Revisiting and Improving the Amortization of Time Discontinuity in Clock Synchronization Algorithms

E.M. Oliveira Junior, M.L.O. Souza

Abstract:	Distributed real-time control systems frequently require a tight knowledge of time among different devices, levels and granularities during its lifecycle. Therefore, good time management and clock synchronization are required for such systems. Traditionally, a good time management is followed by a good clock synchronization algorithm. The clock synchronization algorithms, each one with its own assumptions and peculiarities, specify ways to correct or minimize the time de-synchronizations among ensemble clocks. These ways often enforce a clock to proceed backward or forward in time, generating time discontinuities during a system lifecycle. Time discontinuities may cause faults or failures in systems that require tight clock synchronization. So, to avoid these problems, amortization techniques are required to such clock algorithms. This paper revisits the amortization techniques of time discontinuities in clock synchronization algorithms used in networked control systems. Based on a review of the literature, discussions, modeling and simulations, this paper shows the improvements in clock synchronization algorithms using amortization techniques to be applied to distributed realtime control systems that cannot tolerate time discontinuity faults (transient faults) at normal operation mode.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 46th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting December 1 - 4, 2014 Seaport Boston Hotel Boston, Massachusetts
Pages:	202 - 213
Cite this article:	Junior, E.M. Oliveira, Souza, M.L.O., "Revisiting and Improving the Amortization of Time Discontinuity in Clock Synchronization Algorithms," Proceedings of the 46th Annual Precise Time and Time Interval Systems and Applications Meeting, Boston, Massachusetts, December 2014, pp. 202-213.
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