Systems and methods for nodes communicating using a time-synchronized transport layer

A system comprising:

• a network configured to interconnect at least a first node, a second node, and a third node, wherein the first node is selected as a primary node, and wherein each of the at least the first node, the second node, and the third node is configurable to communicate using a time-synchronized transport layer (TSL) protocol comprising a plurality of phases including a preparation phase and a transmission phase;
• the first node, selected as the primary node, configurable to transmit a message including a start time indicative of a start of the transmission phase comprising a data transmission mega-cycle, wherein the common clock is associated with the primary node, and wherein the data transmission mega-cycle comprises both transmission of data and an inter-mega-cycle margin of time;
• and
• subsequent to a completion of the preparation phase, the second node, while still receiving messages from the third node as part of a first data transmission mega-cycle initiated by the third node, configurable to initiate data transmission to the first node as part of a second transmission mega-cycle while using an elastic buffer to reduce an effect of the inter-mega-cycle margin of time.

A method in a network comprising at least a first acceleration component, a second acceleration component, and a third acceleration component having a respective clock synchronized with a common clock, wherein each of the at least the first acceleration component, the second acceleration component, and the third acceleration component is configurable to communicate using a time-synchronized transport layer (TSL) protocol comprising a plurality of phases including a preparation phase and a transmission phase, the method comprising:

• the first acceleration component, selected as a primary acceleration component, transmitting a message including a start time indicative of a start of the transmission phase comprising a data transmission mega-cycle, wherein the common clock is associated with the primary acceleration component, and wherein the data transmission mega-cycle comprises both transmission of data and an inter-mega-cycle margin of time;
• and
• subsequent to a completion of the preparation phase, the second acceleration component, while still receiving messages from the third acceleration component as part of a first data transmission megacycle initiated by the third acceleration component, initiating data transmission to the first acceleration component as part of a second transmission mega-cycle while using an elastic buffer to reduce an effect of the inter-mega-cycle margin of time.