A hybrid clock synchronization architecture for many-core cluster system based on GPS and IEEE 1588

Time consistency of each node and each core is one of the kernel problems that must be addressed to promote the development of many-core cluster system that keeps the distributed system in step, and it is the basis of performance evaluation. In this study, a new model of hybrid time synchronization architecture was established to improve the precision of internal clock synchronization of a many-core cluster and the accuracy of time. First, some clock synchronization method was compared for clock synchronization model decision. Second, a high precision time acquire method based on was explored. Third, a hybrid clock synchronization and time acquire architecture on cluster system was designed to enhance the time precision and internal clock consistency. Finally, the architecture was implemented on a Zynq SoC and Epiphany many-core processor combined platform. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the precision and accuracy of this architecture. The result shows that the hybrid architecture achieved a higher level time precision and internal clock consistency than common clock synchronization method like NTP. And result demonstrates the promising application of the proposed architecture in study many-core cluster system and in supplying reliable time reference for the evaluation of distributed system performance.