Technique for synchronizing clocks in a network

An apparatus for synchronizing clocks in a network, the apparatus comprising:

• a receiver for receiving a first timestamp and a second timestamp each indicating a respective time instance within the network;
• and
• a phase-locked loop associated with the receiver, the phase-locked loop comprising:
• a first delay element for delaying the first timestamp by a first delay amount;
• a first differencing element for measuring a first time interval between the first timestamp delayed by the first delay amount and the second timestamp as determined by a first clock signal;
• a second delay element for delaying the first timestamp by a second delay amount;
• a second differencing element for measuring a second time interval between the first timestamp delayed by the second delay amount and the second timestamp as determined by a second clock signal;
• a third differencing element for generating a difference signal representing a difference between the first time interval and the second time interval;
• a filter for filtering the difference signal;
• and
• a variable oscillator for generating the second clock signal based upon the filtered difference signal such that the second clock signal is synchronized with the first clock signal.

An article of manufacture for synchronizing clocks in a network, the article of manufacture comprising:

• at least one processor readable media;
• and
• instructions carried on the at least one processor readable media;
• wherein the instructions are configured to be readable from the at least one processor readable by at least one processor and thereby cause the at least one processor to operate so as to:
• receive a first timestamp and a second timestamp each indicating a respective time instance within the network;
• delay the first timestamp by a first delay amount;
• measure a first time interval between the first timestamp delayed by the first delay amount and the second timestamp as determined by a first clock signal;
• delay the first timestamp by a second delay amount;
• measure a second time interval between the first timestamp delayed by the second delay amount and the second timestamp as determined by a second clock signal;
• generate a difference signal representing a difference between the first time interval and the second time interval;
• filter the difference signal;
• and
• generate the second clock signal based upon the filtered difference signal such that the second clock signal is synchronized with the first clock signal.