Synchronous data transfer system using time stamp

Abstract

The present invention includes an interface apparatus in a node of a communication network for synchronizing internal time data of the node to reference time data of the communication network during transfer of a data train having a time-sequential arrangement through the communication network. The interface includes a receiving device that receives the reference time data transmitted from another node such that the reference time data has a first time resolution to maintain the time-sequential arrangement of the data train. An internal oscillating circuit generates a clock signal to provide a second time resolution, and a counting device counts the clock signal having the second time resolution to successively produce count data having a higher order bit part, which corresponds to the reference time data, and a lower order bit part. Also provided is a synchronizing device that operates to reset the counting device to adjust all bits of the count data in sync with the reference time data, and retrieves the higher order bit part of the adjusted count data to provide the internal time data.