Adtran Networks has been granted a patent for a clock management technique in packet data networks using a Time-transfer Protocol. The method involves modifying clock-informative data for secure access by authorized timing-clients, enabling them to synchronize their clocks while ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of the data. GlobalData’s report on Adtran Networks gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Adtran Networks, Data center optical networking was a key innovation area identified from patents. Adtran Networks's grant share as of July 2024 was 73%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Clock management in packet data networks using time-transfer protocol
The patent US12038782B2 outlines a method for clock management in a packet data network (PDN) that utilizes a Time-transfer Protocol (TTP). The system consists of multiple timing-clients connected to a timing-server, with each client maintaining its own clock. The method involves the timing-server obtaining clock-informative data, which includes both the most significant part (CMSP data) and the least significant part (original CLSP data). The original CLSP data is modified—either encrypted or replaced with meaningless data—resulting in modified CLSP data. This information is then recorded in a timestamp field of a TTP message, which is sent to all timing-clients. Access to the original CLSP data is restricted to authorized clients, who can synchronize their clocks using both the original CLSP and CMSP data.
Further claims detail the mechanisms for transferring the original CLSP data securely. The modified CLSP data can be conveyed as an encrypted type-length-value (TLV) structure attached to the TTP message, with indications for authorized clients to access the original data separately. The timing-server is configured to manage this process, including maintaining a preconfigured list of authorized clients, which contains unique clock identifiers and IP addresses. This ensures that the original CLSP data is only sent to the appropriate clients, either through proprietary PTP signaling management messages or as proprietary PTP messages. The patent also includes provisions for a non-transitory computer-readable medium that enables the timing-server to execute these operations effectively.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
