Methods, apparatus, and systems for transmitting accuracy information

Abstract

[0009] Embodiments of this application provide a method, an apparatus, and a system for transmitting accuracy information. The method includes: a first network element switches from a locked state to a holdover state; and the first network element transmits status information to a second network element, where the status information includes accuracy information of the first network element in the holdover state. According to the above method, the second network element may obtain the status information of the first network element in the holdover state, and perform clock synchronization with the first network element or the second network element based on the status information, thereby finally achieving more accurate clock synchronization and further improving the performance of the clock synchronization system.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] [Cross-Reference to Related Application] This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202111646943.8 entitled "METHOD FOR SENDING ACCURACY INFORMATION, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM" filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on December 30, 2021, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] [Technical Field] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method, apparatus, and system for sending accuracy information. [Background Art]

[0003] Clock synchronization is a fundamental function in communication systems. Generally, a clock synchronization system that depends on network timing includes a time reference module, a grandmaster, and a slave. Each of the grandmaster and the slave may be a logical unit, and the specific form of the logical unit is not fixed. When errors are not considered, the grandmaster obtains clock information from the time reference module and sends information for clock synchronization to the slave. When the time reference module fails and cannot provide correct clock information to the grandmaster, the grandmaster switches from a locked state to a holdover state. The locked state is the state of the grandmaster when the time reference module is operating normally, and the holdover state is the state of the grandmaster when the time reference module fails. The holdover state may also be understood as a state in which the grandmaster autonomously generates clock information. The information for clock synchronization obtained by the slave from the grandmaster is no longer accurate. As a result, the service quality of the communication system is affected. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] This application describes a method, an apparatus, and a system for sending accuracy information.

[0005] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for transmitting accuracy information, which is performed by a first network element. The method includes: the first network element switches from a locked state to a holdover state, the first network element transmits state information to a second network element, the state information includes accuracy information of the first network element in the holdover state. According to the above solution, the first network element notifies the second network element of the accuracy information of the first network element in the holdover state, and as a result, the second network element can achieve more accurate clock synchronization based on the accuracy information.

[0006] For example, the first network element may be a primary station in a clock synchronization system, and the second network element may be a secondary station in a clock synchronization system. In a possible implementation, the first network element may be a network element having clock synchronization functionality in a core network, and the second network element may be any access network. In a possible implementation, the first network element may be a baseband unit in an access network, and the second network element may be a radio frequency unit in an access network. This description is applicable to the description of other aspects of this application. Further details will not be described again.

[0007] In a possible implementation, when the time reference module fails, the first network element switches from a locked state to a holdover state.

[0008] In possible implementations, the accuracy information includes real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element. The real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element indicates the maximum real-time phase accuracy of the first network element in a holdover state. The real-time phase accuracy peak value of the first network element may also be referred to as the real-time accuracy peak information of the first network element. It should be understood that the real-time accuracy peak information of the first network element may further indicate the maximum real-time accuracy of the first network element in a holdover state. This description is applicable to the description of other aspects of this application. Further details will not be described again.

[0009] In possible implementations, the accuracy information includes frequency accuracy information. The frequency accuracy information indicates the frequency deviation rate of the first network element in the holdover state.

[0010] In possible implementations, the state information further includes holdover capability information for the first network element.

[0011] Where possible, holdover capability information includes real-time or step-precision values.

[0012] Otherwise possible, the holdover capability information includes the duration for which the first network element operates within a first error range. The first error may be an agreed error value, a default error value, or an error value set for the first network element. Alternatively, the first error may be a range of error variation from the error at which the first network element begins to switch to a holdover state to the error at which the first network element can only support the last service, in other words, the maximum error range that the first network element can support in a holdover state. This description is applicable to descriptions of other aspects of this application. Further details will not be described again.

[0013] In possible implementations, the state information further includes holdover duration information for the first network element. The holdover duration information indicates the duration for which the first network element operates within a second error range, the second error range being service-related. In other words, the second error is an acceptable error for a particular type of service, and the acceptable errors for different services may differ. This description is applicable to descriptions of other aspects of this application. Further details will not be described again.

[0014] In possible implementations, the state information further includes clock reference source type information. The clock reference source type information includes parameters of a clock reference source adapted to the first network element. The clock reference source may also be a satellite receiver adapted to the first network element.

[0015] Where possible, the clock reference source type information includes one or more of the following: the mode of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element, or the frequency band of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element.

[0016] In possible implementations, the state information further includes local source type information. The local source type information indicates the type of local oscillator of the first network element.

[0017] In possible implementations, the transmission of state information from the first network element to the second network element includes the following: The first network element broadcasts the state information to the second network element.

[0018] In possible implementations, the method further includes: a first network element receiving a request message from a second network element, the request message requesting the first network element to retrieve state information; in other words, the second network element requests the first network element to retrieve state information of the first network element in a holdover state. In this case, when the first network element switches from a locked state to a holdover state, the first network element transmits the state information to the second network element. This description is applicable to descriptions of other aspects of this application. Further details will not be described again.

[0019] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for transmitting accuracy information, which is performed by a second network element. The method includes: the second network element receiving state information from a first network element, which includes accuracy information of the first network element in a holdover state, and the second network element performing clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on the accuracy information. According to the method, when the first network element is in a holdover state, the second network element achieves more accurate clock synchronization based on the acquired accuracy information.

[0020] For example, the fact that a second network element performs clock synchronization with a first network element or another second network element should be understood as meaning that the second network element may achieve clock synchronization via the first network element, or may achieve clock synchronization by relying on the second network element. In other words, the second network element may choose to use the first network element to perform clock synchronization, or it may choose to use the second network element to perform clock synchronization. Different implementations of this embodiment are described in the relevant section. Further details will not be explained again.

[0021] In possible implementations, the accuracy information includes real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element. The real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element indicates the maximum real-time phase accuracy of the first network element in a holdover state. In possible implementations of the said implementation, the method further includes: the second network element stops using the first information, and the first information is the accuracy information of the first network element in a locked state.

[0022] In possible implementations, the accuracy information includes frequency accuracy information. The frequency accuracy information indicates the frequency deviation rate of the first network element in a holdover state. The implementation further includes: The second network element adjusts its clock based on the frequency accuracy information.

[0023] In possible implementations, the state information further includes holdover capability information for the first network element. Where possible, the holdover capability information includes real-time or step accuracy for the first network element. Otherwise possible, the holdover capability information includes the duration for which the first network element operates within a first error range. In possible implementations of the said implementation, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on the holdover capability information and accuracy information.

