Improving the Accuracy of Time Synchronization Through Frequency Synchronization in Virtualized Integrated Systems

Relevance. In recent years, virtualized integrated systems have widely become the base architectural solution for industrial automation systems. TSN technology is being used in their telecommunications networks, as it is the most suitable solution for mission-critical applications with stringent requirements for speed and guaranteed information delivery. The quality of TSN networks, in turn, depends on the accuracy of their time synchronization. Therefore, developing methods to improve the accuracy of time synchronization of packet-switched network devices is a pressing scientific and practical challenge.Purpose of the work: to examine ways to improve the accuracy of time synchronization in networks of virtualized integrated systems using TSN technology, and the impact of network clock synchronization provided by synchronous Ethernet technology.Methods used: the impact of network clock synchronization on the accuracy of timescale reference is assessed using the results of simulation modeling of time and clock synchronization processes in the AnyLogic environment.Results: the paper presents a chain of interactions between information and telecommunication technologies, as well as supporting telecommunication subsystems, demonstrating in aggregate the operating principles of complex embedded computer systems and a method for determining their characteristics based on modeling. The results of simulation modeling are also presented, demonstrating that high accuracy of time scale binding and stability of its retention can be achieved through the joint implementation of frequency and time synchronization, which plays an important role in TSN application scenarios.Practical significance: implementing frequency synchronization in a network supporting TSN technology enables high-precision time synchronization of network devices while using fewer synchronization messages to reduce the amount of service traffic. This allows that to save costs less stable clock generators may be used, as their frequency is consistently adjusted.

time synchronization, TSN, PTP, gPTP, SyncE, PRTC, ePRTC, time scale