Automatic Grandmaster Clock Selection for Multi-Domain PTP Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional time synchronization methods face challenges in cross-domain integration due to the need for devices to use the same Precision Time Protocol (PTP) profile, and manual designation of a grandmaster clock can lead to issues when it fails, with no automatic replacement or performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that automatically determine an optimal grandmaster clock across multiple time synchronization domains by building PTP instances, evaluating local best clocks, and synchronizing timings using a processing unit and storage unit to ensure continuous time synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual designation of grandmaster clock is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates when the grandmaster clock fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic grandmaster clock selection without requiring manual intervention. Devices autonomously evaluate candidate clocks using predefined criteria and automatically designate the optimal grandmaster clock, eliminating the need for manual configuration while ensuring reliable time synchronization even when the current grandmaster clock fails.
2Reliability
If automatic grandmaster clock selection is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors clock performance and uses feedback mechanisms to automatically re-evaluate and re-select the grandmaster clock when necessary. This feedback-driven approach ensures high reliability by dynamically adapting to changes in clock availability and performance, while the automated nature of the process manages complexity through standardized evaluation procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PTP profiles are used in different domains, then adaptability is improved, but interoperability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to handle multiple PTP profiles (such as Telecom Profile, Power Profile, and gPTP) within a unified grandmaster clock selection framework. By creating PTP instances that can operate with different profiles while using a common evaluation and selection mechanism, the system achieves both adaptability to diverse applications and reliable cross-domain time synchronization.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A time synchronization method for a plurality of time synchronization domains (12_1-12 4) includes building a plurality of precision time protocol, called FTP hereinafter, instances (16_1-16_4) corresponding to the plurality of time synchronization domains; determining a grandmaster clock; and synchronizing, by the plurality of PTP instances, timings of the plurality of time synchronization domains according to the grandmaster clock.