Clock Synchronization Path Determination in Large Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

The deployment of clock synchronization paths in large-scale networks is complex, leading to low efficiency and a high risk of errors, which can result in degraded clock precision and service transmission issues when primary and secondary paths are faulty.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for updating clock synchronization topology and determining clock synchronization paths, using a path computation device to receive clock synchronization capability information, update the topology, and compute optimal paths, ensuring high-quality clock transmission and quick recovery from tracing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual planning and deployment of clock synchronization paths is performed by network manager, then clock synchronization can be established, but deployment efficiency is low and error risk is high in large-scale networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment accuracyVSAvoiddeployment efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic determination of clock synchronization paths through the determination device that autonomously computes optimal paths based on network topology and clock synchronization requirements, eliminating manual intervention and its associated errors while maintaining high deployment accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of path planning by network managers is replaced with an automated computational system that uses algorithms to determine clock synchronization paths, significantly improving both efficiency and accuracy in large-scale networks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If primary and secondary clock synchronization paths are deployed in advance, then clock synchronization is ensured, but when both paths are faulty, timely redeployment cannot be performed resulting in degraded clock precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclock synchronization reliabilityVSAvoidpath failure recovery capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The determination device continuously monitors the status of clock synchronization paths and automatically triggers path determination when faults are detected, enabling timely recovery and maintaining clock precision without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static pre-deployed paths to dynamic path determination that adapts to real-time network conditions and failures, automatically computing new paths when faults occur to maintain synchronization reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If automatic path determination device is implemented, then deployment efficiency is improved and errors are reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepath deployment efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The determination device performs multiple functions including path determination, status monitoring, and automatic recovery, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single multi-functional component that improves efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3419230B1Method of determining clock synchronization path, and apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3419230B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3419230B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3419230B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This application relates to the communications field, and in particular, to a method for updating a clock synchronization topology, a method for determining a clock synchronization path, and a device. The method includes: receiving a first packet from a first network element, where the first packet includes clock synchronization capability information of the first network element, the first network element is a network element in a first network, and the first network element has a clock synchronization capability; and updating a clock synchronization topology of the first network based on the clock synchronization capability information of the first network element. Further, the method further includes: determining a first clock synchronization path from a clock injection node of the first network to the first network element based on a request of the first network element and the clock synchronization topology of the first network. A clock synchronization topology is automatically updated based on clock synchronization capability information of a network element, and a clock synchronization path is determined, to reduce costs of deploying a clock synchronization path.