Removing delay fluctuation in network time synchronization

Abstract

Techniques for removing delay fluctuations from network time synchronization so that timing packets that experience an inordinate network delay to not cause unneeded adjustments to a local clock. Time synchronization according to the present techniques includes measuring a network delay associated with a timing packet and discarding the timing packet if the network delay exceeds an adjustable threshold. The adjustable threshold enables balancing the quality of delay measurements in terms of delay fluctuation against the number of delay measurements that are sufficient to maintain time synchronization.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to removing delay fluctuations in network time synchronization. Background technique [0002] Many types of devices may include a local clock that maintains a time-of-day. Exemplary devices that may have a local time-of-date clock include computer systems, test instruments, industrial control equipment, environmental control equipment, and household appliances. [0003] A time synchronization protocol can be used to synchronize local clocks in devices. A time synchronization protocol may be a protocol in which a local clock exchanges timing packets with a reference clock via a communication network. The time of transmission and reception of the timing packets can be used to determine the time offset between the local clock and the reference clock so that the local clock can be adjusted to match the time in the reference clock. One example of a time synchronization protocol that includes the exchange of timing packets is...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

For example, a timed packet with a network delay that greatly exceeds the moving average of the network delay may cause unnecessary adjustments to the local clock

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