Relay Network Time Correction Field for TSN Clock Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implementing high-precision time synchronization in industrial scenarios, particularly in mobile networks, is challenging due to the need for accurate delay measurement and compensation in asymmetric uplink and downlink transmission delays, which affects the synchronization between terminal devices and TSN clocks.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine the time correction field in a relay network by measuring downlink transmission delays and using this information to synchronize terminal devices with a TSN clock, employing a TSN clock synchronization mechanism, where the relay network includes RAN, UPF, and terminal devices, and compensating for asymmetric delays to simulate symmetrical links for clock synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If downlink transmission delay is measured and compensated in mobile network, then clock synchronization precision with TSN clock is improved, but device complexity and measurement difficulty increase due to asymmetric uplink and downlink delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the relay network into multiple network elements (RAN, UPF, etc.) and separately measures the downlink transmission delay for each segment. Each network element measures its own transmission delay independently, then the measurements are aggregated to calculate the total delay. This segmentation reduces the complexity of single-point measurement while improving overall synchronization precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time correction field as an intermediary mechanism to handle the asymmetric delay compensation. Instead of directly comparing timestamps, the time correction field is calculated based on measured downlink delays and used to adjust the synchronization process. This intermediary abstraction simplifies the synchronization logic while maintaining precision.
2Measurement precision
If downlink transmission delay is measured and compensated in mobile network, then clock synchronization precision with TSN clock is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases due to asymmetric uplink and downlink delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurement of downlink transmission delay before the actual clock synchronization process. By measuring and storing the delay characteristics in advance, the system avoids complex real-time measurements during synchronization, reducing measurement difficulty while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where measured downlink transmission delays are used to adjust and optimize the synchronization process. The time correction field is calculated based on feedback from delay measurements, creating a closed-loop system that improves measurement precision while automating the detection process.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a synchronization method and an apparatus, to implement synchronization with a TSN clock in a mobile network. The synchronization method is performed by a first network element in a relay network. The relay network includes a radio access network RAN device and a terminal device. The method includes: The first network element receives a clock synchronization packet. The first network element determines first duration of the relay network, where the first duration of the relay network includes a first downlink transmission delay of transmitting the clock synchronization packet between the RAN device and the terminal device. The first network element determines a time correction field of the relay network, where the time correction field includes the first downlink transmission delay.