[0024] In possible implementations, the state information further includes holdover duration information for the first network element. The holdover duration information indicates the duration for which the first network element operates within a second error range, the second error range being related to the service. In possible implementations of the said implementation, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on the holdover duration information and accuracy information.

[0025] In possible implementations, the state information further includes clock reference source type information. The clock reference source type information includes parameters of the clock reference source adapted to the first network element. The clock reference source type information includes one or more of the following: the mode of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element, or the frequency band of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element. In possible implementations of the implementation, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on the clock reference source type information and accuracy information.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the status information further includes local source type information. The local source type information indicates the type of the local oscillator of the first network element. In a possible implementation of this implementation, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or the second network element based on the local source type information and the accuracy information.

[0027] In a possible implementation, that the second network element receives the status information from the first network element includes: the second network element receives broadcast status information from the first network element.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the second network element sends a request message to the first network element, where the request message is used to request to receive the status information from the first network element. For the implementation, reference is made to the description of the first aspect.

[0029] According to a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a method for transmitting accuracy information, which is performed by a first network element and a second network element. The method includes: the first network element switches from a locked state to a holdover state; the first network element transmits status information to the second network element, wherein the status information includes accuracy information of the first network element in the holdover state; the second network element receives the status information from the first network element; and the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element or the second network element based on the accuracy information. According to the method, when the first network element is in the holdover state, the second network element can achieve more accurate clock synchronization based on the obtained accuracy information.

[0030] The fact that the second network element performs clock synchronization with the second network element based on precision information should be understood as the second network element using its own clock source to perform clock synchronization, rather than using other network elements to perform clock synchronization. In other words, the second network element uses its own clock source to obtain time information and uses time information for the second network element's service. The above explanation is also applicable to the explanation of other embodiments.

[0031] In possible implementations, the accuracy information includes real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element. The real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element indicates the maximum real-time phase accuracy of the first network element in a holdover state. In possible implementations of the said implementation, the method further includes: the second network element stops using the first information, and the first information is the accuracy information of the first network element in a locked state.

[0032] In possible implementations, the accuracy information includes frequency accuracy information. The frequency accuracy information indicates the frequency deviation rate of the first network element in a holdover state. The implementation further includes: The second network element adjusts its clock based on the frequency accuracy information.

[0033] In possible implementations, the state information further includes holdover capability information for the first network element. Where possible, the holdover capability information includes real-time or step accuracy for the first network element. Otherwise possible, the holdover capability information includes the duration for which the first network element operates within a first error range. In possible implementations of the said implementation, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on the holdover capability information and accuracy information.

[0034] In possible implementations, the state information further includes holdover duration information for the first network element. The holdover duration information indicates the duration for which the first network element operates within a second error range, the second error range being related to the service. In possible implementations of the said implementation, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on the holdover duration information and accuracy information.

[0035] In possible implementations, the state information further includes clock reference source type information. The clock reference source type information includes parameters of the clock reference source adapted to the first network element. The clock reference source type information includes one or more of the following: the mode of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element, or the frequency band of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element. In possible implementations of the implementation, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on the clock reference source type information and accuracy information.

[0036] In possible implementations, the state information further includes local source type information. The local source type information indicates the type of local oscillator of the first network element. In possible implementations of the said implementation, the second network element performs clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on the local source type information and precision information.

[0037] In possible implementations, the reception of state information by a second network element from a first network element includes the following: The second network element receives broadcast state information from the first network element.

[0038] In possible implementations, the method further includes: a second network element sends a request message to the first network element; the request message requests the first network element to receive state information. For implementations, see the description of the first embodiment.

[0039] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for transmitting precision information, which is performed by a first network element. The method includes: the first network element transmitting frequency precision information to a second network element, the frequency precision information including precision information of the first network element in a locked state. According to the above solution, the first network element notifies the second network element of the frequency precision information of the first network element in a locked state, and as a result, the second network element can achieve more accurate clock synchronization based on the frequency precision information.

[0040] For possible implementations of this embodiment, please refer to the description of the first embodiment. Further details will not be provided again.

[0041] According to a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for transmitting accuracy information, which is performed by a second network element. The method includes: the second network element receiving frequency accuracy information from a first network element, which includes accuracy information of the first network element in a locked state, and the second network element performing clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on the frequency accuracy information. According to the method, when the first network element is in a holdover state, the second network element achieves more accurate clock synchronization based on the acquired frequency accuracy information.

[0042] For possible implementations of this embodiment, please refer to the description of the second embodiment. Further details will not be provided again.

[0043] According to a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device including a processor. The processor is configured to read a program from memory, execute the program, and implement a method according to any one of the first aspect or a possible implementation of the first aspect, a method according to any one of the second aspect or a possible implementation of the second aspect, a method according to any one of the fourth aspect or a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, or a method according to any one of the fifth aspect or a possible implementation of the fifth aspect.

[0044] According to the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system including a first network element and a second network element. The first network element may implement a method according to the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the second network element may implement a method according to the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. Alternatively, the first network element may implement a method according to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation of the fourth aspect, and the second network element may implement a method according to the fifth aspect or any possible implementation of the fifth aspect.

[0045] According to the eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product including instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is able to execute one of the methods of the first aspect or a possible implementation of the first aspect, one of the methods of the second aspect or a possible implementation of the second aspect, one of the methods of the third aspect or a possible implementation of the third aspect, one of the methods of the fourth aspect or a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, or one of the methods of the fifth aspect or a possible implementation of the fifth aspect.

[0046] According to the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions. When instructions are executed on a computer, a processor can execute a method according to any one of the first aspect or a possible implementation of the first aspect, a method according to any one of the second aspect or a possible implementation of the second aspect, a method according to any one of the third aspect or a possible implementation of the third aspect, a method according to any one of the fourth aspect or a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, or a method according to any one of the fifth aspect or a possible implementation of the fifth aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0047] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of a communication system to which this application can be applied. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of an architecture in which clock synchronization is applied to a communication system to which this application is applicable. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of another architecture to which clock synchronization is applied in a communication system to which this application is applicable. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of a method for transmitting accuracy information according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of another method for transmitting accuracy information according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of yet another method for transmitting accuracy information according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0048] To further clarify the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application, the embodiments of this application will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application may be applied to various communication systems, such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, and LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication systems, or new radio (NR) systems, or may be applied to future communication systems or other similar communication systems. The network architectures and service scenarios described in this application are intended to further clarify the technical solutions in this application, but do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, with the evolution of network architectures and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application may also be applicable to similar technical problems.

