Hardware Timestamp Generation for Ethernet Clock Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for implementing the IEEE1588 protocol's transparent clock in Ethernet networks suffer from poor precision, instability, and strong fluctuations in clock synchronization due to software-based acquisition of time stamp information, leading to inaccurate residence time calculations in switching nodes.
Innovation Solution
A hardware device comprising a clock module, data identification module, and data correction module acquires and corrects time information based on the output direction of data, providing high-precision residence time information for stable transparent clock implementation by accumulating positive or negative values of current time information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If software-based acquisition of time stamp information is used, then implementation complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the software-based time stamp acquisition mechanism with a hardware-based solution. Specifically, a timestamp generation unit hardware component is introduced to generate time stamps directly from hardware clock signals, eliminating the need for software-based time acquisition and processing. This hardware substitution resolves the contradiction by providing both simplified implementation (through dedicated hardware logic) and high precision (through direct hardware clock synchronization).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary hardware module (the timestamp generation unit) that acts as a mediator between the clock signal and the data processing system. This intermediary component directly generates time stamps from hardware clock signals and injects them into the data stream, serving as a bridge that provides precise timing information without requiring complex software processing. The intermediary hardware layer resolves the contradiction by decoupling the precision timing function from the software processing layer.
2Measurement precision
If residence time calculation is performed in switching nodes, then clock synchronization precision is improved, but stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the residence time calculation function across multiple independent hardware modules: a timestamp generation unit for acquiring time information, a processing unit for calculating residence time, and a correction unit for adjusting data timestamps. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently and reliably, preventing the instability that would result from attempting to perform all calculations within a single switching node. The segmented architecture improves both precision through dedicated functionality and stability through modular reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the correction unit uses the calculated residence time information to adjust the timestamps in the data stream. The processing unit receives time information, calculates residence time, and the correction unit feeds back corrected timestamps to the data transmission system. This closed-loop feedback ensures that any timing deviations are continuously corrected, improving both the precision of clock synchronization and the stability of the overall system by actively compensating for timing errors.
3Device complexity
If time information is acquired through software processing, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based time information acquisition with a dedicated hardware timestamp generation unit that directly generates time stamps from hardware clock signals. This hardware substitution eliminates the complexity of software processing while achieving high manufacturing precision through direct hardware-level timing. The hardware unit processes time information at the physical layer, providing both simplicity in implementation and high accuracy in the generated time stamps.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a device and method for implementing a transparent clock. The device comprises: a clock module, a data identification module and a data correction module, wherein the clock module is connected with the data identification module and the data correction module respectively, and used for providing clock information to the data identification module and the data correction module; the data identification module is used for receiving data and acquiring current time information from the clock module; and the data correction module is connected with the data identification module, and is used for accumulating a positive or negative value of the current time information with the time information included in the data according to an outputting direction of the data and outputting the accumulated time information together with the data. By adopting the present invention, the residence time information of the data in the switching node is acquired by a hardware device, and the time information included in the data is corrected according to the residence time information, so that the transparent clock of the data can be effectively implemented, and the acquired residence time information is of a high precision and is acquired stably.