Dedicated Timing Network for Microsecond Time Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed computing systems, accurately synchronizing time across multiple devices is challenging due to independent notions of time, leading to difficulties in determining the order of conflicting requests and requiring complex and inaccurate synchronization techniques, especially in large-scale cloud computing environments where hardware and location variability complicate timekeeping.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dedicated time network within data centers that uses reference timekeeping devices synchronized to GNSS, providing highly accurate time information to host computing devices, which then distribute it to machine instances through isolated timing hardware, enabling synchronization within microseconds or nanoseconds without the need for per-instance reference timekeeping devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional network-based time synchronization techniques (e.g., NTP) are used, then time information can be communicated between devices, but the accuracy is insufficient and the system becomes too complex for wide-scale distributed computing platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the time synchronization function from the general-purpose communication network and implements it through a dedicated timing network. This separation allows the timing network to be optimized specifically for time distribution, achieving microsecond or nanosecond accuracy without the complexity and interference of general network protocols like NTP.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dedicated timing network infrastructure as an intermediary between reference timekeepers and computing devices. This intermediary layer provides specialized time distribution services, using hardware timestamping and dedicated timing protocols to achieve high accuracy without requiring complex software-based synchronization across the entire distributed system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each device maintains independent time notions, then device autonomy is preserved, but determining the order of conflicting requests becomes difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the timekeeping function across distributed devices by providing a common time reference through the dedicated timing network. All devices synchronize to the same time source, creating a unified temporal framework that enables reliable determination of request order while preserving device operational autonomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary time synchronization before distributed computing operations begin. Devices are pre-synchronized to a common time reference, establishing a shared notion of time that enables reliable ordering of subsequent requests without requiring continuous coordination during operation.
3Measurement precision
If per-instance reference timekeeping devices are deployed, then each instance can maintain accurate time, but hardware requirements and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal timing infrastructure that serves multiple machine instances through shared hardware resources. The dedicated timing network and host computing devices provide time synchronization services to numerous instances simultaneously, eliminating the need for each instance to have its own reference timekeeping device while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of time synchronization capabilities through software-based timekeeping that references the dedicated timing network. Instead of providing physical hardware copies to each instance, the system creates virtual timekeeping interfaces that all instances can access, reducing hardware requirements while maintaining the appearance of dedicated timekeeping for each instance.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for highly accurate synchronization of machine instances in a distributed, hosted computing environment to a reference timekeeper. In addition to a general communication network accessible to machine instances, the distributed environment includes a second network dedicated to carrying time information, such as a pulse-per-second (PPS) signal to isolated timing hardware within host computing devices. The isolated timing hardware can use the PPS signal, along with a reference time, to set a hardware clock. The isolated timing hardware can further provide an interface to machine instances that enables the instances to read the time of the hardware clock. This configuration enables many instances can share access to a single reference timekeeper, thus synchronizing those instances to a much higher accuracy than in traditional network-based time protocols.