[0049] Figure 1 is a diagram of the architecture of a clock synchronization network to which this application is applicable. The network shows a time reference module, a primary station, a clock synchronization network, and a secondary station.

[0050] The time reference module may be a module that provides standard time and may have multiple product forms. For example, the time reference module may be a satellite receiver, or other device configured to convert time information received from a satellite receiver into standard time. The standard time may be Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) or another standard time similar to UTC. For example, if the time reference module is a satellite receiver, the satellite receiver may support at least one of the following systems, namely the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), the US Global Positioning System (GPS), the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), the European Union's Galileo Navigation Satellite System (GALILEO), and the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS). Different receivers may support different frequencies. For example, GPS and QZSS can support frequency bands L1CA (1575.42MHz), L1C (1575.42MHz), L2 (1227.6MHz), L5 (1176.45MHz), etc. BDS can support frequency bands B1I (1501.698MHz), B1C (1575.42MHz), B2a (1176.45MHz), B3I (1268.52MHz), etc. GALILEO can support frequency bands E1 (1575.42MHz), E5a (1176.45MHz), E5b (1207.14MHz), and E6 (1278.75MHz). GLONASS can support frequency bands G1 (1602.00 MHz), G2 (1246.00 MHz), etc. The time reference module may be located in the access network device.Specifically, the time reference module may be located on the radio frequency control unit module side of the access network device, or on the radio frequency module side of the access network device. Alternatively, the time reference module may be located in the core network. This is not limited to this application.

[0051] A Grand Master (GM), also called a global primary clock device, is a device that obtains a reference time from a time reference module. The reference time may be standard time. The Grand Master may be a reference primary clock device or an extended reference primary clock device. The Grand Master has a local clock source, which may be a crystal clock or an atomic clock. For example, the crystal clock may be a crystal source of model OCXO 2 / 3E, or an atomic clock such as a rubidium clock or cesium clock. The Grand Master may support at least one mode of the time reference module, for example, different modes of a satellite receiver, or may operate in at least one of the above frequency band types. The Grand Master may further support more modes of the time reference module, or even more frequency band types, and it may be understood that the performance of the Grand Master is better. The Grand Master may be a module or network element device for clock services located in the core network, or a module or device for clock services located on the access network device side. Specifically, the radio frequency control unit module of an access network device may be considered a primary station, or the radio frequency module of an access network device may be considered a primary station. This is not limited to this application.

[0052] A slave station may also be called a secondary clock device, and its function is to obtain time information from the primary station. For example, the time information is standard time. For example, the slave station may be located on the access network side. Specifically, any access network device within the access network may be considered a slave station, any radio frequency control unit module within the access network device may be considered a slave station, any radio frequency module within the access network device may be considered a slave station, or any other device or apparatus that needs to use the time information may be considered a slave station.

[0053] It should be understood that the primary and secondary stations should be different network elements or devices. For example, if the primary station is a radio frequency control unit module of an access network device, then the secondary station is a radio frequency module of the access network device.

[0054] A clock synchronization network is used to transmit clock synchronization information. For example, a clock synchronization network may be a backhaul network, a fronthaul network, or any other type of network. The ultimate purpose of a clock synchronization network is to perform clock synchronization between a primary station and a secondary station.

[0055] For example, the arrangement of primary and secondary stations is described in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication system in which a clock synchronization network is located. The communication system includes a data network, a core network, an access network, and terminal devices. For specific functions and definitions of each component in the communication system, refer to the description in the Third Generation Partnership Project. Details are not described in this application. As shown in Figure 2, the primary station is located in the core network. Specifically, modules or network elements used for clock services may be considered primary stations, and devices or modules on the access network side may be considered secondary stations. In this case, the clock synchronization network is a backhaul network between the core network and the access network.

[0056] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another communication system in which a clock synchronization network is located. Since the access network includes a radio frequency control unit and radio frequency units, as shown in Figure 3, when the primary and secondary stations are located on the radio frequency control unit module side and the radio frequency unit module side of the access network device, respectively, the radio frequency control unit is considered the primary station and the radio frequency units are considered the secondary stations. In this case, the clock synchronization network is the fronthaul network between the radio frequency control unit and the radio frequency units.

[0057] It should be understood that the positions of the primary and secondary stations may be interchangeable. In addition to the above arrangement of the secondary and primary stations, other similar arrangements may even exist. This is not limited to this application.

[0058] In actual configurations, the primary station and the time reference module may be located together or separately. The configuration of the primary station and the time reference module is not limited in this application. Furthermore, it should be understood that the radio frequency control unit may be understood as having the function of a primary station. In other words, the radio frequency control unit may be considered a primary station. Similarly, the radio frequency unit may have the function of a secondary station. In other words, the radio frequency unit may be considered a secondary station. The primary and secondary stations in the above clock synchronization system are logical functional units. Specifically, the primary and secondary stations may be implemented by specified hardware, by software instances on specified hardware, or by virtual functions instantiated on an appropriate platform. Each device or module may be combined or located separately. This is not limited in this application.

[0059] It should be further understood that a radio frequency control unit may also be called a wireless control unit, a wireless device control unit, etc. A radio frequency unit may also be called a wireless unit, a wireless device, etc. This is not limited to this application.

[0060] Several protocols can be chosen to use synchronization in existing networks. For example, in a communications network, the precision clock synchronization protocol standard for network measurement and control systems, namely the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1588 protocol, may be used to achieve clock synchronization in the communications network.

[0061] The primary station may be in different states during operation, such as locked, holdover, and free-running states. When the primary station is locked, this means that the primary station can obtain time information from the time reference module. In other words, when the time reference module is in a normal operating state, the primary station is locked. This means that the secondary station can obtain accurate time information from the primary station and successfully complete clock synchronization. However, when the primary station is in a holdover state, if possible, the time reference module is faulty or unable to communicate with the primary station. In this case, the primary station cannot obtain accurate time information from the time reference module and can only perform timing by relying on the primary station's clock module. In this case, the performance of the primary station will continuously degrade over time, and the time information provided by the primary station to the secondary station will also continuously deviate. When the primary station enters a free-running state, the time reference module has been faulty for a long time. In this case, the primary station performs clock synchronization by relying on the free-running state of the local clock source. Currently, when the primary station is in a holdover state, the secondary station cannot detect that the primary station is in a holdover state. Furthermore, the time information obtained by the secondary station from the primary station is the time information of the primary station in a locked state. As a result, the secondary station uses inaccurate time information to perform clock synchronization. Moreover, if the period during which the time reference module is failed exceeds a certain threshold, the primary station's clock synchronization is switched from synchronization in the time dimension to synchronization in the frequency dimension. The access network device on which the secondary station is located may stop clock synchronization because the access network device does not support synchronization in the frequency dimension. In this case, if the access network device still has services that use clock synchronization in the time dimension, this method reduces the quality of service and the service duration of the access network device.

