Slave Clock Synchronization Using Timestamp Mapping and Offset Bounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clock synchronization methods, such as those using GNSS receivers and protocols like SyncE and ITU-T G.8263, are costly or fail to ensure bounded time offsets between master and slave nodes in a network, leading to synchronization inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for clock synchronization that determines a compensation parameter based on the mapping relationship between a master clock and a slave node's reference timescale, using timestamps to ensure bounded time offsets through statistical calculations and frequency adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GNSS receiver is used to implement time/phase synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive GNSS receivers with a software-based clock synchronization method that uses readily available network infrastructure. The solution uses standard network packets and existing clock hardware, eliminating the need for costly specialized synchronization equipment while achieving comparable accuracy through algorithmic compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes hardware-based GNSS synchronization with a software-based statistical calculation system. Instead of using physical satellite signal reception and specialized hardware circuits, the invention uses network packet timestamps combined with statistical algorithms (least squares method) to achieve time synchronization, replacing mechanical/physical systems with computational approaches.
2Stability of the object's composition
If SyncE protocol is used for frequency synchronization, then frequency stability is improved, but time offset boundedness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the slave node continuously monitors the time offset between master and slave clocks, calculates compensation parameters using statistical methods, and adjusts its clock accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system ensures that time offsets remain bounded while maintaining frequency stability, overcoming the limitation of SyncE which lacks time offset control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the synchronization approach from pure frequency-based (SyncE) to a combined time-frequency approach. By introducing statistical calculation of time offsets and dynamic compensation parameters, the system transforms the synchronization parameters to simultaneously control both frequency stability and time offset boundedness, rather than prioritizing only frequency stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If packet-based frequency synchronization is used, then implementation flexibility is improved, but time offset control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating compensation parameters using statistical methods (least squares fitting) based on historical timestamp data. Instead of reacting to time offsets after they occur, the system proactively computes compensation values in advance, allowing it to maintain time offset boundedness while preserving the implementation flexibility of packet-based synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a clock synchronization method and an apparatus. The clock synchronization method is applied to a slave node. The clock synchronization method includes: receiving a synchronization packet sent by a master node, where the synchronization packet carries a master clock timestamp of the master node; establishing a mapping relationship between a master clock of the master node and a reference timescale of the slave node based on the master clock timestamp and a timestamp corresponding to a reference timescale of the slave node when the slave node receives the synchronization packet; obtaining a time combination of the timestamp corresponding to the reference timescale of the slave node and slave clock time of the slave node, where a collection moment of the reference timescale of the slave node and a collection moment of the slave clock time corresponding to the reference timescale are the same.