Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication device. The method comprises: a first network element acquires at least one piece of first information, the at least one piece of first information being used for indicating an internal error of at least one communication device in a communication device group; the first network element determines at least one time synchronization error budget on the basis of the at least one piece of first information, the at least one time synchronization error budget comprising a time synchronization error budget between a first communication device and each communication device among the at least one communication device, and the first communication device being a communication device in the communication device group for providing clock synchronization information; and the first network element sends the at least one time synchronization error budget to the first communication device. A clock synchronization error can be reduced, and the clock synchronization precision is improved.

Description

Communication method and communication device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on June 13, 2023, with application number 202310698574.X and application name “Communication Method and Communication Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Art

[0003] The Industrial Internet enables digital, networked, and intelligent industrial production by comprehensively connecting people, machines, objects, and systems. To support the Industrial Internet, the convergence of mobile communication networks and time-sensitive networking (TSN) has been proposed to achieve wireless industrial networks. Wireless industrial networks can address the challenges of wired industrial technologies, such as poor mobility, inflexible networking, difficult deployment in specialized environments, and high costs.

[0004] However, in industrial production, each device needs to be precisely controlled and work closely together without collision, which places strict requirements on clock synchronization between devices. How to ensure the accuracy of clock synchronization between devices through mobile communication networks is the focus of current research.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and a communication device, which can reduce clock synchronization errors and improve clock synchronization accuracy.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first network element. The first network element can be a communication device, such as a core network element or an access network device, or the first network element can also be configured in a communication device, such as a device in a communication device (such as a chip, a chip system or a processor).

[0008] The method includes: a first network element obtaining at least one first information indicating an internal error of at least one communication device; determining, by the first network element, at least one time synchronization error budget based on the at least one first information, the at least one time synchronization error budget being a time synchronization error budget between a first communication device and each of the at least one communication device, the first communication device being a communication device in the communication device group that provides clock synchronization information; and transmitting, by the first network element, the at least one time synchronization error budget to the first communication device.

[0009] In this solution, the at least one time synchronization error budget is used by the first communication device to determine clock synchronization information. The first network element determines a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and the communication devices in the communication device group based on internal errors of the communication devices in the communication device group, and provides the budget to the first communication device. This allows the first communication device to obtain a more accurate time synchronization error budget, thereby determining the clock synchronization information provided to the communication devices in the communication device group, thereby improving clock synchronization accuracy and reducing clock synchronization errors.

[0010] In one implementation, the first information indicates topology information of a set of devices corresponding to the communication device.

[0011] Exemplarily, the topology information is used to indicate the number of hops for clock synchronization information transmission in the device set corresponding to the communication device. The first network element can obtain the clock transmission error between the device sets within the communication device by obtaining the number of hops for clock synchronization information transmission in the communication device.

[0012] In another implementation, the first information indicates an internal error of the communication device.

[0013] That is, the first information includes a clock error when the clock synchronization information is transmitted between the internal device sets of the communication equipment.

[0014] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first network element is a terminal, a core network element, or an application function network element for managing the communication device group; or, the first network element is a communication device in the communication device group.

[0015] In one implementation, the first network element may be a communication device outside the communication device group.

[0016] Exemplarily, the first network element may be a core network element, such as a TSCTSF network element, or the core network element may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element or a unified data management (UDM) function network element. This application is not limited to this. The first network element may also be an AF network element, or the first network element may be an administrator terminal that manages the communication device group.

[0017] In another implementation, the first network element may be a communication device in the communication device group, or each communication device in the communication device group may have the function of the first network element.

[0018] In certain implementations of the first aspect, the first information further includes one or more of the following information indicating the communication device:

[0019] Supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence levels, communication service quality, power supply information, or supported clock synchronization methods.

[0020] The access type supported by the communication device may be a 3GPP access mode and / or a non-3GPP access mode. The clock capability information of the communication device may include one or more of the following information:

[0021] Clock source information, clock quality level information (clock class), clock accuracy (clock accuracy), or clock frequency stability (frequency stability).

[0022] The clock synchronization error supported by the above-mentioned communication device may be a supported delay compensation capability (PDC) or a supported clock synchronization error value, which is used to indicate the clock synchronization error between two communication devices when the communication device provides clock synchronization reference information to other communication devices.

[0023] The clock synchronization mode supported by the above-mentioned communication device may refer to whether the communication device has the capability of delay correction or time offset correction. The specific mode may be any one of the following:

[0024] Whether PDC delay compensation is supported, whether the delay compensation algorithm is supported, whether the time-advanced-based (TA-based) algorithm is supported, or whether the round-trip time-based (RTT-based) algorithm is supported.

[0025] In the clock synchronization mode, the communication device that sends time synchronization information (i.e., the timing communication device) needs to determine the propagation delay compensation amount (or time offset compensation amount) of the time synchronization information. The communication devices in the communication device group need to send response information to the timing communication device after receiving the information sent by the timing communication device, so that the timing communication device can determine the propagation delay compensation amount (or time offset compensation amount) based on the response information from the communication device, thereby achieving time synchronization between the timing communication device and the timed communication device.

[0026] In some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network element determining the first communication device in the communication device group.

[0027] According to the above solution, the first network element can determine the first communication device in the communication device group as the communication device that provides clock synchronization information in the communication device group. The communication devices in the communication device group can achieve clock synchronization through direct communication (such as communication through a side link or other communication link). This solution does not require each communication device in the communication device group to have Uu interface (i.e., air interface, referred to as air interface) communication capability. The clock synchronization of the communication device group is achieved by communicating with the network device through the Uu interface. This solution can achieve clock synchronization of the communication device group through direct communication between the communication devices in the communication device group.

[0028] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first information is further used to indicate information about clock synchronization errors supported by the communication device. The first network element determining the first communication device in the communication device group includes: the first network element determining the first communication device based on second information and the at least one first information, wherein the second information is used to indicate a service error budget for the communication device group.

[0029] The service error budget may be an end-to-end clock synchronization service error budget, which may be determined by a third-party AF network element based on the clock synchronization error budget that needs to be met between communication devices. It may be viewed as a time synchronization service error budget that needs to be met for services between communication devices.

[0030] According to the above solution, the first network element can determine, based on one or more of a service error budget for a service of the communication device group, internal errors of the communication devices in the communication device group, and supported clock synchronization errors, a first communication device that can meet the service error budget as the communication device in the communication device group that provides clock synchronization information. This enables the communication devices in the communication device group to achieve clock synchronization that meets the service clock error budget through direct communication.

[0031] In certain implementations of the first aspect, the first network element determining the first communications device based on the second information and / or the at least one first information includes: the first network element determining a time synchronization error budget between communications devices in the communications device group based on the second information and internal errors of communications devices in the communications device group. The first network element determining the first communications device based on clock synchronization errors supported by communications devices in the communications device group and the time synchronization error budget between communications devices in the communications device group.

[0032] According to the above solution, the first network element can determine the time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group based on the service error budget and the internal errors of the communication devices in the communication device group. This is the error budget remaining from the service error budget after excluding the internal errors of the communication devices. The time synchronization error budget is the maximum error in clock synchronization information transmitted between the communication devices. Based on the clock synchronization errors supported by the communication devices and the time synchronization error budget between the communication devices, the first network element determines a first communication device that can meet the time synchronization error budget with each communication device. This enables clock synchronization between the communication devices in the communication device group to achieve clock synchronization that meets the service clock error budget through direct communication.

[0033] In certain implementations of the first aspect, a clock synchronization error supported by the first communication device is less than or equal to a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and any communication device in the group of communication devices other than the first communication device.

[0034] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network element sends fourth information to the first communication device, and the fourth information is used to instruct the first communication device to send clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group, that is, to instruct the first communication device to provide time to the communication devices in the communication device group.

[0035] In certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network element sending fifth information to communication devices other than the first communication device in the communication device group, where the fifth information is used to indicate reception of clock synchronization information from the first communication device.

[0036] According to the above scheme, after the first network element determines the first communication device that provides clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group, it notifies the communication devices in the communication device group so that the communication devices in the communication device group can reach a consensus on the communication device that provides clock synchronization information and achieve clock synchronization.

[0037] In certain implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network element sending third information to the plurality of communication devices, the third information being used to instruct establishment of the communication device group, wherein the communication device group includes the plurality of communication devices. The plurality of communication devices in the communication device group may be formed into a communication device group based on service requirements, and within the communication device group, the communication devices have the same service error budget.