[0062] This application provides a clock synchronization method for solving the above problems. As shown in Figure 4, the method may be carried out by a first network element and a second network element. The first network element in the drawing may be a primary station in Figure 1, Figure 2, or Figure 3, and the second network element in the drawing may be a secondary station in Figure 1, Figure 2, or Figure 3. The method may include the following steps.

[0063] Step 401: The first network element switches from the locked state to the holdover state.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the first network element receives satellite time information and / or pulse signals from the time reference module, and the first network element determines, based on the satellite time information and / or pulse signals from the time reference module, that the current time reference module is faulty. Thus, the first network element switches from a locked state to a holdover state. It should be understood that the first network element may detect the time reference module's faulty status by other means, and is not limited to this application.

[0065] Step 402: The first network element transmits state information to the second network element.

[0066] In response, the second network element receives state information from the first network element.

[0067] For example, the first network element generates state information and transmits this state information to the second network element.

[0068] The status information includes accuracy information for the first network element in the holdover state.

[0069] In one possible implementation, the first network element broadcasts state information to the second network element. In another possible implementation, the first network element receives a request message from the second network element. The request message requests the first network element to send state information. Therefore, the first network element sends state information to the second network element.

[0070] Step 403: The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on the accuracy information.

[0071] Furthermore, the second network element may cease using the first information, which is the precision information of the first network element in a locked state.

[0072] For example, the accuracy information may include real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element. The real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element indicates the state of maximum real-time phase accuracy of the first network element in a holdover state. The real-time phase accuracy peak value of the first network element may also be called the real-time accuracy peak information of the first network element. It should be understood that the real-time accuracy peak information of the first network element may further indicate the maximum real-time accuracy of the first network element in a holdover state. The real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element is for time-domain clock synchronization. In this case, the second network element may determine that the first network element is currently in a holdover state, and the secondary station may stop using the primary station's information in a locked state and perform time-domain clock synchronization by using the real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element, or it may perform time-domain clock synchronization with the second network element.

[0073] Alternatively, the accuracy information may include frequency accuracy information. The frequency accuracy information indicates the frequency deviation rate of the first network element, specifically the deviation rate between the time frequency value generated by the first network element using a time reference module and the standard frequency value of satellite time. The second network element performs frequency-domain clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on the accuracy information.

[0074] The status information may further include holdover capability information. The holdover capability information indicates the holdover capability of the first network element, and the capability information may be understood as the holdover capability of the first network element at a specific precision value.

[0075] For example, the holdover capability information may be the real-time or step accuracy of the clock of the first network element, the duration for which the first network element operates within a specific error range (e.g., a phase error range of 1 μs), or a combination of the above two cases.

[0076] In possible implementations, the holdover capability information includes real-time precision or step precision. In other possible implementations, the holdover capability information may include the duration for which the first network element operates within a first error range. The first error may be an agreed-upon error value, a default error value, or an error value set for the first network element. Alternatively, the first error may be a range of error variation from the error at which the first network element begins to switch to a holdover state to the error at which the first network element can only support the last service, in other words, the maximum error range that the first network element can support in a holdover state.

[0077] The second network element performs clock synchronization with either the first or second network element based on holdover capability information and accuracy information. The holdover capability information is the real-time or step accuracy of the first network element's clock. Specifically, the second network element selects the network element with the better holdover capability between the first and second network elements based on real-time or step accuracy, and performs clock synchronization with that network element. This helps improve the clock synchronization effect.

[0078] Furthermore, where possible, the second network element may further determine the holdover capability of the first network element based on holdover capability information, and as a result, the second network element may adjust service placement based on the holdover capability information. Specifically, if the holdover capability information is the real-time or step-precision of the clock of the first network element, the second network element determines the current precision state of the second network element based on the real-time or step-precision and adjusts the service type based on the current precision state of the second network element. For example, if the current precision is a first value, and the first value satisfies a high-bandwidth service in the second network element's existing services, the second network element continues to use the clock of the first network element as the clock for the high-bandwidth service. In other words, the second network element achieves clock synchronization via the current first network element. A high-bandwidth service is a service whose occupied bandwidth exceeds a bandwidth threshold. The bandwidth threshold may be adjusted based on a particular implementation scheme, which is not limited in this application. If the current precision is the second value, and the second value can only satisfy voice services, and the second network element has high-bandwidth services, the second network element may choose to transfer the high-bandwidth services to another second network element. Alternatively, the second network element may choose to stop using the first network element to perform clock synchronization. Specifically, the second network element may choose to perform clock synchronization with another second network element. In this case, this method may prevent a decrease in quality of service due to reduced clock synchronization precision. Therefore, the quality of service of the communication system is improved.

[0079] The state information may further include holdover duration information. The holdover duration information indicates the duration for which the first network element operates within a second error range, the second error range being service-related. In other words, the second error is an acceptable error for a particular type of service, and the acceptable errors may differ for different services. It can be understood that the value of the second error is smaller than the value of the first error. In other words, the acceptable holdover duration for different services is within the maximum error range that the first network element can support in the holdover state. For example, the holdover duration information is 24 hours. In this case, when the time exceeds 24 hours, the primary station switches from the holdover state to a free-running state or to another state. The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on the holdover duration information and accuracy information. Where possible, the second network element may determine the duration that the first network element can maintain in a holdover state, and the second network element may transition between the first network elements during the holdover duration, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the clock used by the service. Furthermore, the second network element may select a network element that can accommodate more modes or frequency bands of the satellite receiver. Thus, a network element of better quality is provided for clock synchronization, ultimately improving the clock synchronization effect. The second network element may also perform clock synchronization by selecting a network element with a longer holdover duration based on different service requirements and holdover duration information. This helps to improve the clock synchronization effect.

[0080] The status information may further include clock reference source type information. The clock reference source type information includes parameters of the clock reference source adapted to the first network element.

