Abstract: Methods and system for clock alignment are described. In an example, a timing device can distribute a clock signal to a line card via a trace of a backplane. The timing device can further send a pulse to the line card at a first time via the trace. The timing device can further receive a return pulse from the line card at a second time via the trace. The timing device can determine a time difference between the first time and the second time. The time difference can indicate a propagation delay associated with the line card and the trace. The timing device can send the time difference to the line card. The line card can adjust a phase delay offset of the line card using the time difference.

Abstract: Methods and system for clock alignment are described. In an example, a timing device can distribute a clock signal to a line card via a trace of a backplane. The timing device can further send a pulse to the line card at a first time via the trace. The timing device can further receive a return pulse from the line card at a second time via the trace. The timing device can determine a time difference between the first time and the second time. The time difference can indicate a propagation delay associated with the line card and the trace. The timing device can send the time difference to the line card. The line card can adjust a phase delay offset of the line card using the time difference.

Abstract: A system and method for clock phase alignment at a plurality of line cards over a backplane of a communication system. Phase adjustments are continually made for the clock signals at the line cards by dynamically measuring the propagation delay between the timing device and each of the plurality of line cards and continuously communicating the appropriate phase adjustment to each of the plurality of line cards.

Abstract: An evaluation board and a method for evaluating Phase Locked Loop (PLL) timing devices. The evaluation board includes an input and output circuit disposed on a circuit board along with control logic, and a plurality of PLL-timed physical devices that are identical to the physical devices used in the customer's communication system. A first connector receptacle and a second connector receptacle are coupled to the control logic and to one or more of the PLL-timed physical devices, and are configured to receive a PLL card including a PLL timing device. A third connector receptacle is coupled in series between the first connector receptacle and the second connector receptacle and is configured to receive a backplane emulator card having electrical characteristics emulating a backplane of the customer's communication system.