Network synchronization with reduced energy consumption
First Claim
1. A network device for use in a network comprising at least the network device and a further network device, the network device and the further network device comprising means arranged for detecting an event, and the network device further comprising means for receiving a first timestamp of the further network device, and means for taking a second timestamp,the network device being characterized inbeing arranged for providing a signal,comprising synchronization means arranged for synchronizing the signal with a further signal provided by the further network device,said synchronization means comprising a counter arranged forcounting cyclically from a start count to an end count, andproviding the signal in dependence of the counter reaching the end count, andin response to the detection of the event adjusting a value of the end count to a modified end count, said modified end count being in dependence of the first and second timestamp,after providing the signal in dependence of the counter reaching the modified end value adjusting the value of the end count to its value prior to the adjustment to the modified end count, andwherein the counter is further arranged for providing a counter value and the modified end count is dependent on a difference of a received first counter value comprised in the first timestamp, said first counter value corresponding to the detection of the event by the further network device, and a second counter value comprised in the second timestamp, said second counter value corresponding to the detection of the event by the network device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A network (100) comprises at least a network device (110) and a further network device (120). The network device (110) arranged for detecting an event (170), for receiving a first timestamp (420) of the further network device and for taking a second timestamp. The network device is arranged for providing a signal (180) in dependence of a counter (450) reaching an end count. The network device arranged for synchronizing the signal (180) with a further signal (190) provided by the further network device (120) by adjusting a value of the end count (60) to a modified end count (230), the modified end count being in dependence of the first and second timestamp. After having provided the synchronized signal (180c, 180d) the value of the end count is re-adjusted from the modified end count to its value prior to the adjustment.
119 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A network device for use in a network comprising at least the network device and a further network device, the network device and the further network device comprising means arranged for detecting an event, and the network device further comprising means for receiving a first timestamp of the further network device, and means for taking a second timestamp,
the network device being characterized in being arranged for providing a signal, comprising synchronization means arranged for synchronizing the signal with a further signal provided by the further network device, said synchronization means comprising a counter arranged for counting cyclically from a start count to an end count, and providing the signal in dependence of the counter reaching the end count, and in response to the detection of the event adjusting a value of the end count to a modified end count, said modified end count being in dependence of the first and second timestamp, after providing the signal in dependence of the counter reaching the modified end value adjusting the value of the end count to its value prior to the adjustment to the modified end count, and wherein the counter is further arranged for providing a counter value and the modified end count is dependent on a difference of a received first counter value comprised in the first timestamp, said first counter value corresponding to the detection of the event by the further network device, and a second counter value comprised in the second timestamp, said second counter value corresponding to the detection of the event by the network device.
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2. A method for synchronisation of a network, comprising:
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with a first network device, taking a first timestamp in response to a detection of an event; with a second network device, taking a second timestamp in response to a detection of the event; with the second network device, receiving the first timestamp from the first network device; with the first and second network devices, providing a signal in dependence of a counter value of a cyclically counting counter reaching an end count, the counter counting from a start count to the end count; in response to the detection of the event adjusting a value of the end count of the second network device to a modified end count, said modified end count being in dependence of the first and second timestamp; after providing the signal in dependence of the counter value reaching the modified end count, adjusting the modified end count to the end value. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16)
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11. A plurality of network devices for use in a network, each network device comprising:
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a detector which detects an event; a receiver which receives a first timestamp; a timestamp unit which takes a second timestamp; a counter which counts cyclically from a start count to an end count; a signaling unit which provides a signal each time the counter reaches the end count; a synchronizer which in response to detection of an event adjusts a value of the end count to a modified end count, said modified end count being in dependence of the first and second timestamp, and after the signal by the signaler in dependence of the counter reaching the modified end value readjusts the value of the end count to the original end count. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification