Patent ID: 7593429
Filing Date: 2009-09-22
Classification: H04J,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for time synchronizing nodes in a switch fabric of a vehicle communication network, the nodes in the switch fabric joined by communication links for the transmission of data packets there between, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting an initial synchronization message from a first node to a second node; transmitting an acknowledge ready message from the second node to the first node; transmitting a reference synchronization message from the first node to the second node; capturing a first timestamp associated with the reference synchronization message at the first node and a second timestamp associated with the reference synchronization message at the second node; transmitting the second timestamp from the second node to the first node; computing an offset in the first node based on the first timestamp captured at the first node and the second timestamp transmitted from the second node; and storing the offset in the first node for subsequent use in time synchronizing data packets transmitted by the first node to other nodes in the switch fabric.