Real-time time service industrial personal computer

Abstract

The invention discloses a real-time time service industrial personal computer, and relates to the technical field of industrial personal computers, the real-time time service industrial personal computer comprises a main control board and a PCIe time code card, the PCIe time code card is connected with the main control board through a PCIe bus, and a GNSS time service module, a temperature compensation crystal oscillator and a PPS synchronous circuit are integrated on the PCIe time code card; the GNSS time service module is used for receiving a satellite signal and outputting a UTC timestamp and a 1PPS pulse signal; the temperature compensation crystal oscillator is used as a local clock source, and the PPS synchronous circuit is used for directly outputting 1PPS signals when satellite signals are available and switching to compensated crystal oscillator PPS signals when the satellite signals are lost; when the industrial personal computer is powered on, the PPS pulse triggers the clock of the main control board to be reset, the PCIe time code card transmits calibrated time-varying data to the main control board in real time, and the main control board distributes a synchronous clock signal with the precision of + / -1 microsecond to external equipment through an industrial bus protocol according to the time-varying data provided by the PCIe time code card. According to the invention, the problem of insufficient time service precision of a traditional industrial personal computer is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of industrial control computers, and in particular to a real-time timing industrial control computer. Background Art

[0002] In modern industrial automation systems, time synchronization plays a crucial role in distributed control, data acquisition, event correlation, and fault diagnosis. In high-precision control scenarios such as power generation, rail transit, industrial robotics, and intelligent manufacturing, data interaction and responses between control devices must maintain strict time consistency to ensure system stability and efficiency.

[0003] Conventional industrial computers (ICs) typically rely on external timing devices (such as GPS / Beidou receivers, IRIG-B code clock sources, or PTP master clocks) to provide a unified time signal for time synchronization. These devices must be connected to the IPC via physical lines (serial ports, BNCs, network cables, etc.), parsing time information through the serial or network ports to calibrate the system's local clock. However, traditional network timing protocols (such as NTP), widely used in the internet and general industrial settings, typically only achieve millisecond-level synchronization accuracy, far from meeting the high microsecond and even sub-microsecond synchronization requirements of modern industry. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a real-time timing industrial control computer, which solves the problem of insufficient timing accuracy of traditional industrial control computers.

[0005] To achieve this object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: A real-time timing industrial computer, comprising a main control board and a PCIe time code card, wherein the PCIe time code card is connected to the main control board via a PCIe bus, and the PCIe time code card is integrated with a GNSS timing module, a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator, and a PPS synchronization circuit; The GNSS timing module is used to receive satellite signals and output a UTC timestamp and a 1PPS pulse signal; the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator is used as a local clock source, and the PPS synchronization circuit is used to directly output a 1PPS signal when the satellite signal is available, and switch to a compensated crystal oscillator PPS signal when the satellite signal is lost; When the industrial computer is powered on, the PPS pulse triggers the clock of the main control board to be reset, and the PCIe time code card transmits the calibrated time-varying data to the main control board in real time. The main control board distributes the time-varying data provided by the PCIe time code card to external devices through the industrial bus protocol, using the synchronous clock signal with an accuracy of ±1μs.

[0006] Optionally, the PCIe time code card further includes a dynamic compensation module, which is used to periodically compare the accumulated error of the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator with a satellite time reference, and compensate for the crystal oscillator frequency drift in real time using a quadratic polynomial compensation model.

[0007] Optionally, the calibration period of the dynamic compensation module is 5 minutes.

[0008] Optionally, the industrial bus protocol is the Modbus-TCP protocol.

[0009] Optionally, the PCIe time code card transmits card status, local time and geographic coordinate information to the main control board through query or interruption.

[0010] Optionally, the PCIe time code card is further integrated with a timestamp service module, which is used to timestamp computer instructions after receiving them and transmit them back to the computer via the PCIe bus; the PCIe time code card supports timing of the computer via the universal serial bus.

[0011] Optionally, it further includes a power module and a control module, wherein the power module is used to provide power to the main control board, and the control module is used to control the working state of the main control board.

[0012] Optionally, the PCIe time code card is further integrated with a B code demodulation module, and the B code demodulation module is used to receive a DC B code signal, demodulate time information and synchronize a local clock.

[0013] Optionally, the PCIe time code card is further integrated with a crystal oscillator locking module, which is used to lock the temperature compensated crystal oscillator through B-code demodulated seconds or GPS seconds to generate a time base signal.

