Timestamping for multiple synchronization domains in a network device

Abstract

A physical layer (PHY) processor of a network device receives a timing message via an external network and generates a first timestamp using a first local-domain clock used by the PHY processor. The PHY processor transfers the timing message and the first timestamp to a packet processor of the network device via an internal communication link. The packet processor generates a second timestamp for the timing message using a domain-specific clock. The packet processor determines a delay value using the first timestamp, the delay value accounting for a time delay corresponding to the transfer of the timing message within the network device from the PHY processor to the packet processor. The packet processor adjusts the second timestamp using the delay value to generate an adjusted domain-specific timestamp for the timing message.