Devices for bridging a missing synchronization domain

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for communication in a data network, which has a first synchronization domain and a second synchronization domain, comprising a receiving interface for receiving first item of time information of the first synchronization domain and second item of time information of the second synchronization domain from a first network subscriber. A selection device of the apparatus is designed to select the first item or the second item of time information as the selected item of time information of a selected synchronization domain, the other item of time information being an unselected item of time information of an unselected synchronization domain. The apparatus comprises a transmitting interface, the apparatus being designed to use the transmitting interface to provide the selected item of time information in the associated synchronization domain to a second network subscriber coupled to the transmitting interface and to provide the unselected item of time information using the selected synchronization domain.

Description

[0001] Devices for bridging a missing synchronization domain

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for selecting time information from a synchronization domain from a group of at least one first and one second synchronization domain for transmitting the selected information, and to a device for restoring such compressed information. The present invention further relates to corresponding methods and a computer program. In particular, the present invention relates to a sync bridge or synchronization bridge for distributed, transparent clock bridging.

[0004] For the transmission of highly accurate time information using protocols such as IEEE 1588, IEEE 802.1AS, PTCP, or similar protocols, it is necessary that all devices along the synchronization path have a corresponding protocol implementation. Currently, if two synchronization domains are to be operated, it is required that all devices be able to handle them. This is often not the case, as the devices lack the necessary resources, are existing devices, or other reasons may apply. Consequently, two synchronization domains are not currently implemented in technical systems, or if they are, only with comparatively high effort, for example, because all devices have to be reinstalled. Therefore, the alternative solution is to implement the functionality in all devices of the overall system.

[0005] Ideally, the use of two or more synchronization domains in data networks would be technically simple.

[0006] One object of the present invention is therefore to create devices and methods that enable the simple use of two or more synchronization domains in data networks.

[0007] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims.

[0008] A key idea of ​​the present invention is the recognition that one of the obstacles to the use of multiple synchronization domains in real-world applications is...

[0009] The problem with FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX systems is that existing devices can only work with one synchronization domain, leading to incompatibilities with newer devices or bridges capable of operating two synchronization domains. This prevents a real-world implementation, as all existing devices currently need to be replaced. This can be circumvented by bridging existing devices that do not support the increased number of synchronization domains, thus avoiding information loss from unsupported synchronization domains in the data network.

[0010] According to the invention, it has been recognized that the operation of such limited existing devices can be retained and the corresponding information from one or more additional synchronization domains can be converted into the already supported synchronization domain. This can be achieved by selecting one of the synchronization domains using a device configured for the operation of both synchronization domains and by providing unselected time information using the selected synchronization domain, which can then propagate further in the network and be converted again into an additional synchronization domain, compared to the limited devices, by devices implemented according to the invention.These two devices can together form a time bridge, clock bridge, thus enabling integration and additional use of further synchronization domains in existing data networks.

[0011] According to one embodiment, a device for communication in a data network, which has a first synchronization domain and a second synchronization domain, comprises a receiving interface for receiving a first time signal from the first synchronization domain and a second time signal from the second synchronization domain from a first network participant. The device includes a selection device configured to select one of the first or second time signals as the selected time signal of a correspondingly selected synchronization domain, whereby the other time signal constitutes an unselected time signal of an unselected synchronization domain.The device comprises a transmit interface, wherein the device is configured to provide the selected time information in the associated synchronization domain to a second network participant coupled to the transmit interface via the transmit interface, and to provide the unselected time information using the selected synchronization domain.

[0012] FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX According to one embodiment, a device for communication in a data network, which has a first synchronization domain and a second synchronization domain, comprises an input interface for receiving first time information of the first synchronization domain from a first network participant and a computing unit configured to derive second time information of the second synchronization domain from the first time information. The device further comprises an output interface for providing the first time information and the second time information to a second network participant in the data network and / or comprises a data processing unit for using the second time information.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, a method for operating a first synchronization domain and a second synchronization domain in a data network is provided. The method comprises operating a first synchronization domain and a second synchronization domain in the data network. Furthermore, the method comprises receiving a first time signal from the first synchronization domain and a second time signal from the second synchronization domain with a first network participant. The method includes selecting one of the first or second time signals as the selected time signal of a selected synchronization domain, such that the other time signal is an unselected time signal of an unselected synchronization domain.The procedure includes providing the selected time information in the associated synchronization domain and providing the unselected time information using the selected synchronization domain to a second network participant coupled to the network participant in the data network.

