Resource-Limited Skew Estimation and Correction (RLSEC) for Edge Devices in Delay Non-Tolerant Networks

Abstract

Time synchronization among edge devices is crucial for ensuring seamless operation in delay-sensitive networks like IoT, smart cities, and industrial automation. These systems cannot reliably support various operations such as distributed data logging, algorithm coordination, or event-driven actions without accurate time coordination. Existing synchronization methods are resource-intensive as they often rely on multiple timestamp exchanges to correct clock skew. This paper introduces a novel approach that addresses these challenges named as Resource-Limited Skew Estimation and Correction (RLSEC) method. RLSEC minimizes the need for multiple exchanges by using a single Resource-Limited Timestamp (RLT) to correct both clock skew and phase offsets. This method not only simplifies the synchronization process but also improves energy efficiency, making it particularly suitable for resource constrained edge devices. The paper provides a detailed mathematical analysis of RLSEC and demonstrates its practical effectiveness through experiments using Texas Instruments TMS320C6713 DSP Starter Kits (DSK). The results confirm RLSEC’s potential to enhance synchronization efficiency while conserving computational resources in edge networks.

Keywords

• Clock skew correction
• efficient time synchronization
• coordinating edge devices
• time offset correction
• efficient time-stamping