System and method for time synchronization in a communication network

US8913633B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Dragan Obradovic · Ottobrunn, DE
• Ruxandra Scheiterer · Geretsried, DE
• Günter Steindl · Poppenricht, DE
• Philipp Wolfrum · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 24, 2011
• Grant date: Dec 16, 2014
• Expiry date: Apr 20, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L7/08
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system and method for time synchronization in a communication network. The communication network includes a plurality of network nodes each having a respective internal clock, and a reference node having a reference clock and each configured transmits synchronization messages within the communication network. At least one network node is configured to determine an estimated reference clock time discretely upon arrival of a synchronization message at the at least one network node. To that end, the at least one network node includes a controller for determining a controlled time comprising a time-continuous estimate of the discreetly estimated reference clock time. The controller is configured to determine the controlled time based on an input that is extrapolated to an execution time instant of the controller, where the execution time instant is separated from the time instant of arrival of the synchronization message by a delay (Δtdelay).