Method and apparatus of managing time for a processing system

An apparatus configured to manage time on a processing system located on a machine, comprising:

• a plurality of controllers on the machine;
• a local clock located on each controller and configured to establish a local time;
• a communication network connected to said controllers;
• and
• wherein each of said plurality of controllers is configured to establish an operating characteristic of the machine, determine whether to update said local time, using said local clock, in response to said operating characteristic, and updating said local time in response to said update determination.

A method of managing time for a processing system located on a machine, the processing system including a plurality of controllers, each controller having a local clock, and a communication network connecting each of the controllers, including the steps of:

• establishing an operating characteristic of the machine;
• determining whether to update a local time on each of the controllers in response to said operating characteristic;
• and
• updating said local time, using the local clock, in response to said update determination.