Timing Offset Estimation Using External Adjustment Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Packet-based synchronization technologies, such as PTP-1588V2, face challenges in achieving high accuracy due to packet delay variations and asymmetrical paths, which degrade phase and frequency calculations, especially in applications requiring precise timing and frequency synchronization.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system and method that allows a slave device to estimate timing and frequency offsets using timing adjustment information, which can include topology information and delay characteristics, obtained from external sources rather than solely from timing packets, to account for non-compliant devices and network path asymmetries, enabling more accurate synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If packet-based synchronization protocols (PTP-1588V2) are used for timing synchronization, then frequency and phase synchronization can be achieved, but packet delay variations and asymmetrical paths degrade the accuracy of phase and frequency calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary characterization of network path delay characteristics by exchanging test packets between master and slave devices. The measured delay values and variations are stored as compensation parameters before actual synchronization operations, allowing the system to pre-account for network-induced timing errors in subsequent measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors packet delay variations and asymmetrical path conditions during synchronization operations. Measured delay values are fed back to adjust the timing offset calculations in real-time, compensating for network variations and improving synchronization accuracy under changing network conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If timing offset estimation relies solely on timing packets, then protocol simplicity is maintained, but non-compliant devices and network path asymmetries cannot be adequately accounted for
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces intermediate characterization packets that carry delay measurement information between master and slave devices. These intermediary packets enable the system to account for network path characteristics and non-compliant device behavior without requiring changes to the core PTP-1588V2 protocol, thus maintaining compatibility while improving adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system extends the standard timing packet format by adding optional delay characterization fields and parameters. By modifying packet parameters rather than the fundamental protocol structure, the system can accommodate non-compliant devices and represent network path asymmetries while maintaining backward compatibility with standard PTP implementations
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for performing timing offset and or fractional frequency offset for the purpose of time and/or frequency synchronization are provided. Timing packets are exchanged between a master device and a slave device. In addition, timing adjustment information is received by the slave device. The slave device uses the timing adjustment information in conjunction with the transmit and receive times for the timing packets to estimate at timing offset and/or fractional frequency offset.