Distributing clock synchronization information within an optical communications network

摘要

A method and system of distributing clock synchronization information within an optical communications network including a plurality of network elements, in which a first network element receives an ingress clock synchronization message, the ingress clock synchronization message including a clock synchronization message identifier and a correction field. The first network element inserts the clock synchronization message identifier into an optical channel frame overhead and inserts the ingress clock synchronization message into an optical channel frame payload. The first network element transmits the optical channel frame overhead and the optical channel frame payload to a second network element, and determines a transit time of the clock synchronization message identifier across each of the network elements. The second network element updates the correction field of the ingress clock synchronization message with said transit times to form an egress clock synchronization message.

主权项

1. A method of distributing clock synchronization information within an optical communications network including a plurality of network elements, the method comprising:
receiving an ingress clock synchronization message at a first network element, the ingress clock synchronization message including a clock synchronisation message identifier and a correction field; inserting the clock synchronisation message identifier into an optical channel frame overhead and inserting the ingress clock synchronisation message into an optical channel frame payload; transmitting the optical channel frame overhead and the optical channel frame payload across the first network element, across the network to a second network element, and across the second network element, and determining a transit time of the clock synchronisation message identifier across each of the network elements; and at the second network element, updating the correction field of the ingress clock synchronisation message with said transit times to form an egress clock synchronisation message.