Enable Precise Timing with Clock Ensemble in Packet Networks

Abstract

The need for accurate and reliable time is increasingly important for network infrastructures with precise timing requirements. Traditional time distribution in networks is carried out through dedicated synchronization networks, whose networking mode may limit the applicability of time synchronization for emerging applications in terms of synchronization performance, cost-effectiveness, and reliability. This paper introduces a new concept of Network Clock Ensemble (NCE) and explores the feasibility of constructing an innovative mechanism for network time synchronization. Specifically, an NCE scheme is proposed based on a software-defined time synchronization network architecture to obtain time accuracy and stability by forming a synergistic effect between clocks in packet networks. The NCE model and method are used to reveal the precise timing mechanism. Simulation experiments and numerical analysis results show that our scheme can achieve significant performance improvements in terms of time accuracy and stability. Furthermore, with the improvement of the network time synchronization performance, the NCE results gradually approximate the Clock Ensemble (CE) results in the actual test, further verifying the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed scheme.