Modified Sync Packet Timestamp Embedding for Clock Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current synchronization methods in computing and communication networks require multiple packets and significant processing capacity, leading to inefficiencies in calibrating clocks across nodes.
Innovation Solution
A modified two-step synchronization method that reduces packet transmission by incorporating timestamp information directly into sync packets, eliminating the need for follow-up and delay response packets, allowing slave nodes to calibrate their clocks based on received timestamps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional two-step synchronization method is used with follow-up packets, then clock calibration accuracy is maintained, but network bandwidth utilization increases and processing capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the synchronization information and timestamp data into a single sync packet by embedding the transmit timestamp directly within the synchronization message. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate follow-up packets, thereby reducing network bandwidth utilization while maintaining the ability to calculate one-way delay and clock offset accurately.
2Measurement precision
If traditional two-step synchronization method is used with follow-up packets, then clock calibration accuracy is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the sync packet itself, including synchronization timing information and timestamp data. This merging reduces the number of packet processing operations required at each node, thereby decreasing device complexity and processing capacity requirements while preserving clock calibration accuracy.
3Loss of energy
If modified sync packet with embedded timestamps is used, then network bandwidth utilization is reduced, but packet structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sync packet is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides synchronization timing, embeds transmit timestamps for delay calculation, and maintains compatibility with existing synchronization protocols. This multi-functionality allows the single packet to replace what would traditionally require multiple packets, reducing bandwidth utilization without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A master node is configured to receive, from a slave node, a request to perform a modified two-step synchronization (sync) operation in a manner that precludes transmitting a follow-up packet; generate a sync packet in a manner that includes information associated with a previous time that a prior sync packet was transmitted to the slave node; transmit the sync packet to the slave node; receive, from the slave node, a delay request packet; transmit, to the slave node, a delay response packet, where the delay response packet stores information associated with another time at which the delay request packet was received, and where transmitting the delay response packet enables the slave node to calibrate a clock, hosted by the slave node, to a master clock, hosted by the master node, based on the previous time and the other time.