[0014] According to a further embodiment, a method for operating a first synchronization domain and a second synchronization domain in a data network is provided. The method comprises operating a first synchronization domain and a second synchronization domain in the data network. Furthermore, the method comprises receiving a first time signal from the first synchronization domain with a first network participant and deriving a second time signal from the second synchronization domain from the first time signal.

[0015] The FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX method further includes providing the first time information and the second time information to a second network participant in the data network, whereby alternatively or additionally, the use of the second time information can be performed.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the two methods are implemented on the bridge input side, transmitter side or encoder side, and on the bridge output side, receiver side or decoder side, in order to jointly enable bridging of one or more participants in the data network, which only support one synchronization domain, particularly preferably the selected synchronization domain.

[0017] Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of dependent patent claims.

[0018] Particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0019] Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a device according to an embodiment, which is designed and configured for communication in a data network to provide an input side of a synchronization domain bridge;

[0020] Fig. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a device according to an embodiment which is designed and configured for communication in a data network to provide an output side of a synchronization domain bridge;

[0021] Fig. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of a data network according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0022] Fig. 4 shows a schematic flowchart of a method according to an embodiment to reduce the number of output synchronization domains used; and

[0023] Fig. 5 shows a schematic flowchart of a method according to an exemplary embodiment for restoring a previously reduced synchronization domain.

[0024] FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CXBefore exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, it should be noted that identical, functionally equivalent or equivalent elements, objects and / or structures in the different figures are provided with the same reference numerals, so that the description of these elements shown in different exemplary embodiments is interchangeable or can be applied to each other.

[0025] The following exemplary implementations are described in conjunction with a multitude of details. However, these implementations can also be implemented without these detailed features. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, block diagrams are used to describe these implementations instead of detailed representations. Additionally, details and / or features of individual implementations can be readily combined unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment, designed for communication in a data network. Such an exemplary data network is described in connection with Fig. 3, whereby configurations deviating from Fig. 3 can also be readily implemented. The device is designed to support at least a first synchronization domain, SD, or synchronization domain 12, SD1, and a second synchronization domain 14, SD2, or to operate or work in accordance with the synchronization domains 12 and 14. This means that the device 10 has corresponding software and / or hardware resources to be able to implement the corresponding protocols.

[0027] Although the embodiments described herein relate to two types of devices—namely, those supporting two synchronization domains and those supporting only one—the embodiments are not limited to these. Embodiments of the present invention relate to bridging devices that support a reduced number of synchronization domains, such as 1, 2, or 3, compared to a first, higher number of synchronization domains, such as 2, 3, 4, or more. It is possible, but not necessary, for the number of synchronization domains to be reduced by only 1, i.e., decremented. Without limitation, embodiments also relate to bridging multiple synchronization domains, such as from one

[0028] FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX Number of bridges from 3 to 1, where an output number can be any greater than 2 and the number of devices to be bridged from supported domains can be any number, but not less than 1. Different such bridges can readily be operated together in a data network.

[0029] The bridging described herein can be carried out in such a way that time-critical or real-time-critical communication takes place in the number of synchronization domains supported in the restricted devices and unsupported or unselected time information is transferred to the supported synchronization domain(s) in order to enable a restoration of the compressed or reduced information by another device, i.e. on the output side of the bridge.

[0030] The device 10 comprises an input interface 16 for receiving a first time signal from the first synchronization domain 12 and a second time signal from the second synchronization domain 14 from a first network participant (not shown). For this purpose, one or more telegrams or messages 18 of corresponding protocols can be received. According to one embodiment, the device 10 is configured to transmit the first and / or second time signal in accordance with at least one of the following protocols: IEEE 1588, IEEE 802.1AS, and / or PTCP (Precision Time Control Protocol).

[0031] The device 10 is configured to support at least the synchronization domains 12 and 14, with the possibility of additional synchronization domains. Such implementation can be easily achieved by providing appropriate software and / or hardware resources.

[0032] The device 10 comprises a selection device 22 configured to select one of the first or second time information as the selected time information of a selected synchronization domain 34, wherein the respective synchronization domain 12 or 14 represents the selected synchronization domain 34.

