PTP Clock Role Control in Leader-Follower Communication Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks face increased time synchronization errors due to follower apparatuses acting as PTP masters, which can complicate apparatus configuration and increase costs, especially in small networks.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism that determines whether a communication apparatus operates as a leader or follower, setting the Priority1 value in Announce messages to prevent follower apparatuses from becoming PTP masters, thereby maintaining time synchronization accuracy without complex configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If follower apparatuses are allowed to act as PTP masters, then time synchronization can be maintained, but time synchronization errors increase and apparatus configuration becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the Priority1 parameter in Announce messages based on the role determination result. Leader apparatuses set Priority1 to a first value (higher priority) while follower apparatuses set Priority1 to a second value (lower priority). This parameter change ensures that only the leader apparatus is selected as PTP master, preventing time synchronization errors while maintaining simple apparatus configuration.
2Productivity
If follower apparatuses act as PTP masters, then communication can continue, but time synchronization errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where each apparatus determines its role (leader or follower) and sets the Priority1 value in Announce messages accordingly. The PTP master selection process uses this feedback information to consistently choose the leader apparatus as master, ensuring continuous communication while maintaining time synchronization accuracy by preventing follower apparatuses from becoming masters.
3Reliability
If role-based Priority1 setting is implemented, then time synchronization accuracy is maintained, but apparatus configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having each apparatus automatically determine its own role (leader or follower) and set the Priority1 value accordingly without external configuration. The determination process uses locally available information such as system ID or clock quality to autonomously select the appropriate Priority1 value, maintaining time synchronization accuracy while simplifying apparatus configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus includes at least a processor and at least a memory. The at least memory contains instructions that, when executed by the at least processor, cause the at least processor to perform operations comprising performing a determination process and performing a setting process. The determination process determines whether the communication apparatus operates as a leader apparatus in communication or operates as a follower apparatus in the communication. The setting process, based on a result of the determination process, sets the communication apparatus to be a time master apparatus that is a provider of a reference clock for implementing time synchronization with one or more other communication apparatuses or to be a time slave apparatus that adjusts time in accordance with the reference clock.