[0081] In possible implementations, the clock reference source type information includes one or more of the following: the mode of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element, or the frequency band of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element. For example, the clock reference source type information may include the mode of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element. The mode of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element is one or more of GPS, BDS, GALILEO, GLONASS, and QZSS. In other examples, the clock reference source type information may include the frequency band of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element. The frequency band of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element is one or more of L1CA, B1I, B1C, G2, and L5. Alternatively, the clock reference source type information may be other performance parameters of the first network element, which are not listed one by one in this application. It should be understood that the clock reference source type information may be one or more of those described above. For example, the clock reference source type information may be the mode of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element, the frequency band of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element, or it may include both the mode of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element and the frequency band of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element.

[0082] The second network element may perform clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on clock reference source type information and precision information. The second network element may determine the performance of the time reference module currently used by the first network element based on the clock reference source type information to determine whether or not to migrate between the first network elements. If the clock reference source type information includes both the mode of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element and the frequency band of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element, it can be understood that the second network element may consider whether or not to migrate between the first network elements by referring to the mode of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element and the frequency band of the satellite receiver adapted to the first network element.

[0083] The state information may further include local source type information. The local source type information indicates the type of local oscillator of the first network element, for example, an atomic clock or a crystal source. For example, the local source type could be an OCXO 2 / 3E crystal oscillator, a rubidium-type atomic clock, or a cesium-type atomic clock. It can be understood that different types of local sources have different stabilities and different accuracy.

[0084] The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on local source type information and accuracy information. The second network element may determine the performance of the current local source of the first network element based on the local source type and decide whether to migrate to a network element with a local source that has better performance based on the requirements of the current access network device, for example, whether to use the local source of the second network element to perform clock synchronization. For example, if the current local source type of the first network element is a crystal source and the local source used by the second network element is an atomic clock, the second network element decides to use its local source to achieve clock synchronization. Atomic clocks are superior to crystal sources in terms of stability and accuracy. Therefore, if the second network element uses a network element whose local source type is an atomic clock, the performance of the resulting clock synchronization is ensured, and the duration and accuracy of the clock synchronization are further ensured. Ultimately, the clock synchronization effect is ensured.

[0085] The method shown in Figure 4 is also applicable to scenarios where multiple network elements transmit the state information of each of the multiple network elements to a second network element. Based on the state information of the multiple network elements, the second network element either selects a first network element and performs clock synchronization with the first network element, or selects a second network element and performs clock synchronization with the second network element. The first network element is one of multiple network elements, and the multiple network elements are network elements whose functions match those of the first network element. When the second network element selects a first network element and performs clock synchronization with the first network element, it should be understood that the second network element selects the first network element from the multiple network elements based on the state information.

[0086] The inclusion of clock reference source type information in the status information is used as an example of a scenario where multiple network elements all transmit their respective status information to a second network element. The second network element compares the multiple network elements based on the clock reference source type information and selects the first network element that is suited to most modes of satellite receivers and / or the first network element that is suited to most types of satellite receiver frequency bands, and performs clock synchronization with the first network element. For example, if among the multiple network elements, the satellite receiver modes of the other network elements other than the first network element are only suited to GPS, the second network element may select and use the first network element that supports GPS, BDS, GALILEO, GLONASS, and QZSS. In another example, if among the multiple network elements, the satellite receiver frequency band of the other network elements other than the first network element is only suited to L5, the second network element may select the first network element that supports L1CA, B1I, B1C, G2, and L5, and performs clock synchronization with the first network element. Ultimately, the second network element may improve clock synchronization performance by achieving clock synchronization through the first network element which has the best performance among the multiple network elements.

[0087] Similarly, if the state information includes local source type information, the second network element may select from multiple network elements and the second network element the network element whose local source type is an atomic clock. In other words, if the local source type of the first network element among multiple network elements is an atomic clock, the second network element selects the first network element to perform clock synchronization. If the local source type of only the second network element among multiple network elements is an atomic clock, the second network element no longer depends on other network elements to perform clock synchronization. In other words, the second network element performs clock synchronization with itself.

[0088] It should be understood that, in addition to accuracy information, state information may include one or more types of information. Therefore, after receiving state information, the second network element may decide whether to switch the first network element by referring to the accuracy information and one or more of the above information, whether to use the local source of the second network element, and whether to adjust the services currently provided by the second network element based on the characteristics of the network element selected by the second network element for clock synchronization. For example, the second network element may decide, based on the received state information of one or more different network elements, whether there is one or more different network elements of the first network element that has better quality, i.e., stronger holdover capability, longer holdover duration, a local source type that is an atomic clock, and supports more clock reference source types, and the first network element is selected to perform clock synchronization. Alternatively, if the second network element finds that the local source of the second network element is better than the local sources of one or more different first network elements, the second network element may select the second network element to perform clock synchronization.

[0089] Furthermore, if the state information includes at least two of the following: capability information, holdover duration information, clock reference source type information, and local source type information, the second network element may further perform clock synchronization with the first or second network element in accordance with the first rule. The first rule is the priority of different types of information in the state information. In other words, the second network element selects the information with the highest priority in the state information in accordance with the first rule, selects the first or second network element based on the information with the highest priority, and performs clock synchronization with the first or second network element. For example, if the state information received by the second network element includes capability information, holdover duration information, clock reference source type information, and local source type information, and in the state information, according to the first rule, the local source type, capability information, holdover duration information, and clock reference source type information are in descending order of priority, the second network element selects the network element with the best local source based on the local source type, and then performs clock synchronization with the selected network element with the best local source. In other words, if the local source type of the first network element is optimal, the second network element will perform clock synchronization with the first network element. If the local source type of the second network element is optimal, the second network element will perform clock synchronization with the second network element.

[0090] In short, the second network element performing clock synchronization with the first network element should be understood as the second network element being able to achieve clock synchronization via the first network element. In other words, the second network element may choose to use the first network element to perform clock synchronization. For example, the second network element performs clock synchronization by selecting a network element with stronger capability and better performance from the second network element and the first network element based on state information, one or more of the above-mentioned aspects, such as capability information, holdover duration, local source type, and clock reference source type. The second network element performing clock synchronization with the second network element should be understood as the second network element achieving clock synchronization by relying on the second network element's local source. The second network element performing clock synchronization with the second network element should be understood as the second network element being in a holdover state. Alternatively, the second network element obtaining clock information via its local source may be understood as the second network element not using the first network element to perform clock synchronization.

