Ethernet Frame Timing Synchronization via Control Data Embedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital data transfer systems face challenges in synchronizing clock devices across network elements without consuming payload data capacity and requiring external timing signal reception equipment, such as GPS antennas, which increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The method involves writing timing messages into control data within Ethernet-frames as synchronization status messages and transferring them between network elements, eliminating the need for dedicated protocol data units and external timing signal reception equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS receivers and antenna systems are used for synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing message transfer function from dedicated synchronization protocols and integrates it into existing Ethernet data frames. This eliminates the need for separate GPS receivers and antenna systems by using the existing data communication infrastructure for timing information transfer, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining synchronization capability
Solution Approach 2:
The Ethernet frames serve multiple functions simultaneously: they carry both payload data and timing synchronization messages. This multi-functionality allows the same communication infrastructure to support both data transfer and synchronization, eliminating the need for dedicated synchronization hardware like GPS receivers and reducing overall system complexity
2Reliability
If dedicated protocol data units are used for timing messages, then synchronization reliability is improved, but data transfer capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges timing synchronization messages with existing Ethernet data frames by placing them in control data fields. This combination allows timing messages to be transmitted alongside payload data without requiring dedicated protocol data units, thereby maintaining synchronization reliability while preserving data transfer capacity
Solution Approach 2:
Existing Ethernet frames are made multi-functional by enabling them to carry both payload data and timing synchronization information simultaneously. This approach ensures that dedicated synchronization traffic is not separated from data traffic, maintaining reliable synchronization delivery while maximizing data transfer capacity
3Measurement precision
If multiple exchanges of timing messages are performed, then synchronization precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds timing information directly in the Ethernet frame control data before transmission, allowing receiving nodes to extract synchronization information immediately upon frame reception. This preliminary embedding of timing data eliminates the need for multiple sequential message exchanges, achieving high synchronization precision while minimizing time loss
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a system for transferring timing messages in a digital data transfer system. In a solution according to the invention a timing message is transferred (101, 102, 103) within control data carried in a protocol data unit. The timing message is dependent on a transmission moment of the protocol data unit from a network element of the digital data transfer system. The control data is a synchronization status message (Ethernet-SSM) carried in an Ethernet-frame. Therefore, the number of such protocol data units that are dedicated only for timing purposes can be reduced.