Patent ID: 6148051
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An interface apparatus provided in a node of a communication network for synchronizing internal time data of the node to reference time data of the communication network during transfer of a data train having a time-sequential arrangement through the communication network, the interface apparatus comprising:a receiving device that receives the reference time data transmitted from another node, the reference time data having a first time resolution used to maintain the time-sequential arrangement of the data train;an internal oscillating circuit that generates a clock signal to provide a second time resolution set higher than the first time resolution;a counting device that counts the clock signal having the second time resolution higher than the first time resolution of the reference time data to successively produce count data having a higher order bit part corresponding to reference time data and a lower order bit part; anda synchronizing device operates upon receipt of the reference time data to reset the counting device to thereby adjust all bits of the count data in synchronization with the reference time data, and retrieves the higher order bit part of the adjusted count data to provide the internal time data.