized with both the TSN master clock and the 5G system master clock. Upon receiving a configuration (e.g., netconfig) from C, the AF / TT converts the TSN time information in the configuration into 5G system clock time information. After time synchronization with the 5G system master clock and the TSN master clock, the AF calculates the time difference between these two time domains. For example, if the time in the 5G system is T1, the time in the TSN network is T2. Therefore, the time offset between the 5G system and the TSN network is T2-T1. When the AF / TT receives a configuration with TSN time information T3 from the CNC, it converts the TSN time information T3 into 5G system time T4 = T3-(T2-T1). The AF / TT then sends the converted time information T4 to the PCF.

[0056] In a second embodiment, when the AF / TT receives a configuration (e.g., netconfig) from the CNC, it sends the time information received from the CNC to the PCF. The AF / TT also sends 5G system time clock information and TSN clock information to the PCF. In one example, the AF sends the time offset between the 5G system clock and the TSN clock to the PCF. In another example, the AF can send information about the local 5G clock and the TSN clock corresponding to the 5G system clock at the AF / TT to the PCF. The PCF can then convert the TSN time information to 5G system time information based on that received from the AF / TT. In either the first or second embodiment, the 5G system can calculate the time information used by the NG-RAN for radio resource control.

[0057] 9 illustrates an exemplary method for a wireless system to support QoS signaling in a TSN network, including time mapping from a TSN clock to a wireless system clock, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In operation 901, the AF / TT 960 is time-synchronized with the TSN master clock 975. In operation 902, the AF / TT 960 is time-synchronized with the 5G system master clock 955. In operation 903, the CNC 970 configures the 5G system TSN bridge with the TSN control information, for example, by message netconfig. This message is sent to the AF / TT 960. In operation 904, the AF / TT 960 converts the TSN control information into parameters for the 5G N5 interface between the AF 960 and the PCF 950. The TSN clock time information is converted into 5G system clock time information. Alternatively, the AF / TT 960 converts the TSN clock information into the TSN clock information plus the time relationship between the 5G system clock and the TSN clock. The AF / TT 960 can invoke a service operation request to the PCF 950. For example, the AF / TT 960 can invoke an Npcf_Policy Authorization_Create service operation request or an Npcf_Policy Authorization_Update service operation request to the PCF 950.

[0058] In operation 905, the PCF 950 invokes an SM policy association change to notify the SMF 940 about the policy change. The SMF 940 can calculate time information to be used by the NG-RAN 920. In operation 906, the SMF 940 generates an N2 session request. In one example, the SMF 940 invokes Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer to the AMF 930. The message includes N2 SM information and an N1 SM container. The N2 SM information includes QoS information requested by the NG-RAN 920. The N1 SM container includes session and QoS information required by the UE associated with the NG-RAN 920. The AMF 930 forwards the message to the NG-RAN 920. The NG-RAN 920 uses the QoS information in the N2 SM information for radio resource establishment and sends the N1 SM container to the UE during RRC reconfiguration.

[0059] Figure 9 shows the time mapping from the TSN clock to the 5G system clock. In particular, Figure 9 shows how the TSN time information is mapped to the 5G system time information. One or more new elements carrying the conversion time information and / or the time relationship between the TSN clock and the 5G clock should be added to the message(s).

[0060] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the UPF / TT is time-synchronized with both the TSN master clock and the 5G system master clock. During or after PDU session establishment, the UPF / TT notifies the 5G core system about the time relationship between the TSN clock and the 5G system clock. This information can be sent to the PCF via the SMF. The time relationship between the TSN clock and the 5G system clock can be either a time offset between the 5G system clock and the TSN clock, or information about the TSN clock corresponding to the local 5G clock in the UPF and the 5G local clock. When the AF / TT receives a configuration (e.g., netconfig) from the CNC, it forwards the TSN time information to the PCF. The PCF converts the TSN time information into 5G system clock time information based on a method similar to the first or second embodiment. In another embodiment, after receiving the time relationship from the UPF, the PCF can forward the time relationship to the AF, which then converts the TSN time information into 5G system clock time information based on a method similar to the first or second embodiment.

[0061] 10 illustrates another exemplary method for a wireless system to support QoS signaling in a TSN network, including time mapping from a TSN clock to a wireless system clock, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In operation 1001, the UPF / TT 1040 is time-synchronized with the TSN master clock 1092. In operation 1002, the UPF / TT 1040 is time-synchronized with the 5G system master clock 1091. In operation 1003, during or after a PDU session establishment procedure, the UPF / TT 1040 reports the time relationship between the 5G system clock and the TSN clock to the SMF 1050, which forwards the time relationship to the PCF 1060. In operation 1004, the CNC 1080 configures the 5G system TSN bridge with the TSN control information, for example, by message netconfig. This message is sent to the AF / TT 1070. In operation 1005, the AF / TT 1070 may invoke a service operation request to the PCF 1060. For example, the AF / TT 1070 transfers the TSN time control information to the PCF 1060 using an Npcf_Policy Authorization_Create service operation request or an Npcf_Policy Authorization_Update service operation request.