[0038] According to the above solution, the first network element can notify multiple communication devices to establish a communication device group, thereby completing clock synchronization of the communication device group.

[0039] In certain implementations of the first aspect, the first network element receives third information from a second network element, the third information being used to indicate establishment of the communications device group. The first network element receives the first information from a communications device in the communications device group. When the first network element is a communications device in the communications device group, the first network element receives the first information from communications devices in the communications device group other than the first network element.

[0040] According to the above solution, the first network element can be a communication device in the communication device group. After the communication devices in the communication device group establish a communication device group, they obtain the first information of other communication devices in the communication device group, so as to determine the communication device that provides clock synchronization information.

[0041] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the first network element receiving second information from the second network element, where the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of the communication service of the communication device group.

[0042] In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the second network element is a terminal, a core network element, or an application function network element for managing the communication device group.

[0043] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The communication method can be executed by a communication device or by a device configured in the communication device (such as a chip, a chip system or a processor). The following is an example of a first communication device executing the method.

[0044] The method includes: a first communication device obtaining at least one time synchronization error budget, the at least one time synchronization error budget including a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and each communication device in at least one communication device in a communication device group, the at least one time synchronization error budget being determined based on at least one first information, the at least one first information being used to indicate an internal error of at least one communication device in the communication device group, the communication device group including the first communication device;

[0045] The first communication device sends clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the group of communication devices based on the at least one time synchronization error budget.

[0046] In certain implementations of the second aspect, the first information is used to indicate topology information of a set of devices corresponding to the communication device; or, the first information is used to indicate an internal error of the communication device.

[0047] In certain implementations of the second aspect, the first information is further used to indicate one or more of the following information of the communication device:

[0048] Supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence levels, communication service quality, power supply information, or supported clock synchronization methods.

[0049] The access type supported by the communication device may be a 3GPP access mode and / or a non-3GPP access mode. The clock capability information of the communication device may include one or more of the following information:

[0050] Clock source information, clock quality level information (clock class), clock accuracy (clock accuracy), or clock frequency stability (frequency stability).

[0051] The clock synchronization error supported by the above-mentioned communication device may be a supported delay compensation capability (PDC) or a supported clock synchronization error value, which is used to indicate the clock synchronization error between two communication devices when the communication device provides clock synchronization reference information to other communication devices.

[0052] The clock synchronization mode supported by the above-mentioned communication device may refer to whether the communication device has the capability of delay correction or time offset correction. The specific mode may be any one of the following:

[0053] Whether PDC delay compensation is supported, whether delay compensation algorithm is supported, whether TA (time-advanced)-based algorithm is supported, or whether RTT (round-trip time)-based algorithm is supported.

[0054] In the clock synchronization mode, the communication device that sends time synchronization information (i.e., the timing communication device) needs to determine the propagation delay compensation amount (or time offset compensation amount) of the time synchronization information. The communication devices in the communication device group need to send response information to the timing communication device after receiving the information sent by the timing communication device, so that the timing communication device can determine the propagation delay compensation amount (or time offset compensation amount) based on the response information from the communication device, thereby achieving time synchronization between the timing communication device and the timed communication device.

[0055] In certain implementations of the second aspect, the first communications device acquiring at least one time synchronization error budget includes:

[0056] The first communication device receives the at least one time synchronization error budget from a first network element.

[0057] In certain implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0058] The first communication device receives the at least one first information from the at least one communication device;

[0059] And, the first communication device obtains at least one time synchronization error budget, including:

[0060] The first communication device determines the at least one time synchronization error budget based on the at least one first information.

[0061] In certain implementations of the second aspect, the first information is further used to indicate information about clock synchronization errors supported by the communication device; and the method further includes:

[0062] The first communication device determines, based on second information and / or the at least one first information, that the first communication device is the communication device in the communication device group that provides clock synchronization information, wherein the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of the communication device group.

[0063] In certain implementations of the second aspect, the first communications device determining, based on the second information and / or the at least one first information, that the first communications device is a communications device in the communications device group that provides clock synchronization information includes:

[0064] determining, by the first communication device, a time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group based on the second information and internal errors of the communication devices in the communication device group;

[0065] The first communication device determines that the first communication device is the communication device in the communication device group that provides clock synchronization information based on clock synchronization errors supported by communication devices in the communication device group and / or a time synchronization error budget between communication devices in the communication device group.

[0066] In certain implementations of the second aspect, a clock synchronization error supported by the first communication device is less than or equal to a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and any communication device in the group of communication devices other than the first communication device.

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

[0068] The first communication device determines a method for sending clock synchronization information to each communication device in the communication device group based on a time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group, wherein the method for sending clock synchronization information is a multicast method or a unicast method.

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

[0070] The first communication device receives third information from the first network element, where the third information is used to instruct establishment of the communication device group.

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

[0072] The first communication device receives second information from a first network element, where the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of a communication service of the communication device group.

[0073] In certain implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes:

[0074] The first communication device receives sixth information from the first network element, where the sixth information is used to instruct one or more communication devices in the communication device group to leave the communication device group or join a second communication device group.

[0075] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided. In one design, the device may include a module corresponding to executing the method / operation / step / action described in the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect. The module may be implemented as a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software. In another design, the device includes: a processing unit configured to obtain at least one first information indicating an internal error of at least one communication device in a communication device group;

[0076] The processing unit is further configured to determine at least one time synchronization error budget based on the at least one first information, the at least one time synchronization error budget comprising a time synchronization error budget between a first communication device and each of the at least one communication device, the first communication device being a communication device in the group of communication devices configured to provide clock synchronization information;

[0077] A transceiver unit is configured to send the at least one time synchronization error budget to the first communication device.

[0078] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the first information is used to indicate topology information of a set of devices corresponding to the communication device; or, the first information is used to indicate an internal error of the communication device.

[0079] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the communication apparatus is a terminal, a core network element, or an application function network element for managing the communication device group; or, the communication apparatus is a communication device in the communication device group.

[0080] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the first information is further used to indicate one or more of the following information of the communication device:

[0081] Supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence levels, communication service quality, power supply information, or supported clock synchronization methods.

[0082] For the introduction of the above information, please refer to the relevant introduction in the previous article. For the sake of brevity, we will not repeat it here.

[0083] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the processing unit is further configured to determine the first communication device in the communication device group.

[0084] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the first information is also used to indicate information about clock synchronization errors supported by the communication device; the processing unit is specifically used to determine the first communication device based on the second information and the at least one first information, wherein the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of the communication device group.

[0085] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the processing unit is specifically configured to determine a time synchronization error budget between communication devices in the communication device group based on the second information and / or internal errors of communication devices in the communication device group;

[0086] The processing unit is specifically configured to determine the first communication device according to clock synchronization errors supported by communication devices in the communication device group and / or a time synchronization error budget between communication devices in the communication device group.

[0087] In certain implementations of the third aspect, a clock synchronization error supported by the first communication device is less than or equal to a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and any communication device in the communication device group other than the first communication device.

[0088] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to send fourth information to the first communication device, where the fourth information is configured to instruct the sending of clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group.

[0089] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to send fifth information to communication devices other than the first communication device in the communication device group, where the fifth information is configured to indicate reception of clock synchronization information from the first communication device.

[0090] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to send third information to the plurality of communication devices, where the third information is used to instruct establishment of the communication device group, where the communication device group includes the plurality of communication devices.

[0091] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive third information from a second network element, where the third information is used to instruct establishment of the communication device group;

[0092] The transceiver unit is further configured to receive the first information from a communication device other than the first network element in the communication device group.

[0093] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive second information from the second network element, where the second information is configured to indicate a service error budget of the communication service of the communication device group.

[0094] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the second network element is a terminal, a core network element, or an application function network element for managing the communication device group.

[0095] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the topology information includes the number of hops for transmitting clock synchronization information in a set of devices corresponding to the communication device.

[0096] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. In one design, the device may include a module corresponding to executing the method / operation / step / action described in the second aspect or any embodiment of the second aspect. The module may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. In another design, the device includes: a processing unit, configured to obtain at least one time synchronization error budget, the at least one time synchronization error budget including a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and each communication device in at least one communication device in a communication device group, the at least one time synchronization error budget being determined based on at least one first information, the at least one first information being used to indicate an internal error of at least one communication device in the communication device group, the communication device group including the first communication device;

[0097] The transceiver unit sends clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group according to the at least one time synchronization error budget.