[0091] When the second network element fails to detect that the first network element has entered a holdover state, resulting in a clock synchronization error, the first network element may notify the second network element of its state information, allowing the second network element to adjust its clock synchronization based on the holdover state information, compared to the case where the second network element still performs clock synchronization according to the locked state policy. This embodiment, as shown in this application, helps to improve the performance of clock synchronization.

[0092] Referring to the method shown in Figure 4, Figure 5 shows another method for a time-domain clock synchronization scenario to which this application is applicable. As shown in Figure 5, for the primary station in Figure 5, refer to the description of the first network element in Figure 4. For the secondary station, refer to the description of the second network element in Figure 4. The method may include the following steps:

[0093] Step 501: The primary station receives satellite time information and / or pulse signals from the time reference module.

[0094] Step 502: The primary station switches from the locked state to the holdover state based on satellite time information and / or pulse signals.

[0095] For example, the primary station determines, based on satellite time information and / or pulse signals, that the time reference module is faulty. In this case, the primary station switches from the locked state to the holdover state.

[0096] For example, the pulse signal of the time reference module may be a 1 pulse per second (pps) signal of the time reference module, and the 1 pps signal of the time reference module may indicate the phase information of the time reference module over one second. Specifically, the pulse signal may be generated by a satellite card within the time reference module.

[0097] For example, satellite time information indicates the time information of a satellite. Specifically, satellite time information may be converted to UTC time.

[0098] Specifically, the primary station's local clock module generates the primary station's local pulse signal. The local pulse signal may be a pulse per second (pps) signal, and the primary station's local 1pps signal includes phase information from the primary station's local clock module. Furthermore, the local clock module may generate local time information. The local time information may indicate the primary station's local time. The primary station's comparator module may compare the primary station's local pulse signal with the pulse signal of the time reference module. If the phase difference between the two pulse signals exceeds a first threshold, the primary station's comparator module determines that the time reference module is faulty. Alternatively, the primary station's comparator module may compare the primary station's local time information with the satellite's satellite time information. If the difference between the two time information exceeds a second threshold, the comparator module determines that the time reference module is faulty. Alternatively, the primary station's comparator module may compare the primary station's local pulse signal with the pulse signal of the time reference module and compare the primary station's local time information with the satellite's satellite time information. If the phase difference between two pulse signals exceeds a first threshold and the difference between two time information exceeds a second threshold, the comparison module of the primary station determines that the time reference module is faulty. The first and second thresholds may be determined based on the actual application requirements, and this is not limited to this application. In other words, the primary station may determine that the time reference module is faulty based on the time information and / or pulse signals, and as a result, the primary station switches from a locked state to a holdover state.

[0099] Step 503: The primary station transmits status information to the secondary station.

[0100] In response, the secondary station receives status information from the primary station.

[0101] For this step, refer to the explanation of step 402 in Figure 4.

[0102] Status information includes accuracy information. For details on accuracy information, see the description of accuracy information in Figure 4. Accuracy information may also be known as Enhanced Accuracy Metrics (ENHANCED_ACCURACY_METRICS) information, Enhanced Accuracy Clock Quality (ENHANCED_ACCURACY_ClockQuality) information, or other names. Regardless of how the name is changed, status information may reflect the state of the clock synchronization service that the primary station can currently provide. Accuracy information includes real-time phase accuracy peak information for the primary station. For details on real-time phase accuracy peak information for the primary station, see the description of real-time phase accuracy peak information for the first network element in Figure 4. The real-time phase accuracy peak value for the primary station may also be called the primary station's real-time accuracy peak information (maxGmInAccuracy) or time interval (Time Interval).

[0103] The status information further includes at least one of the following: holdover capability information, holdover duration information, clock reference source type information, and local source type status information. For details regarding the status information, please refer to the explanation in Figure 4. Further details will not be explained again here.

[0104] For example, before this step, the secondary station sends a request message to the primary station. The request message carries a management value field, which may be the managementTLV. The request message is to ask the primary station to notify the secondary station of management information. The management information may be information about the primary station, such as status information and accuracy information. Thus, the primary station can notify the secondary station of status information.

[0105] The messages for transmitting status information are not limited in this application, and it should be understood that the names of the messages may be adaptively modified based on different usage scenarios.

[0106] It should be understood that status information may be transmitted using multiple messages or using a single message. This is not limited to this application.

[0107] Step 504: The secondary station performs clock synchronization with the primary or secondary station based on the accuracy information.

[0108] For this step, refer to the explanation of step 403 in Figure 4.

[0109] For example, a secondary station may adjust its clock synchronization behavior based on status information about the service.

[0110] For the beneficial effects of the method shown in Figure 5, please refer to the explanation in Figure 4. Further details will not be explained here.

[0111] Referring to the method shown in Figure 4, Figure 6 presents yet another method for a time-domain clock synchronization scenario to which this application is applicable. As shown in Figure 6, for the primary station in Figure 6, refer to the description of the first network element in Figure 4. For the secondary station, refer to the description of the second network element in Figure 4. The method in this embodiment shown in these drawings is applicable to a frequency-domain clock synchronization scenario. The method may include the following steps:

[0112] Step 601: The primary station receives satellite time information and / or pulse signals from the time reference module.

[0113] Step 602: The primary station switches from the locked state to the holdover state.

[0114] For steps 601 and 602, refer to the description of steps 501 and 502 in the above embodiment.

[0115] Step 603: The primary station transmits status information to the secondary station.

[0116] In response, the secondary station receives status information from the primary station.

[0117] For this step, refer to the explanation of step 402 in Figure 4.

[0118] The status information includes accuracy information, and the accuracy information includes frequency accuracy information. The frequency accuracy information indicates the frequency deviation rate of the primary station in a holdover state. In other words, the frequency accuracy information may indicate the deviation rate between the time frequency value generated by the primary station using a time reference module and the standard frequency value of satellite time. Specifically, the frequency accuracy information may be in parts per million (PPM). The deviation rate may also represent the accuracy of the clock information provided by the primary station to the secondary station. For details on frequency accuracy information, see the explanation of frequency accuracy information in Figure 4.

[0119] In possible implementations, the state information may include one or more of the following: holdover capability information, holdover duration information, clock reference source type information, and local source type. For details on holdover capability information, holdover duration information, clock reference source type information, and local source type information, please refer to the explanation in Figure 4. Further details will not be explained here.

