The goal of this project is to demonstrate a novel clock synchronization method, Gradient Clock Synchronization (GCS) in two key application contexts in need of stronger synchronization guarantees:
- Large Systems-on-Chip (SoCs) and Networks-on-Chip (NoCs) do not operate synchronously, despite the relative ease of design and low-latency communication this would offer.
- Despite issues of security and availability, we currently rely on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as GPS to obtain tightly synchronized time and accurate positioning information. Accurate positioning requires accurate time, explaining why GNSS systems always provide time alongside position.
GradeSync sets out to showcase the potential of GCS by (i) showing that it is practical to perform wireless time offset measurements with relatively simple hardware to an accuracy not too far from what is required for a commercial system and (ii) doing the same for an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) implementation of the GCS algorithm. In both cases, a fully-fledged, optimized, cutting-edge implementation reaching the performance needed for a product is out of reach with the resources allocated to GradeSync. However, we can show that one can get within an order of magnitude of what is required using limited resources, clearly demonstrating the technical feasibility of reaching the performance required for products. Simultaneously, demonstrator implementations and the lessons learned from them reduce the risk involved in more costly, high-effort product development.
