Phase Difference Measurement Across Deterministic Network Cycle Templates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LDN technology fails to accurately determine the phase difference between upstream and downstream nodes supporting the same cycle template, which is crucial for precise end-to-end delay and jitter calculation in deterministic service path planning.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for determining phase difference by sending a message with a target slot length from an upstream node to a downstream node, receiving a message with an offset value, and calculating the phase difference based on the slot length and offset values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If time-slot cyclic queue scheduling technique is adopted in LDN domain, then network-wide deterministic forwarding is achieved, but precise phase difference between upstream and downstream nodes cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a phase difference measurement message as an intermediary carrier to transfer timing information between upstream and downstream nodes. This message includes cycle template information and slot offset values, serving as a mediator that enables precise phase difference measurement without disrupting the deterministic forwarding mechanism. The intermediary message allows nodes to exchange synchronization data while maintaining their scheduling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the downstream node sends a returned message containing the received slot offset value back to the upstream node. This feedback loop enables the upstream node to calculate the phase difference by comparing the sent slot offset with the received feedback. The feedback principle transforms the one-way scheduling into a two-way measurement process that preserves deterministic forwarding while enabling precision measurement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cycle templates are supported simultaneously, then service flexibility is improved, but phase difference calculation becomes complex and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the phase difference measurement process by cycle template. Each cycle template is measured independently through separate message exchanges, allowing multiple templates to coexist without interference. The segmentation approach divides the complex multi-template problem into simpler individual template measurements, where each template's phase difference is calculated using its own slot offset values from dedicated measurement messages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring cycle template information and slot offset values in the phase difference measurement message before transmission. The upstream node prepares the measurement data in advance, and the downstream node pre-processes the received message to extract the specific template's offset. This preliminary preparation ensures that even with multiple templates, each can be accurately measured without cross-contamination or calculation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a phase difference includes sending a first message carrying a target slot length of the target cycle template to a downstream node at a first start time of a window of a predetermined target cycle template; receiving a second message from the downstream node at a second start time of a window of the target cycle template, where the second message carries a first offset value indicating an offset of a receiving time at which the downstream node receives the first message in the target cycle template; and determining, based on the target slot length, the first offset value, and a second offset value, a phase difference between the upstream node and the downstream node, where the second offset value is used for indicating an offset of a receiving time at which the upstream node receives the second message in the target cycle template.