[0033] The selection device 22 can be configured to select the selected time information and / or the selected synchronization domain 34 based on a number and / or a synchronization domain supported by the outgoing network participant. This means knowing the number and / or which

[0034] FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX Depending on the types of synchronization protocols supported by the target network participant, a corresponding selection can be made using selection device 22. Such information can be exchanged by the network participants during setup, commissioning, or during the ongoing operation of the data network.

[0035] According to the invention, the other time information, and thus the other unselected synchronization domain, can be substituted by information based on the selected synchronization domain, compatible with it, and / or enabling a reconstruction of the synchronization domain by another device beyond the other network participant. For this purpose, the device 10 has a transmitting interface 24 configured to provide the selected time information of the associated synchronization domain 12 or 14 to a second network participant (not shown) connected to the transmitting interface 24, and also to provide the unselected time information using the selected synchronization domain.

[0036] For this purpose, one or more messages or telegrams 26 can be used, with the option of providing additional information. Based on the messages 26, a device that only supports one synchronization domain can be operated accordingly and thus continue to operate within the scope of its capabilities. For example, the number of synchronization domains on the output side of the transmit interface 24 is reduced by 1, 2, or more compared to the input side of the input interface 16. This reduction can be based on the capabilities, resources, or capacities of the network participant connected on the output side. Relevant information can be exchanged during commissioning, installation, or regularly during the operation of the data network.

[0037] Simultaneously, the information regarding unselected or unsupported synchronization domains can be reversibly designed by forwarding the information necessary for reconstruction. This allows bridges to reconstruct the synchronization domain after bypassing appropriately restricted devices. Reconstruction can be complete or partial, meaning that, starting from an initial set of three synchronization domains, the number of...

[0038] FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX of 1 synchronization domain, it is possible in exemplary embodiments to first restore one of the unselected synchronization domains in a corresponding device, so that one unselected synchronization domain remains, which is restored at a later time or in a later device.

[0039] The selection device 22 can be configured to select the synchronization domain or several synchronization domains as the selected synchronization domain(s), and to do so not only based on the number of synchronization domains, but also on the supported protocols, so that a protocol not supported on the receiving end is accordingly converted into a supported protocol.

[0040] Optionally, the device 10 includes a message generation unit 28 configured to generate synchronization information 32 based on the unselected time information and to provide it to the second network participant. The synchronization message 32 can be transmitted using the same or a different protocol or data transmission standard as the telegram 26. The synchronization information 32 is associated with the unselected synchronization domain; in other words, it is translated into the unselected synchronization domain. The message 26 and / or the synchronization information 32 can, for example, be transmitted via a Layer 2 telegram.

[0041] Based on a selection by the selection device 22, which of the synchronization domains 12, 14 is the selected synchronization domain 34 and which is the unselected synchronization domain 36, the telegrams 26 and / or the synchronization information 32 can be designed accordingly.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the device 10 is configured to create or generate the synchronization information 32 in such a way that it is suitable for calculating the duration of a transmission from the synchronization information originating from the device 10 to a device for restoring the unselected synchronization domain 36. Such information for determining the transmission duration by the bridge shown in Fig. 3 can make it possible to restore the corresponding time information and to ensure continued precise operation even after the unselected synchronization domain has been restored.

[0043] FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX According to a preferred embodiment, the synchronization information 32 comprises at least one network address of a synchronization master, i.e., a synchronization master or sync master MAC address of the unselected synchronization domain, a clock identity of the unselected synchronization domain, and a domain identifier of the unselected synchronization domain 36. Although this information alone may be sufficient for this purpose, it is preferred that several or even all of this information be transmitted, for example, as a combination. It is particularly preferred if, in addition to the one or more pieces of information, a sequence ID of the unselected synchronization domain and / or a transmission timestamp of the synchronization information 32, for example, with respect to the selected synchronization domain 34, is included in the synchronization information.

[0044] Such information is accessible to the device 10, since it supports both synchronization domains 12 and 14 and can convert the corresponding information into a regular telegram or a telegram of the selected synchronization domain 34.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the device 10 is configured to create a timestamp for a synchronization message, a synchronization frame, based on the selected time information and to provide the synchronization message to the outbound network participant, wherein the synchronization message provides at least part of the synchronization information 32 or includes or is the synchronization information 32.