[0062] In operation 1006, the PCF 1060 converts the TSN time control information into 5G system time information according to the time relationship between the TSN clock and the 5G system clock. The PCF 1060 invokes an SM policy association change to notify the SMF 1050 about the policy change. The SMF 1050 can calculate the time information to be used by the NG-RAN 1020. In operation 1007, the SMF 1050 generates an N2 session request. In one example, the SMF 1050 invokes Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer to the AMF 1030. The message includes N2 SM information and an N1 SM container. The N2 SM information includes QoS information requested by the NG-RAN 1020. The N1 SM container includes session and QoS information required by the UE associated with the NG-RAN 1020. The AMF 930 forwards the message to the NG-RAN 920. The NG-RAN 1020 uses the QoS information in the N2 SM information for radio resource establishment and sends the N1 SM container to the UE upon RRC reconfiguration.

[0063] Figure 10 shows the time mapping from the TSN clock to the 5G system clock. In particular, Figure 10 shows how the TSN time information is mapped to the 5G system time information. 8-10. One or more new elements carrying the conversion time information and / or the time relationship between the TSN clock and the 5G clock should be added to the message(s). The order of the operations shown in each of FIGS. 8-10 may be changed according to different embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0064] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. Similarly, various figures may depict example architectures or configurations provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand example features and functionality of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure is not limited to the example architectures or configurations shown, but may be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Moreover, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, one or more features of one embodiment can be combined with one or more features of another embodiment described herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described example embodiments.

[0065] It is also understood that any reference to an element herein using a designation such as "first," "second," etc., generally does not limit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these designations may be used herein as a convenient means of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, reference to a first element and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be utilized or that the first element must precede the second element in some manner.

[0066] Additionally, those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols that may be referenced in the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0067] Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that any of the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, processors, means, circuits, methods, and functions described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented by electronic hardware (e.g., digital implementations, analog implementations, or a combination of the two), firmware, various forms of program or design code incorporating instructions (which for convenience may be referred to herein as "software" or "software modules"), or any combination of these techniques.

[0068] To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software, or a combination of these techniques, depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in various ways for each particular application, and such implementation decisions do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. According to various embodiments, a processor, device, component, circuit, structure, machine, module, etc., can be configured to perform one or more functions described herein. The terms “configured to” or “configured for,” as used herein with respect to a specified operation or function, refer to a processor, device, component, circuit, structure, machine, module, etc. that is physically constructed, programmed, and / or configured to perform the specified operation or function.

[0069] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and devices described herein. It will be understood that the devices, components, and circuits may be implemented or performed within an integrated circuit (IC), which may include a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. The logic blocks, modules, and circuits may further include an antenna and / or transceiver for communicating with various components within a network or device. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, although in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration for performing the functions described herein.

[0070] When implemented in software, the functions can be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Thus, the steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein can be implemented as software stored on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that can enable a computer program or code to be transferred from one place to another. A storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0071] As used herein, the term "module" refers to software, firmware, hardware, and any combination of these elements for performing the associated functions described herein. Further, for purposes of explanation, various modules are described as individual modules. However, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art, two or more modules can be combined to form a single module that performs associated functions according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0072] Additionally, embodiments of the present disclosure may utilize memory or other storage devices and communication components. It will be appreciated that, for clarity, the above description has described embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functionality between different functional units, processing logic elements, or domains may be used without detracting from the present disclosure. For example, functionality shown to be performed by separate processing logic elements or controllers may be performed by the same processing logic element or controller. Thus, references to specific functional units do not indicate a strict logical or physical structure or organization, but merely to suitable means for providing the described functionality.

[0073] Various modifications to the embodiments described in this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the novel features and principles disclosed herein, as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. A method performed by a wireless system, the wireless system comprising: a first network node, a second network node, and a third network node; reporting to a second network node of the wireless system a time relationship between a first master clock of the wireless system and a second master clock of a time sensitive network (TSN); the third network node receives time information for scheduling from a controller of the TSN; the third network node forwarding the time information to the second network node; The method of claim 1, wherein the second network node converts the time information into converted time information of the wireless system based on the time information and the time relationship.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first network node of the wireless system is a network element having a TSN translator function for interoperation between the wireless system and the TSN.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first network node supports a user plane function of the wireless system.

4. The first network node performing time synchronization with the first master clock; the first network node performing time synchronization with the second master clock; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the time relationship comprises a time offset between a first time corresponding to the first master clock and a second time corresponding to the second master clock.

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