Multi-Domain PTP Clock Synchronization for Frequency Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing time synchronization methods across multiple time synchronization domains using different PTP profiles face challenges due to discrepancies in synchronization mechanisms and frequency differences, leading to timing errors and failed verification processes.

Innovation Solution

A time synchronization method and device that run multiple PTP instances to connect to various time synchronization domains, with the ability to determine and update the frequency of a local clock to match the local PTP clock, ensuring accurate synchronization across domains.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a time gateway is used to integrate multiple PTP profiles, then different time synchronization domains can achieve time synchronization, but timing errors occur due to frequency differences between local PTP clock and local clock

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to integrate multiple PTP profilesVSAvoidtime synchronization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency parameter of the local clock to match the frequency of the local PTP clock. This parameter adjustment eliminates the frequency difference that causes timing errors, while maintaining the ability to integrate multiple PTP profiles through the time gateway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If different verification mechanisms are employed by different PTP profiles, then each profile can operate according to its requirements, but time synchronization fails verification across PTP profiles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for different PTP profile requirementsVSAvoidverification success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The time gateway acts as an intermediary that mediates between different PTP profiles with different verification mechanisms. By introducing the frequency synchronization step as an intermediate action, the gateway ensures that all profiles can successfully verify time synchronization despite their different verification requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If frequency difference between local PTP clock and local clock is not corrected, then device complexity remains low, but timing errors accumulate in time synchronization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization mechanism complexityVSAvoidtime synchronization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs a preliminary frequency synchronization action before actual time synchronization occurs. By detecting and correcting frequency differences in advance, the system prevents timing errors from accumulating, maintaining high accuracy without requiring complex real-time correction mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4542887A1Time synchronization method and time synchronization device

Publication Date: 2025.04.23 MOXA INC

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AI summary

A time synchronization method is provided for a time synchronization device (10), wherein the time synchronization device runs a plurality of precision time protocol instances (16_1-16_3) to connect to a plurality of time synchronization domains (12_1-12_3) respectively. The time synchronization method includes determining whether a frequency of a local FTP clock of the time synchronization device is changed; and updating a frequency of a local clock of the time synchronization device with the frequency of the local PTP clock in response to the frequency of the local PTP clock being changed.