STP Time Server PTP Source Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current coordinated timing networks face limitations in achieving stringent synchronization between disparate systems, particularly with the network timing protocol (NTP) source approach, which requires external links for pulse-per-second signals to achieve enhanced accuracy.
Innovation Solution
Modifying the STP architecture to allow selection and setting of a precision-time-protocol (PTP) time source as the primary reference time, enabling tighter synchronization and supporting synchronization in the sub-microsecond range without the need for external pulse-per-second signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If NTP source approach is used with pulse-per-second signals, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring external links for each server
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the time source functionality into the network infrastructure by designating one server as a time source server that provides timing information to all other servers through the existing network. This eliminates the need for separate external pulse-per-second links to each server, reducing device complexity while maintaining synchronization accuracy through the unified time distribution architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing network infrastructure is made multi-functional by enabling it to carry both data traffic and timing synchronization signals. The time source server utilizes the existing network connections to distribute time information to all other servers, making the network universal in its function and eliminating the need for dedicated external timing links to each server.
2Measurement precision
If PTP time source is integrated into STP architecture, then time synchronization granularity is improved to sub-microsecond range, but adaptability requirements increase for the protocol facility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the STP protocol facility to recognize and process PTP time source identifiers. The system accepts different time source types (NTP, PTP, pulse-per-second) and adjusts its operation based on the identified source, enabling sub-microsecond synchronization granularity while maintaining adaptability through configurable parameter handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The time source server dynamically determines the type of time source being used and adjusts its behavior accordingly. The system can adapt to different time source protocols (NTP, PTP, or pulse-per-second) and modify its time distribution mechanism to match the capabilities and requirements of the specific source being utilized, thereby maintaining versatility while achieving enhanced precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A time server of a server time protocol (STP) facility of a coordinated timing network (CTN) receives a primary-reference-time (PRT) update, with the primary-reference-time update having been determined with reference to a time source, which includes a precision-time-protocol (PTP) source. The time server sets a primary reference time correction steering rate for the coordinated timing network based on receiving the primary-reference-time update, and broadcasts to one or more other servers of the coordinated timing network a PRT-correction-steering information block (PCSIB). The PRT-correction-steering information block includes a precision-time-protocol identifier for the time source used in determining the primary-reference-time update, and the primary-reference-time correction steering rate set by the time server.