Virtualized Synchronous Ethernet Timing Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network slicing techniques break existing methods for timing distribution using Synchronous Ethernet, as they are packet-based or utilize asynchronous idle mapped procedures, posing challenges in maintaining synchronization across multiple virtual networks in 5G mobile networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Virtualized Synchronous Ethernet, which determines a common PHY frequency and bit-level accurate count over an accumulation window, using Digital Phase Lock Loops and accumulators, to establish a client clock for each slice, and communicates this information via dedicated Ethernet packets or FlexE overhead for synchronization across multiple slices on a shared physical interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network slicing is implemented to partition physical networks into virtual networks, then network flexibility and service differentiation are improved, but timing distribution accuracy and synchronization reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the timing distribution problem by separating the common PHY timing reference from the slice-specific timing domains. Each network slice is assigned a dedicated timing domain with its own synchronization mechanism, allowing independent timing control while sharing the common physical infrastructure. This resolves the contradiction by enabling flexible network slicing while maintaining accurate timing distribution through dedicated synchronization channels for each slice.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary timing distribution mechanism that operates between the common PHY reference and individual slices. This intermediary layer uses dedicated synchronization packets and timestamps to bridge the gap between shared physical infrastructure and virtualized network slices, ensuring that timing accuracy is preserved despite the virtualization overhead and packet-based transmission.
2Ease of manufacture
If packet-based synchronization methods are used for network slicing, then ease of implementation and network compatibility are improved, but synchronization precision and timing accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a common PHY frequency reference and accumulating timing information before actual synchronization occurs. The system pre-processes timing data by accumulating counts over defined windows and preparing synchronization packets with timestamps in advance, which then enables high-precision synchronization without requiring complex real-time calculations during the actual timing distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/electrical synchronization methods with a software-based packet timestamping and counting mechanism. Instead of direct electrical signal synchronization, the system uses software accumulators to count bits and calculate frequency offsets, then transmits this information via Ethernet packets. This substitution maintains precision while improving implementation ease through standard network protocols.
3Productivity
If multiple Synchronous Ethernet domains are implemented on a shared physical interface, then resource utilization and network efficiency are improved, but timing isolation and interference resistance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different timing characteristics to different network slices. Each slice receives customized timing parameters and synchronization mechanisms tailored to its specific requirements, while all slices share the common physical infrastructure. This allows high resource utilization through sharing while maintaining timing isolation through slice-specific synchronization parameters and dedicated timing domains.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables accurate and reliable synchronization across multiple Synchronous Ethernet domains on a single shared interface, unaffected by packet delay variation or asymmetry, supporting network slicing in 5G mobile networks and other applications like IoT and industrial sensor networks.
Implementation Method 1
The bit-level accurate count (Cn) over the accumulation window can be determined utilizing accumulators and the determining is via Digital Phase Lock Loops (DPLLs)
Data Source
AI summary
Virtualized Synchronous Ethernet systems and methods include, in a network element supporting a plurality of slices over a common Ethernet physical (PHY) connection, determining a common PHY frequency; for a specific slice of the plurality of slices, obtaining a bit-level accurate count (Cn) over a accumulation window; and determining a client clock for the specific slice based on the common PHY frequency and the bit-level accurate count (Cn). The systems and methods can include receiving the bit-level accurate count (Cn) from a second network element for synchronization therewith. The bit-level accurate count (Cn) over the given accumulation window can be determined utilizing accumulators and the client clock can be determined utilizing Digital Phase Lock Loops (DPLLs).