Sidelink Clock Synchronization Beyond 5G Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G mobile communication networks struggle with clock synchronization outside the coverage area of access network devices, preventing UEs from maintaining synchronization with the network.
Innovation Solution
UEs outside network coverage can receive clock synchronization information via sidelink from synchronized terminal devices, using priority-based selection mechanisms to determine reference sources, including satellite and access network devices, and adjust for propagation delays to enhance synchronization accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clock synchronization is implemented only through access network device coverage, then synchronization accuracy within coverage is maintained, but UEs outside coverage area cannot achieve synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces in-coverage UEs as intermediary nodes to relay clock synchronization information to out-of-coverage UEs via sidelink communication. These intermediary UEs receive synchronized timing from the access network device and forward it to UEs outside coverage, enabling indirect synchronization without requiring direct network coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the synchronization dimension from direct network-to-UE communication to include UE-to-UE communication via sidelink. This creates an additional communication dimension that allows synchronization propagation beyond the traditional cellular coverage boundary, enabling out-of-coverage UEs to achieve timing synchronization.
2Reliability
If multiple clock synchronization reference sources are used, then synchronization coverage is improved, but selection complexity and potential conflicts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces priority levels as a parameter to differentiate between various clock synchronization reference sources. By assigning priority values to different sources (e.g., network-based sources vs. UE-based sources), the system enables automated selection without complex decision logic, resolving conflicts through parameter-based ranking rather than complex algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where UEs report their synchronization status and reference source quality to the network. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of reference source selection, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining simple selection rules based on priority and observed performance.
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to a clock synchronization method and apparatus. A first terminal device receives at least one piece of clock synchronization information, where the at least one piece of clock synchronization information includes first clock synchronization information, and the first clock synchronization information is received from a second terminal device through a sidelink. The first terminal device selects a clock synchronization reference source based on the at least one piece of clock synchronization information. In embodiments of this application, a terminal device can also send clock synchronization information. For example, although a terminal device outside a coverage area of a base station cannot receive clock synchronization information from the base station, the terminal device may still receive clock synchronization information from another terminal device through a sidelink, so that a probability of implementing clock synchronization between the terminal device and a network is increased.