[0098] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information is used to indicate topology information of a set of devices corresponding to the communication device; or, the first information is used to indicate an internal error of the communication device.

[0099] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information is further used to indicate one or more of the following information of the communication device:

[0100] Supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence levels, communication service quality, power supply information, or supported clock synchronization methods.

[0101] For the introduction of the above information, please refer to the relevant introduction in the previous article. For the sake of brevity, we will not repeat it here.

[0102] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is specifically configured to receive the at least one time synchronization error budget from the first network element.

[0103] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive the at least one first information from the at least one communication device;

[0104] The processing unit is specifically configured to determine the at least one time synchronization error budget according to the at least one first information.

[0105] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information is further used to indicate information about clock synchronization errors supported by the communication device;

[0106] The processing unit is further configured to determine, based on second information and the at least one first information, that the first communication device is a communication device in the communication device group that provides clock synchronization information, wherein the second information is used to indicate a service error budget of the communication device group.

[0107] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further configured to determine a time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group based on the second information and internal errors of the communication devices in the communication device group;

[0108] The processing unit is further specifically configured to determine that the first communication device is the communication device in the communication device group that provides clock synchronization information based on clock synchronization errors supported by the communication devices in the communication device group and a time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group.

[0109] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, a clock synchronization error supported by the first communication device is less than or equal to a time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and any one communication device in the communication device group other than the first communication device.

[0110] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further used to determine a manner in which the first communication device sends clock synchronization information to each communication device in the communication device group based on a time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group, wherein the manner in which the clock synchronization information is sent is a multicast manner or a unicast manner.

[0111] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to receive third information from the first network element, where the third information is used to instruct establishment of the communication device group.

[0112] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive second information from the first network element, where the second information is configured to indicate a service error budget of the communication service of the communication device group.

[0113] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to receive sixth information from the first network element, where the sixth information is used to instruct one or more communication devices in the communication device group to leave the communication device group or join a second communication device group.

[0114] In certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first network element is a terminal, a core network element, or an application function network element for managing the communication device group.

[0115] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory, the memory is configured to store instructions, and the processor is configured to execute the instructions in the memory to cause the communication device to implement the method of the first aspect or the second aspect, and any possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0116] Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory, which can be used to execute instructions in the memory to implement the method in the above-mentioned first aspect or second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect or second aspect.

[0117] Optionally, the communication device further comprises a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication interface can be a transceiver, a pin, a circuit, a bus, a module, or other types of communication interfaces, without limitation.

[0118] In one implementation, the communication apparatus is a communication device (such as a terminal or an access network device). When the communication apparatus is a communication device, the communication interface may be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0119] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in a communication device. When the communication device is a chip configured in a communication device, the communication interface may be an input / output interface.

[0120] Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0121] In a sixth aspect, a processor is provided, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal through the input circuit and transmit a signal through the output circuit, so that the processor executes the method of the first aspect or the second aspect, and any possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0122] In a specific implementation, the processor may be one or more chips, the input circuit may be an input pin, the output circuit may be an output pin, and the processing circuit may be a transistor, a gate circuit, a trigger, or various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit may be, for example, but not limited to, received and input by a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit may be, for example, but not limited to, output to and transmitted by a transmitter. The input circuit and the output circuit may be the same circuit, which functions as an input circuit and an output circuit at different times. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0123] In the seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes: a computer program (also referred to as code, or instructions), which, when executed, enables a computer to execute the method in the above-mentioned first aspect or second aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect or second aspect.

[0124] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (also referred to as code, or instructions) which, when run on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method in the above-mentioned first aspect or second aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect or second aspect.

[0125] In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising at least one communication device provided in the third aspect and at least one communication device provided in the fourth aspect.

[0126] It can be understood that for the beneficial effects of the features corresponding to the first aspect in the second to eighth aspects, please refer to the relevant description in the first aspect and no repetition will be given. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0127] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application;

[0128] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a clock synchronization method between terminals provided by the present application;

[0129] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of clock information transmission provided by the present application;

[0130] Figures 4 to 7 are respectively schematic flow charts of different communication methods provided by the present application;

[0131] FIG8 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0132] FIG9 is another schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0133] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0134] In the embodiments of this application, " / " can indicate that the objects associated with each other are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can mean A or B. "And / or" can be used to describe the existence of three relationships between the associated objects. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: A exists alone, A and B exists simultaneously, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural. To facilitate the description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the words "first" and "second" can be used to distinguish them in the embodiments of this application. The words "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or order of execution, and the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily mean different. In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. The use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete way to facilitate understanding. In the embodiments of the present application, at least one (kind) can also be described as one (kind) or multiple (kinds), and multiple (kinds) can be two (kinds), three (kinds), four (kinds) or more (kinds), and this application does not limit it.

[0135] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems, fifth-generation (5G) communication systems, etc. The communication method provided in the present application can also be applied to communication systems evolved after 5G, such as sixth-generation (6G) communication systems, future communication systems, or other communication systems. This application is not limited to this.

[0136] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 100 to which the present application can be applied. The communication system 100 may include at least one terminal. As shown in FIG1 , the communication system 100 includes a terminal 110, a terminal 111, a terminal 112, and a terminal 113. The terminals can communicate with each other using wireless resources. For example, the terminals can communicate with each other through a proximity-based service communication (interface) 5 (PC5) interface. The PC5 interface communication may also be referred to as a sidelink (SL) communication.

[0137] The terminal provided in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. The terminal can be widely used in various scenarios for communication. Such scenarios include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, perception terminal, integrated communication and perception terminal, or smart city, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, customer-premises equipment (CPE), smart point of sale (POS) machine, wearable device, vehicle, drone, helicopter, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, sensor, perception, or smart home device, etc. This application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the terminal.

[0138] For example, the terminals 110, 111, 112, and 113 shown in FIG1 may be terminals in an industrial scenario, such as terminals 111, 112, and 113 may be robots, robotic arms, or sensors, etc. Terminals 111, 112, and 113 may communicate with each other via wireless links, and achieve collaboration and complete collaborative tasks through information interaction. In one implementation, the communication system 100 may include a terminal 110, which may be a terminal for configuring, controlling, and / or managing terminals 111, 112, and 113 for communication. The terminal 110 may be referred to as a control terminal, a management terminal, or an administrator terminal. The terminal 110 may communicate directly with the other terminals shown in FIG1, such as through a side link between the terminals. Alternatively, the terminal 110 may communicate with the other terminals shown in FIG1 through signal forwarding by at least one device (such as a relay device, an access network device, etc.). This application is not limited to this. In another implementation, the terminal used to configure, control, and / or manage communication between terminal 111, terminal 112, and terminal 113 may be one of terminal 111, terminal 112, and terminal 113, and this application does not limit this. Terminal 111, terminal 112, and terminal 113 may achieve clock synchronization using the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, thereby improving the reliability of collaboration.

[0139] The communication system 100 may also include at least one access network device, such as the access network device 120 shown in FIG1 . Access network devices may be connected to each other via wired or wireless means. A terminal and an access network device may wirelessly communicate using wireless resources. For example, the terminal and the network device may communicate via a User Equipment-Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Access Network (UE-UTRAN, Uu) interface.

[0140] The access network device may be a base station, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation Node B (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, an access network device in an open radio access network (O-RAN or open RAN), a next-generation base station in a sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. Alternatively, the access network device may be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station, for example, a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a centralized unit control plane (CU-CP) module, or a centralized unit user plane (CU-UP) module. The access network device can be a macro base station (such as 110a in Figure 1), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 110b in Figure 1), or a relay node, a donor node, or a device that performs base station functions in D2D, V2X, or MTC communications. This application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form used by the access network device. Among them, the 5G system can also be called a new radio (NR) system.

[0141] The communication system 100 may also include a core network (CN), such as core network 130. The access network device 120 may be connected to the core network elements in the core network via wireless or wired connections. The core network may include, but is not limited to, multiple functional units such as access and mobility management function (AMF) network elements, session management function (SMF) network elements, user plane function (UPF) network elements, and unified data management function (UDM) network elements. The AMF network element is primarily responsible for services such as mobility management and access management, such as user location updates, user network registration, and user handover. The SMF network element is primarily responsible for session management, terminal device address management and allocation, dynamic host configuration protocol functions, and user plane function selection and control. It is primarily responsible for session management in mobile networks, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include allocating IP addresses to users and selecting the UPF that provides message forwarding functions. The UPF network element is primarily responsible for external connections to the data network (DN) and user plane data packet routing, packet filtering, and quality of service (QoS) control. The UDM is primarily responsible for storing subscription data, credentials, and subscriber permanent identifiers (SUPI) for subscribers on the network. This data can be used for authentication and authorization of terminal devices to access the operator's network.

