Network device and method for delay compensation of data packets

A method for delay compensation of data packets, for a telecommunications network with synchronous digital hierarchy, which delay occurs during passage of the packets through a network device comprising an input stage and an output stage, connected to the input stage via a first transfer path and a second transfer path, the method comprising:

• transferring the data packets in multiplex frames, where a first delay occurs on the first transfer path and a second delay occurs on the second transfer path, and where each of the multiplex frames contains at least one data packet to be transferred and at least one phase reference identifier for determining the respective position of the data packet within the corresponding frame;
• adjusting the phase reference identifier allocated to a respective data packet by a predetermined phase correcting value, leading in the phase, which corresponds to a maximum expected delay for a transfer of the data packets on the first transfer path or the second transfer path;
• and
• buffering the data packets by buffering times such that for each respective data packet buffering time and delay needed for passing through the network device in total correspond to the maximum expected delay taken into account in allocated, adjusted phase reference identifier.

A network device for a telecommunications network with synchronous digital hierarchy, for delay compensation of data packets, the network device comprising:

• an input stage having a first matrix unit and receiving data packets transferred in multiplex frames together with at least one phase reference identifier for determining the respective position of the data packet within the corresponding frame;
• an output stage having a second matrix unit and receiving data packets of the multiplexed frames propagated within the network device;
• and
• a first transfer path and a second transfer path connecting the input state to the output stage, where a first propagation delay occurs on the first transfer path and a second propagation delay occurs on the second transfer path,
• wherein each of the first and second matrix units comprise:
• a pointer processor adjusting the phase reference identifier allocated to a respective data packet by a predetermined phase correcting value, leading in the phase, which corresponds to a maximum expected delay for a transfer of the data packets on a longest transfer path out of the first transfer path and the second transfer path, and
• a buffer buffering the data packets, where each data packet is buffered for a buffering time that corresponds to the maximum expected delay minus time needed to pass respective data packet through a respective transfer path,
• wherein said buffering time is determined based on the adjusted phase reference identifier of the respective data packet.