Multi-layer configurable timing switch fabrics and related methods are disclosed for selectively distributing multiple timing sources to multiple timing consumers. Configurable timing switches are used at central and multiple local levels within the housing for a network-connected processing system to selectively distribute the timing sources to the timing consumers. As such, significant flexibility is provided with respect to what timing sources can be received within the system and how these timing sources are distributed to different timing consumers. Further, timing information can be generated within the network-connected processing system based upon network communications received from timing consumers, and this generated timing information can also be used as timing sources for the multi-layer configurable timing switch fabric.

Multi-layer configurable timing switch fabrics and related methods are disclosed for selectively distributing multiple timing sources to multiple timing consumers. Configurable timing switches are used at central and multiple local levels within the housing for a network-connected processing system to selectively distribute the timing sources to the timing consumers. As such, significant flexibility is provided with respect to what timing sources can be received within the system and how these timing sources are distributed to different timing consumers. Further, timing information can be generated within the network-connected processing system based upon network communications received from timing consumers, and this generated timing information can also be used as timing sources for the multi-layer configurable timing switch fabric.

A bufferless ring network including at least two nodes and at least two timeslots, the at least two timeslots include a dedicated timeslot, and a first node in the bufferless ring network has use permission for the dedicated timeslot. The first node is configured to, in a state of having the use permission for the dedicated timeslot, detect whether all dedicated timeslots that pass through the first node are available, set a permission switch signal, and cancel the use permission for the dedicated timeslot according to the permission switch signal after detecting that all the dedicated timeslots that pass through the first node are available. A remaining node in the bufferless ring network is configured to obtain the use permission for the dedicated timeslot according to the permission switch signal. The remaining node is a node that needs to use the dedicated timeslot.

A bufferless ring network including at least two nodes and at least two timeslots, the at least two timeslots include a dedicated timeslot, and a first node in the bufferless ring network has use permission for the dedicated timeslot. The first node is configured to, in a state of having the use permission for the dedicated timeslot, detect whether all dedicated timeslots that pass through the first node are available, set a permission switch signal, and cancel the use permission for the dedicated timeslot according to the permission switch signal after detecting that all the dedicated timeslots that pass through the first node are available. A remaining node in the bufferless ring network is configured to obtain the use permission for the dedicated timeslot according to the permission switch signal. The remaining node is a node that needs to use the dedicated timeslot.

A digital signal interface includes a multiplexer coupled to receive a plurality of data signals from at least one of a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), the multiplexer multiplexing the plurality of data signals. The interface further includes a serializer/deserializer (SerDes) transceiver coupled to receive the multiplexed data signals, the SerDes transceiver serializing the multiplexed data signals and transmitting the serialized data signals.

A digital signal interface includes a multiplexer coupled to receive a plurality of data signals from at least one of a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), the multiplexer multiplexing the plurality of data signals. The interface further includes a serializer/deserializer (SerDes) transceiver coupled to receive the multiplexed data signals, the SerDes transceiver serializing the multiplexed data signals and transmitting the serialized data signals.