[0046] The subject matter of the present embodiments is particularly advantageously implemented in a wired data network, in which the message distribution can be determined by the cable routing.

[0047] Fig. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a device 20 according to an exemplary embodiment. The device 20 is configured for communication in a data network, approximately the same data network in which the device 10 is driven. The data network therefore comprises synchronization domains 12 and 14, and optionally further synchronization domains. The device 20 includes an input-

[0048] FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX Interface 42, configured to receive a message 44 containing time information 48 from one of the synchronization domains 12 or 14. The message is received by a first network participant (not shown). The time information 48 may, for example, originate from the device 10 and be forwarded by at least one other device, as shown in Fig. 3. This first time information 48 may, for example, be derived directly from the message 44 or correspond to the relevant protocol. The computing device 46 is configured to derive a second time information 52 of the other synchronization domain from the first time information 48. For example, if the first time information 48 is consistent with synchronization domain 12, the computing device 46 can provide the time information 52 for synchronization domain 14, or vice versa.

[0049] The device 20 comprises an output interface 54, which is configured to provide the first time information 48 and the second time information 52 to a second network participant (not shown) in the data network. Alternatively or additionally, the device 20 may include a data processing unit for using the second time information 52. The time information may be transmitted via one or more messages or telegrams 56.

[0050] The device 20 can be configured to receive synchronization information, such as the synchronization information 32 of the device 10, wherein the synchronization information is associated with the unselected or other synchronization domain 52. The device 20 can be configured, for example using the computing device 46, to derive the time information 52 based on the time information 48 and the synchronization information.

[0051] Device 10 can additionally have the functions of device 20, and conversely, device 20 can optionally include the functions of device 10. For example, device 10 can be configured to receive the selected time information of the selected synchronization domain at the input side via the receiving interface 16 and to derive the other, for example, second time information of the second synchronization domain, from the first time information using a computing unit. A swapping of the first and second time information or synchronization domain is readily possible. In this case, device 10 can be configured to output the first and second time information to a fourth

[0052] FH260108PCT-2026024916.DOCX provides network participants for the output interface. Such a device can be used on the input side or optionally on the output side of a distributed bridge shown in Fig. 3.

[0053] Accordingly, the device 20 can also be configured to receive the first time information of the first synchronization domain 12 and the second time information of the second synchronization domain 14, to select one of them, to provide the selected time information in the associated synchronization domain, and to provide the unselected time information using the selected synchronization domain.

[0054] Fig. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of a data network 30 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0055] For illustrative purposes, but without any limiting effect, nine devices are shown as bridges for forwarding synchronization information, which are coupled to each other partly serially (Bridges A, B, C, D, E,...) and partly in parallel (Bridges F, G; Bridges H, I).

[0056] A network architecture according to the embodiments described herein can be implemented in any way and is not limited to a serial, parallel, ring, or star topology.

[0057] The data network 30 can comprise several devices 62, which are designated with reference symbols in accordance with the bridges A, B, G, and I and are configured to operate according to two synchronization domains (Sync-DOMs). This also applies to device 10c and device 20F ZU, which are configured as devices 10 and 20, respectively, and are connected between devices 62B and 62G. In this series connection, one or more devices 64 are interconnected, supporting a reduced number of, for example, only one synchronization domain, although this number can be higher if device 10c has a correspondingly larger number of devices. At least one device 64 can be bypassed by device 10c providing information to device 20F regarding the unselected synchronization domain.The same applies to the transmission path between device 10c and 20H, so that device 10c together with device 20F forms a distributed transparent clock bridge, VTCB, 66, as does device 10c together with device 20H. The devices.

[0058] FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX10c, 20F and 20H can also jointly form a common VTCB 66. For bidirectional communication, for example between devices 62A and 62G and / or 62A and 62i, it is advantageous to configure devices 10c as well as 20F and 20H combinatorially with the respective combined functionality of devices 10 and 20.

[0059] One or more devices 10 and one or more devices 20 can be arranged in the data network 30, and one or more VTCBs 66 can also be implemented in the data network 30. Each of the VTCBs 66 can bridge one or more devices 64, and, unlike what is shown in Fig. 3, a different form of reduction can also take place in the device 10, for example, starting from a higher number of synchronization domains compared to the number of 2, and / or a reduction by a greater number than one synchronization domain.

