This technology allows time synchronization in passive optical networks (“PON”). A first Ethernet device timestamps and transmits a packet to a second Ethernet device via the PON. The first Ethernet device transmits the packet to a small form-factor pluggable (“SFP”) device within the PON and connected to the first Ethernet device. The SFP device determines a transmission time to a second SFP device and modifies a correction field (“CF”) of the packet by subtracting an ingress time and the transmission time from the CF. The packet is transmitted to the second SFP device, which modifies the CF by the addition of an egress time. The modified CF value represents the real-time transmission delay incurred in the SFP devices. The packet is transmitted to a second Ethernet device to synchronize a clock using the timestamp and the CF value in accordance with the PTP/IEEE-1588 standard.

This technology allows time synchronization in passive optical networks (“PON”). A first Ethernet device timestamps and transmits a packet to a second Ethernet device via the PON. The first Ethernet device transmits the packet to a small form-factor pluggable (“SFP”) device within the PON and connected to the first Ethernet device. The SFP device determines a transmission time to a second SFP device and modifies a correction field (“CF”) of the packet by subtracting an ingress time and the transmission time from the CF. The packet is transmitted to the second SFP device, which modifies the CF by the addition of an egress time. The modified CF value represents the real-time transmission delay incurred in the SFP devices. The packet is transmitted to a second Ethernet device to synchronize a clock using the timestamp and the CF value in accordance with the PTP/IEEE-1588 standard.

In an aspect, an apparatus for distribution of frequency reference to a receiving end over a transmission medium comprises a first mixer adapted to mix a frequency reference signal having a reference frequency with a local oscillator signal having a local oscillator frequency to provide a forward frequency reference signal, a communication section adapted to transmit the forward frequency reference signal and receive a first backward frequency reference signal, a second mixer adapted to mix the first backward frequency reference signal with the local oscillator signal to provide a second backward frequency reference signal and a phase comparator and control circuit adapted to adjust the local oscillator frequency based on a phase shift of the second backward frequency reference signal so as to compensate for a phase shift of the forward frequency reference signal.

In an aspect, an apparatus for distribution of frequency reference to a receiving end over a transmission medium comprises a first mixer adapted to mix a frequency reference signal having a reference frequency with a local oscillator signal having a local oscillator frequency to provide a forward frequency reference signal, a communication section adapted to transmit the forward frequency reference signal and receive a first backward frequency reference signal, a second mixer adapted to mix the first backward frequency reference signal with the local oscillator signal to provide a second backward frequency reference signal and a phase comparator and control circuit adapted to adjust the local oscillator frequency based on a phase shift of the second backward frequency reference signal so as to compensate for a phase shift of the forward frequency reference signal.