USB GNSS Receiver for Direct TSN Timing Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing SFP-based GNSS receivers lack standard interfaces for configuration and monitoring, require use of a network port, and introduce an additional hop in timing information delivery, limiting precision and increasing troubleshooting complexity in network devices.

Innovation Solution

A USB-based GNSS receiver that generates a one PPS signal and a 10 MHz signal, enabling integrated configuration, management, and monitoring via a USB interface, and provides extended holdover and ePRTC support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an SFP-based GNSS receiver is used, then timing information can be delivered to network devices, but an additional hop is introduced reducing precision and network ports are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming information precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the GNSS receiver functionality from the network device by using an external USB-connected receiver. This removes the need to integrate GNSS hardware within the network device itself, eliminating the additional hop through the network port while maintaining timing precision through direct USB connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The USB interface acts as an intermediary between the external GNSS receiver and the network device. This mediator enables direct communication and timing signal transfer without requiring network protocol processing, thereby improving timing precision and reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If SFP-based GNSS receivers are used, then timing information can be provided, but standard interfaces for configuration and monitoring are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming information deliveryVSAvoidconfiguration and monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The USB interface provides multiple functions including configuration, monitoring, and timing signal transfer through a single standardized connection. This universal interface eliminates the need for separate management interfaces while maintaining reliable timing information delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If SFP-based GNSS receivers are used, then timing information can be delivered, but network ports are required increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming information deliveryVSAvoidnetwork port requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the timing information delivery function from the network port by using an external USB-connected GNSS receiver. This eliminates the requirement for dedicated network ports while maintaining reliable timing delivery through the USB interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12461876B2Systems and methods for providing a global navigation satellite system capability to a time sensitive network device

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 JUNIPER NETWORKS INC

AI summary

In some implementations, a device may receive, via a universal serial bus (USB) interface, configuration information and a supply of power from a network device. The device may receive, via an antenna that is external to the device, a first signal indicating timing information. The device may generate, based on the first signal, a second signal and a third signal, wherein the second signal comprises a one pulse per second signal and the third signal comprises a ten-megahertz signal. The device may provide, to the network device, the second signal and the third signal. The device may receive, via an input port, a clock signal to provide an extended holdover functionality to the network device.