5G Time Synchronization With Dual GM Clock Switchover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in achieving accurate and robust time synchronization, particularly in industrial environments where high availability, high throughput, real-time transmission, and low latency are required, especially when switching between Grand Master clocks in a 5G system and Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for time synchronization in a wireless network that involves receiving and transmitting clock configuration information, including a list of Grand Master clocks and their indicators, and switching between active and standby GM clocks using precise timestamping and clock indicators to maintain synchronization during transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single Grand Master clock is used for time synchronization in 5GS, then the system structure is simple, but the reliability and availability are reduced when clock failures or transitions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple Grand Master clocks (first GM clock and second GM clock) into a unified time synchronization system, allowing the wireless device to receive and process configuration information for multiple clocks simultaneously. This merging approach ensures that if one clock fails or transitions, another is available to maintain synchronization, thereby improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity through the use of standardized configuration messages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple Grand Master clocks and their indicators before any failure or transition occurs. The network element provides the wireless device with a list of GM clocks and their indicators in advance, so that when a clock transition is needed, the device can immediately switch to a pre-known alternative without delay, ensuring continuous time synchronization
2Reliability
If Grand Master clock switching is implemented to improve availability, then the time synchronization robustness is improved, but the latency and jitter during transition periods increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing the wireless device with configuration information for multiple Grand Master clocks before any transition is needed. The device receives and stores indicators for both the first and second GM clocks in advance, so that during a clock transition, it can immediately switch to the alternative clock without undergoing complex configuration procedures, thereby minimizing synchronization latency and jitter
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses clock indicators as intermediaries that allow the wireless device to quickly identify and switch between different Grand Master clocks. These indicators act as pre-established references that enable rapid clock transitions without requiring complex real-time negotiations or configurations, thus reducing the time loss during switchover events
3Reliability
If multiple Grand Master clocks are configured for redundancy, then the system robustness during transitions is improved, but the message size and configuration overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential identification elements (clock indicators) from the complete Grand Master clock configurations. Instead of transmitting full clock configuration details for multiple GM clocks, the system transmits compact indicators such as clock names, identifiers, or indices that uniquely reference each clock. This extraction approach enables the configuration of multiple redundant clocks while keeping the message size and configuration overhead minimal
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates generally to a method, device, and system for synchronization in a wireless network. One method performed by a wireless device is disclosed. The method may include receiving, from a first network element in a 5GS, a first message comprising clock configuration information, the clock configuration information comprising at least one of: a list of GM clocks comprising a first and a second GM clock; a clock indicator of each GM clock in the list of GM clocks; a time difference between the first GM clock and the second GM clock; receiving, from a second network element the 5GS, a first clock information for the first GM clock; in response to the first clock information, using the first GM clock as an active GM clock; and synchronizing with the 5GS based on the first clock information and treating the first GM clock as an active GM clock.