Edge-located clocks for precise synchronization in edge networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional edge communication networks face challenges in achieving precise synchronization due to cumulative time errors and network complexity, particularly in large networks where time stamps travel through multiple hops, introducing errors and inconsistencies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an edge-located clock communicatively coupled to timing end applications (TEAs) rather than a network hub, minimizing the number of active network devices and communication media that time stamps must traverse, and allowing for more accurate clock sharing among TEAs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If time stamps are transmitted through multiple hops in conventional edge communication networks, then network coverage is extended, but cumulative time errors increase and synchronization accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple synchronization domains, each with its own grandmaster clock located at the network edge. This allows each domain to maintain independent synchronization accuracy while collectively providing wide network coverage through the hierarchical structure of multiple domains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the synchronization architecture, organizing clocks into multiple levels (grandmaster clocks at edge locations, slave clocks at access devices, and further hierarchical levels). This dimensional organization enables simultaneous achievement of high synchronization accuracy within each hierarchy level and extensive network coverage across multiple hierarchy levels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple active network devices are used to transmit time stamps, then network functionality is enhanced, but device complexity and transmission delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the time stamp generation function from the network core and places grandmaster clocks directly at network edge locations where timing end applications are served. This eliminates the need for time stamps to traverse through multiple intermediate network devices, reducing complexity and transmission delays while maintaining network functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces edge-located grandmaster clocks as intermediary devices between the network core and timing end applications. These intermediary clocks provide synchronization directly to access devices and TEAs, reducing the number of hops and intermediate devices that time stamps must traverse.
3Length of stationary object
If time stamps traverse long communication media distances, then network reachability is improved, but transmission delays and jitter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication path into shorter segments by placing grandmaster clocks at network edge locations close to timing end applications. This segmentation reduces the distance time stamps must traverse within each segment, minimizing transmission delays and jitter while maintaining overall network reachability through the distributed clock architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for synchronizing a timing end application (TEA) in an edge communication network includes (a) receiving, at a first access device, a time stamp from a first TEA communicatively coupled to the first access device, (b) transmitting the time stamp from the first access device to a second access device via communication media of the edge communication network, (c) adjusting the time stamp to account for transit time of the time stamp from the first access device to the second access device, and (d) after adjusting the time stamp, transmitting the time stamp from the second access device to a second TEA communicatively coupled to the second access device.