Cross Domain Clock Synchronization Based on Data Packet Relay in 5G-TSN Integrated Network

The 5G-TSN integrated network can effectively support time-critical industrial applications and realize real-time communication between all industrial equipment. However, the 5G-TSN integrated network involves different clock domains and the end-to-end cross domain clock synchronization problem needs to be solved. Based on detailed analysis of the synchronization process between 5G and TSN networks, this paper proposes a cross domain clock synchronization method based on data packet relay. The proposed method regards 5G network as logical TSN bridge which is only responsible for the forwarding of timestamped data packets. The clock domain compensation technology is introduced to estimate the residence time of 5G timing messages. The simulation results demonstrate that synchronization accuracy is significantly improved and complexity is reduced.