Patent ID: 9442511
Filing Date: 2016-09-13
CPC Classification: G06F,H04J

Claim Text:
1. A method for maintaining a synchronized local timer in a network element by using a periodic signal having a known period frequency, the method comprising: providing a value of a clock cycle associated with the network element, and values for a first timer-parameter (“T−”) and a second timer-parameter (“T+”), wherein the value of the first timer-parameter T− is lower than the value of the clock cycle and the value of the second timer-parameter T+ is higher than the value of the clock cycle; providing values for a first arbitration parameter (“a”) associated with the first timer-parameter and a second arbitration parameter (“b”) associated with the second timer-parameter; in response to receiving a periodic signal, adding every clock cycle to the local timer of the network element, at least once the first timer-parameter (T−) and/or at least once the second timer-parameter (T+), wherein said addition is made so that on average over one second, the first timer-parameter is added “a” times and the second timer-parameter is added “b” times, thereby ensuring that a value of the local timer essentially overlaps the period frequency of the periodic signal; and in response to receiving a subsequent periodic signal, setting the value of the local timer to a propagation delay of the periodic signal, for maintaining the value of the local timer substantially synchronized with a master unit.