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Abstract

A distributed synchronization system for use in each node of a distributed asynchronous telecommunications network system that continually monitors and controls the flow of data through an implementing node to prevent dataflow errors due to phase and frequency differences in source and destination nodal clocks, and to control inter-nodal network latency so as to support the transmission of synchronous data. A synchronization data FIFO buffers predetermined fields or portions of fields of a unique frame packet received from a source node before retransmission to a destination node on the network. The frame packet includes a frame synchronization field indicating the beginning of a new frame packet; a payload field containing valid data; and a dead zone field providing bandwidth during which the present invention performs synchronization functions. A frame synchronization subsystem, implemented in a designated master node, guarantees that a frame is released at the beginning of an independently-determined frame regardless of network latency. A word resynchronization subsystem manages the flow of data through the data FIFO of each non-master node, receiving and storing data at the source node's clock rate and transmitting the data according to its own clock, thereby guaranteeing the efficient receipt and transmission of data between asynchronously-communicating nodes.

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First Claim