Methods And Apparatus For Communication Synchronization

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• a computer readable memory storing a program of instructions;
• wherein the program of instructions is configured to, with the memory and the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform actions comprising at least:
• exchanging timing information with a device with which the apparatus communicates over a wireless link, wherein the timing information is exchanged over a synchronization channel with the device;
• and wherein the timing information allows timing synchronization for the apparatus and the device;
• upon receiving a timing-over-packet packet from the device, passing the packet to an egress point of the apparatus;
• calculating a residence time of the packet in the wireless link, wherein the residence time represents a difference between a time represented by a timestamp of the packet and a time shown by a clock of the apparatus when the packet reaches the egress point of the apparatus, wherein the timestamp represents an arrival time of the packet at an ingress point of the device;
• replacing the timestamp of the packet with the residence time of the packet;
• and
• transmitting the packet out the egress point of the device.

A method comprising:

• configuring at least one processor to cause an apparatus to perform actions comprising at least:
• exchanging timing information with a device with which the apparatus communicates over a wireless link, wherein the timing information is exchanged over a synchronization channel with the device;
• and wherein the timing information allows timing synchronization for the apparatus and the device;
• upon receiving a timing-over-packet packet from the device, passing the packet to an egress point of the apparatus;
• calculating a residence time of the packet in the wireless link, wherein the residence time represents a difference between a time represented by a timestamp of the packet and a time shown by a clock of the apparatus when the packet reaches the egress point of the apparatus, wherein the timestamp represents an arrival time of the packet at an ingress point of the device;
• replacing the timestamp of the packet with the residence time of the packet;
• and
• transmitting the packet out the egress point of the device.

A computer readable medium storing a program of instructions, execution of which by a processor configures an apparatus to perform actions comprising at least:

• exchanging timing information with a device with which the apparatus communicates over a wireless link, wherein the timing information is exchanged over a synchronization channel with the device;
• and wherein the timing information allows timing synchronization for the apparatus and the device;
• upon receiving a timing-over-packet packet from the device, passing the packet to an egress point of the apparatus;
• calculating a residence time of the packet in the wireless link, wherein the residence time represents a time represented by a timestamp of the packet, wherein the residence time represents a difference between a time represented by a timestamp of the packet and a time shown by a clock of the apparatus when the packet reaches the egress point of the apparatus, wherein the timestamp represents an arrival time of the packet at an ingress point of the device;
• replacing the timestamp of the packet with the residence time of the packet;
• and
• transmitting the packet out the egress point of the device.