Network Synchronization Monitoring via Time Window Snapshots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network communication systems face challenges in reliable, cost-effective, and efficient frequency and phase synchronization, particularly in newer mobile communication systems that rely on packet-based techniques, which are prone to delays and processing requirements, and are vulnerable to packet layer impairments and GNSS unreliability.
Innovation Solution
The system employs time window snapshots to capture network time information, comparing it against reference information to determine synchronization errors and generate alarms, utilizing multiple capture devices that can transmit data to a central monitor for aggregation and analysis, and applying data reduction techniques to reduce complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If packet-based timing protocols (PTP, NTP) are used for frequency and phase synchronization, then synchronization can be provided without GPS or TDM links, but processing requirements increase and delays are caused due to receiving, time-stamping and analyzing all packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet flow into representative samples rather than processing every packet. It extracts timing information from selected packets (e.g., every Nth packet or packets with specific characteristics) to determine frequency and phase synchronization, significantly reducing processing requirements while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by processing only a subset of packets necessary for synchronization rather than all packets in the flow. It identifies and processes only the minimum required packets to extract timing information, reducing computational burden while achieving the synchronization objective.
2Adaptability or versatility
If packet-based timing protocols are used for synchronization, then GPS infrastructure is not required, but packet layer impairments (packet loss and delay variation) adversely affect synchronization performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that monitors packet flow characteristics and dynamically adjusts synchronization measurements. It uses intermediate timing references and compensates for packet loss and delay variation by analyzing timing patterns across multiple packets, thereby mitigating the adverse effects of packet layer impairments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor synchronization quality and adjust measurements in response to detected packet losses or delay variations. By analyzing timing deviations and compensating for known impairments, the system maintains reliable synchronization performance despite packet flow uncertainties.
3Measurement precision
If all packets in a packet flow are received, time-stamped and analyzed for synchronization, then accurate timing information can be obtained, but delays increase and processing requirements become significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complete packet flow analysis into selective sampling of representative packets. It extracts timing information from a strategically selected subset of packets rather than analyzing every packet, maintaining measurement precision while dramatically reducing processing time and delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-identifying and marking representative packets for timing analysis before actual synchronization processing. It prepares timing reference packets in advance based on flow characteristics, enabling efficient extraction of timing information without requiring complete packet analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring network synchronization. The disclosed embodiments utilize time window snapshots to capture network time information and compare the captured time information against time reference information to determine network time errors. These network time errors can then be analyzed with respect to selected operating parameters and tolerances to determine network synchronization errors and to generate alarms. Certain embodiments are configured to capture time information data and to analyze this captured data locally to determine time error data. Certain other embodiments are configured to utilize multiple capture devices and to transmit time error data to a central snapshot synchronization monitor. The central snapshot synchronization monitor can also communicate control information to the capture devices to control the snapshot time windows. In addition, synchronization errors can be used as trigger events to cause additional capture of time information by other capture devices.