Time Path Selection Device for Minimum MTIE Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing algorithms for selecting the optimal master apparatus in a communication system with multiple relay apparatuses fail to choose the path with the minimum total Maximum Time Interval Error (MTIE) value, leading to suboptimal time synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A time path selection apparatus that evaluates MTIE values across all relay apparatuses and derives the transmission path with the minimum total MTIE value for time synchronization, ensuring accurate and reliable communication by selecting the optimal path between master and relay apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the Best Master Clock Algorithm (BMCA) function is used to select the optimal master apparatus, then the slave apparatus can have a redundant configuration for two master apparatuses, but the algorithm fails to select the path with the minimum total MTIE value when multiple relay apparatuses are involved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time path selection process into two independent phases: (1) each relay apparatus independently evaluates and selects its optimal upstream neighbor based on MTIE values, and (2) the slave apparatus independently evaluates multiple complete transmission paths to the master apparatuses. This segmentation allows the system to maintain redundant configurations while achieving minimum total MTIE value selection, as demonstrated in the embodiment where relay apparatus 15 correctly identifies the path through relay apparatus 14 to master apparatus 12 as optimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of evaluation by considering the complete transmission path from slave apparatus to master apparatus through multiple relay apparatuses, rather than evaluating only local connections. The slave apparatus evaluates multiple complete paths (e.g., path A through relay apparatus 13, path B through relay apparatus 14) and selects the path with the minimum total MTIE value, thereby achieving optimal time synchronization accuracy while maintaining redundant configuration.
2Productivity
If the existing path selection algorithm is used, then the slave apparatus can determine transmission delay is minimum from received time information, but it cannot derive the transmission path with minimum total MTIE value when multiple relay apparatuses are involved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having each relay apparatus pre-evaluate and store the MTIE values for its connections to upstream neighbors before the slave apparatus performs path evaluation. This preliminary evaluation of local MTIE values by relay apparatuses enables the slave apparatus to efficiently calculate total MTIE values for multiple complete paths without requiring complex real-time measurements, thereby achieving both high productivity and accurate minimum total MTIE value selection.
Data Source
AI summary
[Problem] To select an optimal transmission path having a minimum total MTIE value of total MTIE values between a plurality of master apparatuses configured to transmit time information serving as a reference and a specific relay apparatus configured to receive the time information via a plurality of relay apparatuses to achieve time synchronization.[Solution] A time path selection apparatus 30 selects a transmission path employed for time synchronization, on the basis of a MTIE value evaluated in each of relay apparatuses 13 to 16, between master apparatuses 11 and 12 configured to transmit time information serving as a reference and a relay apparatus 15 or 16 at an edge configured to receive the time information via a relay apparatus 13 or 14 to achieve the time synchronization. The time path selection apparatus 30 includes a time information reception unit 31 configured to receive the MTIE value evaluated in each of the relay apparatuses 13 to 16, and an optimal path derivation unit 33 configured to evaluate, on the basis of the received MTIE value, a total MTIE value for every transmission path in transmission paths between the relay apparatus 15 and the master apparatuses 11 and 12 and to select and derive, as the transmission path employed for the transmission path for time synchronization, a transmission path where the total MTIE value is a minimum (170 ns).