Time Synchronization via Phase Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current time synchronization methods in 5G networks face accuracy issues due to delay uncertainties in driver, backplane, and encoding/decoding processes, which exceed the required nanosecond-level precision for synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A method where a clock synchronization signal and RTC information are transmitted separately, allowing for phase compensation of delays between modules, thereby improving synchronization accuracy by avoiding encoding/decoding delays and using loopback measurements for precise delay determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If RTC information is transmitted together with clock synchronization signal through encoding/decoding process, then information can be distributed, but delay uncertainties increase due to driver, routing, and encoding/decoding delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission by sending the clock synchronization signal and RTC information through separate paths. The clock synchronization signal is transmitted independently without encoding/decoding, while RTC information is distributed separately, thereby eliminating the delay uncertainties caused by combined encoding/decoding processes and achieving nanosecond-level synchronization accuracy.
2Loss of information
If clock synchronization signal undergoes encoding/decoding to carry RTC information, then information can be transmitted, but delay uncertainty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the RTC information from the clock synchronization signal transmission path. Instead of encoding RTC information onto the clock synchronization signal, the system distributes RTC information through a separate channel, thereby removing the encoding/decoding delays and achieving precise time synchronization at nanosecond levels.
3Measurement precision
If separate transmission paths are used for clock synchronization signal and RTC information, then delay precision improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional transmission system where the same communication infrastructure handles both clock synchronization signals and RTC information distribution. By designing the system to accommodate multiple functions within existing hardware frameworks, the patent achieves nanosecond-level synchronization accuracy without substantially increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application provides a time synchronization method and an electronic device. The method includes sending a clock synchronization signal and first real time clock (RTC) information separately; and the clock synchronization signal is configured to measure a delay between a first module and at least one second module, the delay is used for phase compensation performed on the clock synchronization signal received at the side of the at least one second module, and the clock synchronization signal after being subjected to the phase compensation is configured to trigger the at least one second module to update local second RTC information to the first RTC information.