[0142] The communication system 100 may further include an application function (AF) network element, which may provide business services to the terminal through the core network.

[0143] It should be understood that FIG1 is only a schematic diagram, and the communication system may further include other communication devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices.

[0144] To support the integration of mobile communication networks and TSN, the 5G network has added a time-sensitive communication (TSC) function. A network-side TSN translator (NW-TT) module is added to the user plane function (UPF) element of the core network, and a device-side TSN translator (DS-TT) module is added to the terminal side. The two converter modules connect the 5G network to the TSN network, realizing protocol conversion between 5G services and TSN services, making the 5G network a logical bridge for TSN. In addition, the core network control plane in the 5G network has also added a TSN clock synchronization function (TSCTSF) network element to provide clock synchronization services.

[0145] When a terminal needs to obtain clock information, it can send a clock synchronization request to the 5G network using existing technologies. The TSCTSF network element or the AMF network element activates the timing capability of the corresponding access network equipment based on the clock synchronization request to provide the terminal with 5G system (5GS) reference time information. If clock information is required between multiple terminals at the same time, and the clocks between these multiple terminals need to be synchronized within the error requirement range, the AF network element first initiates a request to the network, and the network determines the DS-TT port pair based on the identifiers of the multiple terminals.

[0146] For example, as shown in Figure 2, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 need to synchronize their clocks within the required error range. At this time, the AF network element first initiates a request to the network. The network determines the DS-TT1 port number of Terminal 1 and the DS-TT2 port number of Terminal 2 based on the identifiers of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

[0147] Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 can receive 5G clock information from gNB1 and gNB2, respectively, to obtain 5G clocks. The device connected to Terminal 1 sends a (generalized) Precision Time Protocol ((g)PTP) message in its clock domain to Terminal 1. Upon receiving the (g)PTP message, the DS-TT1 module on Terminal 1 inserts a timestamp t1 into the (g)PTP message using Terminal 1's 5G time. The (g)PTP message is then transmitted to Terminal 2 via the 5G network. Upon receiving the (g)PTP message, the DS-TT2 module on Terminal 2 adds a timestamp t2 using Terminal 2's 5G time. Therefore, the time difference between t2 and t1, t2-t1, is the time elapsed for the (g)PTP message within the 5G clock domain. The DS-TT2 module can use the clock domain ratio carried in the (g)PTP message (i.e., the ratio of the 5G clock domain to the clock domain of the device connected to Terminal 1 (i.e., the external TSN clock domain)) to convert the time difference t2-t1 into the transfer time corresponding to the clock domain of the device connected to Terminal 1. The DS-TT2 module can use the message sending time carried in the (g)PTP message and the converted transfer time to obtain the TSN clock domain synchronization time of the DS-TT2 module and transmit it to the connected TSN device.

[0148] In the clock synchronization method shown in Figure 2, each terminal needs to obtain 5G clock information through the Uu interface, and then synchronize the clocks between the devices connected to the terminal by transmitting (g)PTP messages. This method requires the terminal to have the communication capability of the Uu interface. In addition, after obtaining the clock information, the terminal needs to transmit the clock information to the device connected to the terminal. Since the terminal may be connected to multiple devices, the clock information may also need to be transmitted through multiple hops to reach the target device. For example, as shown in Figure 3, in an industrial scenario, terminal 1 and terminal 2 are two robotic arms. The device 10 of terminal 1 and the device 20 of terminal 2 can communicate through a wireless link and realize operational task collaboration through information exchange. Task collaboration requires high clock synchronization accuracy. Device 10 of terminal 1 sends a (g)PTP message to terminal 2 through the 5G network. After terminal 2 receives the (g)PTP message through device 20 and determines the clock information of the device's clock domain, the clock information needs to be transmitted to device 26 through multiple hops from device 21 to device 25. There is a transmission delay in the transmission of clock information, which makes the clock information obtained by device 26 have errors and may not meet the clock synchronization error requirements of the business. For example, in this example, the clock synchronization error does not meet the business requirements and may cause production safety problems.

[0149] The present application proposes that multiple communication devices requiring clock synchronization be grouped as a communication device group, with one communication device in the communication device group providing clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group to achieve clock synchronization of the communication device group. A first network element may determine, based on internal errors of the communication devices in the communication device group, an actual time synchronization error budget between the communication devices in the communication device group and a first communication device (the first communication device may be referred to as a clock synchronization communication device) for which the communication devices in the communication device group provide clock synchronization information, and provide the budget to the first communication device. The actual time synchronization error budget between the communication devices refers to the remaining time synchronization error budget between the communication devices after the service error budget deducts the internal errors of the communication devices. In the example shown in FIG3 , when terminal 1 provides clock synchronization information to terminal 2, the first network element may determine, based on the internal error of terminal 2, the actual time synchronization error budget between terminal 1 and terminal 2 after the service error budget deducts the internal error of terminal 2, i.e., the time synchronization error budget when device 10 transmits clock synchronization information to device 20. The time synchronization error when device 10 transmits clock synchronization information to device 20 needs to be less than or equal to the time synchronization error budget to meet the service error budget requirement. This enables the first communication device to obtain an accurate time synchronization error budget, thereby improving clock synchronization accuracy and reducing clock synchronization errors. Furthermore, the solution provided by this application enables clock synchronization to be achieved through direct communication (e.g., via a sidelink or other communication link) between communication devices in a communication device group, without requiring each communication device in the communication device group to have Uu interface communication capabilities.

[0150] FIG4 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 400 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method 400 includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0151] S401: A first network element obtains at least one first information, where the at least one first information is used to indicate an internal error of at least one communication device in a communication device group.

[0152] Each communication device in the communication device group corresponds to a device set. After a communication device obtains clock synchronization information, there is a delay in transmitting the clock synchronization information to the devices in the device set. The first information may indicate an internal error in the transmission of the clock synchronization information between devices within the communication device.

[0153] In one embodiment, the first information includes an internal error of the communication device, that is, the first information includes an error in the transmission of clock synchronization information between a set of internal devices of the communication device.

[0154] In another implementation, the first information may include topology information of a device set corresponding to the communication device.

[0155] The topology information is used to indicate the number of hops for clock synchronization information transmission in the corresponding device set. The first network element can obtain the clock transmission error between the device sets within the communication device by obtaining the number of hops for clock synchronization information transmission.

[0156] In one example, the topology information may include the hop count.

[0157] In another example, the topology information may indicate information used to determine the number of hops. For example, the topology information may indicate the device type of the corresponding communication device. The number of devices included in the device set corresponding to the communication device may be determined based on the device type, thereby determining the number of hops for clock synchronization information transmission. However, the present application is not limited to this.

[0158] The first network element obtains at least one first information from at least one communication device in the communication device group in S401, so that the first network element can determine the time synchronization error budget between the communication device in the communication device group and the first communication device providing clock synchronization information based on the at least one first information in S402.

[0159] As an example and not limitation, the first network element is a core network element, an application function network element, or a terminal for managing a communication device group, or the first network element may be a communication device in the communication device group.

[0160] In one implementation, the first network element may be a communication device outside the communication device group.

[0161] For example, the first network element may be a communication device for configuring, controlling, or managing a communication device group. The first network element may be an administrator terminal, and reference may be made to the embodiment shown in FIG5 below. Alternatively, the first network element may be an AF network element. Alternatively, the first network element may be a core network element, such as a TSCTSF network element, or an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element or a unified data management (UDM) function network element. This application does not limit this.

[0162] In another embodiment, the first network element may be a communication device in the communication device group. Alternatively, each communication device in the communication device group may have the function of the first network element, that is, the first network element may be any communication device in the communication device group. For example, reference may be made to the embodiment shown in FIG6 below.

[0163] The first network element acquiring the at least one first information may include but is not limited to one or more of the following two implementations:

[0164] In one embodiment, the first network element obtains at least one first information, including: the first network element obtains the at least one first information from the second network element.

