PTP Time Control Unit Correcting NTP Delays via 1PPS Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement systems struggle to achieve high time accuracy at a low cost with a simple configuration, particularly in O-RAN environments, due to complexities and costs associated with GNSS receivers and inadequate NTP synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A measurement system that includes a PTP time control unit simulating an O-RAN Distributed Unit (O-DU), which corrects time information acquired from an NTP server by incorporating processing delay prospect information and referencing a 1PPS signal, thereby improving time accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a GNSS receiver is included in the measurement device configuration to increase synchronization accuracy, then time accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary correction mechanism using a 1PPS signal as a reference to adjust NTP time information. Instead of directly using GNSS hardware, the system uses the 1PPS signal as a mediator to correct time delays through calculation, achieving high time accuracy without the complexity of a full GNSS receiver configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual representation of GNSS time synchronization by using NTP time information corrected with 1PPS reference signals. This copying approach replicates the time accuracy benefits of GNSS without requiring actual GNSS hardware, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
2Device complexity
If NTP is used for time synchronization to maintain simple configuration, then device complexity is reduced, but time accuracy deteriorates to millisecond units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the 1PPS signal serves as a reference to continuously monitor and correct time delays in the NTP synchronization process. The system calculates the delay between NTP time information and the 1PPS signal, then applies corrections to achieve microsecond-level time accuracy while maintaining the simplicity of NTP configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time accuracy parameter of the NTP system by introducing correction calculations based on 1PPS signal references. Through mathematical processing of time delay information and applying correction values, the system transforms NTP from millisecond-level accuracy to microsecond-level accuracy without changing the fundamental NTP configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement system is capable of improving the accuracy of a time at a low cost with a simple configuration. A measurement device has a 1PPS signal input unit that receives a 1PPS signal generated by an external signal generation device to output to a PTP time control unit, and a PTP time control unit that performs PTP time control by referring to the 1PPS signal, and a control PC which transmits processing delay prospect information to the PTP time control unit together with time information acquired from an NTP server by an operation performed on an operation unit by a user, in which the PTP time control unit corrects the time information received from the control PC while including the processing delay prospect information by referring to the 1PPS signal, and uses the corrected time information as time information of the PTP.