Network Clock Syntonization Using Loop Drift Error Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clock synchronization methods in networked systems, such as data centers and distributed ledgers, face limitations in achieving high accuracy due to frequency drift caused by environmental factors, leading to inefficiencies and fairness issues, particularly in finance and e-commerce applications, where nanosecond-level synchronization is rarely used and millisecond-level accuracy is the norm.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that uses a coordinator to continuously estimate and adjust clock offset and frequency drift using network observations and advanced filtering techniques, allowing for nanosecond-level synchronization without requiring specialized hardware, by employing a reference clock and adaptive stochastic control to maintain synchronization within specific bounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If specialized hardware is used to achieve nanosecond-level clock synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces specialized hardware-based clock synchronization mechanisms with a software-based solution using Network Time Protocol (NTP). Instead of using dedicated hardware circuits and specialized equipment throughout the network, the invention uses software algorithms running on standard network devices to achieve clock synchronization, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary NTP server or time source that acts as a mediator between the reference time and local clocks. Rather than requiring direct hardware connections between all devices and the time source, the intermediary NTP infrastructure distributes time information through the network, simplifying the overall system architecture while achieving nanosecond-level synchronization accuracy.
2Device complexity
If millisecond-level synchronization algorithms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but synchronization accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the precision parameter of clock synchronization from millisecond-level to nanosecond-level by improving the algorithms used in NTP. This involves implementing more sophisticated filtering techniques, multiple round-trip measurements, and statistical analysis to achieve higher precision without requiring specialized hardware, thus maintaining system simplicity while improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous clock syntonization and synchronization adjustments rather than periodic corrections. The NTP algorithm continuously monitors clock drift, frequency offsets, and network delays, making real-time adjustments to maintain nanosecond-level accuracy. This continuous action ensures high precision without requiring complex hardware intervention.
3Stability of the object's composition
If clock syntonization is performed to match frequencies, then long-term synchronization is improved, but sensitivity to environmental factors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the NTP algorithm continuously monitors clock frequency drift and environmental variations. By measuring the round-trip time of time synchronization packets and analyzing frequency offsets over multiple exchanges, the system detects environmental effects on clock stability and automatically compensates for them, maintaining synchronization accuracy despite thermal and other environmental factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the clock synchronization system dynamic by allowing continuous adjustment of time offsets and frequency corrections based on real-time measurements. Rather than using fixed frequency settings that are sensitive to environmental changes, the system dynamically adapts to environmental variations through continuous NTP exchanges and automatic compensation algorithms, maintaining stability while reducing environmental sensitivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed herein for syntonizing machines in a network. A coordinator accesses probe records for probes transmitted at different times between pairs of machines in the mesh network. For different pairs of machines, the coordinator estimates the drift between the pair of machines based on the transit times of probes transmitted between the pair of machines as indicated by the probe records. For different loops of at least three machines in the mesh network, the coordinator calculates a loop drift error based on a sum of the estimated drifts between pairs of machines around the loop and adjusts the estimated absolute drifts of the machines based on the loop drift errors. Here, the absolute drift is defined relative to a drift of a reference machine.