Time Protocol Assistant for Inter-Domain Network Time Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network architectures face challenges in synchronizing time and frequency across multiple domains without introducing security issues or overburdening network components, particularly when transporting time from one source to another over packet-switched networks, as existing protocols like NTP and PTP struggle with inter-domain synchronization and authentication.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a time-synchronized domain (TSD) system that uses transparent clocks synchronized directly by a grandmaster clock, allowing for bidirectional measurements and authentication of time correction values without requiring specific hardware support at each node, along with mechanisms for calculating one-way delay and inter-domain interface definitions to facilitate accurate time transport across varying time scales.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware support for time stamping and authentication is deployed at every node, then security and measurement precision are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Time Protocol Assistant (TPA) as an intermediary component that performs time stamping and authentication functions. Instead of requiring every network node to have hardware support, the TPA acts as a mediator that handles these complex operations centrally, reducing the hardware requirements at individual nodes while maintaining security and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses software-based time stamping mechanisms that replicate the functionality of hardware time stamping without requiring actual hardware support at every node. The TPA creates virtual time stamping capabilities through software processing, achieving the same security and measurement functions with reduced hardware complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple domains with different time sources are interconnected, then adaptability and service capability are improved, but synchronization accuracy and security issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network into distinct Time-Synchronized Domains (TSDs), each with its own time source and synchronization scope. This segmentation allows different domains to operate with different time sources and synchronization parameters, improving adaptability and service capability while maintaining synchronization accuracy within each domain through controlled boundary interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements domain-specific parameters for time synchronization, allowing each domain to have its own time source, synchronization rate, and accuracy requirements. By changing and adapting these parameters at domain boundaries, the system achieves both versatility in supporting different time sources and precision in maintaining synchronization accuracy within each domain.
3Ease of operation
If time transport protocols operate over packet switched networks, then ease of operation and network flexibility are improved, but time accuracy and frequency stability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the TPA continuously monitors time stamping data, calculates time correction values, and adjusts synchronization parameters in real-time. This feedback loop compensates for the variability introduced by packet switching, maintaining time accuracy and frequency stability while preserving the ease of operation and flexibility of packet switched networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary time correction calculations at the TPA before time data is transmitted through the packet switched network. By pre-computing correction values and preparing synchronization packets in advance, the system compensates for potential timing variations during transmission, maintaining accuracy despite the flexibility of packet switching.
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.