Cracking the Microsecond: An Efficient and Precise Time Synchronization Scheme for Hybrid 5G-TSN Networks
Michael Gundall, Hans D. Schotten

TL;DR
This paper presents a novel time synchronization scheme for hybrid 5G-TSN networks that achieves sub-50 nanosecond accuracy using existing infrastructure, suitable for industrial applications.
Contribution
The paper introduces an efficient protocol leveraging existing infrastructure for precise time synchronization in 5G-TSN networks, validated on a hardware testbed.
Findings
Achieves synchronization within +/-50 ns in lab conditions
Uses a moving average filter with size 1024 for optimal accuracy
Demonstrates feasibility for industrial use cases
Abstract
Achieving precise time synchronization in wireless systems is essential for both industrial applications and 5G, where sub-microsecond accuracy is required. However, since the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) market is negligible compared to the consumer electronics market, the so-called IIoT enhancements have not yet been implemented in silicon. Moreover, there is no guarantee that this situation will change soon. Thus, alternative solutions must be explored. This paper addresses this challenge by introducing a scheme that uses a protocol capable of leveraging existing infrastructure to synchronize User Equipments (UEs), with one of the UEs serving as the master. If this master is connected via a wired link to the factory network, it can also function as a boundary clock for the factory network, including any Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) network. Furthermore, the 5G Core Network…
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Taxonomy
TopicsNetwork Time Synchronization Technologies · Advancements in PLL and VCO Technologies · IoT Networks and Protocols
