PTP Clock Domain Traceability for Detecting Untraceable Network Clocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Timing nodes in wired/wireless networks often use inaccurate clocks that are untraceable to one another, leading to synchronization issues and inefficiencies in resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Systems and methods to determine communication clock traceability by establishing PTP Delay Request-Response Messaging sessions, calculating time drifts, and selecting PTP and SyncE clocks to synchronize network devices, thereby optimizing resource usage and preventing clock offsets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If timing nodes use multiple clocks to synchronize operations, then time synchronization capability is improved, but clock traceability and synchronization accuracy deteriorate when clocks are untraceable
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes PTP Delay Request-Response Messaging sessions to continuously monitor and measure time drift between clocks. This feedback mechanism allows timing nodes to detect clock offsets and untraceable clocks, enabling corrective actions to maintain synchronization accuracy despite using multiple clocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement mechanism (PTP Delay Request-Response Messaging) that facilitates traceability between untraceable clocks. By using this intermediary protocol, timing nodes can indirectly compare and synchronize their clocks even when direct traceability is unavailable, resolving the contradiction between using multiple clocks and maintaining traceability.
2Device complexity
If timing nodes use inaccurate clocks, then device complexity is reduced, but synchronization accuracy and time precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables timing nodes to self-diagnose clock accuracy by autonomously establishing PTP Delay Request-Response Messaging sessions and calculating time drift. This self-service mechanism allows nodes to identify inaccurate or rogue clocks without external intervention, maintaining time precision while keeping the clock system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex hardware-based clock verification mechanisms with software-based PTP protocol measurements. By substituting mechanical/physical clock comparison methods with digital messaging and computational analysis, the system maintains high time accuracy while reducing overall device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If timing nodes establish PTP Delay Request-Response Messaging sessions to detect frequency offsets, then clock traceability is improved, but processor and memory resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial monitoring by establishing PTP Delay Request-Response Messaging sessions selectively - not all timing nodes simultaneously perform full clock verification. This partial action approach maintains adequate clock traceability for critical operations while reducing overall processor and memory resource consumption across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic PTP Delay Request-Response Messaging sessions rather than continuous monitoring. By performing clock traceability checks at periodic intervals rather than continuously, the system maintains adequate clock synchronization and traceability while significantly reducing processor and memory resource usage compared to continuous monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus configured to determine sets of untraceable clock domains in the communication network may comprise a memory and a processor communicatively coupled to one another. The processor may be configured to select a clock as a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) clock, calculate a time drift associated with another clock, and average the time drift over multiple successive PTP timestamps. Further, the processor may be configured to generate a report indicating whether the clock is offset with respect to a PTP clock based on whether an average of the time drift over the successive PTP timestamps is higher than the predefined threshold.