One-Way Delay Measurement Without Node Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring 1-way delay in packet networks, such as those using IEEE 1588 v2 with TC function, require all relay nodes to have the TC function, making it impractical to accurately measure delay times without extensive modifications to existing networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a delay measurement system where only the transmission source and destination nodes have the necessary components to generate, transmit, and analyze delay measurement packets, allowing for end-to-end and zone-by-zone delay measurements without requiring the TC function in all relay nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If IEEE 1588 v2 with TC function is used to measure 1-way delay, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases because all relay nodes must have the TC function
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the delay measurement function from relay nodes and concentrates it only in the transmission source and destination nodes. The measurement packet carries timing information through the network without requiring relay nodes to perform measurement operations, thus achieving accurate delay measurement without complicating relay node configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a measurement packet as an intermediary carrier that transports timing information from the source to the destination node. This packet serves as a mediator that enables delay measurement without requiring the relay nodes to have complex measurement functions, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If TC function is implemented in all relay nodes, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to extensive network modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for TC function implementation from relay nodes, extracting this complex functionality from the network infrastructure. Only the source and destination nodes need measurement capabilities, making network deployment much easier while maintaining measurement precision through the measurement packet mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of implementing the TC function in all relay nodes (excessive action), the patent applies the measurement function only where necessary - at the source and destination nodes (partial action). This selective approach achieves the same measurement precision with significantly reduced deployment complexity.
3Measurement precision
If time synchronization is achieved between nodes, then 1-way delay measurement is enabled, but device complexity increases due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement packet acts as an intermediary that carries timing information without requiring the nodes to maintain synchronized clocks. The source node stamps the packet with its local transmission time, and the destination node uses its local reception time, eliminating the need for complex time synchronization while enabling delay measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of synchronizing node clocks to enable delay measurement, the patent inverts the approach by having nodes use their own unsynchronized clocks and carrying the timing difference information through the measurement packet. This eliminates the need for time synchronization infrastructure while achieving the same measurement capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention measures 1-way delay without equipping all nodes with special functionality in a situation in which time has not been synchronized. The delay measurement system of the present invention has a transmission origin node and a transmission destination node which is connected to the transmission origin node through a network including relay nodes, and measures the delay time from the transmission origin node to the transmission destination node direction, wherein the transmission origin node generates a clock. On the basis of the generated clock, delay measurement packets are generated at regular periods. The generated delay measurement packets are transmitted to the transmission destination node. The transmission destination node selects the delay measurement packets from among the received frames. The delay received by the delay measurement packets in the network between the transmission origin node to the node itself is measured.