Patent ID: 6278718
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: H04J,H04L

Abstract:
A distributed synchronization system for use in a node of an expandable telecommunications system including a plurality of nodes interconnected by an inter-nodal network, with one of said nodes being a master node, the system, comprising:a synchronization data memory implemented in a master node and each of said nodes which are non-master nodes for storing predetermined portions of an inbound frame packet received from a source node and from which information is retransmitted to a destination node on the network;a frame synchronization subsystem implemented in said master node, and connected in communicating relationship with said memory, configured to release an outbound frame packet at the beginning of an independently-determined frame cycle, based upon the occurrence of a local frame synchronization pulse, and wherein said frame packets include a frame synchronization field indicating the beginning of a new frame packet, a payload field containing valid data and a dynamically-adjustable dead zone comprising a non-valid data field; anda word resynchronization subsystem implemented in said master node and each non-master node and connected in communicating relationship with said memory and configured to control storage of said predetermined portions using a recovered source node clock signal and to control retransmission of said information according to a local clock signal, such that each non-master node receives a frame packet at predetermined interval of time whereby dataflow errors due to phase differences in source and destination nodal clocks are substantially avoided.