High availability clock synchronization and distribution for mobile backhaul networks

Abstract

Fully redundant clock systems are provided on network nodes coupled by redundant multisegment psuedowires (MSPWs) within an internet-protocol (IP)-based mobile backhaul network. The primary clock system includes a primary master clock on a first node and a primary slave clock on a second node coupled via a primary MSPW, while the secondary clock system includes a secondary master clock on the first node and a secondary slave clock on the second node coupled via a secondary MSPW. The primary and secondary slave clocks synchronize with their respective primary and secondary master clocks via their respective MSPWs. A clock controller maintains the secondary clock system in a hot-stand-by mode, and upon determining that a switch-over is needed, automatically switches from the primary clock system to the secondary clock system.