Robust time distribution and synchronization in computer and radio access networks

A method for use in a first node, for enabling synchronization between nodes in a network, the network including the first node and a plurality of remote nodes, the method comprising:

• receiving remote times from the plurality of remote nodes based on receiving, from each remote node of the plurality of remote nodes, an indication of a remote time of a respective local global positioning system (GPS) clock of the remote node;
• on a condition that the first node is a node comprising a local GPS clock to be synchronized with the plurality of remote nodes,
• comparing the received remote times and a local time of the local GPS clock of the first node to identify one or more subgroups of times that are within a tolerance range of each other,
• determining that a subgroup of GPS clocks corresponding to at least one subgroup of times, among the one or more subgroups of times, belongs to a group of accurate clocks,
• on a condition that the local GPS clock of the first node is not within the group of accurate clocks,
• lowering a priority of the local GPS clock of the first node to a low priority,
• selecting a remote GPS clock of the group of accurate clocks, or a remote GPS clock which has a high priority, as a timing reference of the local GPS clock of the first node, and
• synchronising the local GPS clock of the first node to the selected remote GPS clock, and
• on a condition that the local GPS clock of the first node is within the group of accurate clocks,
• setting the priority of the local GPS clock of the first node to high, and
• using a time provided by a local GPS receiver of the first node for the local GPS clock of the first node to be synchronized;
• and
• on a condition that the first node is a central node for enabling synchronization between the plurality of remote nodes,
• comparing, in the central node, the received remote times to identify one or more separate subgroups of times that are within the tolerance range of each other,
• determining that a separate subgroup of GPS clocks corresponding to a separate subgroup of times, among the one or more separate subgroups of times, belongs to the group of accurate clocks,
• sending a particular message to each particular remote node of the plurality of remote nodes that has a corresponding local GPS clock that is not part of the group of accurate clocks, the particular message indicating that the particular remote node should set a priority of the corresponding local GPS clock of the particular remote node to low, and
• sending a separate message to each separate remote node of the plurality of remote nodes that has a corresponding local GPS clock that is part of the group of accurate clocks, the separate message indicating that the separate remote node should set a priority of the corresponding local GPS clock of the separate remote node to high.