Clock Recovery via Priority-Based Packet Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clock synchronization methods in packet-compatible networks face challenges in maintaining precision and accuracy due to factors like network delay changes, local oscillator drift, and topology changes, which affect the synchronization algorithms and can cause clocks to drift apart or lose synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation of two flows of time-stamped packets with different priority indications, where the client clock node processes these packets to assess changes in delays and applies a differentiated clock recovery algorithm based on the cause of delay changes, such as network delay, local oscillator drift, or topology changes, to maintain synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single clock recovery algorithm is used for all packet flows, then the system is simple to implement, but synchronization accuracy deteriorates when different types of delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet flow into multiple priority levels (e.g., high priority and low priority flows). Different clock recovery algorithms are applied to different priority flows based on their specific delay characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to optimize synchronization accuracy for each flow type while maintaining manageable complexity through modular algorithm selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and applies different clock recovery algorithms based on the observed delay characteristics of each packet flow. When variable delays are detected in low priority flows, a different algorithm is applied compared to high priority flows with more stable delays. This dynamic adaptation improves synchronization accuracy without requiring all algorithms to be simultaneously active, thus controlling complexity.
2Measurement precision
If packet delays are not differentiated by priority, then packet processing is simpler, but clock synchronization accuracy deteriorates due to mixed delay characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments packets into different priority flows (e.g., high priority and low priority) with distinct delay characteristics. Each segmented flow is processed separately through its own clock recovery algorithm. This segmentation enables accurate synchronization by treating packets with different delay profiles independently, while the modular processing architecture keeps implementation complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Different clock recovery algorithms are applied to different priority flows based on their local delay characteristics. High priority flows with stable delays receive one type of processing, while low priority flows with variable delays receive different processing. This local quality approach optimizes synchronization accuracy for each flow's specific conditions without requiring complete reprocessing of all packets.
3Reliability
If clock recovery algorithms are not differentiated by delay cause, then the system is easier to implement, but synchronization reliability deteriorates when multiple delay causes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically identifies the cause of delays (network-induced vs. local oscillator) and automatically selects the appropriate clock recovery algorithm for each priority flow. This dynamic selection improves synchronization reliability by matching the algorithm to the actual delay cause, while automated detection and selection mechanisms keep implementation complexity manageable without requiring manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that monitor delay characteristics and automatically adjust which clock recovery algorithm is applied to each priority flow. By continuously monitoring delay patterns and feeding this information back into the algorithm selection process, the system improves synchronization reliability in response to changing conditions while maintaining ease of implementation through automated control.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method of clock recovery and a system thereof. The method comprises: by master clock node or by client clock node, generating a first flow of time-stamped packets bearing indication of high priority of delivery and, in parallel, generating a second flow of time-stamped packets bearing indication of lower priority of delivery. By client clock node, processing the packets from the first flow separately from the packets from the second flow to define, separately for each flow, a function informative of changes of packets' delays in the respective flow over time; using the defined functions informative of changes of packets' delays in the first and the second flows over the same time intervals to assess a cause of the packets' delays changes; and applying a clock recovery algorithm in a manner differentiated in accordance with the assessed cause.