Access Network Clock Status Handling for Affected Terminal Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems struggle to accurately determine affected terminal devices when the clock status information of an access network device changes, impacting the provision of time services.

Innovation Solution

A communication method involving access network devices and core network elements that send messages to manage clock status information, using identification and indication information to determine if the clock quality meets the terminal device's requirements, thereby accurately identifying affected devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the access network device provides time provision service to terminal devices, then the terminal devices can obtain clock time, but when the clock status information changes, the system cannot accurately determine which terminal devices are affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of determining affected terminal devicesVSAvoidlack of clock quality requirement parameter information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The access network device obtains and stores the clock quality requirement parameter of the terminal device in advance, before the clock status information changes. This preliminary acquisition of information enables the system to quickly and accurately determine whether the terminal device is affected when clock status changes occur, without needing to query or exchange additional information at the moment of change.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the access network device sends messages to notify clock management network elements of clock status changes, then affected terminal devices can be identified, but the signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice reliability of time provisionVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The access network device performs local judgment by comparing its own clock status information with the stored clock quality requirement parameter of the terminal device. Only when the clock status information does not meet the requirement does the device send a notification message to the clock management network element. This localized quality control approach reduces unnecessary signaling overhead while ensuring reliable identification of affected terminal devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250365603A1Communication method, communication apparatus, and communication system

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a communication method, a communication apparatus, and a communication system. The method includes that when clock status information of a first access network device does not meet a clock quality requirement parameter of a terminal device, the first access network device notifies a clock management network element that the clock status information of the first access network device does not meet the clock quality requirement parameter of the terminal device. In this way, an affected terminal device can be accurately determined when the clock status information of the first access network device changes.