Delay compensation for variable cable length

A time distribution device for receiving and distributing a synchronized time reference to a plurality of end devices, comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive a time signal;
• a time reference generator configured to
• generate a time reference based on the time signal;
• overcompensate the time reference for a hardware delay of the time distribution device and, for a maximum cable length delay to produce an overcompensated time reference;
• and
• for a first end device, add a first delay to the overcompensated time reference based on a difference between the maximum cable length delay and a delay related to a cable length between the time distribution device and the first end device to create a first end device time reference;
• for a second end device, add a second delay to the overcompensated time reference based on a difference between the maximum cable length delay and a delay related to a cable length between the time distribution device and the second end device to create a second end device time reference;
• and
• a transmitter configured to transmit the first end device time reference to the first end device and the second end device time reference to the second end device.