(Self-Organized Energy Market Management System and Method) Ant Inspired Method For Timekeeping In Distributed Systems
- Detailed Technology Description
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- Others
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- *Abstract
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This invention defines a protocol which can be used to maintain clocks in a distributed network. Unlike conventional timekeeping protocols (such as NTP and IEEE 1588) a strict network hierarchy need not be assumed. Instead, any device may join the network, request time synchronization services from any nearby node, and opt to use the values provided or not. Another unique aspect of the invention is that it supports multiple stakeholders in a multi-purposed network environment. It communicates error bounds along with time values. This allows stakeholder applications, running at different nodes, to determine the relative authority of the source, and from this, the suitability of the proposed time value for its purposes. The goal of the network is to cause numerous, small, incremental changes to the network clocks, and cause them to "drift" to (and maintain) the correct time. When everything is working correctly, even poorly calibrated clocks will receive continuous incremental adjustments which cause them to maintain the correct time. The frequent updates will allow even a poor clock mechanism to temporarily have a very good timekeeping "authority" compared to clocks that are not maintained. There is MATLAB Code in support of the Ant Method dating back to 2012. Its application to timekeeping began in November 2013.
- *Principal Investigator
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Name: David Haynes
Department:
Name: Steven Corns
Department:
- Country/Region
- USA
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