US 12,431,999 B1 · Transmitting clock signals in network packets

Abstract

A clock signal in a clock distribution network is transmitted using network packets with the clock signal embedded within a bit of the network packets. The network packets can include a preamble used to create phase alignment between a timing pulse and a bit position of a Start of Frame Delimiter (SFD) within the packet. The clock signal associated with the packet occurs when the SFD is detected. In one example, the SFD is detected when two consecutive bits of equal value are received and the timing of the clock signal is such that the clock signal occurs when the second consecutive bit is received. By including a clock signal within a packet, additional information can be transmitted with the clock signal. For example, authentication and validation information can be included, a time stamp, a message type, a frame check sequence, a clock status, a number of hops from the root, etc.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method of transmitting a clock signal in a clock distribution network, the method comprising:

generating a packet of data including a bit representing a clock signal, wherein the generating of the packet of data includes synchronizing a timing signal from a reference clock to a preamble timing of the packet of data using a clock switching circuit;
embedding, by the clock switching circuit, metadata within the packet of data, the metadata including information associated with the clock signal and transmitting the packet of data using a clock distribution circuit;
receiving the packet of data in a receiving device;
extracting the clock signal from the packet of data;
and
synchronizing a system clock on the receiving device to the extracted clock signal to synchronize the system clock to the timing signal.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Transmitting clock signals in network packets

Life of this patent

Transmitting clock signals in network packets

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12