Apple Inc.

Simon E C Goldrei

Daniel C Klingler

Ashley I Butterworth

In a time synchronization process, chain of quality information is provided between interconnected nodes, the chain of quality information relating to information regarding accuracy of a clock, a type of timestamping used by a node, a type of link over which a timestamp is provided, and a clock drift parameter indicating the drift characteristics of the clock. Based on the chain of quality information, parameters are determined for a filter that is applied to a sequence of timestamps in order to remove noise from the timestamps, thereby improving accuracy of the time synchronization process.

Determination of accuracy of a chain of clocks

A bridge element is provided for establishing clock synchronization across network elements including a first network element using a first clock synchronization transport protocol and a second network element using a second clock synchronization transport protocol different from the first clock synchronization transport protocol. The bridge element includes a port, a protocol translation port and an interconnect structure. The port may receive a clock synchronization signal from the first network element using the first clock synchronization protocol. The interconnect structure may receive the clock synchronization signal from the port. The protocol translation port may receive the clock synchronization signal from the interconnect structure, translate the clock synchronization signal between the first clock synchronization transport protocol and the second clock synchronization transport protocol, and provide the translated clock synchronization signal to the second network element using the second clock synchronization protocol.

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Simon E C Goldrei