[0165] For example, each of the at least one communication device may send first information indicating an internal error of the communication device to the first network element. After obtaining the at least one first information, the second network element sends the at least one first information to the first network element, so that the first network element obtains the at least one first information from the second network element. Exemplarily, the first network element may be a core network element or an AF network element, and the second network element may be an administrator terminal. Alternatively, the first network element may be an administrator terminal, and the second network element may be a core network element or an AF network element. Alternatively, the first network element and the second network element may be a core network element and an AF network element, respectively. This application is not limited to this.

[0166] In another embodiment, the first network element obtaining at least one first information includes: the first network element receiving the at least one first information from at least one communication device in the communication device group. In other words, each of the at least one communication device may send first information indicating an internal error of the communication device to the first network element, and the first network element correspondingly receives the first information from each of the at least one communication device to obtain the at least one first information.

[0167] In one embodiment, the communication device includes a device set corresponding to the communication device, and one device set includes one or more devices.

[0168] For example, one of the communication devices in the communication device group may be a robotic arm as shown in FIG3 , such as terminal 2. The device set corresponding to terminal 2 includes devices 20 to 26. The number of hops for transmitting clock synchronization information in the device set is 6, and the topology information of terminal 2 is used to indicate that the number of hops corresponding to the device set is 6. In the example shown in FIG3 , the first network element may obtain the first information of terminal 1 and terminal 2, determine the number of hops for transmitting clock synchronization information in the device sets corresponding to terminal 1 and terminal 2, respectively, and thereby determine, in S402, the terminal that provides clock synchronization information in terminal 1 and terminal 2 based on the service requirements and the possible transmission delay of the clock synchronization information.

[0169] Optionally, the first information further includes information indicating one or more of the following capabilities of the communication device:

[0170] Supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence levels, communication service quality, power supply information, or supported clock synchronization methods.

[0171] In addition to indicating an internal error of the communication device, the first information may also include capability information of the communication device. Based on the capabilities of the communication devices in the communication device group and the corresponding topology information of the communication devices, the first network element may determine a timing communication device in the communication device group that meets the service requirements, thereby reducing clock synchronization errors and improving clock synchronization accuracy.

[0172] The access type supported by the communication device may be a 3GPP access mode and / or a non-3GPP access mode. The clock capability information of the communication device may include one or more of the following information:

[0173] Clock source information, clock quality level information (clock class), clock accuracy (clock accuracy), or clock frequency stability (frequency stability).

[0174] The clock synchronization error supported by the above-mentioned communication device may be a supported delay compensation capability (PDC) or a supported clock synchronization error value, which is used to indicate the clock synchronization error between two communication devices when the communication device provides clock synchronization reference information to other communication devices.

[0175] The clock synchronization mode supported by the above-mentioned communication device may refer to whether the communication device has the capability of delay correction or time offset correction. The specific mode may be any one of the following:

[0176] Whether PDC delay compensation is supported, whether the delay compensation algorithm is supported, whether the time-advanced-based (TA-based) algorithm is supported, or whether the round-trip time-based (RTT-based) algorithm is supported.

[0177] In the clock synchronization mode, the communication device that sends time synchronization information (i.e., the timing communication device) needs to determine the propagation delay compensation amount (or time offset compensation amount) of the time synchronization information. The communication devices in the communication device group need to send response information to the timing communication device after receiving the information sent by the timing communication device, so that the timing communication device can determine the propagation delay compensation amount (or time offset compensation amount) based on the response information from the communication device, thereby achieving time synchronization between the timing communication device and the timed communication device.

[0178] S402: The first network element determines at least one time synchronization error budget between the at least one communication device and a first communication device based on at least one first information. The first communication device is a communication device in the communication device group that is used to provide clock synchronization information.

[0179] Before the first network element determines at least one time synchronization error budget between the at least one communication device and the first communication device based on at least one first information, the first network element determines a first communication device in the communication device group for providing clock synchronization information based on the at least one first information.

[0180] In one embodiment, the first information further includes information indicating a clock synchronization error supported by the communication device. The first network element determines a first communication device in the communication device group based on the first information about the communication devices in the communication device group, including: the first network element determines the first communication device based on the second information, at least one first information, and the clock synchronization error supported by the communication devices in the communication device group. The second information indicates a service error budget for a communication service of the communication device group.

[0181] The clock synchronization error supported by a communication device refers to the minimum timing error or clock synchronization error that the communication device can support when providing clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group. The clock synchronization error supported by the communication device can also be referred to as the timing accuracy supported by the communication device. The smaller the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device, the higher the timing accuracy supported by the communication device. The clock synchronization error supported by the communication device can be used to characterize the timing capability of the communication device. The smaller the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device, the stronger the timing capability of the communication device. The clock synchronization error supported by a communication device is related to the processing capability of the communication device, such as the software and / or hardware processing capability of the communication device. The first information can directly indicate the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device, or the first information can indirectly indicate the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device by indicating the processing capability of the communication device. The first network element can obtain the first information of the communication device to determine the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device.

[0182] The service error budget for a communication service of a communication device group refers to the maximum allowable clock error for the communication service between the communication devices in the group. For example, if the communication service of the communication device group is a communication service for the communication device group to perform information exchange in an industrial production collaboration task, the service error budget may be the maximum value of the clock synchronization error between the communication devices to ensure the orderly progress of the production collaboration task (e.g., to ensure production safety). However, the present application is not limited to this.

[0183] The first network element can determine the possible transmission error of clock synchronization information transmitted between communication devices in the communication device group based on the first information. The first network element then determines the first communication device based on the capabilities of the communication device, such as the clock synchronization error supported by the communication device. The first communication device provides clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group, which can ensure that the clock synchronization error of the communication device group is within the service error budget.

[0184] Exemplarily, the first network element may determine the first communication device based on one or more of the second information, the first information, and clock synchronization errors supported by communication devices in the communication device group. Specifically, the first network element may determine the time synchronization error budget between communication devices in the communication device group based on the second information and the first information corresponding to the communication devices in the communication device group. The first network element may determine the first communication device based on the clock synchronization errors supported by the communication devices in the communication device group and the time synchronization error budget between communication devices in the communication device group. The clock synchronization error supported by the first communication device may be less than or equal to the time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and any communication device in the communication device group other than the first communication device.

[0185] The time synchronization error budget between communication device A and communication device B in a communication device group refers to the error budget between the clock synchronization information provided by communication device A and the clock synchronization information obtained by communication device B when communication device A, acting as the timing communication device, provides clock synchronization information to communication device B. This is the time synchronization error budget between communication device A and communication device B. Conversely, the time synchronization error budget between communication device B and communication device A refers to the error budget between the clock synchronization information provided by communication device B and the clock synchronization information obtained by communication device A when communication device B, acting as the timing communication device, provides clock synchronization information to communication device A. This is the time synchronization error budget between communication devices A and communication devices B.

[0186] For example, the communication device group includes terminal A, terminal B, and terminal C. The device set corresponding to terminal A includes 10 devices, the device set corresponding to terminal B includes 1 device, and the device set corresponding to terminal C includes 4 devices. If the first information includes the topology information of the device set corresponding to the communication device, the topology information corresponding to terminal A, terminal B, and terminal C indicates that the number of hops for clock synchronization information transmission is 10, 1, and 4, respectively. The first network element can obtain the first information of terminal A, terminal B, and terminal C, and determine the number of hops for clock synchronization information transmission in the device set corresponding to each terminal. And the first information also indicates the capability information of the terminal. The first network element can determine the clock synchronization error supported by each terminal. For example, the first network element can determine that the clock synchronization error supported by terminal A is 200 nanoseconds (nano second, ns), the clock synchronization error supported by terminal B is 150ns, and terminal C does not support timing. In this case, the first network element needs to determine the timing terminal in terminal A and terminal B.

[0187] The transmission error (i.e., the resulting clock synchronization error) of the clock synchronization information transmitted between each hop of the devices in the communication device can be predefined or indicated by the first information. For example, the first network element can determine the clock synchronization error T between each hop of the devices in the communication device. hop is 40ns.

[0188] Terminal A transmits clock synchronization information to the clock synchronization error T of the end device in the device set of terminal A. A It's T A =10*40ns=400ns, the clock synchronization error T when terminal B transmits the clock synchronization information to the terminal device in the device set of terminal B B It's T B =1*40ns=40ns, the clock synchronization error T when terminal C transmits the clock synchronization information to the terminal device in the device set of terminal C C It's T C =4*40ns=160ns.

