5G TSN Timing Through UPF Synchronization Packet Filtering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial control scenarios, the dual-master-clock phenomenon in 5G networks leads to reduced synchronization precision and increased air interface overheads due to the inability of standby clocks to differentiate between faulty uplink and downlink air interface links, causing simultaneous timing signals and unnecessary packet forwarding.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize core network devices to determine and filter synchronization packets based on VLAN identifiers, IP/MAC addresses, and preconfigured filters to ensure only one synchronization packet is forwarded, thereby avoiding dual-master-clock scenarios and improving synchronization precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the standby clock autonomously enables itself when not receiving continuous sleep instructions, then the system ensures clock redundancy and failover capability, but a dual-master-clock phenomenon occurs causing synchronization precision reduction and increased air interface overheads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the UPF as an intermediary between the master clock and standby clock. The UPF receives synchronization packets from both clocks, determines which clock should be active based on packet timing and sequence information, and filters packets to forward only to the appropriate clock. This intermediary prevents the dual-master-clock phenomenon by centrally managing clock activation decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the UPF monitors synchronization packet timing and sequence information from both master and standby clocks. Based on this feedback, the UPF determines whether the standby clock should be activated or suppressed, sending appropriate sleep instructions to prevent dual-master-clock scenarios while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If the standby clock autonomously enables itself when not receiving continuous sleep instructions, then the system ensures clock redundancy, but unnecessary packet forwarding increases air interface overheads
Solution Approach 1:
The UPF acts as an intermediary that receives synchronization packets from both master and standby clocks, determines which clock should be active, and filters packets to forward only to the appropriate clock. This prevents unnecessary packet forwarding over the air interface while maintaining clock redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the packet filtering and clock management function from the individual clocks and places it in the UPF. The UPF extracts only the necessary synchronization packets to forward to the active clock, discarding redundant packets from the standby clock, thereby reducing air interface overheads.
3Device complexity
If the standby clock cannot determine whether uplink or downlink air interface links are faulty, then the system maintains simplicity in fault detection, but the standby clock mistakenly enables itself causing dual-master-clock phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The UPF serves as an intermediary that monitors synchronization packet timing and sequence information to determine link status. By analyzing packet arrival times and sequences, the UPF can identify whether uplink or downlink faults occur without adding complexity to the clock devices themselves, while accurately controlling standby clock activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of synchronization packet timing and sequence information at the UPF before making clock activation decisions. This preliminary action allows the system to detect link faults and prevent mistaken standby clock activation without requiring complex fault detection mechanisms at the clock level.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application relate to the field of communication technologies, and provide a timing method for dealing with a link exception and an apparatus. A specific solution is as follows: receiving a first synchronization packet from a first terminal device; receiving a second synchronization packet from a second terminal device or a server; and if the first synchronization packet and the second synchronization packet belong to a same TSN domain, determining a to-be-forwarded synchronization packet in the first synchronization packet and the second synchronization packet. In this way, if the to-be-forwarded packet is the first synchronization packet, the first synchronization packet is forwarded, and the second synchronization packet is filtered. Embodiments of this application are used to improve timing precision in a timing process of the TSN device for the 5GS.