Independent Silicon Clock Synchronization via Periodic Timing Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
In modern computing systems, independent silicon clocks often drift apart, leading to inaccuracies in clock synchronization between interconnected devices, which can hinder data communication and reduce system performance, and existing solutions either consume excessive power or require complex mechanisms to maintain synchronization.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a technique that allows devices to periodically snapshot their local clock relative to a system-wide master time, enabling accurate timing information exchange without frequent updates, and the use of a 'NAK' message to manage timing requests and reduce power consumption by allowing devices to pull timing data only when needed, thereby minimizing errors and preserving link bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If devices use independent silicon clocks for timing, then device autonomy and simplicity are improved, but clock drift and synchronization accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic timing requests where a requesting device sends timing requests at intervals to a responding device. This periodic interaction allows the requesting device to stay synchronized without requiring continuous operation, thus maintaining device autonomy while improving synchronization accuracy through regular updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a timing message exchange mechanism as an intermediary between devices with independent clocks. The responding device acts as a reference point, providing timing information that mediates the synchronization between independent clocks, allowing both devices to maintain autonomy while achieving accurate synchronization through the intermediary timing protocol.
2Measurement precision
If devices exchange timing information frequently to maintain synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic timing requests instead of continuous timing exchanges. The requesting device can enter low-power states between periodic requests, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining acceptable synchronization accuracy through the periodic updates received at predetermined intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing request mechanism is made dynamic, allowing the system to adapt between active timing exchanges and low-power states. The requesting device dynamically transitions between operational modes based on synchronization needs, enabling power savings while maintaining synchronization accuracy when required.
3Reliability
If devices maintain continuous clock synchronization, then data communication reliability is improved, but system performance and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic timing synchronization rather than continuous synchronization. This allows data communication to proceed at high speeds between periodic synchronization points, improving overall system performance while maintaining sufficient reliability through regular timing updates that prevent drift from causing communication errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial synchronization action by updating timing information only when necessary rather than continuously. This partial action approach maintains the reliability needed for correct data communication while avoiding the performance penalties of continuous synchronization overhead, achieving the minimum necessary synchronization for reliable operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus relating to measuring time offsets between devices with independent silicon clocks are described. In some embodiments, logic is provided to synchronize a first clock of a first agent with a second clock of a second agent based on one or more messages exchanged between the first agent and the second agent and a platform time. The first agent and the second agent are coupled via a link. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.