[0189] If the communication service error budget T of the communication equipment group service If terminal A is a timing terminal, the time synchronization error budget T between the devices that transmit clock synchronization information between terminal A and terminal B is 500ns. AB T service -T B = 460ns, the time synchronization error budget T between the devices transmitting clock synchronization information between terminal A and terminal C AC T service -T C =340ns. Terminal A can support a timing with a synchronization error budget of more than 200ns, T AB 、TAC are all greater than the clock synchronization error supported by terminal A, that is, the clock synchronization error supported by terminal A is less than the time synchronization error budget between terminal A and any terminal in the communication device group except terminal A. Therefore, terminal A can be used as the timing terminal (i.e., the first communication device) of the communication device group. If terminal B is a timing terminal, the time synchronization error budget T between the devices that transmit clock synchronization information between terminal B and terminal A is BA T service -T A = 100ns, the time synchronization error budget T between the devices transmitting clock synchronization information between terminal B and terminal C BC T service -T C =340ns. Terminal B can support a timing with a synchronization error budget of more than 150ns, where T BA =100ns, terminal B as a timing terminal cannot meet the time synchronization error budget requirement between terminal A and terminal B. Therefore, terminal B cannot be used as the timing terminal in the communication device group.

[0190] This shows that even if the synchronization error budget supported by terminal B is smaller than that supported by terminal A, the fact that the device set corresponding to terminal A contains more devices introduces errors in the transmission of clock synchronization information, making terminal B unable to meet the time synchronization error budget requirements of the service when used as a timing terminal. However, terminal A can meet the time synchronization error budget requirements of the service when used as a timing terminal. The solution of this application can reduce clock synchronization errors between devices and improve clock synchronization accuracy.

[0191] In one implementation, when determining the first communication device in the communication device group, the first network element may also refer to the access types supported by the communication devices in the communication device group.

[0192] For example, the first information includes information for indicating the access type of the communication device. The first network element can determine, based on the acquired first information, that at least one communication device in the communication device group does not have the Uu interface communication capability, and the communication device cannot obtain clock information from the mobile communication network through the Uu interface. Therefore, the first network element can determine the first communication device among the communication devices in the communication device group that support the Uu interface communication capability based on the first information of the communication device, so that the first communication device can obtain clock information through the Uu interface, and then provide clock synchronization information to the communication devices in the communication device group through the communication link (such as a side link or other communication link) with the communication devices in the communication device group, thereby achieving clock synchronization of the communication devices in the communication device group. In this embodiment, the communication devices in the communication device group that do not support Uu interface communication can also obtain clock information of the mobile communication network and achieve clock synchronization with other communication devices in the communication device group.

[0193] The first information may further include other capability information of the communication device, such as one or more of clock capability, information processing capability, intelligence level, communication service quality, or power supply information. The first network element may further refer to one or more of the above capability information when determining the first communication device in the communication device group. This application is not limited to this.

[0194] After determining the first communication device, the first network element notifies the communication devices in the communication device group. The communication devices in the communication device group may determine that the first communication device provides clock synchronization information for the communication device group.

[0195] S403: The first network element sends at least one time synchronization error budget between the first communication device and the at least one communication device to the first communication device.

[0196] The first communication device receives the at least one time synchronization error budget from the first network element, so that the first communication device can determine the clock synchronization information to be sent to the communication devices in the communication device group based on the at least one time synchronization error budget, so that the clock synchronization information can meet the time synchronization budget requirements of the service.

[0197] The first communication device can send the clock synchronization information to other communication devices in the communication device group. The other communication devices receive the clock synchronization information from the communication device group and pass the acquired clock synchronization information to the corresponding device set to achieve clock synchronization of the communication device group. According to the above scheme of the present application, the internal error of the communication device is taken into account when determining the time synchronization error budget between the timing communication device and the communication device being timed, which can reduce the error of the clock synchronization of the communication device group and improve the accuracy of the clock synchronization.

[0198] Figure 5 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 500 provided in an embodiment of the present application. In the communication method 500, the solution provided by the present application is described by taking the first network element as an administrator terminal (i.e., terminal M shown in Figure 5) as an example. It should be understood that the present application is not limited to this, and the first network element can also be an AF network element or a core network element. The specific implementation can be referred to the embodiment shown in Figure 5, which will not be repeated here. The method 500 includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0199] S501: Terminal M sends terminal group establishment information to terminal A, terminal B, and terminal C.

[0200] Accordingly, terminal A, terminal B, and terminal C respectively receive terminal group establishment information from terminal M (the terminal group establishment information is an example of third information).

[0201] Terminal M, serving as an administrator terminal, may determine, based on business needs, to create a terminal group (i.e., an example of a communication device group), where the terminal group includes terminal A, terminal B, and terminal C. Terminal M executes S501 to send terminal group establishment information to terminals A, B, and C. The terminal group establishment information may include an identifier of the terminal group.

[0202] S502: Terminal A, terminal B, and terminal C send terminal group establishment response information to terminal M respectively.

[0203] For example, terminal A sends response information A to terminal M to confirm that terminal A has received the terminal group establishment information from terminal M. Terminals B and C send response information B and response information C to terminal M, respectively, to confirm that terminals B and C have received the terminal group establishment information from terminal M. If terminal M receives response information from each terminal in the terminal group, terminal M can determine that the terminal group establishment is complete.

[0204] In one embodiment, the response information sent by the terminal in the terminal group to the terminal M includes the first information described above. The response information from the terminal in the terminal group is also used by the terminal M to determine the terminal in the terminal group that provides clock synchronization information. This terminal can be called a timing terminal, which is an example of a second communication device.

[0205] In another implementation, the terminal M may obtain the first information from the terminals in the terminal group after receiving the response information.

[0206] S503: Terminal M determines that terminal A is the timing terminal according to the first information of the terminals in the terminal group.

[0207] The first information is used to indicate an internal error of the terminal, or in other words, the first information is used to indicate an error when the clock synchronization information is transmitted within the terminal.

[0208] The first information includes the terminal's internal error, or the first information includes topology information of the device set corresponding to the terminal. Optionally, the first information may also include information indicating the terminal's capabilities, such as the first information including one or more of the terminal's supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence level, communication service quality, power supply information, or supported clock synchronization methods. Terminal M may determine, based on the first information and the service error budget of the terminal group's communication services, that terminal A is the timing terminal in the terminal group. The specific determination method can be found in the previous description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and will not be repeated here.

[0209] Optionally, the terminal M determines terminal A as the timing terminal based on the first information of the terminals in the terminal group, including: terminal M determines terminal A based on the first information of the terminals in the terminal group, and terminal A is the leader terminal in the terminal group, the leader terminal is used to provide clock synchronization information for the terminals in the terminal group, and the leader terminal is also used to organize and / or coordinate communications of the terminal group, such as the leader terminal can be responsible for communication resource scheduling of terminals within the terminal group, etc.

[0210] Specifically, the first information is used to indicate the internal error of the terminal and the capability of the terminal. Terminal M can determine the time synchronization error budget between the terminals in the terminal group based on the service error budget and the first information of the terminals in the terminal group, and determine terminal A as the leader terminal of the terminal group based on the clock synchronization error supported by the terminals in the terminal group and the time synchronization error budget between the terminals. Terminal A provides clock synchronization information for the terminals in the terminal group, and organizes and / or coordinates communications of the terminal group.

[0211] S504: Terminal M notifies the terminal group that terminal A is the timing terminal of the terminal group.

[0212] For example, terminal M sends fourth information to terminal A, where the fourth information is used to instruct terminal A to send clock synchronization information to the terminals in the terminal group. Terminal M sends fifth information to the terminals in the terminal group other than terminal A, where the fifth information is used to instruct the terminals to receive clock synchronization information from terminal A.

[0213] The fourth information and the fifth information may be information with different contents. For example, the fifth information may be timing terminal indication information sent to different terminals. For example, the fifth information may include the identifier of terminal A. The timing terminal indication information is used by terminals other than terminal A in the terminal group to determine that terminal A is the timing terminal of the terminal group. The fourth information may be timing indication information. The identifiers of terminals other than terminal A in the terminal group included in the timing indication information are used to instruct terminal A to send clock synchronization information to other terminals in the terminal group. Terminals other than terminal A in the terminal group can receive clock synchronization information from terminal A. Alternatively, the fourth information and the fifth information may be the same information, such as information for indicating the timing terminal of a terminal group. For example, the information includes the identifier of the terminal group and the identifier of terminal A. After receiving the multicast information, the terminals in the terminal group can determine that terminal A is the timing terminal of the terminal group.

