Clock Synchronization for Wireless Networks

Abstract. Time synchronization is a fundamental service in many wireless applications. While the synchronization problem is well-studied in traditional wired networks, physical constraints of the wireless medium impose a unique set of challenges. We present a novel time synchronization algorithm which is highly energy efficient and failure/recoverytolerant. Our algorithm allows nodes to synchronize to sources of real time such as GPS when such signals are available, but continues to synchronize nodes to each other, even in the absence of GPS. In addition, the algorithm satisfies a relaxed gradient property, in which the degree of synchronization between nodes varies as a linear function of their distance. Thus, nearby nodes are highly synchronized, which is desirable in many wireless applications.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: OPODIS
• Authors: Rui Fan, Indraneel Chakraborty, Nancy A. Lynch
• Keywords: OPODIS 2004, OPODIS 2007, Synchronization, Time Synchronization, Wireless Applications