Timing Slice Controller for Network Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern communication networks face challenges in providing accurate synchronization across distributed base stations and network slices, especially with the migration to distributed base station models and centralized RAN, where physical distances and varying network resources complicate synchronization, and existing protocols like PTP occupy low bandwidth and require complex duplication and address translation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a timing slice controller that coordinates, controls, and monitors timing across multiple network slices and CRAN instances, providing timing as a service (TaaS) by using a timing exposure function to establish synchronization between network entities and clock endpoints, allowing each slice to derive its time base from a common reference traceable to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If PTP protocol is used for synchronization, then clock accuracy is improved to sub-microsecond range, but device complexity increases due to complex duplication and address translation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing control functionality from individual base stations and centralizes it in a RAN controller. The controller generates timing information centrally and distributes it to multiple base stations, eliminating the need for complex PTP protocol processing at each base station while maintaining sub-microsecond synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple timing control functions into a single centralized RAN controller. Instead of each base station independently handling PTP protocol operations, the controller consolidates timing generation, duplication, and distribution functions, simplifying the overall system architecture while achieving accurate synchronization across all base stations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If distributed base station model with centralized RAN is implemented, then network flexibility and scalability are improved, but synchronization difficulty increases due to varying physical distances and network resources
Solution Approach 1:
The RAN controller acts as an intermediary between the centralized timing source and distributed base stations. It receives timing information, processes it centrally, and distributes synchronized timing to all base stations regardless of their physical distances, thereby enabling flexible network deployment while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network into a centralized control plane (RAN controller) and distributed execution plane (base stations). The controller handles complex timing coordination centrally, while base stations simply execute timing distribution to their respective cells, enabling scalable deployment across varying physical distances without increasing synchronization complexity at the edge.
3Measurement precision
If separate synchronization networks are used for each network slice, then timing accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The RAN controller implements a universal timing distribution mechanism that serves multiple network slices simultaneously. Instead of maintaining separate synchronization networks for each slice, the controller generates a single timing reference and distributes it to all base stations serving different slices, thereby maintaining timing accuracy across all slices while reducing overall system complexity and resource requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for the provision of timing for a communication network are disclosed. In particular, timing can be provided as a service to the communication network and the network slices operating thereon. This provision of timing as a service (TaaS) can enable the synchronization of operation of the various network components which in some instances can be physically placed at different locations while providing a desired functionality. According to embodiments, a timing slice is configured to provide the portion of timing resources that are associated with the delivery of timing to a slave device in an environment where multiple network slices are operating.