PC5 Sidelink Time Synchronization Without External Time Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no mechanism developed to acquire absolute time in sidelink communication, which is necessary for synchronization between communication apparatuses, especially when they are not connected to external time sources like a base station or GNSS satellite.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus is configured to acquire and send messages to one or more other communication apparatuses via a PC5 interface conforming to 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard. The communication apparatus includes an acquiring unit configured to send and receive the message using a wireless interface for sending and receiving the message using a PC5 interface conforming to 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard, enabling the communication apparatus to send messages to other communication apparatuses to synchronize time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sidelink communication is implemented without external time sources, then communication autonomy is improved, but time synchronization accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a message as an intermediary carrier to transmit time information between communication apparatuses. The message includes time indication information and source identification information, serving as a mediator to enable time synchronization without external time sources by allowing apparatuses to exchange and reference each other's time information.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication apparatuses perform time synchronization autonomously by exchanging time information through messages. Each apparatus uses its own time information as a reference and adjusts its timing based on received messages from other apparatuses, enabling self-service time synchronization without external time sources.
2Reliability
If absolute time acquisition mechanisms are added to sidelink communication, then time synchronization capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The message structure is designed to be universal and multi-functional, serving both as data transmission carrier and time synchronization vehicle. The same message framework used for general sidelink communication is extended to include time indication information and source identification information, avoiding the need for separate dedicated time synchronization mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the time synchronization function with the existing message transmission framework of sidelink communication. By combining time indication information, source identification information, and regular communication data into a unified message structure, the system achieves time synchronization capability without adding separate complex acquisition mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus acquires a certain time, generates a message including first information indicating the certain time and second information, which is information about a time source providing the certain time, and sends the message to one or more other communication apparatuses via a PC5 interface conforming to 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard.