System uses time pulse that simultaneously transmits with time of day message to synchronize network user stations

• US 6,854,019 B2
• Filed: 05/14/2001
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Prasendt Investments LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Egle, Fridolin
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu, Le Hien
• Application Number:
  US09/853,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20020000919A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 709/248, 713/400, 713/500, 318/85, 345/708, 711/151, 455/436, 375/354
• US Class Current: 709/248
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 7/00 Synchronisation radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/28 Timers or timing mechanisms used in protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A network user system and a method of using the same in which one network user station (2c) is connected with another network user station (2a) via a message line (9a) and to which, in a receive mode, the other network user station (2a) can transmit a time message (Un, 5) comprising a time of day. The network user station (2a) also simultaneously transmits along with the time message a plurality of time pulses to the other network user stations (2b, 2d , 2e. . . ) in the system. The network user stations (2a, 2b, 2c, . . . ) record the time difference between the instant when the time pulses Tp are received and the instant when the time message (5) is received, and thereupon adjust the time of day contained in the time message (5) based on the time difference. This ensures that the time of day that is further processed in the receiver (4a, 4b, 4c. . . ) is the correct time at the instant of processing and, further, that the clock (6) of the network user station (2a) and the clock (8) of the other network user station (2c) are substantially synchronized. To measure the time difference in a simple manner, a timer is provided, which is started by the time pulse (Tp) and stopped by the time message (5).

Claims

1. A synchronized network user station system, comprising:

a first network user station;

a second network user station;

a message line connecting said first network user station and said second network user station for sending a time message containing a time of day from said first network user station to said second network user station;

a synchronization line also connecting said first and said second network user stations for transmitting a time pulse from said first network user station to said second network user station, wherein said first network user station simultaneously transmits said time pulse and said time message to said second network user station; and

a recording and adjusting means that records a time difference between an instant when said time pulse is received and an instant when said time message is received by said second network user station and adjusts the time of day contained in said time message according to said time difference.

2. The synchronized network user station system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second network user station has a timer 5 for recording the time difference, which is started by said time pulse and stopped by said time message.

3. The synchronized network user station system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first network user station simultaneously transmits to said second network user station said time message containing a time of day via said message line and said time pulse via said synchronization line.

4. The synchronized network user station system according to claim 1, wherein said time message and said plurality of time pulses are transmitted by a transmitter contained in said first network user station.

5. The synchronized network user station system according to claim 1, wherein said time message and said plurality of time pulses is received by said receiver contained in said second network user station.

6. A synchronized network user system for connecting a plurality of network users comprising:

a plurality of network user stations;

a message line connecting said plurality of network user stations and for transmitting a time message containing a time of day between said plurality of network user;

a synchronization line also connecting said plurality of network user stations and for transmitting a time pulse between said plurality of network user stations, wherein said time pulse and said time message are simultaneously transmitted; and

a recording and adjusting unit contained in at least one of said plurality of network user stations that records a time difference between an instant when time pulse is received and an instant when said time message is received by said at least one of said plurality of network user stations and adjusts the time of day contained in said transmitted time message according to said time difference.

7. The network user system according to claim 6, wherein said time message and said time pulse are transmitted by a transmitter contained in at least one of said plurality of network user stations.

8. The network user system according to claim 6, wherein said time message and said time pulse is received by said receiver contained in at least one of said plurality of network user.

9. A method of synchronizing a first network user station with a second network user station connected in a network comprising:

connecting said first and said second network user station using a message line, and via said message line transmitting a time message from said first network user station to said second network user station;

connecting said first network user station and said second network user station using a synchronization line, and via said synchronization line, transmitting a time pulse from said first network user station to said second network user station;

recording a time difference between an instant when said time message is received by said second network user station and an instant when said time pulse is received by said second network user station; and

adjusting a time contained in said second network user station according said time difference.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said time message transmitted by said first network user station contains a time of day read from a clock in said first network user station.