Clock synchronization using multiple network paths
First Claim
1. A network device, comprising:
- one or more ports coupled to a network, the one or more ports configured to receive a plurality of time synchronization packets from a master clock device, the plurality of time synchronization packets for synchronization of a system time clock in the network device with the master clock device;
a path determination module implemented on one or more integrated circuit devices configured to identify, based on respective path information included in each of at least some of the plurality of time synchronization packets, particular communication paths among two or more communication paths between the master clock device and the network device, via which the respective time synchronization packets traveled from the master clock device to the network device;
a time synchronization module implemented on the one or more integrated circuit devices configured to determine, based on (i) respective time information included in the at least some of the plurality of time synchronization packets and (ii) the identifications of the particular communication paths via which the respective time synchronization packets traveled from the master clock device to the network device, respective clock values for the two or more communication paths, anda clock module implemented on the one or more integrated circuit devices, the clock module configured toreceive the respective clock values determined for the two or more communication paths, anddetermine a value of the system time clock based on at least a subset of the received respective clock values determined for the two or more communication paths.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A network device includes one or more ports coupled to a network, a path determination module, and a clock synchronization module. The one or more ports receive a plurality of time synchronization packets from a master clock device. The path determination module identifies, based on respective path information included in each of at least some of the plurality of time synchronization packets, particular communication paths among two or more communication paths between the master clock device and the network device, via which the respective time synchronization packets traveled from the master clock device to the network device. The clock module determines a system time clock based on respective time information included in the at least some of the plurality of time synchronization packets and the identifications of the particular communication paths via which the respective time synchronization packets traveled from the master clock device to the network device.
51 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A network device, comprising:
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one or more ports coupled to a network, the one or more ports configured to receive a plurality of time synchronization packets from a master clock device, the plurality of time synchronization packets for synchronization of a system time clock in the network device with the master clock device; a path determination module implemented on one or more integrated circuit devices configured to identify, based on respective path information included in each of at least some of the plurality of time synchronization packets, particular communication paths among two or more communication paths between the master clock device and the network device, via which the respective time synchronization packets traveled from the master clock device to the network device; a time synchronization module implemented on the one or more integrated circuit devices configured to determine, based on (i) respective time information included in the at least some of the plurality of time synchronization packets and (ii) the identifications of the particular communication paths via which the respective time synchronization packets traveled from the master clock device to the network device, respective clock values for the two or more communication paths, and a clock module implemented on the one or more integrated circuit devices, the clock module configured to receive the respective clock values determined for the two or more communication paths, and determine a value of the system time clock based on at least a subset of the received respective clock values determined for the two or more communication paths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method, comprising:
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receiving a plurality of time synchronization packets from a master clock device over two or more different communication paths via one or more ports coupled to a network, wherein time synchronization packets, of the plurality of time synchronization packets, are for synchronization of a system time clock in a network device with the master clock device, and wherein each time synchronization packet includes (i) respective path information, and (ii) respective time information, wherein the respective path information indicates a respective communication path in the network via which the respective time synchronization packet was received; identifying, based on respective path information included in each of at least some of the plurality of time synchronization packets, particular communication paths among the two or more different communication paths between the master clock device and the network device, via which the respective time synchronization packets traveled from the master clock device to the network device; determining, based on (i) respective time information included in the at least some of the plurality of time synchronization packets and (ii) the identifications of the particular communication paths via which the respective time synchronization packets traveled from the master clock device to the network device, respective clock values for the two or more communication paths; and determining a value of the system time clock based on at least a subset of the respective clock values determined for the two or more communication paths. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system, comprising:
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a first network device including; one or more first ports coupled to a communication network, and one or more integrated circuit devices configured to; generate a plurality of time synchronization packets for synchronization of a system time clock in a network device with a master clock, each time synchronization packet having (i) respective path information, and (ii) respective time information, wherein the respective path information indicates a respective communication path in the communication network via which the respective time synchronization packet is to be transmitted, and cause the plurality of time synchronization packets to be transmitted (i) via at least one of the one or more first ports, and (ii) via multiple different communication paths in the communication network; and a second network device communicatively coupled to the first network device via the communication network, the second network device including; one or more second ports coupled to the communication network, the one or more second ports configured to receive the plurality of time synchronization packets from the first network device, a path determination module implemented on one or more integrated circuit devices configured to identify, based on respective path information included in each of at least some of the plurality of time synchronization packets, particular communication paths among the multiple communication paths, via which the respective time synchronization packets traveled from the first network clock device to the second network device, and a time synchronization module implemented on the one or more integrated circuit devices configured to determine, based on (i) respective time information included in the at least some of the plurality of time synchronization packets and (ii) the identifications of the particular communication paths via which the respective time synchronization packets traveled from the master clock device to the network device, respective clock values for the two or more communication paths, and a clock module implemented on the one or more integrated circuit devices, the clock module configured to receive the respective clock values determined for the two or more communication paths, and determine a value of the system time clock based on at least a subset of the received respective clock values determined for the two or more communication paths. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification