Time Aware Bridge Device for Seamless PTP Signal Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Precision Time Protocol (PTP) systems face challenges in maintaining accurate time synchronization when the primary signal source malfunctions, leading to potential disruptions in operations of components like automobile electronics and robotic arms.
Innovation Solution
A time aware bridge device pre-configures a backup control signal source to seamlessly replace the primary signal source in case of malfunction, ensuring continuous time synchronization without the need for complex calculations or additional software/hardware costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single master control signal source is used in PTP systems, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates when the signal source malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring a backup control signal source before any malfunction occurs. The time aware bridge device maintains a ready-to-switch backup master clock, so that when the current master clock fails, the switch can occur immediately without needing to search or calculate alternatives, thus ensuring continuous time synchronization while keeping the system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The time aware bridge device acts as an intermediary between the master control signal sources and the network components. It monitors the health of the current master clock and can switch to a backup source, serving as a protective layer that isolates the network from signal source failures and maintains synchronization reliability.
2Reliability
If complex calculations and algorithms are implemented to handle signal source failures, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates switching time loss by performing preliminary configuration of the backup control signal source. The bridge device pre-establishes the backup master clock and prepares all necessary switching parameters in advance, so that when a failure occurs, the switch is instantaneous without requiring real-time calculations or algorithmic decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex failure detection and switching decision logic from the real-time operation and places it in the preliminary configuration phase. By pre-determining the backup source and switching parameters, the system removes the need for complex real-time calculations during actual failure events, achieving both reliability and speed.
3Reliability
If additional hardware or software components are added to ensure backup signal sources, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The time aware bridge device performs multiple functions: it acts as a standard PTP bridge, a fault detector, a switch controller, and a time source selector all in one unit. By making the bridge device multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated backup hardware or complex software layers, achieving fault tolerance without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup control signal source system is self-configuring and self-managing. The bridge device automatically monitors the master clock health, detects failures, and switches to the backup source without requiring external intervention or complex coordination with other system components. This self-service approach maintains reliability while minimizing the complexity of system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A control method and a time aware bridge device for a seamless Precision Time Protocol (PTP) are provided. The control method includes: utilizing the time aware bridge device to pre-configure a first control signal source as a master control signal source, and pre-configure a second control signal source as a backup control signal source; utilizing the time aware bridge device to determine whether one or more packets from the master control signal source conform to at least one predetermined rule to generate a determination result; and selectively configuring the second control signal source as the master control signal source according to the determination result.