Time distribution switch
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- receiving, at a time distribution device, two or more consecutive time signals from a first external time source;
determining a first duration between each of the two or more consecutive time signals from the first external time source, wherein the first duration is based on an internal oscillator;
receiving, at the time distribution device, two or more consecutive time signals from a second external time source;
determining a second duration between each of the two or more consecutive time signals from the second external time source, wherein the second duration is based on the internal oscillator;
comparing the first duration and the second duration to determine a time source with the lowest variation in the duration between the two or more consecutive time signals;
selecting the time source with the lowest variation as a best available time source; and
distributing the best available time source to one or more consuming devices.
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Abstract
Systems and methods for detecting the failure of a precision time source using an independent time source are disclosed. Additionally, detecting the failure of a GNSS based precision time source based on a calculated location of a GNSS receiver is disclosed. Moreover, the system may be further configured to distribute a time derived from the precision time source as a precision time reference to time dependent devices. In the event of a failure of the precision time source, the system may be configured to distribute a time derived from a second precision time source as the precision time signal during a holdover period.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving, at a time distribution device, two or more consecutive time signals from a first external time source; determining a first duration between each of the two or more consecutive time signals from the first external time source, wherein the first duration is based on an internal oscillator; receiving, at the time distribution device, two or more consecutive time signals from a second external time source; determining a second duration between each of the two or more consecutive time signals from the second external time source, wherein the second duration is based on the internal oscillator; comparing the first duration and the second duration to determine a time source with the lowest variation in the duration between the two or more consecutive time signals; selecting the time source with the lowest variation as a best available time source; and distributing the best available time source to one or more consuming devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A time distribution device comprising:
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a plurality of receivers configured to receive consecutive time signals from each of first and second external corresponding precision time sources; an output configured to provide a precision time signal to an intelligent electronic device (IED), wherein the precision time signal is determined from a best available time source of the first and second external corresponding precision time sources; and a time quality module configured to; determine, for the first external precision time source, a first duration between two or more consecutive time signals of the first external precision time source, wherein the first duration is based on an internal oscillator; determine, for the second external precision time source, a second duration between two or more consecutive time signals of the second external precision time source, wherein the second duration is based on the internal oscillator; compare the duration between the two or more consecutive time signals for each time source to determine a time source with the lowest variation in the duration between the two or more consecutive time signals; and select the precision time source with the lowest variation as the best available time source. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for determining a best available time source, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a time distribution device, two or more consecutive time signals from a first external time source; determining, for the first external time source, a first duration between each of the two or more consecutive time signals, wherein the first duration is based on an internal oscillator; receiving, at the time distribution device, two or more consecutive time signals from a second external time source; determining, for the second external time source, a second duration between each of the two or more consecutive time signals, wherein the second duration is based on the internal oscillator; comparing the first duration and the second duration for each time source to determine a time source with the lowest variation in the duration between the two or more consecutive time signals; and selecting the time source with the lowest variation as the best available time source. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification