Time Synchronization Packet Switching for Multi-Clock Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication devices face increased power consumption and performance degradation due to maintaining multiple clock sources for diverse time synchronization requirements in different services, leading to inefficient power management.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that dynamically activate or deactivate time synchronization processing for clock sources based on indication information, allowing different processing manners for activated and deactivated states to reduce unnecessary operations and conserve power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a communication device maintains time synchronization packets for multiple clock sources to meet different service requirements, then time synchronization precision is improved, but power consumption increases and device performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime synchronization precisionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the time synchronization packet processing state changeable between activated and deactivated based on service requirements. The terminal device dynamically adjusts its processing state according to whether time synchronization is needed for a particular clock source, transforming a static always-active system into a dynamic conditionally-active one, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining precision when required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter of time synchronization processing from a fixed state to a variable state. By introducing an activated/deactivated parameter that can be switched based on service needs, the system optimizes power consumption while preserving the ability to achieve high time synchronization precision when the parameter is set to activated state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a communication device maintains time synchronization packets for multiple clock sources, then adaptability to different service requirements is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different service requirementsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the time synchronization processing into separate manageable components for each clock source. Each clock source can be independently activated or deactivated, allowing the system to handle multiple services without processing all clock sources simultaneously. This segmentation reduces overall device complexity by enabling selective processing rather than managing all synchronization packets uniformly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal processing mechanism that handles multiple clock sources through a single unified approach. The same activated/deactivated processing logic applies to all clock sources, allowing the system to maintain adaptability to different service requirements without proportionally increasing complexity. The multi-functional design enables one processing framework to serve multiple purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4117206B1Method and apparatus for processing time synchronization packet
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4117206B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4117206B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4117206B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application provides a time synchronization packet processing method and apparatus. The method includes: A terminal device receives first indication information, where the first indication information indicates the terminal device to enter an activation state of time synchronization for a first clock source, or the first indication information indicates the terminal device to enter a deactivation state of time synchronization; and processes a time synchronization packet of the first clock source based on the first indication information. The clock synchronization packet is processed in different manners when the time synchronization of the first clock source is in the activation state and the deactivation state, so that the terminal device can perform processing in different manners when signaling indicates that the clock source is activated or deactivated. For example, when the first clock source is in the deactivation state, the terminal device does not need to perform processing that needs to be performed when the first clock source is in the activation state. Therefore, power consumption of a communication device is reduced, and performance of the communication device is improved.