IP Library Granted Patent US 12,732,934
Granted Patent B2
US 12,732,934 · App. 18/389,967 · Granted Sep 8, 2026

Clock quality measurements and monitoring in 5G network

Inventors: Manik Singhal (Bengaluru, IN); Parthibhan Paramaguru (Bengaluru, IN)
Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
H04W56/0035
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,732,934
App. No.
18/389,967
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus configured to perform clock quality measurements and monitoring operations in one or more communication networks may comprise a memory and a processor communicatively coupled to one another. The processor may be configured to receive a first clock and a second clock from a network device, obtain multiple thresholds associated with the network device, obtain multiple error detection configuration commands, select a threshold of the multiple thresholds, select an error detection configuration command, and evaluate the first clock based at least in part upon the threshold and the error detection configuration command. Further, the processor may be configured to generate a result indicating whether the first clock comprises a clock error greater than the threshold and record the threshold and the error detection configuration command against an input reference of the clock in response to generating the result indicating that the clock comprises the clock error greater than the threshold.

Claims (75)

1 . An apparatus, comprising:

a memory configured to store:

a plurality of clock source selection operations configured to facilitate selection of one or more clock sources; and

a plurality of clock monitoring operations configured to monitor the plurality of clock source selection operations; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and configured to:

receive a first clock and a second clock from a first network device;

obtain a plurality of thresholds associated with the first network device;

obtain a plurality of error detection configuration commands, each error detection configuration command of the plurality of error detection configuration commands is configured to evaluate clock errors in the first clock;

in accordance with the plurality of clock monitoring operations, select a first threshold of the plurality of thresholds;

in accordance with the plurality of clock monitoring operations, select a first error detection configuration command of the plurality of error detection configuration commands;

evaluate the first clock based at least in part upon the first threshold and the first error detection configuration command;

generate a first result indicating whether the first clock comprises a first clock error greater than the first threshold; and

in response to generating the first result indicating that the first clock comprises the first clock error greater than the first threshold, record the first threshold and the first error detection configuration command against a first input reference of the first clock.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

in accordance with the plurality of clock monitoring operations, select a second threshold of the plurality of thresholds;

in accordance with the plurality of clock monitoring operations, select a second error detection configuration command of the plurality of error detection configuration commands;

evaluate the second clock based at least in part upon the second threshold and the second error detection configuration command; and

generate a second result indicating whether the second clock comprises a second clock error greater than the second threshold.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

in response to generating the second result indicating that the second clock comprises the second clock error greater than the second threshold, record the second threshold and the second error detection configuration command against a second input reference of the first clock;

select a third threshold of the plurality of thresholds;

in accordance with the plurality of clock monitoring operations, select the second error detection configuration command of the plurality of error detection configuration commands;

evaluate the first clock based at least in part upon the third threshold and the second error detection configuration command; and

generate a third result indicating whether the first clock comprises a third clock error greater than the third threshold.

4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the second threshold is lower than the third threshold.

5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of clock monitoring operations are at least partially performed in accordance with one or more configuration commands associated with a Precise Frequency Monitor (PFM).

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of clock monitoring operations are at least partially performed in accordance with one or more configuration commands associated with a Single Cycle Monitor (SCM).

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of clock monitoring operations are at least partially performed in accordance with one or more configuration commands associated with a Coarse Frequency Monitor (CFM).

8 . A method, comprising:

receiving a first clock and a second clock from a first network device;

obtaining a plurality of thresholds associated with the first network device;

obtaining a plurality of error detection configuration commands, each error detection configuration command of the plurality of error detection configuration commands is configured to evaluate clock errors in the first clock;

in accordance with a plurality of clock monitoring operations, selecting a first threshold of the plurality of thresholds;

in accordance with the plurality of clock monitoring operations, selecting a first error detection configuration command of the plurality of error detection configuration commands;

evaluating the first clock based at least in part upon the first threshold and the first error detection configuration command;

generating a first result indicating whether the first clock comprises a first clock error greater than the first threshold; and

in response to generating the first result indicating that the first clock comprises the first clock error greater than the first threshold, recording the first threshold and the first error detection configuration command against a first input reference of the first clock.