[0060] Due to their operation in the supported synchronization domain, the bridged devices 64D and 64E can easily forward the information provided by device 10c to devices 20F and 20H respectively, where the corresponding information for the missing synchronization domain can be recovered.

[0061] A device 10, such as 10c, and / or a device 20, such as device 20F and / or 20H, described herein may have the described implementations, for example, as an operating mode. For instance, with reference to Fig. 3, a corresponding operating mode may be activated when the device detects that a corresponding device supporting a smaller number of synchronization domains is coupled to one of its ports. Otherwise, for example, device 10c could also operate as device 62A, 62B, 62G, and / or 62i, as could devices 20F and / or 20H.According to one embodiment, the device 10 and / or the device 20 is therefore designed to select the operating mode based on a detection of the network participant coupled to the input interface or output interface with regard to functionality or compatibility, and in the correspondingly selected operating mode to provide the conversion of the synchronization information if necessary and to refrain from doing so in the event that this is not necessary due to the coupled network participants.

[0062] Figure 4 in FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX shows a schematic flowchart of a method 400 according to an embodiment. Step 410 comprises operating a first synchronization domain and a second synchronization domain in a data network. Step 420 comprises receiving a first time information from the first synchronization domain and a second time information from the second synchronization domain with a first network participant. Step 430 comprises selecting one of the first or second time information as the selected time information of a selected synchronization domain, such that the other time information is an unselected time information of an unselected synchronization domain.Step 440 includes providing the selected time information to the associated synchronization domain and providing the unselected time information using the selected synchronization domain to a second network participant coupled to the network participant in the data network.

[0063] Method 400 can be implemented, for example, by device 10.

[0064] Fig. 5 shows a schematic flowchart of a method 500 according to an exemplary embodiment, which can be implemented, for example, but not necessarily, by the device 20. Step 510 comprises operating a first synchronization domain and a second synchronization domain in a data network and can therefore correspond to step 410. Step 520 comprises receiving a first time signal from the first synchronization domain with a first network participant. Step 530 comprises deriving a second time signal from the second synchronization domain from the first time signal.

[0065] Step 540 involves providing the first time information and the second time information to a second network participant in the data network.

[0066] Procedures 400 and 500 can be combined to optionally implement the other steps of deriving the time information from procedure 400 or selecting the time information to be forwarded from procedure 500.

[0067] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to devices and methods concerning a synchronization bridge or a distributed transparent clock bridging. This includes, with reference to Fig. 3, devices which reduce, e.g.,

[0068] FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX can only forward a synchronization domain, such as Bridge D and Bridge E, and can be bridged with respect to a synchronization domain not supported by these bridges. Bridges 10c, 20F, and 20H, which are adjacent to Bridges 64D and 64E, i.e., connected by a direct link, can form a distributed transparent clock bridge. This bridge is transparent in that the information conversion can be transparent to devices 64 inside VTCB 66 as well as to devices 62 outside of it.

[0069] When synchronization messages are forwarded through this area, that is, through bridges 64D and 64E, they are not timestamped, which the devices may not be able to implement. However, bridges 10c, 20F, and 20H are highly accurately time-synchronized via the selected synchronization domain supported by devices 64D and 64E, for example, by referencing a Sync ID 1. Using this time, timestamps for the synchronization frames are generated by devices 10c, 20F, and 20H upon entry into and exit from this VTCB domain 66.

[0070] These timestamps are used for highly accurate time correction of the synchronization frames at exit and before forwarding through devices 10c, 20F or 20H.

[0071] Exemplary implementations offer the advantage that such a function no longer needs to be integrated into all devices to utilize two or more synchronization levels in a data network. Existing devices, such as the devices 64D and 64E shown in Fig. 3, can be used without modification. This significantly accelerates both market entry and market penetration of the overall system function, reduces development costs, and / or enables more cost-effective device manufacturing. This offers clear advantages over implementing two or more synchronization domains uniformly in all devices of a data network.

[0072] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be used in real-time Ethernet systems, for example in industrial production, energy network automation and / or mobility.

[0073] Examples of implementations enable the improvement of the industrial application of using two or more synchronization domains in data networks. The life cycles of production plants and automation devices used to automate these plants are comparatively long for various reasons, such as...

