Terminal Time Synchronization via Unicast Request
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing time synchronization methods for industrial devices in communication systems cannot meet the more stringent time requirements of terminal devices, particularly in scenarios requiring ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC).
Innovation Solution
A communication method where a terminal device sends a first indication message to an access network device to request time information in unicast mode, allowing the terminal device to synchronize its time based on the received information and subsequently deactivate the access network device from sending further time information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the terminal device uses the time broadcast by the base station (system information block 16), then the terminal device can obtain time information, but the time synchronization precision and flexibility cannot meet the stringent requirements of industrial control scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time information transmission by introducing different time information types (first type and second type) with different precisions. The terminal device can selectively request and receive appropriate time information types based on its specific synchronization requirements, thereby achieving both high precision when needed and resource efficiency when not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic time information transmission where the access network device adjusts the transmission of time information based on terminal device requests. The terminal device can dynamically switch between different time information types (first type with higher precision, second type with lower precision) according to changing scenario requirements, making the system adaptable to varying precision needs.
2Reliability
If the access network device continuously sends time information to the terminal device, then the terminal device can maintain accurate time synchronization, but the network resources and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic time information transmission instead of continuous transmission. The access network device sends time information at specific intervals or triggered by terminal device requests, reducing unnecessary transmissions. The terminal device can request time information periodically or on-demand based on its synchronization needs, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining synchronization reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device autonomously determines when it needs time information synchronization and actively requests time information from the access network device. This self-service mechanism allows the terminal to obtain time information only when necessary, reducing unnecessary network transmissions and energy consumption compared to continuous push-based transmission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal device requests time information in unicast mode, then the terminal device can obtain preferred time types and precisions, but the signaling overhead and network resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different terminal devices to receive different types of time information (first type or second type) based on their specific needs. The access network device customizes the time information transmission for each terminal device individually, providing high-adaptability time synchronization while optimizing network resources by not forcing all devices to use the same transmission mode.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and a communications apparatus. The communication method includes: sending, by a terminal device, a first indication message, where the first indication message is used to indicate a first time type and/or a first time precision, or the first indication message is used to indicate an access network device to send time information to the terminal device; receiving, by the terminal device, the time information; and synchronizing, by the terminal device, a time of the terminal device based on the time information. Correspondingly, a communications apparatus is further provided. According to the embodiments of this application, the terminal device can obtain, based on requirements of different application scenarios, a time type and/or time precision preferred (prefer) by the terminal device.