9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

in accordance with the plurality of clock monitoring operations, selecting a second threshold of the plurality of thresholds;

in accordance with the plurality of clock monitoring operations, selecting a second error detection configuration command of the plurality of error detection configuration commands;

evaluating the second clock based at least in part upon the second threshold and the second error detection configuration command; and

generating a second result indicating whether the second clock comprises a second clock error greater than the second threshold.

10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

in response to generating the second result indicating that the second clock comprises the second clock error greater than the second threshold, recording the second threshold and the second error detection configuration command against a second input reference of the first clock;

selecting a third threshold of the plurality of thresholds;

in accordance with the plurality of clock monitoring operations, selecting the second error detection configuration command of the plurality of error detection configuration commands;

evaluating the first clock based at least in part upon the third threshold and the second error detection configuration command; and

generating a third result indicating whether the first clock comprises a third clock error greater than the third threshold.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the second threshold is lower than the third threshold.

12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of clock monitoring operations are at least partially performed in accordance with one or more configuration commands associated with a Precise Frequency Monitor (PFM).

13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of clock monitoring operations are at least partially performed in accordance with one or more configuration commands associated with a Single Cycle Monitor (SCM).

14 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of clock monitoring operations are at least partially performed in accordance with one or more configuration commands associated with a Coarse Frequency Monitor (CFM).

15 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to:

receive a first clock and a second clock from a first network device;

obtain a plurality of thresholds associated with the first network device;

obtain a plurality of error detection configuration commands, each error detection configuration command of the plurality of error detection configuration commands is configured to evaluate clock errors in the first clock;

in accordance with a plurality of clock monitoring operations, select a first threshold of the plurality of thresholds;

in accordance with the plurality of clock monitoring operations, select a first error detection configuration command of the plurality of error detection configuration commands;

evaluate the first clock based at least in part upon the first threshold and the first error detection configuration command;

generate a first result indicating whether the first clock comprises a first clock error greater than the first threshold; and

in response to generating the first result indicating that the first clock comprises the first clock error greater than the first threshold, record the first threshold and the first error detection configuration command against a first input reference of the first clock.

16 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the processor is further caused to:

in accordance with the plurality of clock monitoring operations, select a second threshold of the plurality of thresholds;

in accordance with the plurality of clock monitoring operations, select a second error detection configuration command of the plurality of error detection configuration commands;

evaluate the second clock based at least in part upon the second threshold and the second error detection configuration command; and

generate a second result indicating whether the second clock comprises a second clock error greater than the second threshold.

17 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16 , wherein the processor is further caused to:

in response to generating the second result indicating that the second clock comprises the second clock error greater than the second threshold, record the second threshold and the second error detection configuration command against a second input reference of the first clock;

select a third threshold of the plurality of thresholds;

in accordance with the plurality of clock monitoring operations, select the second error detection configuration command of the plurality of error detection configuration commands;

evaluate the first clock based at least in part upon the third threshold and the second error detection configuration command; and

generate a third result indicating whether the first clock comprises a third clock error greater than the third threshold.

18 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of clock monitoring operations are at least partially performed in accordance with one or more configuration commands associated with a Precise Frequency Monitor (PFM).

19 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of clock monitoring operations are at least partially performed in accordance with one or more configuration commands associated with a Single Cycle Monitor (SCM).

20 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of clock monitoring operations are at least partially performed in accordance with one or more configuration commands associated with a Coarse Frequency Monitor (CFM).

