PTP Master Clock Discovery via BGP Signaling in IP/MPLS Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for synchronizing radios in 5G cellular networks require manual provisioning of IP addresses for candidate master clock sources, which is inefficient and labor-intensive, especially when lists of potential master clocks change.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allow precision time protocol (PTP) master clock sources to advertise their capabilities over Internet Protocol (IP)/Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) networks using Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), enabling automatic discovery and registration of candidate master clocks by client nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual provisioning of IP addresses is used for candidate master clock sources, then network synchronization can be established, but the process becomes labor-intensive and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables master clock sources to automatically advertise their capabilities and client nodes to automatically discover and register them through BGP signaling, eliminating the need for manual IP address provisioning and configuration by network administrators
Solution Approach 2:
Master clock sources pre-advertise their PTP master clock capabilities through BGP before any client nodes need to discover them, so that when clients need synchronization, the master clocks are already visible and registered in the network routing infrastructure
2Reliability
If manual provisioning is performed whenever the list of potential master clocks changes, then synchronization can be maintained, but the process requires continuous administrative intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The BGP signaling mechanism provides continuous feedback between master clock sources and client nodes, automatically updating the network when master clock lists change, so administrators are notified and can intervene only when necessary rather than performing routine manual updates
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to changes in the master clock landscape through automated BGP advertisements and withdrawals, allowing the network to automatically reconfigure when new master clocks are added or existing ones are removed without static manual provisioning
3Productivity
If automated discovery using BGP is implemented, then configuration efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The BGP protocol, already universally deployed in IP/MPLS networks for routing, is extended to also carry PTP master clock capability advertisements, allowing a single existing protocol to perform multiple functions (routing + timing discovery) rather than requiring a separate discovery protocol
Solution Approach 2:
The BGP signaling mechanism acts as an intermediary layer between the IP/MPLS network infrastructure and the PTP synchronization protocol, translating network routing information into timing capability advertisements without requiring direct integration between PTP and BGP implementations
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device, including: a processing system including a processor; a clock; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations of: advertising via Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) a capability as a precision timing protocol (PTP) master clock through an Internet Protocol (IP)/Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, wherein the advertising includes an IP address of the device; receiving a unicast signaling mechanism from a PTP client node in the network; and sending clock messages to the PTP client node responsive to accepting the PTP client node. Other embodiments are disclosed.