[0074] FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX in a range of at least 10 years up to 40 years. Manufacturers of automation technology components, such as controllers, switches, and / or field devices, have a developed and optimized component portfolio on the market. The new requirements of functions, such as a second synchronization domain, entail high development costs, for example, because all devices must have the new function. Embodiments of the present invention make it possible that not all devices in a network have to be redesigned and / or reimplemented, and yet the function of the second synchronization domain can still be used in the network. This can reduce development costs, accelerate the market entry of system functions, and reduce component costs.

[0075] Although some aspects have been described in connection with a device, it is understood that these aspects also constitute a description of the corresponding process, so that a block or component of a device can also be understood as a corresponding process step or as a feature of a process step. Similarly, aspects described in connection with or as a process step also constitute a description of a corresponding block, detail, or feature of a corresponding device.

[0076] Depending on specific implementation requirements, embodiments of the invention can be implemented in hardware or in software. The implementation can be carried out using a digital storage medium, for example, a floppy disk, DVD, Blu-ray disc, CD, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, hard disk, or other magnetic or optical storage medium, on which electronically readable control signals are stored. These control signals can interact with a programmable computer system in such a way that the respective method is carried out. Therefore, the digital storage medium can be computer-readable.Some embodiments according to the invention therefore include a data carrier which has electronically readable control signals which are able to interact with a programmable computer system in such a way that one of the methods described herein is carried out.

[0077] In general, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as a computer program product with a program code, wherein the program code is

[0078] FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX is effective in carrying out one of the procedures when the computer program product runs on a computer. The program code may, for example, also be stored on a machine-readable medium.

[0079] Other embodiments include the computer program for carrying out one of the methods described herein, wherein the computer program is stored on a machine-readable medium.

[0080] In other words, an embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a computer program that includes program code for carrying out one of the methods described herein when the computer program is executed on a computer. Another embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a data carrier (or a digital storage medium or a computer-readable medium) on which the computer program for carrying out one of the methods described herein is recorded.

[0081] Another embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a data stream or a sequence of signals that represents the computer program for carrying out one of the methods described herein. The data stream or sequence of signals can be configured, for example, to be transferred via a data communication connection, such as the Internet.

[0082] Another embodiment comprises a processing device, for example a computer or a programmable logic device, which is configured or adapted to perform one of the methods described herein.

[0083] Another embodiment comprises a computer on which the computer program for performing one of the procedures described herein is installed.

[0084] In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (for example, a field-programmable gate array, an FPGA) can be used to perform some or all of the functionalities of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field-programmable gate array can interact with a microprocessor to perform one of the methods described herein. Generally, in some embodiments, the methods are performed by a

[0085] FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX performed on any hardware device. This can be general-purpose hardware such as a computer processor (CPU) or hardware specific to the procedure, such as an ASIC.

[0086] The embodiments described above merely illustrate the principles of the present invention. It is understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein will be obvious to other people skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of protection set forth in the following claims and not by the specific details presented herein by way of description and explanation of the embodiments.

[0087] FH260108PCT-2026024916.DOCX

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (10) for communication in a data network (30) comprising a first synchronization domain (12) and a second synchronization domain (14), wherein the device (10) comprises: a receiving interface for receiving a first time information from the first synchronization domain (12) and a second time information from the second synchronization domain (14) from a first network participant; and a selection device (22) configured to select one of the first or second time information as the selected time information of a selected synchronization domain (34), wherein the other time information is an unselected time information of an unselected synchronization domain (36); and a transmitting interface (24), wherein the device (10) is configured to provide the selected time information in the selected synchronization domain (34) to a second network participant coupled to the transmitting interface (24) via the transmitting interface (24); and to provide the unselected time information using the selected synchronization domain (34).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, comprising a message generation device (28) configured to generate synchronization information (32) based on the unselected time information and to provide it to the second network participant; wherein the synchronization information (32) is associated with the unselected synchronization domain (36).

3. Device (10) according to claim 2, which is configured to generate the synchronization information (32), wherein the synchronization information (32) is configured for calculating a duration of a transmission from the synchronization information (32) from the device (10) to a device for restoring the unselected synchronization domain (36).

4. Device (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the synchronization information (32) consists of at least one of FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX• a network address of a synchronization master of the unselected synchronization domain (36); • a clock identification of the unselected synchronization domain (36); and • a domain identifier of the unselected synchronization domain (36); includes.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the synchronization information (32) further comprises a sequence ID of the unselected synchronization domain (36) and / or a transmission timestamp of the synchronization information (32).

