Method and apparatus for transporting a synchronous or plesiochronous signal over a packet network

A method for transporting a synchronous or plesiochronous signal over a packet network, comprising:

• a) processing packets with an adjustable clock generator;
• b) keeping a count of the number of received packets;
• c) keeping a count of the number of transmitted packets;
• and
• d) adjusting the adjustable clock generator to a higher rate when the number of transmitted packets is smaller than the number of received packets.

An apparatus for providing a clock adjustment value in a user-network-interface to a packet network, comprising:

• a) a received packet counter generating a received packet count;
• b) a transmitted packet counter generating a transmitted packet count;
• and
• d) a clock adjustment value calculator coupled to said received packet counter and said transmitted packet counter for calculating a clock adjustment value based on a comparison of the received packet count and the transmitted packet count.

An apparatus for adjusting the granularity of clock adjustments in an interface to a packet network, comprising:

• a) a clock adjustment calculator for calculating a raw clock adjustment value based on the flow of packets into and out of the interface;
• b) a clock adjustment magnifier coupled to said clock adjustment calculator for magnifying said raw clock adjustment value by an adjustable factor to provide an actual clock adjustment value;
• c) first comparison means for comparing a current clock adjustment value with a previous clock adjustment value to provide a clock difference value;
• d) magnifier adjustment means coupled to said clock adjustment magnifier and to said first comparison means for adjusting said adjustable factor based on comparisons of clock adjustment values.