Timing Source Packet Burst Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packet networks face challenges in synchronizing the frequency and phase of TDM clocks with those at the ingress and egress sides, leading to potential data loss and service degradation due to unpredictable transmission delays and interference from other network traffic.
Innovation Solution
A timing source system that generates timing information, forms packets of varying sizes based on network capacity and traffic conditions, and timestamps these packets for precise transmission, allowing for improved clock synchronization across packet networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If small packets are used for timing information transmission, then bandwidth consumption is reduced, but transmission delay becomes unpredictable and synchronization quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes packet size parameters based on network conditions. Timing packets are transmitted in bursts with varying sizes (including at least one large packet) to optimize both bandwidth efficiency and synchronization quality. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting packet characteristics rather than using fixed-size packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic transmission of timing packets in bursts at predetermined intervals. These periodic bursts contain multiple packets including at least one large packet, providing regular synchronization opportunities while maintaining predictable bandwidth consumption patterns. This periodic approach ensures synchronization quality without continuous bandwidth usage.
2Measurement precision
If large packets are used for timing information transmission, then synchronization quality improves, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses partial excessive action by transmitting at least one large packet within periodic bursts, rather than continuously transmitting large packets. This provides sufficient synchronization quality (excessive for minimum requirements) while limiting bandwidth consumption through periodic transmission and mixed packet sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts packet size parameters to optimize the balance between synchronization quality and bandwidth consumption. By varying packet sizes in bursts (including both small and at least one large packet), the system adapts to network conditions and achieves good synchronization without excessive bandwidth usage.
3Measurement precision
If timing packets are transmitted frequently, then clock synchronization accuracy improves, but network interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits timing packets in periodic bursts at predetermined intervals rather than continuously or too frequently. This periodic transmission provides regular synchronization opportunities for accurate clock synchronization while allowing network traffic to interleave, reducing network interference and congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial excessive action by transmitting multiple packets within each burst (more than the minimum single packet), providing redundant timing information that enhances synchronization accuracy. This partial excess within periodic bursts achieves high accuracy without the need for continuous frequent transmission that would cause network interference.
4Productivity
If packet transmission size is increased, then number of packets is reduced, but transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes packet size parameters to optimize the trade-off between number of packets and transmission delay. By using mixed packet sizes including at least one large packet within periodic bursts, the system reduces the total number of packets compared to small packet transmission while limiting individual packet delay through periodic timing and size variation.
Data Source
AI summary
A timing source is provided for sending timing information via a packet network. The source comprises a clock for generating the timing information and a packet-forming section for forming a sequence of packets for transporting the timing information to a destination node. A time-stamping section inserts into each packet of the sequence a transmission time derived from the clock and acts as an output section for forwarding the packets to the network at the respective transmission times. In one mode, the packet forming section forms all of the packets of the sequence with the largest size which the packet network is capable of transporting. In another mode, the packets of the sequence have a distribution of sizes which may be fixed or which may vary in response to traffic conditions.