[0120] Step 604: The secondary station performs clock synchronization with the primary or secondary station based on the accuracy information.

[0121] For example, if the status information includes frequency accuracy information, the secondary station may choose whether or not to continue using the primary station to perform clock synchronization. If the secondary station determines, based on the frequency accuracy information, that the current clock synchronization accuracy of the primary station cannot meet the secondary station's service requirements, the secondary station may stop using the primary station to perform clock synchronization and may choose to use its own local source to perform clock synchronization. If the secondary station is an access network device that supports frequency synchronization, for example, an access network using the Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) standard or an access network using the Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) standard, it should be understood that frequency accuracy information can provide better clock synchronization services in frequency synchronization scenarios, or when the secondary station provides extended bandwidth carrier aggregation services or some other services that have special requirements for the synchronization accuracy of the primary station. If, based on status information, the primary station is determined to be in a holdover state, the secondary station may stop tracking the primary station, in other words, stop clock synchronization, and as a result, the service may not be available to the user. In contrast, if the secondary station may dynamically adjust the service based on frequency accuracy information after obtaining the status information, and adjust the service time of the secondary station, instead of stopping to provide service to the user, this method can further improve the user experience.

[0122] For this step, please refer to the explanation of step 403 in Figure 4. Further details will not be explained here.

[0123] The method described in this embodiment can improve the clock synchronization performance in frequency domain clock synchronization scenarios, further improve the service performance of secondary stations, and further extend the service duration of secondary stations. For the beneficial effects of the method described in this embodiment, please refer to the explanation in Figure 5. Further details will not be described again here.

[0124] Accordingly, embodiments of this application further provide a communication device. The communication device may be a device including the functions of the first network element or primary station, or a second network element or secondary station, in embodiments of the above-described method, or a component having functions similar to those of the first network element or primary station, or a second network element or secondary station. To realize the above functions, it may be understood that the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules for performing the corresponding functions. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize, in combination with the example units and algorithmic steps described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification, that this application can be realized in hardware or in combination of hardware and computer software. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or by hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but the implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0125] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0126] The communication device includes a processing module 701, a receiving module 702, and a transmitting module 703. The processing module 701 is used by the communication device to process data. The receiving module 702 is configured to receive content between the communication device and other units or network elements. The transmitting module 703 is configured to transmit content between the communication device and other units or network elements. It should be understood that the processing module 701 in this embodiment of the application may be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component (or referred to as a processing circuit). The receiving module 702 may be implemented by a receiver or a receiver-related circuit component. The transmitting module 703 may be implemented by a transmitter or a transmitter-related circuit component.

[0127] For example, the communication device may be a communication device, a chip used in a communication device, or other combined devices or components that have the functionality of a communication device.

[0128] For example, the communication device may be the first network element or primary station in any one of Figures 4 to 6, or it may be the second network element or secondary station in any one of Figures 4 to 6.

[0129] When the communication device is the first network element or primary station, the processing module 701 is configured to switch from a locked state to a holdover state (for example, step 401 in Figure 4, step 502 in Figure 5, and step 602 in Figure 6). The transmitting module 703 is configured to transmit state information to the second network element. The state information includes accuracy information of the first network element in the holdover state (for example, step 402 in Figure 4, step 503 in Figure 5, and step 603 in Figure 6).

[0130] Furthermore, each module may be further configured to support other processes of the technical solution related to the first network element or primary station in Figures 4-6 of this specification. See the above description for beneficial effects. Further details will not be discussed again here.

[0131] When the communication device is a second network element or secondary station, the receiving module 702 is configured to receive state information from the first network element. The state information includes precision information of the first network element in a holdover state (e.g., step 402 in Figure 4, step 503 in Figure 5, and step 603 in Figure 6). The processing module 701 is configured to perform clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on the precision information (e.g., step 403 in Figure 4, step 504 in Figure 5, and step 604 in Figure 6).

[0132] Furthermore, each module may be further configured to support other processes of the technical solution related to the second network element or secondary station in Figures 4-6 of this specification. See the above description for beneficial effects. Further details will not be discussed again here.

[0133] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device includes a processor 801, a communication interface 802, and memory 803. The processor 801, the communication interface 802, and the memory 803 may be connected to each other via a bus 804. The bus 804 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus, an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus 804 may be classified as an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, the bus is represented using only one line in Figure 8, but this does not indicate that only one bus or one type of bus exists. The processor 801 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of CPU and NP. The processor may further include hardware chips. The hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or a combination thereof. The memory 803 may be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory.Non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM) and may be used as an external cache.

[0134] For example, the communication device may be the first network element or primary station in any one of Figures 4 to 6, or it may be the second network element or secondary station in any one of Figures 4 to 6.

[0135] The processor 801 is configured to perform data processing operations of the communication device. The communication interface 802 is configured to perform receiving and transmitting operations of the communication device.

[0136] When the communication device is the first network element or primary station, the communication interface 802 is configured to transmit state information to the second network element. The state information includes precision information of the first network element in the holdover state (e.g., step 402 in Figure 4, step 503 in Figure 5, and step 603 in Figure 6). The processor 801 is configured to switch from the locked state to the holdover state (e.g., step 401 in Figure 4, step 502 in Figure 5, and step 602 in Figure 6). Furthermore, each module may be further configured to support other processes of the technical solution relating to the first network element or primary station in Figures 4 to 6 of this specification. See the above description for beneficial effects. Further details are not described again here.

[0137] When the communication device is a second network element or secondary station, the communication interface 802 is configured to receive state information from the first network element. The state information includes precision information of the first network element in a holdover state (e.g., step 402 in Figure 4, step 503 in Figure 5, and step 603 in Figure 6). The processor 801 is configured to perform clock synchronization with the first or second network element based on the precision information (e.g., step 403 in Figure 4, step 504 in Figure 5, and step 604 in Figure 6). Furthermore, each module may be further configured to support other processes of the technical solution relating to the second network element or secondary station in Figures 4 to 6 of this specification. See the above description for beneficial effects. Details will not be described again here.

[0138] Embodiments of this application provide a communication system. The communication system includes the first network element and the second network element described above, or includes the primary station and the secondary station described above. The first network element or primary station performs a method performed by the first network element or primary station in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 6. The second network element or secondary station performs a method performed by the second network element or secondary station in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 6.

[0139] Embodiments of this application further provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer may implement a technical solution relating to a first network element or primary station, or a second network element or secondary station, in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 6 of the embodiments of the above-described method, or the computer may implement a technical solution relating to a first network element or primary station, or a second network element or secondary station, in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 6 of the embodiments of the above-described method.

