Method and apparatus for compensating synchronization timing in a distributed timing network
AssigneeTelefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
InventorDaniel Christian Biederman
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Abstract
According to one aspect of the teachings herein, a method and apparatus predict a departure time of transmit data transmitted from a first network entity to a second network entity, determine a timing difference between a detected departure time and the predicted departure time of the transmit data that is was based on an estimated path delay of data transmission circuitry, and indicate the timing difference in further transmit data, e.g., to improve synchronization at the second network entity. In one or more embodiments, the timing difference is further used to compensate one or more timing operations at the first network entity, such as adapting one or more prediction parameters used by a departure-time prediction process.
Claims29
A method at a first network entity configured for operation in a distributed-timing network, the method comprising:
- predicting a departure time of transmit data to be transmitted from the first network entity to a second network entity, based on an estimated path delay of data transmission circuitry used for transmitting the transmit data;
- determining a timing difference between the predicted departure time and a detected departure time associated with egress of the transmit data from the data transmission circuitry;
- and
- indicating the timing difference in further transmit data transmitted to the second network entity subsequent to transmitting the transmit data, wherein the transmit data indicates the predicted departure time.
A first network entity for operation in a distributed-timing network, the first network entity comprising:
- data transmission circuitry transmitting data from the first network entity;
- and
- processing circuitry to predict a departure time of transmit data to be transmitted via the data transmission circuitry to a second network entity, based on an estimated path delay of the data transmission circuitry;
- to determine a timing difference between the predicted departure time and a detected departure time associated with egress of the transmit data from the data transmission circuitry;
- and to indicate the timing difference in further transmit data transmitted to the second network entity subsequent to transmitting the transmit data, wherein the transmit data indicates the predicted departure time.
A second network entity for operation in a distributed-timing network and comprising:
- a communication interface to exchange synchronization-related messages with a first network entity, including to receive from the first network entity a first synchronization-related message and a second synchronization-related message;
- and
- processing circuitry to:
- extract from the first synchronization-related message a predicted departure time of the first synchronization-related message from the first network entity, as predicted by the first network entity according to a clock timing of the first network entity;
- determine, from the second synchronization-related message, an indication of a timing difference determined at the first network entity between the predicted departure time and a detected departure time of the first synchronization-related message from the first network entity, as detected by the first network entity;
- and
- perform a timing-related operation based on the predicted departure time and the timing difference.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.