Time Protocol Assistant for Inter-Domain Time Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network architectures face challenges in synchronizing time and frequency across multiple domains without degrading system performance, introducing security concerns, and requiring excessive hardware support for timestamp authentication.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a time-synchronized domain (TSD) with transparent clocks that synchronize to a grandmaster clock, allowing for bidirectional measurements and authentication of time correction values without specific hardware support, and using mechanisms like Precision Time Protocol (PTP) to manage inter-domain time transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware support for timestamp authentication is implemented in all network nodes, then time transport security and accuracy are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Time Protocol Assistant (TPA) as an intermediary component that centralizes the complex timestamp authentication and verification functions. Instead of requiring every network node to have hardware timestamp support, the TPA acts as a mediator that handles the cryptographic verification of timestamps and provides correction values to boundary clocks, thereby maintaining security while reducing individual node complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex timestamp authentication functionality from individual network nodes and consolidates it into a dedicated Time Protocol Assistant component. This separation allows the authentication logic to be implemented in a specialized module rather than requiring all network equipment to have identical hardware capabilities, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining security
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple domains are synchronized to different clock sources, then domain autonomy and adaptability are maintained, but time synchronization accuracy across domains deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where Time Protocol Assistants in different domains exchange timestamp correction values and verification information. The TPA receives timestamps from boundary clocks, computes correction values based on domain-specific clock characteristics, and provides these corrections back to the boundary clocks. This feedback loop enables each domain to maintain its autonomous clock source while achieving synchronized time across domain boundaries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time parameters by introducing domain-specific timestamp correction values that adjust the time scale and offset for each domain. Instead of forcing all domains to use identical clock sources, the system allows each domain to operate with its own clock characteristics while applying corrective transformations to achieve cross-domain time synchronization, thereby preserving domain autonomy while improving synchronization accuracy
3Reliability
If time synchronization protocols are implemented across complex network architectures, then time distribution capability is improved, but processing overhead and system performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time synchronization system into distinct functional components: Boundary Clocks that handle time reception and distribution within domains, and Time Protocol Assistants that handle inter-domain coordination and correction value computation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without the processing overhead of implementing all synchronization logic in every node, thereby maintaining time distribution capability while preserving system performance
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes providing a time protocol assistant associated with a time-synchronized domain (TSD). The TSD includes a set of nodes that are synchronized to a same time source. The TSD has defined egress and ingress edge points where bidirectional measurements can be made and the egress and ingress edge points are coupled to the time protocol assistant. The method also includes synchronizing one or more packets flowing through a network that includes the TSD through the same time source. In more specific embodiments, the nodes are synchronized to the same time source via the network and the same time source is a grandmaster clock that synchronizes one or more transparent clocks. In yet other embodiments, the transparent clocks manipulate precision time protocol (PTP) packets sent by the grandmaster clock.