Base Station Clock Synchronization Using Multiple Time Servers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless base stations face accuracy issues in maintaining internal clock precision due to potential malfunctions in external time information notification servers like NTP servers, where errors in reference time information can lead to incorrect clock signal control and inability to identify incorrect reference time information.
Innovation Solution
A wireless base station connected to multiple time information notification servers, which selects and corrects its internal clock based on the most accurate time information from these servers, allowing it to detect malfunctions and minimize errors by excluding incorrect reference time information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wireless base station uses reference time information from a single external time information notification server, then the clock control is simple, but the system cannot detect malfunctions and may mistakenly control the clock signal when the server fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the time information source by connecting to multiple time information notification servers instead of relying on a single server. This allows the base station to receive time information from multiple independent sources, enabling malfunction detection and selection of accurate time information without overwhelming system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The base station implements feedback by comparing time information from multiple servers and using the comparison results to detect malfunctions. The system feeds back the accuracy assessment to the clock control mechanism, allowing it to select reliable time information and maintain clock accuracy even when individual servers fail
2Reliability
If the wireless base station connects to multiple time information notification servers, then it can detect malfunctions and maintain clock accuracy, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-connecting to multiple time information notification servers and establishing comparison mechanisms before malfunction occurs. This preparation allows the system to quickly detect and respond to server failures without adding complex real-time decision-making structures
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary approach by introducing a comparison mechanism that mediates between multiple time information sources and the clock control. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a standardized method for evaluating and selecting time information from multiple servers
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless base station capable of keeping an internal clock highly accurate even in a case where a malfunction occurs in an external time information notification server such as an NTP server. A wireless base station (1-1) that performs wireless communication with a mobile terminal is connected to a plurality of time information notification servers (1-2, 1-3, 1-4). The wireless base station (1-1) selects any of a plurality of pieces of time information notified from a plurality of time information notification servers (1-2, 1-3, 1-4), respectively, and corrects an internal clock based on the selected piece of time information. This can keep the internal clock of the wireless base station highly accurate.