Device and method for providing a clock signal to an application

1. A power grid automation method implemented by a first device for providing a clock signal to an application of the first device, the method comprising:

receiving, by the first device, time information from a clock source device separate from the first device;

determining, by the first device, a time difference between the clock source device and the clock signal; and

in response to the time difference being above a predetermined threshold:

calibrating, by the first device, a first time unit of the first device using the clock source device;

during calibrating the first time unit, and while the clock source device is available to the first device:

decoupling a second time unit of the first device from the first time unit and the clock source device;

using, by the first device, the second time unit of the first device for providing the clock signal to the application of the first device; and

after calibrating the first device is complete, recoupling the second time unit to the first time unit and the clock source device.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

in response to the time difference being below or equal to the predetermined threshold, adjusting the first time unit and/or the second time unit to the clock source device, and using the first time unit and/or the second time unit for providing the clock signal to the application.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

in response to the time difference being below or equal to the predetermined threshold, coupling the first time unit and the second time unit.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

in response to the time difference being above the predetermined threshold, before calibrating the first time unit, creating or starting the first time unit or the second time unit.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

during calibrating the first time unit, operating the second time unit independently of the clock source device and the first time unit.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

during operating the second time unit independently, declaring the clock signal as valid during a holdover time period and declaring the clock signal as invalid after the holdover time period.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the clock source device is a grand master clock.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the clock signal is provided in a form of messages according to a standard of the group consisting of: IEEE 1588, IEC 61588, or IEC 61850-9-3.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first time unit and the second time unit are disposed in an ordinary clock or a boundary clock.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

after calibrating the first time unit, setting the second time unit using the first time unit and/or the clock source device.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein setting the second time unit using the first time unit and/or the clock source device is executed at a pre-determined time after determining the time difference or upon receipt of a coordination signal.

12. A first device for providing a clock signal to an application of the first device for power grid automation, wherein the first device is configured to:

receive time information from a clock source device separate from the first device;

determine a time difference between the clock signal and the clock source device; and

in response to the time difference being above a predetermined threshold:

calibrate a first time unit of the first device using the clock source device;

during calibrating the first time unit, and while the clock source device is available to the first device:

decouple a second time unit of the first device from the first time unit and the clock source device;

use the second time unit of the first device for providing the clock signal to the application of the first device; and

after calibrating the first device is complete, recouple the second time unit to the first time unit and the clock source device.

13. The first device of claim 12 , wherein the first device is further configured to:

during calibrating of the first time unit, operate the second time unit independently of the clock source device and the first time unit.

14. The first device of claim 12 , wherein the first device is further configured to:

execute the application or to provide the clock signal to a further device configured to execute the application.

15. The first device of claim 12 , wherein the first device is one of the group consisting of: an ordinary clock device, a boundary clock device, a data acquisition device, a switch, a router, a multiplexer, an intelligent electronic device for automation of a power grid, a merging device, a bay device for a distributed busbar protection system, a controller for primary substation equipment, a phasor measurement device, or a communication interface of a non-conventional instrument transformer.

16. The first device of claim 12 , wherein the first device is further configured to:

in response to the time difference being below or equal to the predetermined threshold, adjust the first time unit and/or the second time unit to the clock source device, and use the first time unit and/or the second time unit to provide the clock signal to the application.

17. The first device of claim 12 , wherein the first device is further configured to:

in response to the time difference being below or equal to the predetermined threshold, couple the first time unit and the second time unit.

18. The first device of claim 12 , wherein the first device is further configured to:

in response to the time difference being above the predetermined threshold, before calibrating the first time unit, create or start the first time unit or the second time unit.