5G TSN Time Synchronization via Targeted UE Triggers

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for time synchronization in 5G systems face challenges in synchronizing or desynchronizing specific UEs or groups of UEs to a time domain immediately or at a specific time, leading to increased implementation costs and affecting the stability and precision of clock synchronization.

Innovation Solution

An application function (AF) entity uses device trigger technology to transmit a message with a trigger condition to UEs, enabling immediate or timed TSN time synchronization activation or deactivation through a network exposure function (NEF) and short message service-center (SMS-SC) interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing time synchronization methods are used in 5G systems, then time synchronization can be maintained, but it is difficult to synchronize or desynchronize specific UEs or groups of UEs immediately or at a specific time, leading to increased implementation costs and affecting stability and precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to synchronize specific UEs immediatelyVSAvoidimplementation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments time synchronization control by UE identity, allowing the network to selectively trigger synchronization for specific UEs or groups of UEs rather than all UEs simultaneously. The triggering delivery service request message includes UE identity information that enables targeted synchronization control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The network exposure function (NEF) acts as an intermediary between the application function (AF) and the short message service center (SMS-SC) to enable controlled time synchronization. The NEF receives triggering requests from the AF, processes them with TSN trigger containers, and forwards them through the SMS-SC to target UEs, thereby mediating the synchronization process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If existing time synchronization methods are used in 5G systems, then time synchronization can be maintained, but it is difficult to synchronize or desynchronize specific UEs or groups of UEs immediately or at a specific time, leading to increased implementation costs and affecting stability and precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclock synchronization precisionVSAvoidimplementation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring TSN trigger containers with timing information and synchronization parameters before they are needed. The AF entity can schedule triggering delivery service requests to be sent at specific times, allowing the network to prepare synchronization actions in advance and execute them precisely when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes synchronization parameters dynamically by including TSN trigger containers that carry timing information, synchronization mode indicators, and other configurable parameters. These parameters can be adjusted in the triggering delivery service request messages to optimize synchronization precision for different scenarios and UE groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If existing time synchronization methods are used in 5G systems, then time synchronization can be maintained, but it is difficult to synchronize or desynchronize specific UEs or groups of UEs immediately or at a specific time, affecting stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclock synchronization stabilityVSAvoidability to control synchronization timing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces dynamic control over time synchronization by allowing the AF entity to trigger synchronization operations at different times for different UEs based on service requirements. The TSN trigger container includes timing information that enables flexible, dynamic scheduling of synchronization events rather than rigid periodic synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network can monitor synchronization status and trigger additional synchronization operations when needed. The AF entity can send triggering delivery service requests based on service requirements and network conditions, creating a feedback-driven synchronization control loop that maintains stability while allowing operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4009549B1Time synchronization method and apparatus, computer readable medium, and electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.09.24 TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD

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AI summary

Embodiments of the present application provide a time synchronization method and apparatus, a computer readable medium, and an electronic device. The time synchronization method comprises: receiving a trigger delivery service request message transmitted by an application function (AF) entity, wherein the trigger delivery service request message comprises the identifier of a target user equipment and a time sensitive network (TSN) trigger container, the TSN trigger container is used for indicating a TSN time synchronization trigger condition; and transmitting a submission triggering message to a short message service-service center (SMS-SC), wherein the submission triggering message is used for requesting the SMS-SC to transmit a short message containing the TSN trigger container to the target user equipment, so that the target user equipment performs a TSN time synchronization operation based on the TSN trigger container.