Apparatus and method for two-way timestamp exchange
AssigneeTelefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
InventorsQingfeng Yang, Guoliang Gao, Jun Wang
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Abstract
A method in a first network entity, which is capable of communicating over a plurality of communication links with a second network entity using a two-way timestamp exchange, comprises the step of receiving at the first network entity a first message from the second network entity. The link on which the first message was received is determined. Based on the determination of the link, a second message is transmitted from the first network entity to the second network entity on the same link.
Claims20
A method in a first network entity which is capable of communicating over a plurality of communication links with a second network entity using a two-way timestamp exchange, the method comprising the steps of:
- transmitting a notification signal to the second network entity for informing the second network entity that the first network entity is configured to specify receiving and transmitting timestamp messages via a same link;
- after transmitting the notification signal:
- receiving at the first network entity a first timestamp message of the two-way timestamp exchange protocol from the second network entity;
- determining on which link the first timestamp message was received;
- and
- based on the determination of the link, transmitting from the first network entity a second timestamp message to the second network entity on the determined link.
A method in a second network entity which is configured to communicate over a plurality of communication links with a first network entity using a two-way timestamp exchange, the method comprising the steps of:
- detecting a change in the status of at least one of the plurality of communication links between the second network entity and the first network entity, and, in response thereto:
- determining whether a notification signal is received from the first network entity within a predefined period, the notification signal informing the second network entity that the first network entity will be receiving and transmitting timestamp messages via the same link, and, in the event that the notification signal is not received within the predetermined period:
- receiving at the second network entity first timestamp message from the first network entity;
- determining on which link the first timestamp message was received;
- and
- based on the determination of the link, transmitting from the second network entity a second timestamp message to the first network entity on the determined link.
A network entity which is capable of communicating over a plurality of communication links with a second network entity using a two-way timestamp exchange, the network entity comprising:
- a receiver;
- a transmitter;
- and
- a processor configured to:
- cause a notification signal to be transmitted to the second network entity for informing the second network entity that the first network entity is configured to specify receiving and transmitting timestamp messages via a same link:
- after causing the notification signal to be transmitted:
- determine on which link a first timestamp message is received from the second network entity;
- and
- based on the determination of the link, transmit from the network entity a second timestamp message to the second network entity on the determined link.
A network entity which is capable of communicating over a plurality of communication links with another network entity using a two-way timestamp exchange, the network entity comprising:
- a receiver;
- a transmitter;
- and
- a processor configured to:
- detect a change in the status of at least one of the plurality of communication links, and, in response thereto:
- determine whether a notification signal is received from the another network entity within a predefined period, the notification signal informing the network entity that the another network entity will be receiving and transmitting timestamp messages via the same link;
- and wherein, in the event that the notification signal is not received within the predetermined period the processor being further configured to:
- determine on which link a first timestamp message is received;
- and
- based on the determination of the link, transmit from the network entity a second timestamp message to the another network entity on the same link.
A system comprising a first network entity and a second network entity capable of communicating over a plurality of communication links using a two-way timestamp exchange,
- wherein the first network entity comprises a first processor configured to:
- detect a change in the status of at least one of the plurality of communication links, and, in response thereto:
- transmit a notification signal to the second network entity configured to inform the second network entity that the first network entity is configured to specify receiving and transmitting timestamp messages via the same link,
- wherein the second network entity comprises a second processor configured to:
- detect a change in the status of at least one of the plurality of communication links, and, in response thereto:
- determine whether a notification signal is received from the first network entity within a predefined period, the notification signal informing the second network entity that the first network. entity is configured to specify receiving and transmitting timestamp messages via the same link;
- and wherein,
- in the event that the notification signal is received by the second network entity within the predetermined period the second processor being further configured to:
- determine on which link the notification signal was received;
- and
- use the determined link for subsequent communication of timestamp messages with the first network entity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.