[0140] Embodiments of this application further provide a computer program product. The computer program product is configured to store a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer may implement a procedure relating to a first network element or primary station or a second network element or secondary station in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 6 of the embodiments of the above method, or the computer may implement a technical solution relating to a first network element or primary station or a second network element or secondary station in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 4 to 6 of the embodiments of the above method.

[0141] This application further provides a chip including a processor. The processor is configured to read a computer program stored in memory, execute the computer program, and perform the corresponding operation and / or procedure of a first network element or primary station, or a second network element or secondary station, in the manner provided in this application. Optionally, the chip further includes memory. The memory and processor are connected to the memory via circuitry or wiring, and the processor is configured to read a computer program in memory and execute the computer program. Optionally, the memory may be, as an alternative, a storage device independent of the chip. Optionally, the chip further includes a communication interface, and the processor is connected to the communication interface. The communication interface is configured to receive processed data and / or information. The processor retrieves data and / or information from the communication interface and processes the data and / or information. The communication interface may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, associated circuit, etc., on the chip. The processor may, as an alternative, be embodied as a processing circuit or logic circuit.

[0142] The chip may be replaced with a chip system as an alternative. Further details will not be provided here.

[0143] In this application, the terms “includes,” “having,” and any other variation thereof mean to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product or device including a list of steps or units is not necessarily limited to these steps or units and may include other steps or units not expressly listed or specific to such process, method, system, product or device.

[0144] Those skilled in the art will recognize, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification, that units and algorithmic steps may be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the functions described for each specific application, but the implementation methods should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0145] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand, for the sake of convenience and concise explanation, that the detailed operating processes of the above systems, apparatuses and units can be described by referring to the corresponding processes in the embodiments of the above methods, and further details will not be described here.

[0146] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the embodiments of the apparatus described are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical functional division, and other divisions may be used in actual implementations. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into other systems, or some features may be ignored or not performed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling, direct coupling or communication connection indicated or discussed may be implemented by using some interfaces. Indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be implemented in electronic, mechanical or other forms.

[0147] Units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected on a practical basis to achieve the objectives of the solution in this embodiment.

[0148] Furthermore, the functional units in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically independently, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit.

[0149] When a function is implemented in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, the function may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, or a portion of the technical solution that contributes to the prior art, may be implemented in the form of a software product. A computer software product is stored on a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of this application. The storage medium includes any medium capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0150] Furthermore, terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., in this specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are intended to distinguish between different objects, but not to describe a particular order. Additionally, terms such as “includes” and “has,” and any other variation thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device comprising a set of steps or units is not limited to the enumerated steps or units, but may optionally further include other unenumerated steps or units, or other inherent steps or units of the process, method, product, or device.

[0151] While this application is described with reference to its specific features and embodiments, it is evident that various modifications and combinations may be made to this application without departing from its intent and scope. Correspondingly, the specification and accompanying drawings are merely illustrative descriptions of this application as defined in the accompanying claims and are considered to be any or all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents that cover the scope of this application. Clearly, a person skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from its intent and scope. Thus, this application is intended to cover these modifications and variations of this application, provided that they fall within the scope of protection defined in the following claims and their equivalent art.

[0152] The above description merely outlines a specific mode of implementation of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modification or substitution that is readily conceivable to a person skilled in the art within the scope of the art disclosed in this application shall fall within the scope of protection of this application. Accordingly, the scope of protection of this application shall be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting accuracy information, The first network element performs a step of switching from a locked state to a holdover state, The first network element transmits state information to a second network element, wherein the state information includes accuracy information of the first network element in the holdover state and holdover capability information of the first network element, and the holdover capability information is used by the second network element to transfer the service of the second network element to another network element if the accuracy determined based on the holdover capability information does not match the service of the second network element. A method that includes this.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the accuracy information includes real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element, and the real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element indicates the maximum real-time phase accuracy of the first network element in the holdover state.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the accuracy information includes frequency accuracy information, and the frequency accuracy information indicates the frequency deviation rate of the first network element in the holdover state.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the holdover capability information includes the duration for which the first network element operates within a first error range.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the state information further includes holdover duration information for the first network element, the holdover duration information indicates the duration for which the first network element operates within a second error range, and the second error range is related to a service.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the state information further includes local source type information, and the local source type information indicates the type of local oscillator of the first network element.

7. A method for receiving accuracy information, The steps include: a second network element receiving state information from a first network element, wherein the state information includes accuracy information of the first network element in a holdover state and holdover capability information of the first network element; The second network element performs clock synchronization with the first network element based on the accuracy information, If the accuracy determined based on the holdover capability information does not match the service of the second network element, the steps include: transferring the service of the second network element to another network element; A method that includes this.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the accuracy information includes real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element, and the real-time phase accuracy peak information of the first network element indicates the maximum real-time phase accuracy of the first network element in the holdover state.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of stopping the use of the first information by the second network element, wherein the first information is precision information of the first network element in a locked state.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the accuracy information includes frequency accuracy information, and the frequency accuracy information indicates the frequency deviation rate of the first network element in the holdover state.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the holdover capability information includes the duration for which the first network element operates within a first error range.

12. The state information further includes holdover duration information for the first network element, the holdover duration information indicating the duration for which the first network element operates within a second error range, the second error range being related to the service. The step of performing clock synchronization with the first network element based on the accuracy information using the second network element is: The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, comprising the step of performing clock synchronization with the first network element based on the holdover duration information and the accuracy information using the second network element.

13. The state information further includes local source type information, the local source type information indicates the type of local oscillator of the first network element, The step of performing clock synchronization with the first network element based on the accuracy information using the second network element is: The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, comprising the step of performing clock synchronization with the first network element based on the local source type information and the accuracy information using the second network element.

14. A communication device including a processor, A communication device wherein the processor is configured to read a program from memory, execute the program, and implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or any one of claims 7 to 10.

15. A communication system comprising a first network element and a second network element, A communication system in which the first network element performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and the second network element performs the method according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

16. A computer-readable storage medium, A computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, enables a processor to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or the method according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

17. A computer program that includes instructions, A computer program in which, when the instruction is executed on a computer, the computer is capable of executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or the method according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

18. A communication device configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or the method according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

19. A chip including a processor and interface circuits, A chip in which the interface circuit is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or any one of claims 7 to 10.

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