Externally Connected Time Port Changeover for Synchronization Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication networks face challenges in effectively changing over to an alternate time port when the primary externally connected time port fails, leading to instability in time synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that dynamically update node priorities and switch to an alternate externally connected time port with higher priority, utilizing software polling to assess port states and employing the Best Master Clock algorithm to select a new GrandMaster node when all ports fail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the node uses a single externally connected time port for time information transmission, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because there is no effective solution when the current operating port fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures multiple externally connected time ports (first time port and second time port) with different priorities before operation. When the current operating port fails, the system can immediately switch to a pre-configured alternate port without complex real-time decision-making, thus improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through advance preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational state parameter of time ports by updating the current node priority and current GM node priority to preset values when port failure occurs. This parameter change enables the node to transition from using the failed port to using the alternate port with higher priority, ensuring continuous time synchronization
2Reliability
If the node configures multiple externally connected time ports with priority levels, then the reliability improves through failover capability, but the device complexity increases due to port state monitoring and priority management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the node continuously monitors the operational state of externally connected time ports. When a port failure is detected, the system feedback triggers priority updates and port switching actions. This automated feedback loop manages the complexity of multiple port monitoring by establishing clear state-transition rules based on port availability and priority configurations
3Loss of time
If the node fails to detect port failure and switch to alternate port in time, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of time increases due to synchronization interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes the priority relationships between multiple time ports and configures preset node priority values before operation. When port failure occurs, the system can immediately activate the alternate port based on pre-configured priorities without complex real-time analysis, thereby reducing synchronization interruption time while maintaining feasible detection complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are externally connected time port changeover method and device. The method includes: a node serving as a GM node transmitting time information via a first externally connected time port of the node; if the first externally connected time port fails, the node updating current node priority and GM node priority of the node as preset node priority which is node priority configured for the node when the node is activated; and the node judging whether a second externally connected time port of the node is up and the priority of the second externally connected time port is higher than the current GM node priority, if so, activating the second externally connected time port to transmit the time information. The problem that when the currently selected time access port has failed, changeover among ports cannot be completed in time is solved, thus improving the stability of the time synchronization network.