Time synchronization using dynamic thresholds

A method for synchronizing network elements, the method comprising:

• receiving at a network element a time synchronization message sent from a master clock element, the network element comprising an internal clock to be synchronized with a master clock of the master clock element;
• calculating a latency of the time synchronization message;
• estimating an adjustment to be made to the internal clock in response to the time synchronization message;
• determining whether the latency calculated exceeds a threshold;
• when the latency calculated does not exceed the threshold, applying a first set of criteria to determine whether the latency calculated is less than the adjustment estimated;
• when the latency calculated exceeds the threshold, applying a second set of criteria to determine whether the latency calculated is less than the adjustment estimated;
• and
• adjusting the internal clock when the latency calculated is determined to be less than the adjustment estimated.

A computer-readable medium on which is encoded program code for synchronizing a first clock of a network with a second clock of the network, the program code comprising:

• program code for calculating a latency between the first clock and the second clock;
• program code for estimating an adjustment of the first clock to synchronize the first clock with the second clock;
• program code for using the latency to calculate an earliest current time for the second clock and a latest current time for the second clock, the calculation assuming that the latency is completely imbalanced;
• program code for determining whether to adjust the first clock based on whether the latency calculated is less than the adjustment estimated for a first clock current time that is in between the earliest current time for the second clock and latest current time for the second clock;
• and
• program code for adjusting the first clock.

A computer-readable medium on which is encoded program code for synchronizing a first clock of a network with a second clock of the network, the program code comprising:

• program code for calculating a latency between the first clock and the second clock;
• program code for estimating an adjustment of the first clock to synchronize the first clock with the second clock;
• program code for calculating an earliest current time as indicated by the second clock and a latest current time as indicated by the second clock, the calculation assuming that the latency is completely imbalanced;
• program code for determining that the latency calculated is less than the adjustment estimated when a current time as indicated by the first clock is in between the earliest and latest current times;
• and
• program code for adjusting the first clock.