[0214] S505: Terminal A sends clock synchronization information to Terminal B and Terminal C.

[0215] In one embodiment, terminal A may obtain indication information from terminal M, where the indication information is used to indicate time synchronization error budgets between terminal A and terminal B and terminal C, respectively. Terminal A may send clock synchronization information to terminal B and terminal C based on the time synchronization error budgets between terminal A and terminal B and terminal C. Optionally, terminal A may select to perform a propagation delay compensation (PDC) algorithm on terminal B and / or terminal C based on the time synchronization error budgets of terminal B and / or terminal C, so that the time synchronization error budget requirements are met.

[0216] Exemplarily, the indication information may be included in the fourth information sent by terminal M to terminal A.

[0217] In another embodiment, terminal M may send second information indicating a service error budget and topology information of terminal B and terminal C to terminal A. Terminal A may determine the time synchronization error budget between terminal A and terminal C, and between terminal A and terminal C, respectively, based on the service error budget and topology information. For a specific determination method, please refer to the above-mentioned determination of T by the first communication device. AB and T AC Terminal A may send clock synchronization information to Terminal B and Terminal C based on the time synchronization error budget between Terminal A and Terminal B and Terminal C. Optionally, Terminal A may select to perform a PDC algorithm on Terminal B and / or Terminal C based on the time synchronization error budget of Terminal B and / or Terminal C so that the time synchronization error budget requirement is met.

[0218] The clock synchronization information sent by terminal A to terminal B and terminal C may be multicast information, and the clock synchronization information includes the identifier of the terminal group and the reference time information used for clock synchronization of terminal B and terminal C. For example, terminal A may determine the reference time information based on the time synchronization error budget between terminal B and terminal C, and provide time to terminal B and terminal C by sending the clock synchronization information including the reference time information and the terminal group identifier. However, the present application is not limited to this, and the clock synchronization information sent by terminal A to terminal B and terminal C may be unicast information. For example, terminal A may determine the reference time information B used for clock synchronization of terminal B based on the time synchronization error budget between terminal A and terminal B, and send the clock synchronization information including the reference time information B to terminal B. Terminal A also sends clock synchronization information to terminal C, and the clock synchronization information may include the reference time information C determined based on the time synchronization error budget with terminal C.

[0219] In one embodiment, terminal A determines a method for sending clock synchronization information to each terminal in the terminal group based on a time synchronization error budget between terminal A and each terminal in the terminal group. The method may be a multicast method or a unicast method.

[0220] For example, the terminal group also includes other terminals in addition to terminal B and terminal C. Terminal A determines that the way terminal A sends clock synchronization information to terminal B is unicast based on the time synchronization error budget between terminal A and the terminals in the terminal group, and sends clock synchronization information to the terminals in the terminal group except terminal B in multicast.

[0221] Specifically, terminal A sends multicast clock synchronization information, which includes reference time information 1. Terminals in the terminal group other than terminal B receive the multicast clock synchronization information and perform clock synchronization based on reference time information 1 in the multicast clock synchronization information. Terminal A sends unicast clock synchronization information to terminal B, which includes reference time information 2. In response, terminal B receives the unicast clock synchronization information from terminal A and sends a response message to terminal A in response to the unicast clock synchronization information. The response message carries the time information T when terminal B received the unicast clock synchronization information. r And the time information T of sending the response information t After receiving the response, Terminal A determines the transmission path for the unicast clock synchronization information and sends clock synchronization compensation information to Terminal B. This compensation information is used to compensate for the transmission delay of the clock synchronization information path. This reduces the clock synchronization error between Terminal B and Terminal A and improves the accuracy of clock synchronization.

[0222] For another example, the terminal group also includes other terminals besides terminal B and terminal C. Terminal A can, based on the time synchronization error budget between itself and the terminals in the terminal group, determine whether to send the clock synchronization information of the terminal group in a multicast manner, and to send clock synchronization compensation information to some terminals in the terminal group in a unicast manner. The terminals in the terminal group perform clock synchronization based on the received multicast clock synchronization information. Terminal A then sends the clock synchronization compensation information in a unicast manner to the terminals with a larger path transmission delay. For example, terminal A sends the clock synchronization compensation information to terminal B. The clock synchronization compensation information can be determined based on the response information sent by terminal B to the multicast clock synchronization information, or terminal A can determine the path transmission delay between itself and terminal B through other means (such as reference signal measurement, perception measurement, etc.), thereby determining the clock synchronization compensation information based on the path transmission delay. After receiving the clock synchronization compensation information, terminal B performs clock synchronization compensation, thereby reducing the clock synchronization error and improving the accuracy of clock synchronization.

[0223] According to the solution of the embodiment shown in FIG5 , terminal M, acting as an administrator terminal, can obtain first information indicating internal errors of terminals in a terminal group. Terminal M considers the internal errors of the terminals when determining the timing terminals in the terminal group, thereby determining the timing terminals. Terminal M also provides the timing terminals with a time synchronization error budget between the timing terminals and the timed terminals, so that the timing terminals can provide more accurate clock synchronization information and reduce clock synchronization errors. This achieves clock synchronization for the terminal group and improves the accuracy of clock synchronization. Furthermore, the terminal group communicates via a communication link between the terminals, eliminating the need for each terminal to have a communication interface with the access network device, thereby reducing the complexity and cost of implementing clock synchronization for the terminals.

[0224] Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of the present application. In the communication method 600, the solution provided by the present application is described by taking the first network element as any terminal in the terminal group as an example. The method 600 includes but is not limited to the following steps:

[0225] S601: Terminal M, terminal A, terminal B and terminal C execute a terminal group establishment process.

[0226] After terminal M determines to establish a terminal group based on business needs, it sends terminal group establishment information to terminals A, B, and C. Terminals A, B, and C then send responses to the group establishment information to terminal M, completing the terminal group establishment process. For details, please refer to the description of S501 and S502 above and will not be repeated here.

[0227] It should be understood that the example shown in Figure 6 is to illustrate the establishment of a terminal group by terminal M as an administrator terminal. This application is not limited to this. In specific implementations, a communication device or core network device with application function AF may also be used to organize the establishment of a terminal group.

[0228] S602: Terminal M sends second information to the terminal group, where the second information is used to indicate a service error budget.

[0229] The second information may be multicast information for the terminal group, such as including an identifier of the terminal group. Terminal M may use the second information to notify the terminals in the terminal group of a service error budget for the communication service of the terminal group, so that the terminals in the terminal group can subsequently determine the terminal in the terminal group that provides clock synchronization information, i.e., the timing terminal, based on the service error budget.

[0230] S603: The terminal in the terminal group obtains first information of other terminals.

[0231] The terminals in the terminal group can exchange their respective first information. For example, terminal A sends terminal A's first information, and terminals B and C receive the first information from terminal A. Terminal B sends terminal B's first information, and terminals A and C receive the first information from terminal B. Terminal C sends terminal C's first information, and terminals A and B receive the first information from terminal C.

[0232] The first information includes topology information of a device set corresponding to the terminal. Optionally, the first information may also include information indicating the capabilities of the terminal, such as one or more of the terminal's supported access types, clock capabilities, supported clock synchronization errors, information processing capabilities, intelligence level, communication service quality, power supply information, or supported clock synchronization methods.

[0233] S604: The terminals in the terminal group determine that terminal A is the timing terminal according to the first information and the second information of the terminals in the terminal group.

[0234] Each terminal in the terminal group determines that terminal A is the timing terminal in the terminal group based on the first information including topology information and the second information including the service error budget of the terminals in the terminal group. The specific method for a terminal to determine the timing terminal in the terminal group can be implemented with reference to the method in which the first communication device determines the timing communication device, i.e., the second communication device, in the embodiment shown in FIG4 , and will not be further described here.

[0235] S605: Terminal A sends clock synchronization information to Terminal B and Terminal C.

[0236] After terminal A determines that terminal A is a timing terminal in S604, terminal A may determine to send clock synchronization information to terminal B and terminal C. After terminal B and terminal C determine that terminal A is a timing terminal in S604, terminal B and terminal C determine to receive clock synchronization information from terminal A. Terminal A may determine clock synchronization information based on the time synchronization error budget between terminal A and terminal B and terminal C, and send the clock synchronization information to terminal B and terminal C. The specific manner in which terminal A sends clock synchronization information can be implemented with reference to the description of S505 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , and will not be further described here.

