Communication system and time synchronization method

Abstract

In an extensive distribution system with no delay guarantee network used as a relay network, an influence of a fluctuation of a communication delay time is avoided to conduct a high-precision time synchronization. First and second delay control devices installed in junctions between communication networks and a relay network, respectively, have functions of retaining first and second time information, and setting a first relay network passing time of a first communication signal directed from a time dissemination device toward a time receiving device through a relay network, and a second relay network passing time of a second communication signal directed from the time receiving device toward the time dissemination device, respectively. In measurement of communication delay time of the first communication network and the second communication network prior to time synchronization, the first and second relay network passing times are unified in advance to exclude uncertainty of the communication time.