Backplane Time Synchronization via Location-Based Skew
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current information handling systems face challenges in synchronizing multiple backplanes, which operate in disparate time domains, leading to asynchronous clock initiation and potential data accuracy issues during information exchange across devices located in different bays.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a controller generates a time command at a predetermined interval, calculates a skew based on the location of each backplane, and adjusts the time domain to synchronize backplanes, ensuring they operate in a unified time domain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple backplanes are independently managed by onboard storage enclosure processors, then each backplane can operate autonomously with its own time domain, but the backplanes become desynchronized and operate in disparate time domains leading to data accuracy issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the time domain management of multiple independent backplanes into a unified time domain controlled by a host processor. The host processor generates time commands that are distributed to all backplane processors, ensuring they operate in synchronization while maintaining their autonomous operational capabilities. This combines the autonomy benefit with the synchronization requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The host processor acts as an intermediary between the time domain requirements and the multiple backplane processors. It generates time commands at predetermined intervals and distributes them to all backplanes, mediating the time synchronization across the system without requiring direct communication between backplane processors.
2Reliability
If time commands are distributed to multiple backplanes simultaneously, then synchronization can be achieved, but backplanes at different locations experience varying signal propagation delays causing skew
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having each backplane processor calculate its own time skew based on its specific location and signal propagation characteristics. Rather than using a uniform time adjustment for all backplanes, each backplane receives the same time command but applies a location-specific skew calculation to compensate for its unique signal propagation delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the time parameter dynamically for each backplane based on its location. The host processor sends time commands with location-specific skew values, allowing each backplane to adjust its time domain parameters according to its physical position in the system, thereby compensating for signal propagation variations.
3Reliability
If a host processor generates and distributes time commands to all backplanes, then centralized time synchronization can be achieved, but the system complexity and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The host processor performs multiple functions: it acts as the central controller for time synchronization, generates time commands at predetermined intervals, determines location-specific skew values, and distributes commands to all backplane processors. This multi-functionality consolidates control responsibilities in a single processor, achieving unified time domain management without requiring additional dedicated synchronization hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for synchronizing multiple backplanes within an information handling system are disclosed. An information handling system includes a first controller that may be operable to generate a time command at a predetermined time interval. A backplane including a second controller is communicatively coupled to the first controller. The second controller may be operable to receive the time command from the first controller and calculate a skew for the time command based at least on a location of the backplane. The second controller may further be operable to adjust a time domain of the backplane based on the calculated skew for the time command to synchronize the backplane.