Implementation of Embedded Testbeds Using USRP and GNU-Radio for Performance Measurement and Analysis of PPS and PCO-Based Time Synchronizations

Abstract

In wireless networks, time synchronization is one of the key functions for the MAC and the physical layer because it is important to accurately transmit data by maintaining the order and consistency of transmission between nodes. The time synchronization can be divided into centralized and distributed methods and there are many synchronization schemes. However, there are little testbeds for comparing and analyzing various time synchronization schemes in a real environment. Most papers analyze the proposed time synchronization algorithm by simulation, and some testbeds are also configured for the proposed scheme only. In this paper, the authors build embedded testbeds using USRP and GNU-Radio. The two typical methods of the centralized and decentralized time synchronizations, PPS, and PCO-based schemes, respectively, are implemented on the testbeds and their performances are measured and analyzed in the real environment.