Configuration of synchronisation network having synchronization trails for time sync and frequency sync
First Claim
1. A method of configuring a node of a synchronization network, the method comprising the steps of:
- identifying a plurality of possible alternative synchronization trails for passing synchronization information from a synchronization source to the node, the possible alternative synchronization trails comprising a plurality of time synchronization trails arranged to carry time synchronization information for time synchronization at the node, and a plurality of frequency synchronization trails, arranged to carry frequency synchronization information for frequency synchronization at the node,determining information about the sources of the possible alternative synchronization trails, andcomparing automatically the possible alternative synchronization trails, using the information about the sources, to choose;
a first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails for the node to use for time synchronization; and
a first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails for the node to use for frequency synchronization,wherein the comparison of the plurality of possible alternative synchronization trails is biased to increase a likelihood that the first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails and the first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails share the same source, over a likelihood that the first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails and the first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails have different sources.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Configuring a node (410) of a synchronization network involves identifying (10) possible alternative time synchronization trails arranged to carry time synchronization information for time synchronization at the node, and possible alternative frequency trails, arranged to carry frequency synchronization information for frequency synchronization at the node. Using information about the sources (20), a comparison of the trails (30) is biased to increase a likelihood of choosing time synchronization and frequency trails which share the same source, over a likelihood of choosing trails with different sources. This can help avoid divergence and consequent bit errors arising from phase errors, resulting from trails having different sources. It can encompass for example changing both to a new common source, or changing one or both trails while still using the old common source.
13 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of configuring a node of a synchronization network, the method comprising the steps of:
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identifying a plurality of possible alternative synchronization trails for passing synchronization information from a synchronization source to the node, the possible alternative synchronization trails comprising a plurality of time synchronization trails arranged to carry time synchronization information for time synchronization at the node, and a plurality of frequency synchronization trails, arranged to carry frequency synchronization information for frequency synchronization at the node, determining information about the sources of the possible alternative synchronization trails, and comparing automatically the possible alternative synchronization trails, using the information about the sources, to choose; a first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails for the node to use for time synchronization; and a first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails for the node to use for frequency synchronization, wherein the comparison of the plurality of possible alternative synchronization trails is biased to increase a likelihood that the first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails and the first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails share the same source, over a likelihood that the first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails and the first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails have different sources. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A node for a synchronization network, the node having:
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a) a configuration manager arranged to identify a plurality of possible alternative synchronization trails for passing synchronization information from a synchronization source to the node, the possible alternative synchronization trails comprising a plurality of time synchronization trails arranged to carry time synchronization information for time synchronization at the node, and a plurality of frequency synchronization trails, arranged to carry frequency synchronization information for frequency synchronization at the node, the configuration manager also being arranged to determine information about the sources of the possible alternative synchronization trails, b) a comparator arranged to compare automatically the possible alternative synchronization trails, using the information about the sources, to choose; a first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails for the node to use for time synchronization; and a first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails for the node to use for frequency synchronization; wherein the comparison of the plurality of possible alternative synchronization trails is biased to increase a likelihood that the first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails and the first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails share the same source, over a likelihood that the first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails and the first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails have different sources, and c) a trail selector controlled by the comparator for switching the time synchronization information and the frequency from the chosen first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails and the first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails to provide a synchronization reference for the node. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A centralized management system for a synchronization network, the management system being remote from a node and arranged to:
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identify a plurality of possible alternative synchronization trails for passing synchronization information from a synchronization source to the node, the possible alternative synchronization trails comprising a plurality of time synchronization trails arranged to carry time synchronization information for time synchronization at the node, and a plurality of frequency synchronization trails, arranged to carry frequency synchronization information for frequency synchronization at the node; determining information about the sources of the possible alternative synchronization trails, and comparing automatically the possible alternative synchronization trails, using the information about the sources, to choose; a first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails for the node to use for time synchronization; and a first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails for the node to use for frequency synchronization, wherein the comparison of the plurality of possible alternative synchronization trails is biased to increase a likelihood that the first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails and the first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails share the same source, over a likelihood that the first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails and the first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails have different sources.
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14. A synchronization network comprising:
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a plurality of nodes; a synchronization source coupled to the plurality of nodes; and a plurality of possible alternative synchronization trails for passing synchronization information from the synchronization source to the plurality of nodes, the possible alternative synchronization trails comprising; a plurality of time synchronization trails arranged to carry time synchronization information for time synchronization at the plurality of nodes; and a plurality of frequency synchronization trails arranged to carry frequency synchronization information for frequency synchronization at the node; wherein at least one of the plurality of nodes comprises a comparator operable to; determine information about the sources of the possible alternative synchronization trails; comparing automatically the possible alternative synchronization trails, using the information about the sources, to choose; a first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails for the node to use for time synchronization; and a first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails for the node to use for frequency synchronization; wherein the comparison of the plurality of possible alternative synchronization trails is biased to increase a likelihood that the first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails and the first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails share the same source, over a likelihood that the first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails and the first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails have different sources.
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15. A computer program stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium and comprising instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to:
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identify a plurality of possible alternative synchronization trails for passing synchronization information from a synchronization source to the node, the possible alternative synchronization trails comprising a plurality of time synchronization trails arranged to carry time synchronization information for time synchronization at the node, and a plurality of frequency synchronization trails, arranged to carry frequency synchronization information for frequency synchronization at the node; determining information about the sources of the possible alternative synchronization trails, and comparing automatically the possible alternative synchronization trails, using the information about the sources, to choose; a first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails for the node to use for time synchronization; and a first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails for the node to use for frequency synchronization, wherein the comparison of the plurality of possible alternative synchronization trails is biased to increase a likelihood that the first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails and the first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails share the same source, over a likelihood that the first one of the plurality of time synchronization trails and the first one of the plurality of frequency synchronization trails have different sources. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification