Distributed Timestamping Network Bandwidth Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Accurate timestamping in networks requires large bandwidth, leading to potential congestion and inefficiencies in data transmission, as existing systems transmit full timestamps across the network.
Innovation Solution
Implementing distributed timestamping where the source network interface transmits only the least significant bits of timestamps, while the target network interface generates the most significant bits, reducing the bandwidth required for timestamp transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If full timestamps are transmitted from source to target, then timestamping accuracy is maintained, but bandwidth consumption increases and network congestion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The timestamp is segmented into two parts: the source timestamp generated at the source network interface and the target timestamp generated at the target network interface. These segments are combined at the target to form the complete timestamp, thereby reducing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted across the network while maintaining full timestamping accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the necessary portion of the timestamp (source timestamp with lower resolution) from the source and transmits it to the target. The target then generates the remaining portion (target timestamp with higher resolution) locally, eliminating the need to transmit the entire high-resolution timestamp across the network.
2Loss of information
If full timestamps are transmitted from source to target, then complete timestamp information is available, but network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The timestamp generation process is segmented between source and target network interfaces. The source generates a partial timestamp (source timestamp) and the target generates the remaining portion (target timestamp), combining them to form the complete timestamp. This segmentation reduces network traffic while preserving information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The source network interface performs preliminary timestamping by generating the source timestamp in advance and transmitting it with the packet. The target network interface then completes the timestamping process by generating the target timestamp, ensuring that timestamp information is built progressively rather than requiring complete transmission upfront.
3Quantity of substance
If distributed timestamping is implemented, then bandwidth usage is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The target network interface serves itself by generating the target timestamp locally without requiring external input beyond the source timestamp and packet arrival time. This self-service approach reduces the need for complex coordination mechanisms between source and target, simplifying the overall system despite the distributed architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The timestamping mechanism is designed to be universal and multi-functional, working with standard network packets and interfaces. The source and target network interfaces use existing hardware timers and standard protocols, avoiding the need for specialized complex components while achieving distributed timestamping functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided which comprises: a first network interface (NI) to receive data from a source; a second NI coupled to a target; and a circuitry to generate a sequence of source timestamps and a sequence of target timestamps, wherein the first NI is to receive the sequence of source timestamps, and associate a first source timestamp of the sequence of source timestamps with the data, and wherein the second NI is to receive: the data with the first source timestamp from the first NI and the sequence of target timestamps from the circuitry, the second NI to generate a timestamp for the data, based at least in part on the first source timestamp and a first target timestamp of the sequence of target timestamps.