Clock synchronization using multiple network paths

A method, comprising:

• receiving a plurality of time synchronization packets from a master clock device over two or more different communication paths via one or more ports coupled to a network, wherein time synchronization packets, of the plurality of time synchronization packets, are for synchronization of a system time clock in a network device with the master clock device, and wherein each time synchronization packet includes (i) respective path information, and (ii) respective time information, wherein the respective path information indicates a respective communication path in the network via which the respective time synchronization packet was received;
• for each of at least some of the plurality of time synchronization packets, processing (i) respective path information included in the received time synchronization packets, and (ii) respective time information included in the received time synchronization packets;
• responsive to processing of path information included in at least one time synchronization packet of the at least some of the plurality of time synchronization packets, selecting path delay information corresponding to a particular communication path, selected from among the two or more different communication paths, over which the at least one time synchronization packet was received;
• and
• determining a value of the system time clock (i) based on the selected path delay information and (ii) responsive to the processing of the time information included in the at least one time synchronization packet.

A system, comprising:

• a first network device including:
• one or more first ports coupled to a communication network, and
• one or more integrated circuit devices configured to:
• generate a plurality of time synchronization packets for synchronization of a system time clock in a network device with a master clock, each time synchronization packet having (i) respective path information, and (ii) respective time information, wherein the respective path information indicates a respective communication path in the communication network via which the respective time synchronization packet is to be transmitted, and
• cause the plurality of time synchronization packets to be transmitted (i) via at least one of the one or more first ports, and (ii) via multiple different communication paths in the communication network;
• and
• a second network device communicatively coupled to the first network device via the communication network, the second network device including:
• one or more second ports coupled to the communication network;
• one or more integrated circuit devices configured to:
• process (i) respective path information, and (ii) respective time information included in each of at least some of the plurality of time synchronization packets transmitted by the first network device via at least one of the one or more ports,
• responsive to processing of path information included in at least one time synchronization packet of the at least some of the plurality of time synchronization packets, select path delay information corresponding to a particular communication path, selected from among the multiple different communication paths, over which the at least one time synchronization packet was transmitted by the first communication device, and
• determine a value of the system time clock (i) based on the selected path delay information and (ii) responsive to the processing of the time information included in the at least one time synchronization packet.