Leveraging two-step functionality on transparent clocks to facilitate exchange of unicast messages

A TR node for a time-distribution system having multiple time transmitter (TT) nodes and/or multiple time receiver (TR) nodes, the TR node comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and
• at least one memory storing instructions that, upon being executed by the at least one processor, cause the TR node at least to handle delay-request and delay-response messages, wherein the TR node is configured to:
• transmit a unicast, delay-request message towards a TT node of the time-distribution system;
• and
• receive a corresponding, unicast, delay-response message transmitted by the TT node.

A method for a time-distribution system having multiple TT nodes and/or multiple TR nodes and at least one intervening TC node, the method comprising:

• a TR node of the time-distribution system transmitting a unicast, delay-request message towards a TT node of the time-distribution system;
• the TC node operating in a two-step delay-request mode to receive and forward the unicast, delay-request message without modification towards the TT node;
• the TT node:
• receiving the unicast, delay-request message;
• and
• transmitting a corresponding, unicast, delay-response message towards the TC node;
• and
• the TC node:
• receiving the unicast, delay-response message;
• modifying the unicast, delay-response message;
• and
• forwarding the modified, unicast, delay-response message towards the TR node.