UE Time Synchronization Failure Indications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently indicating and managing time synchronization changes, which can lead to disruptions in communication services and inefficient use of resources.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for wireless communication that involve receiving an indication of a time synchronization change from a radio access network (RAN) node and adjusting the UE's clock accordingly, using NAS signaling or PTP messages to inform other network entities of the change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the UE continuously monitors time synchronization status, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UE transitions from continuous monitoring to periodic monitoring by only checking time synchronization status upon receiving specific triggering events (time synchronization failure indications or restoration indications from the RAN node). This periodic action based on event triggers significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining synchronization accuracy when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The network (RAN node) actively notifies the UE about time synchronization status changes through failure indications and restoration indications, eliminating the need for the UE to continuously self-monitor. The UE passively receives these notifications and adjusts its operations accordingly, reducing its own monitoring burden and power consumption.
2Reliability
If the UE maintains active time synchronization monitoring, then communication reliability is improved, but processing resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The UE performs time synchronization status checks only periodically when triggered by network indications rather than continuously. This reduces unnecessary processing operations while maintaining communication reliability by ensuring the UE is notified of any synchronization failures or restorations that could affect communication quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous time synchronization monitoring function is extracted from the UE and relocated to the RAN node, which actively detects and reports synchronization status changes. This extraction eliminates wasteful processing at the UE while maintaining reliable synchronization monitoring through the network's dedicated functionality.
3Productivity
If the UE delays time-sensitive communications until synchronization is restored, then network efficiency is improved, but communication latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UE receives advance notification from the RAN node about upcoming time synchronization failures and restoration events. This preliminary information allows the UE to proactively schedule or delay time-sensitive communications in advance, improving network efficiency by avoiding transmissions during synchronization failures while minimizing latency through planned scheduling rather than reactive delays.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive, from a radio access network node, an indication that a time synchronization change has been detected. Accordingly, the UE may adjust a clock associated with the UE based at least in part on the indication. Numerous other aspects are described.