[0237] According to the solution of the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the terminals in the terminal group determine the timing terminals in the terminal group according to the same rules based on the first information and the second information of the terminals in the terminal group. The timing terminals provide clock synchronization information to the terminals in the terminal group to achieve clock synchronization of the terminal group, which can reduce the error of the clock synchronization of the terminal group and improve the accuracy of the clock synchronization. In addition, the terminal group communicates through the communication link between the terminals, and the clock synchronization of the terminal group can be achieved without each terminal having a communication interface with the access network device, thereby reducing the implementation complexity and implementation cost of the terminal clock synchronization.

[0238] FIG7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 700 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0239] S701: Terminal A, Terminal B, and Terminal C execute a terminal group establishment process with the AF network element, complete clock synchronization, and execute communication services.

[0240] For example, after a terminal group is established, terminal A serves as the timing terminal in the terminal group to provide timing for the terminals in the terminal group. After the terminal group completes clock synchronization, communication services are performed.

[0241] The AF network element may be a module with an application function AF configured in a communication device, or the AF network element may be a communication device with an AF function. It should be understood that the example shown in FIG7 is based on the example of establishing a terminal group as an AF network element, with an administrator terminal or a core network device, and this application does not limit this.

[0242] S702: The AF network element sends indication information 1 to terminal A. The indication information 1 is used to indicate a change in service requirements.

[0243] The AF network element may determine to send indication information 1 to the terminal based on the change in service requirements. The indication information 1 may indicate the changed service requirements. Alternatively, the indication information 1 may notify terminal A of the change in service requirements by instructing terminal A to leave the terminal group.

[0244] S703: Terminal A determines to leave the terminal group according to instruction information 1.

[0245] Terminal A determines, based on indication information 1, that its service requirements have changed, and thus leaves the terminal group.

[0246] S704 , the AF network element sends instruction information 2 to terminal D, where the instruction information 2 is used to instruct terminal D to access the terminal group.

[0247] Correspondingly, terminal D receives the indication information 2 from the AF network element and determines to join the terminal group. The indication information 2 may include the identifier of the terminal group.

[0248] S705: Terminal D sends response information of the indication information 2 to the AF network element.

[0249] Correspondingly, the AF network element receives the response information from terminal D.

[0250] S706: The terminal group and / or the AF network element determines the timing terminal, the terminal group completes clock synchronization, and performs communication services.

[0251] In one implementation, the AF network element determines the timing terminal and notifies the terminals in the terminal group. For details, reference may be made to the method for determining the timing terminal in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 .

[0252] In another implementation, the terminals in the terminal group respectively determine the timing terminals in the terminal group based on the same rule. For details, reference may be made to the method for determining the timing terminals in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 .

[0253] The timing terminals in the terminal group send clock synchronization information, and the terminals in the terminal group complete the clock synchronization of the terminal group based on the clock synchronization information, thereby executing the communication business of the terminal group, and being able to flexibly adjust the terminal group based on changes in business needs.

[0254] In one embodiment, if terminal A leaves the terminal group and no other terminals are required to join the terminal group, steps S702 through S706 need not be performed. The updated terminal group includes terminals B and C. The AF network element or terminals in the terminal group can determine the timing terminal in the updated terminal group, complete clock synchronization in the terminal group, and execute communication services.

[0255] The method provided by the present application is described in detail above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following drawings illustrate the communication apparatus and communication equipment provided by the present application. In order to implement the various functions in the method provided by the present application, each network element may include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and implement the above functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. Whether one of the above functions is executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0256] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in this application. As shown in Figure 8, the communication device 800 may include a transceiver unit 820. The communication device 800 may correspond to the first network element, communication device, or terminal in the above method.

[0257] When the communication device 800 corresponds to a terminal, the communication device 800 may be the entire terminal, or the communication device 800 may be configured in (or used for) a chip in the terminal, or other devices, modules, circuits or units capable of implementing the terminal method.

[0258] It should be understood that the communication device 800 may include a unit for executing the method performed by the first network element or terminal in the above method embodiment. In addition, each unit in the communication device 800 and the above other operations and / or functions are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes of the above method embodiment.

[0259] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include a processing unit 810, which may be configured to process instructions or data to implement corresponding operations.

[0260] It should also be understood that when the communication device 800 is a chip configured in (or used in) a terminal, the transceiver unit 820 in the communication device 800 can be the input / output interface or circuit of the chip, and the processing unit 810 in the communication device 800 can be the processor in the chip.

[0261] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include a storage unit 830, which may be used to store instructions or data. The processing unit 810 may execute the instructions or data stored in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform corresponding operations.

[0262] It should also be understood that the specific process of each unit executing the above corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method, and for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0263] In another possible design, the communication device 800 may correspond to a network device, such as a network device with an application function AF, or the network device may be a core network device, such as a core network device with a time-sensitive communication and time synchronization function TSCTSF (i.e., a TSCTSF network element).

[0264] When the communication device 800 corresponds to a network device, the communication device 800 can be a complete network device, or the communication device 800 can be configured in (or used for) a chip in the network device, or other devices, modules, circuits or units that can implement the method of the network device.

[0265] It should be understood that the communication device 800 may include units for executing the method executed by the network device in the above method embodiment. In addition, each unit in the communication device 800 and the above other operations and / or functions are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiment.

[0266] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include a processing unit 810, which may be configured to process instructions or data to implement corresponding operations.

[0267] It should also be understood that when the communication device 800 is a chip configured in (or used in) a network device, the transceiver unit 820 in the communication device 800 can be the input / output interface or circuit of the chip, and the processing unit 810 in the communication device 800 can be the processor in the chip.

[0268] Optionally, the communication device 800 may further include a storage unit 830, which may be used to store instructions or data. The processing unit 810 may execute the instructions or data stored in the storage unit to enable the communication device to perform corresponding operations.

[0269] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 820 in the communication device 800 can be implemented through a communication interface (such as a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, an input / output interface, or a pin, etc.), and for example, can correspond to the transceiver 920 in the communication device 900 shown in FIG. 9 . The processing unit 810 in the communication device 800 can be implemented through at least one processor, and for example, can correspond to the processor 910 in the communication device 900 shown in FIG. 9 . The processing unit 810 in the communication device 800 can also be implemented through at least one logic circuit. The storage unit 830 in the communication device 800 can correspond to the memory 930 in the communication device 900 shown in FIG. 9 .

[0270] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 900 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 9, the communication device 900 includes one or more processors 910. Processors 910 can be used for internal processing of the device to implement certain control processing functions. Optionally, processors 910 include instructions 911. Optionally, processors 910 can store data.

[0271] Optionally, the communication device 900 includes one or more memories 930 for storing instructions 931. Optionally, data may also be stored in the memories 930. The processor and memory may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0272] Optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a transceiver 920 and / or an antenna 940. The transceiver 920 may be used to send information to or receive information from other devices. The transceiver 920 may be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, an input / output interface, etc., and is used to implement the transceiver functions of the communication device 900 via the antenna 940. Optionally, the transceiver 920 includes a transmitter and a receiver.

[0273] The communication device 900 can be applied to the communication equipment in the system shown in Figure 1. The communication device 900 can correspond to a terminal or a network device, and the communication device 900 can be the communication device itself. Alternatively, the communication device 900 can be configured in the communication device, such as a chip or module configured in the communication device. The communication device 900 can perform the operations of the terminal or network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0274] In this application, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams of this application. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method in conjunction with this application can be directly implemented as being executed by a hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0275] In this application, the memory may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or a volatile memory, such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory is any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in this application may also be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function, for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0276] The present application also provides a processing device, including a processor and a (communication) interface; the processor is used to execute the method provided by the above method embodiment.

[0277] It should be understood that the processing device may be one or more chips. For example, the processing device may be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system on chip (SoC), a central processor unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other integrated chips.

[0278] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the method performed by the terminal or network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment is implemented. In this way, the functions described in the above embodiments can be implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be essentially or in other words, the part that contributes or the part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory RAM, a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

[0279] According to the method provided in the present application, the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, which, when executed by one or more processors, enables the device including the processor to execute the method provided in the above method embodiment.

[0280] The technical solution provided in this application can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in this application is generated in whole or in part. The above-mentioned computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, a digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium, etc.

[0281] According to the method provided in this application, this application also provides a system, which includes the aforementioned first network element. The system may further include the aforementioned communication device group.

[0282] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the devices described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between each other shown or discussed can be through some interface, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0283] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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