Server time protocol messages and methods
First Claim
1. A method of exchanging messages for facilitating synchronization of processing units of a timing network, the method comprising:
- receiving an exchange time parameters (XTP) message command at a second processing unit generated by a first processing unit, the XTP message command including a message command transmit timestamp field set by the first processing unit and a message command receive timestamp field unset by the first processing unit;
setting the message command receive timestamp field in the XTP message command with the time that the XTP message command is received at the second processing unit; and
generating at the second processing unit an XTP message response to be sent to the first processing unit, the XTP message response including the message command transmit timestamp set by the first processing unit and the message command receive timestamp set by the second processing unit obtained from the XTP message command;
wherein the XTP message command further comprises a message header dependent on a type of data link used to implement a server time protocol link between the first processing unit and the second processing unit, and a coordinated timing network (CTN) identifier of a timing network to which the first processing unit belongs;
wherein the XTP message command is transmitted to the second processing unit over the server time protocol link, and the message command transmit time stamp field is set by the first processing unit using a current time of day clock of the first processing unit, and is set immediately prior to transmitting of the XTP message command; and
wherein generating the XTP message response at the second processing unit comprises checking whether the CTN identifier received with the XTP message command matches a CTN identifier of a timing network to which the second processing unit belongs.
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Abstract
Server time protocol (STP) messages and methods of exchange thereof are provided for facilitating synchronization of processing units of a timing network. The STP messages include exchange time parameters (XTP) commands and responses, and STP control (STC) commands and responses. XTP message exchange processing includes: generating an XTP message command at a first processing unit including a command transmit timestamp field set by the first processing unit and a command receive timestamp field which is unset by the first processing unit; transmitting the XTP message command to a second processing unit; setting the command receive timestamp field in the XTP command with the time the XTP command is received at the second processing unit; and generating an XTP message response at the second processing unit, the message response including the command transmit timestamp set by the first processing unit and the command receive timestamp set by the second processing unit.
97 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of exchanging messages for facilitating synchronization of processing units of a timing network, the method comprising:
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receiving an exchange time parameters (XTP) message command at a second processing unit generated by a first processing unit, the XTP message command including a message command transmit timestamp field set by the first processing unit and a message command receive timestamp field unset by the first processing unit; setting the message command receive timestamp field in the XTP message command with the time that the XTP message command is received at the second processing unit; and generating at the second processing unit an XTP message response to be sent to the first processing unit, the XTP message response including the message command transmit timestamp set by the first processing unit and the message command receive timestamp set by the second processing unit obtained from the XTP message command; wherein the XTP message command further comprises a message header dependent on a type of data link used to implement a server time protocol link between the first processing unit and the second processing unit, and a coordinated timing network (CTN) identifier of a timing network to which the first processing unit belongs; wherein the XTP message command is transmitted to the second processing unit over the server time protocol link, and the message command transmit time stamp field is set by the first processing unit using a current time of day clock of the first processing unit, and is set immediately prior to transmitting of the XTP message command; and wherein generating the XTP message response at the second processing unit comprises checking whether the CTN identifier received with the XTP message command matches a CTN identifier of a timing network to which the second processing unit belongs. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer program product for facilitating synchronization of processing units of a timing network, the computer program product comprising:
a non-transitory storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method comprising; receiving an exchange time parameters (XTP) message command at a second processing unit generated by a first processing unit, the XTP message command including a message command transmit timestamp field set by the first processing unit and a message command receive timestamp field unset by the first processing unit; setting the message command receive timestamp field in the XTP message command with the time that the XTP message command is received at the second processing unit; and generating at the second processing unit an XTP message response to be sent to the first processing unit, the XTP message response including the message command transmit timestamp set by the first processing unit and the message command receive timestamp set by the second processing unit obtained from the XTP message command; wherein the XTP message command further comprises a message header dependent on a type of data link used to implement a server time protocol link between the first processing unit and the second processing unit, and a coordinated timing network (CTN) identifier of a timing network to which the first processing unit belongs; wherein the XTP message command is transmitted to the second processing unit over the server time protocol link, and the message command transmit time stamp field is set by the first processing unit using a current time of day clock of the first processing unit, and is set immediately prior to transmitting of the XTP message command; and wherein generating the XTP message response at the second processing unit comprises checking whether the CTN identifier received with the XTP message command matches a CTN identifier of a timing network to which the second processing unit belongs. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system to facilitate exchange of messages for synchronization of processing units of a timing network, the system comprising:
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a memory; and a processor in communications with the memory, wherein the computer system is configured to perform a method, the method comprising; receiving an exchange time parameters (XTP) message command at a second processing unit of a coordinated timing network generated by a first processing unit thereof, the XTP message command including a message command transmit timestamp field set by the first processing unit and a message command receive timestamp field unset by the first processing unit; setting the message command receive timestamp field in the XTP message command with the time that the XTP message command is received at the second processing unit; generating at the second processing unit an XTP message response to be sent to the first processing unit, the XTP message response including the message command transmit timestamp set by the first processing unit and the message command receive timestamp set by the second processing unit obtained from the XTP message command; wherein the XTP message command further comprises a message header dependent on a type of data link used to implement a server time protocol link between the first processing unit and the second processing unit, and a coordinated timing network (CTN) identifier of a timing network to which the first processing unit belongs; wherein the XTP message command is transmitted to the second processing unit over the server time protocol link, and the message command transmit timestamp field is set by the first processing unit using a current time of day clock of the first processing unit, and is set immediately prior to transmitting of the XTP message command; and wherein generating the XTP message response at the second processing unit comprises checking whether the CTN identifier received with the XTP message command matches a CTN identifier of a timing network to which the second processing unit belongs. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification