Time Synchronization Device Isolating Clock Path in IP Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IP networks lack support for high-precision time synchronization, with current solutions like NTP providing only millisecond precision, which is insufficient for modern communication requirements, and IEEE1588 requiring network-wide upgrades and device replacements to achieve microsecond precision.
Innovation Solution
A time synchronization apparatus and method that extracts line clock frequency information and time synchronization packets from an input line code stream, calibrates local time, and inserts time synchronization response packets into an output line code stream, allowing for deployment of a time synchronization network without requiring packet switching devices to support time synchronization functions, thereby isolating the clock path from the service path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If NTP protocol is used for time synchronization in IP networks, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates (only millisecond precision)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a time synchronization device as an intermediary component that extracts clock frequency information from line code streams and processes time synchronization packets. This mediator bridges the gap between the simple NTP protocol operation and the need for higher precision, achieving microsecond-level synchronization without complicating the overall system operation.
2Measurement precision
If IEEE1588 protocol is used to achieve microsecond precision time synchronization, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases (requiring network-wide upgrades and device replacements)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the time synchronization function from the packet switching devices and concentrates it in dedicated time synchronization devices. By taking out the synchronization processing from the data path devices, the patent achieves high precision synchronization without requiring upgrades to the main network switches and routers, thus avoiding network-wide device replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the time synchronization network into dedicated synchronization devices that handle only clock frequency extraction and time packet processing, while packet switching devices continue their original functions. This segmentation allows the synchronization subsystem to be upgraded independently without affecting the main data transmission infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If packet switching devices are required to support time synchronization functions, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dedicated time synchronization devices as intermediaries between the line code streams and the packet switching devices. These mediator devices extract clock frequency information and process time synchronization packets, allowing packet switching devices to remain simple forwarding elements without requiring complex synchronization functionality.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to the network communication field, and in particular, to an apparatus, method and system for synchronizing time. The method includes: extracting line clock frequency information from an input line code stream, and extracting a time synchronization packet from a packet stream corresponding to the input line code stream; sending the input line code stream after extracting the line clock frequency information and the time synchronization packet to a packet switching device; receiving an output line code stream sent by the packet switching device; and calibrating local time according to the line clock frequency information and the time synchronization packet, recovering line clock frequency information of the output line code stream according to the calibrated local time, and inserting a time synchronization response packet into a packet stream corresponding to the output line code stream. In technical solutions provided by embodiments of the present invention, a clock path is isolated from a service path, and the time synchronization network may be deployed without requiring the packet switching device to support time synchronization function, and the existing IP network can be upgraded to the time synchronization network smoothly.