6. Device (10) according to one of claims 2 to 5, which is configured to create a timestamp for a synchronization message based on the selected time information and to provide the synchronization message to the second network participant at least as part of the synchronization information (32).

7. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data network (30) is a wired data network (30).

8. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the selection device (22) is configured to select the selected time information based on a number and / or type of synchronization domain supported by the second network participant.

9. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is for transmitting the first and / or second time information in accordance with at least one of: • an IEEE 1588 protocol; • an IEEE 802.1AS protocol; • a precision timing protocol, PTCP, is set up. FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX10. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is configured to receive selected time information of the first synchronization domain (12) from a third network participant with the receiving interface; and wherein the device comprises a computing unit (46) which is configured to derive the second time information of the second synchronization domain (14) from the first time information; wherein the device (10) is configured to provide the first time information and the second time information to a fourth network participant via the output interface.

11. Device (20) for communication in a data network (30) comprising a first synchronization domain (12) and a second synchronization domain (14): an input interface (42) for receiving initial time information from the first synchronization domain (12) from a first network participant; a computing device (46) configured to derive a second time information of the second synchronization domain (14) from the first time information; and an output interface (54) for providing the first time information and the second time information to a second network participant in the data network (30); or a data processing device for using the second time information.

12. Device (20) according to claim 11, which is configured to receive synchronization information (32) associated with the second synchronization domain (14); and wherein the device (20) is configured to derive the second time information based on the first time information and the synchronization information (32). FH260108PCT-2026024916.DOCX13. Device (20) according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising: wherein the receiving interface (42) is set up by a third network participant to receive a first time information from the first synchronization domain (12) and a second time information from the second synchronization domain (14); wherein the device (20) comprises a selection device (22) configured to select one of the first or second time information as the selected time information; and wherein the transmit interface (24) is configured to provide the selected time information in the associated synchronization domain to a fourth network participant coupled to the transmit interface (24); and to provide the unselected time information using the selected synchronization domain (34).

14. Data network (30) with: a first device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and a second device (20) according to claims 11 to 13; a third device (64D, 64E) which is coupled between the first and the second device and is configured to forward the selected time information of the first device as the first time information of the second device.

15. Data network (30) according to claim 14, wherein the third device (64D, 64E) is bridged with respect to an unselected time information by the first device (10) and the second device (20).

16. Method (400) for operating a first synchronization domain and a second synchronization domain in a data network comprising the following steps: FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CXBertreiben (410) a first synchronization domain and a second synchronization domain in the data network; Receiving (420) a first time information from the first synchronization domain and a second time information from the second synchronization domain with a first network participant; and Select (430) one of the first or second time information as the selected time information of a selected synchronization domain, such that the other time information is an unselected time information of an unselected synchronization domain; and Providing (440) the selected time information in the associated synchronization domain and providing the unselected time information using the selected synchronization domain to a second network participant coupled to the network participant in the data network.

17. Method according to claim 16, further comprising: Forwarding the selected time information to a third network participant for the third network participant to receive the selected time information; and Deriving (530) a time information different from the selected time information from the selected time information in order to obtain the first time information and the second time information; and Providing (540) the first time information and the second time information to a fourth network participant in the data network.

18. Method (500) for operating a first synchronization domain and a second synchronization domain in a data network comprising the following steps: Operating (510) a first synchronization domain and a second synchronization domain in the data network; FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX Receives (520) an initial time information from the first synchronization domain with a first network participant; and Deriving (530) a second time information of the second synchronization domain from the first time information; and Providing (540) the first time information and the second time information to a second network participant in the data network; or using the second time information.

19. Method according to claim 18, further comprising: Receiving (420) the first time information of the first synchronization domain and the second time information of the second synchronization domain with a third network participant; and Select (430) one of the first or second time information as the selected time information of a selected synchronization domain, such that the other time information is an unselected time information of an unselected synchronization domain; and Providing (440) the selected time information in the associated synchronization domain and providing the unselected time information using the selected synchronization domain to a fourth network participant coupled to the network participant in the data network; so that, by means of a transmission of the selected time information from the first network participant to the fourth network participant, a bridging of the second network participant with regard to an unselected time information takes place.

20. Computer program comprising program code for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, when the program runs on a computer. FH260108PCT-2026024916.D0CX

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