Network Entity Time Synchronization for Wireless Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile communication systems face challenges in achieving precise time synchronization and controlling communication delay, which are essential for meeting the requirements of diverse vertical industries such as smart factories and autonomous driving.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of network entities within a wireless network system that measure ingress times, determine time information, and synchronize internal times with external times, while also providing mechanisms for jitter control and deterministic data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If simple broadcasting of time information is used in conventional mobile communication systems, then the system complexity is reduced, but the time synchronization precision and delay control capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network entity acting as an intermediary that receives packets, determines ingress times, and provides time information to other network entities. This intermediary mechanism enables precise time synchronization without requiring complex system-wide changes, as the time information is carried along with data packets through the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary time stamping at the ingress point of packets into the network system. By determining and recording the ingress time when packets enter the network, the system enables subsequent delay measurement and synchronization operations without adding real-time complexity during packet transmission and processing.
2Ease of manufacture
If simple broadcasting of time information is used, then the implementation simplicity is maintained, but the delay measurement capability and jitter control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where ingress times are determined and provided to egress points, enabling delay measurement by comparing ingress and egress times. This feedback loop allows the system to measure actual packet residence time and provide this information to external applications, achieving reliable delay measurement without complex additional infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If conventional time synchronization methods are used, then the system operation simplicity is maintained, but the deterministic data transmission capability for time-sensitive applications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the time information determination mechanism universal by implementing it in network entities that handle various types of traffic. The same ingress time determination mechanism serves both conventional best-effort traffic and time-sensitive applications, enabling deterministic transmission capabilities without requiring separate specialized systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a network entity for a wireless network system. The network entity is configured to obtain an ingress time of a received packet, the ingress time indicating the time at which the packet enters the network system, determine time information regarding the packet based on the ingress time, and provide the time information to another network entity. A further network entity for a wireless network system is configured to obtain time information regarding a received packet from another network entity, and obtain an egress time of the packet, the egress time indicating a time at which the packet leaves the network system, based on the time information. This disclosure also relates to the network entities that are configured to synchronize an internal time valid at the network entities with an external time valid at an external network entity.