Terminal Clock UTC Traceability via 5G Control-Plane Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Terminal devices in 5G networks lack the ability to ensure traceability of their clock to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) based on information received via the control plane, which is crucial for time-critical applications such as financial markets and smart grids.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mechanism where terminal devices can request and receive traceability information from the access node, including clock status and uncertainty, enabling them to perform common-view measurements with the access node to determine their clock's accuracy relative to UTC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If terminal devices receive time synchronization information via control plane in 5G network, then time synchronization to 5G network is achieved, but traceability of clock to UTC cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (device-side TSN translator or DS-TT) that acts as a mediator between the 5G network control plane and the terminal device clock. This DS-TT receives timing information from the network and performs additional processing to establish traceability to UTC, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving synchronization and ensuring traceability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the time synchronization function into multiple components: network-side time source, control plane information delivery, device-side TSN translator processing, and terminal device clock. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function, with the DS-TT bridging the gap between network information and UTC traceability requirements.
2Measurement precision
If terminal devices rely on control plane information for time synchronization, then network time synchronization is achieved, but ability to evaluate clock accuracy to UTC is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the device-side TSN translator continuously monitors and evaluates the accuracy of the terminal device clock against UTC by processing timing information from the network. This feedback loop enables the terminal device to assess its own clock accuracy while maintaining network synchronization.
3Reliability
If terminal devices perform common-view measurements with access node, then traceability to UTC is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the terminal device to perform self-service common-view measurements with the access node. The device uses its own receiver to acquire timing information from both the access node and a common reference source (such as GPS), allowing it to independently evaluate its clock accuracy without requiring additional external equipment.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an aspect, there is an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to receive, from a serving access node, a downlink radio resource control message comprising reference time information for a clock provided by the serving access node and traceability information for enabling traceability of the clock to a reference time standard. The traceability information comprises at least information on a clock class indicative of a current status of the clock provided by the serving access node.