Timing Protocol Packet Timestamping in Multi-Lane Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
The insertion of alignment markers into data streams for deskew adjustment in multi-lane network systems can cause delays in timing protocol packets, leading to inaccurate timestamps and clock skew.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that detect impending delay-inducing phenomena, such as alignment marker insertion, and prevent the application of timestamps and transmission of timing protocol packets until the phenomenon has elapsed, ensuring accurate timestamping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If alignment markers are inserted into data streams for deskew adjustment, then lane skew is reduced, but timing protocol packet transmission accuracy deteriorates due to delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of alignment marker insertion events and proactively suspends timestamp application and packet transmission before the delay occurs. By detecting the impending alignment marker insertion and preventing timestamp application in advance, the system ensures that timestamps are only applied when packets will not be delayed, thus maintaining timestamp accuracy while still allowing alignment markers to be inserted for lane deskew adjustment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If alignment markers are inserted to adjust deskew, then lane skew is minimized, but transmission delay increases causing timestamp inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the detection of alignment marker insertion events triggers an immediate suspension of timestamp application and packet transmission. This feedback loop ensures that whenever an alignment marker is detected or anticipated, the system automatically prevents timestamp application during the delay period, and only resumes timestamp application after the alignment marker has been fully processed and no longer causes delay.
3Productivity
If timestamp application is continuous, then processing efficiency is maintained, but timestamp accuracy deteriorates during alignment marker insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms continuous timestamp application into periodic action by suspending timestamp application during alignment marker insertion events and resuming it afterward. This periodic suspension and resumption ensures that timestamps are only applied during periods when no delay-inducing events are occurring, maintaining timestamp accuracy while minimizing the impact on overall processing efficiency through brief, targeted suspensions rather than continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for increasing accuracy of a timing protocol packet includes receiving, at a buffer of a first node, for transmission onto a transmission medium, at least one timing protocol packet among a plurality of packets, detecting that a delay-inducing phenomenon affecting a timestamp to be applied to a timing protocol packet will occur within a temporal interval, and in response to detecting that the delay-inducing phenomenon will occur within the temporal interval, preventing, during the temporal interval, application of the timestamp to the timing protocol packet and preventing transmission of the timing protocol packet onto the transmission medium until the delay-inducing phenomenon has elapsed.