Cross-Connect Board Clock Synchronization for Control Board Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical transport networks, when the master control board goes offline, the synchronization relationship between boards is disrupted, leading to service interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A communications device and method that maintains clock synchronization by switching the clock source from the control board to a cross-connect board, using local crystal oscillators to ensure the cross-connect board and service board maintain synchronized clocks, allowing seamless service continuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control board serves as the clock source for all boards, then clock synchronization is achieved, but service interruption occurs when the control board goes offline
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-connect board performs preliminary actions by maintaining a local crystal oscillator that is pre-configured to match the control board's clock frequency and phase. When the control board goes offline, the cross-connect board immediately switches to using its local oscillator, ensuring continuous clock synchronization without service interruption. This preliminary preparation of the backup clock mechanism resolves the contradiction between maintaining synchronization reliability and ensuring service continuity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control board is removed from the device, then device flexibility is improved, but clock synchronization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-connect board acts as an intermediary between the control board and the service board. It receives the clock signal from the control board when online, and automatically takes over as the clock source when the control board goes offline. This intermediary role allows the service board to maintain clock synchronization regardless of the control board's operational status, resolving the contradiction between device flexibility and synchronization reliability.
3Reliability
If the service board switches clock sources manually, then clock synchronization is maintained, but service processing is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting the control board's offline status and autonomously switching the clock source from the control board to the cross-connect board's local oscillator. The service board monitors the clock source status and automatically switches without manual intervention. This automatic self-service mechanism maintains clock synchronization while avoiding service processing interruptions, as no manual switching time is required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures uninterrupted service by maintaining clock synchronization between cross-connect and service boards, even when the control board goes offline, enhancing flexibility and selectivity.
Implementation Method 1
The first cross-connect board maintains a second clock based on the first notification signal by using a local crystal oscillator of the first cross-connect board
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a communications device and a clock synchronization method. The communications device includes a control board, a first cross-connect board, and a service board. When the control board is ready to be removed from the communications device, the first cross-connect board and the service board may be notified by using first notification signal, and based on the signal, the first cross-connect board may maintain a second clock the same as a first clock generated by the control board, and the service board may switch from the first clock to the second clock. After the control board goes offline, a clock source switches from the control board to the first cross-connect board, and both the first cross-connect board and the service board perform a subsequent related service based on the second clock, to continue to normally perform related service processing, thereby avoiding service processing interruption.