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 20, 2023
From: SINGHAL, MANIK; PARAMAGURU, PARTHIBHAN
To: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 066091/0890 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250212145A1 · Jun 26, 2025
References Cited (79)
US 6218800B1 · Akkermans · 2001 [cited by examiner]
US 7573303B1 · Chi · 2009 [cited by examiner]
US 9484962B1 · Magesacher et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9998247B1 · Choudhury et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10253717B1 · Esposito · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 10404447B1 · Haddad et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10795783B2 · Wojewoda · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 11398812B1 · Bowman · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 11424736B1 · Bowman · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 11539451B2 · Herber et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11539452B2 · Abdullah et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 11706014B1 · Manevich et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 11855645B2 · Bowman · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 11982547B2 · Close · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 12040886B2 · Rabinovich · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 12132567B2 · Lv et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 12261759B1 · Vaez-Ghaemi et al. · 2025 [cited by applicant]
US 20110200051A1 · Rivaud · 2011 [cited by examiner]
US 20110255546A1 · Le Pallec et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20120139882A1 · Kim · 2012 [cited by examiner]
US 20130039220A1 · Ruffini et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130039359A1 · Bedrosian · 2013 [cited by examiner]
US 20140281037A1 · Spada et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140306635A1 · Watahiki · 2014 [cited by examiner]
US 20150033101A1 · Chebruch · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20150071030A1 · Hayashi · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20150092793A1 · Aweya · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150092797A1 · Aweya · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20150188691A1 · Mizuguchi · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20150220067A1 · Tsuneki · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20150295702A1 · Ogawa · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20170214516A1 · Rivaud et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20170288801A1 · Aweya · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180121280A1 · Sanders · 2018 [cited by examiner]
US 20180375603A1 · Mayer · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190007191A1 · Wang · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20200287969A1 · Lv · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20200322906A1 · Lv · 2020 [cited by examiner]
US 20210044402A1 · Gao · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20210266086A1 · Liu et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20210328696A1 · Lv · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20210328698A1 · Lv · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20210329330A1 · Sheen · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20210367693A1 · S · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20210391939A1 · Lamas-Linares · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20220039042A1 · Dwivedi et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220166531A1 · Ren · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20220190945A1 · Lv et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220244907A1 · Ramos · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220294711A1 · Rangarajan et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220303034A1 · Lesi · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20220376808A1 · Zinner et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20220417883A1 · Fu · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20230057463A1 · Vanderydt et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230121983A1 · Bogdan · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20230130665A1 · Royle et al. · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230171016A1 · Lee · 2023 [cited by applicant]
US 20230213357A1 · Tombez · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20230269018A1 · Dror · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20230269161A1 · Dror · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20230321526A1 · Takagaki · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20230362854A1 · Zhang · 2023 [cited by examiner]
US 20240031121A1 · Levi · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20240031124A1 · Levi et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 20240056209A1 · Lyu · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20240097812A1 · Zhang · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20240143020A1 · Lesi · 2024 [cited by examiner]
US 20240224205A1 · Machireddy · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 20250007636A1 · Zang et al. · 2025 [cited by applicant]
US 20250211351A1 · Singhal et al. · 2025 [cited by applicant]
US 20250212145A1 · Singhal · 2025 [cited by examiner]
US 20250343614A1 · Peng et al. · 2025 [cited by applicant]
WO 2013023505A1 · 2013 [cited by applicant]
Cisco: “PTP and SyncE Basics with Cisco IOS XR Configuration”, last updated on Nov. 30, 2021, 52 Pages. [cited by applicant]
Idrees Z., et al., “IEEE 1588 for Clock Synchronization in Industrial IoT and Related Applications: A Review on Contributing Technologies, Protocols and Enhancement Methodologies”, IEEE Access, vol. 8, Aug. 3, 2020, pp.… [cited by applicant]
Manik Singhal and Parthibhan Paramaguru, “System and Method to Dynamically Maintain Mutually Traceable Clocks of Different Types,” U.S. Appl. No. 18/390,013, filed Dec. 20, 2023. [cited by applicant]
Manik Singhal and Parthibhan Paramaguru, “System and Method to Dynamically Monitor Clock Offsets in a Locked State,” U.S. Appl. No. 18/390,048, filed Dec. 20, 2023. [cited by applicant]
Manik Singhal and Parthibhan Paramaguru, “System and Method to Analyze Clock Offsets When Clocks are Unable to Lock,” U.S. Appl. No. 18/390,079, filed Dec. 20, 2023. [cited by applicant]
Manik Singhal and Parthibhan Paramaguru, “System and Method to Determine Sets of Untraceable Clock Domains,” U.S. Appl. No. 18/390,127, filed Dec. 20, 2023. [cited by applicant]