Cellular Exposure Framework for GNSS Clock Resilience
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G wireless systems face challenges in providing timing resiliency, as Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals are vulnerable to interference and may not meet the reliability requirements for mission-critical services, necessitating a backup timing solution within the cellular network.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an exposure framework for clock resilience that allows the cellular system to determine its own time sources, configure network entities for timing resiliency, and switch to alternative clock sources, such as precision time protocol (PTP) signals, in case of GNSS failure, ensuring continuous time synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GNSS signals are used for timing synchronization, then time distribution service is provided, but reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes backup timing mechanisms within the cellular network before GNSS interference occurs. The system pre-configures alternative timing sources and prepares resiliency frameworks in advance, so when GNSS signals are compromised, the network can immediately switch to pre-prepared alternative timing sources without service interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The cellular network acts as an intermediary between the external GNSS timing source and the user equipment. When GNSS signals are interfered with, this intermediary layer provides alternative timing paths through network-internal synchronization mechanisms, isolating the impact of external interference from the end users.
2Reliability
If backup timing mechanisms are implemented, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cellular network infrastructure is designed to serve multiple functions: normal data transmission, control plane operations, and timing distribution. By utilizing existing network entities and signaling pathways for timing resiliency, the patent avoids adding dedicated complex backup systems, thereby maintaining reliability while limiting complexity growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The network automatically manages timing resiliency through self-configuring mechanisms. When timing disturbances are detected, the system autonomously switches between timing sources and reconfigures network entities without requiring manual intervention or complex external management, reducing operational complexity.
3Reliability
If clock switching is implemented upon GNSS failure, then timing resiliency is maintained, but detection and measurement difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous monitoring and feedback mechanisms that track the quality and availability of GNSS signals. When degradation or failure is detected through these feedback loops, the system automatically triggers clock switching to alternative timing sources, maintaining synchronization continuity while using automated detection to reduce measurement complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The network pre-establishes multiple timing sources and prepares switching configurations before actual failures occur. Alternative clock sources are identified and validated in advance, and switching protocols are pre-configured, so when GNSS failure actually happens, the detection and switching process is streamlined rather than requiring complex real-time analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain example embodiments provide systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for an exposure framework for clock resilience. For example, certain embodiments may provide a way for a network and an application function (AF) to configure a cellular system for timing resiliency. Certain embodiments may utilize a cellular system exposure framework to exchange timing resiliency configuration between the cellular system and AFs.