Packet delay variation management for a better IEEE1588V2 performance

Designed for the distribution of time, IEEE 1588V2 also called as precision time protocol V2 (PTPV2) is often referred to as a key candidate for synchronization over packet switched networks (PSNs). Unfortunately, as the IETF´s network time protocol and unlike the ITU-T´s synchronous Ethernet, the performance of this protocol strongly depends on packet delay variations (PDVs) produced by the telecom network environment. Such behavior represents a strong issue, particularly considering the severe synchronization requirements of the mobile backhaul segment. This article focuses on different manners to control and to fight out PDVs. After discussing PDV-management principles, via the illustration of some existing mechanisms, we propose a new distributed ranging scheme which allows for optimizing the overall PTPV2 synchronization performance. Finally, considered as a critical mobile backhaul use case, IEEE 1588V2 over digital subscriber line (DSL) is investigated regarding PDV concerns.