Network Time Synchronization Protocol One-Way Delay Threshold
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing time synchronization protocols in computer networks require a maximum one-second round trip delay, which can be challenging to maintain, especially during high data traffic or CPU processor load, leading to potential disruptions in services like VoIP.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method allows for time synchronization between network nodes with a maximum one-way delay of one second, eliminating the need for a strict round trip delay, ensuring accurate time synchronization without theoretical limits on round trip time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a maximum one-second round trip delay is enforced for time synchronization, then time synchronization accuracy is guaranteed, but network performance deteriorates during high data traffic or CPU load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the synchronization parameter from round trip delay to one-way delay threshold. By monitoring the one-way delay between synchronization requests and responses, the system can determine whether to adjust clock time without being constrained by round trip time limits, thus maintaining synchronization accuracy while improving network performance under load
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its synchronization behavior based on current network conditions. When one-way delay is within the threshold, normal synchronization proceeds; when exceeded, the system adapts by using the last known good time or adjusting synchronization frequency, allowing the system to remain functional under varying CPU and network load conditions
2Reliability
If strict round trip delay constraints are imposed on synchronization protocols, then time synchronization reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the round trip delay constraint from the synchronization protocol and replaces it with a simpler one-way delay threshold mechanism. This removes the complex timing coordination requirements between client and server while maintaining the essential reliability of time synchronization through unidirectional delay monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
A network device may include a timing module and at least one interface. The timing module determines a local time of the network device indicating when the network device sends a synchronization start message. The at least one interface sends the synchronization start message to a time client device to set the current time of day on the time client device, receives a synchronization response message from the time client device indicating that the current time of day of the time client device was set, and sends a synchronization success message to the time client device indicating that the time client device has correctly set its current time of day.