PTP Network Interface Card Virtual Node Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current time synchronization protocols, such as NTP and PTP, face challenges in achieving precise synchronization across distributed networks, particularly in ultra-low latency environments like 5G networks, where synchronization errors can range from milliseconds to tens of milliseconds, impacting real-time services in smart factories and IoT networks.
Innovation Solution
A PTP synchronization network interface card structure and method that enables multiple switches to operate as virtual nodes, allowing precise time synchronization between remote and internal network switches by using a virtual node configuration with synchronized clocks to calculate and transmit PTP messages, thereby reducing synchronization errors and enhancing precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If NTP protocol is used for time synchronization in distributed networks, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates with synchronization errors ranging from milliseconds to tens of milliseconds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the time measurement parameters by introducing hardware-level timestamping capabilities that can record time with microsecond precision, fundamentally improving the measurement resolution from millisecond-level (NTP) to microsecond-level (PTP) synchronization
2Measurement precision
If PTP protocol is used for time synchronization in distributed networks, then measurement precision is improved to microsecond-level, but device complexity increases due to additional hardware requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated time synchronization module as an intermediary component that handles the complex PTP protocol processing and hardware timestamping functions, isolating the complexity from the main network switch architecture while enabling microsecond-level synchronization precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the time synchronization functionality into separate hardware modules including timestamping units and synchronization processors, allowing the complex PTP protocol implementation to be distributed across dedicated components rather than burdening the entire switch system
3Area of stationary object
If multiple switches are deployed to extend the network coverage, then area of stationary object is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulty in measuring residence time across multiple switches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary timestamping at each switch boundary by recording ingress and egress times as packets enter and leave the network extension, enabling accurate residence time calculation across multiple switches through pre-captured time markers rather than attempting to measure transit time directly
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a structure and a clock synchronization method of a precision network interface card for acquiring heterogeneous PTP synchronization information for PTP synchronization network extension. In order to precisely time-synchronize a synchronous switch at a remote location with a synchronous switch of an internal network, a precision time protocol (PTP) synchronous network system and a PTP synchronization method according to an embodiment allow a plurality of switches therebetween to operate as virtual nodes and can precisely measure Ingress_Time of a time synchronization message using a clock synchronized with the virtual nodes.