[0014] Optionally, the PCIe timing card is further integrated with a programmable pulse module, and the programmable pulse module is used to generate a pulse timing signal with adjustable frequency and pulse width.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The present invention provides a real-time timing industrial computer. By integrating a GNSS timing module, it can receive satellite signals and output a UTC timestamp and a 1PPS pulse signal. This provides the industrial computer with a standardized, unified time base, achieving sub-microsecond (±1μs) synchronization accuracy and meeting the industrial demand for high-precision time synchronization. Because the PCIe time code card integrates a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCO) and a PPS synchronization circuit, it automatically switches to a TCO-driven PPS output when the GNSS signal is lost, avoiding timing interruptions and enhancing the system's clock robustness and availability in complex electromagnetic environments or obstructions. After the industrial computer is powered on, the 1PPS pulse signal triggers the main control board clock to reset, achieving rapid synchronization of the time base, shortening the window for time error accumulation after system startup, and improving the timing system's responsiveness. The main control board distributes the high-precision time-varying data received from the PCIe time code card to external devices via an industrial bus protocol. Compatible with multiple industrial communication standards, it facilitates integration with existing control systems or measurement and control equipment, enhancing the system's versatility and practicality. The PCIe timecode card connects to the main control board via the PCIe bus, offering high-speed, high-bandwidth, and low-latency data communication capabilities. This ensures that calibrated time information can be transmitted to the main control board in real time, improving the overall timing efficiency of the system. Therefore, this invention solves the problem of insufficient timing accuracy in traditional industrial computers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0017] The structures, proportions, sizes, etc. depicted in the drawings of this specification are only used to match the contents disclosed in the specification so as to facilitate understanding and reading by persons familiar with this technology. They are not intended to limit the conditions under which the present invention can be implemented and therefore have no substantive technical significance. Any structural modifications, changes in proportional relationships, or adjustments in size should still fall within the scope of the technical contents disclosed in the present invention without affecting the effects and objectives that can be achieved by the present invention.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural block diagram of a real-time timing industrial control computer provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Illustration: 10. Main control board; 20. PCIe time code card; 21. GNSS timing module; 22. Temperature-compensated crystal oscillator; 23. Dynamic compensation module; 24. Timestamp service module; 25. B-code demodulation module; 26. Crystal oscillator lock module; 27. Programmable pulse module; 30. Power module; 40. Control module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In order to make the purpose, features, and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate the description of the present invention and simplify the description. They are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. It should be noted that when a component is considered to be "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to the other component or there may be a centrally located component.

[0022] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and through specific implementation methods.

[0023] The embodiment of the present invention provides a real-time timing industrial control computer, such as Figure 1 As shown, it includes a main control board 10 and a PCIe time code card 20. The PCIe time code card 20 is connected to the main control board 10 via a PCIe bus. The PCIe time code card 20 integrates a GNSS timing module 21, a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator 22, and a PPS synchronization circuit. The GNSS timing module 21 is used to receive satellite signals and output a UTC timestamp and a 1PPS pulse signal. The temperature-compensated crystal oscillator 22 is used as a local clock source. The PPS synchronization circuit is used to directly output a 1PPS signal when the satellite signal is available, and switch to a compensated crystal oscillator PPS signal when the satellite signal is lost. When the industrial computer is powered on, the PPS pulse triggers the reset of the main control board 10's clock. The PCIe time code card 20 then transmits calibrated time-varying data to the main control board 10 in real time. The main control board 10 then distributes this data to external devices via an industrial bus protocol, using a synchronized clock signal with ±1μs accuracy. In this embodiment, the industrial bus protocol is Modbus-TCP. The PCIe time code card 20 transmits card status, local time, and geographic coordinate information to the main control board 10 via queries or interrupts. The crystal oscillator PPS is the clock / signal output. Time-varying data refers to physical quantities or status information that dynamically changes over time. This data includes timestamps and crystal oscillator frequency drift.

[0024] It should be noted that the present invention provides a real-time timing industrial computer. By integrating a GNSS timing module 21, it can receive satellite signals and output a UTC timestamp and a 1PPS pulse signal. This provides the industrial computer with a standardized, unified time base, achieving sub-microsecond (±1μs) synchronization accuracy and meeting the industrial demand for high-precision time synchronization. Because the PCIe time code card 20 integrates a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator 22 and a PPS synchronization circuit, it automatically switches to a PPS output driven by the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator 22 when the GNSS signal is lost, avoiding timing interruptions and enhancing the system's clock robustness and availability in complex electromagnetic environments or obstructions. After the industrial computer is powered on, the 1PPS pulse signal triggers the main control board 10 clock to reset, achieving rapid synchronization of the time base, shortening the window for time error accumulation after system startup, and improving the timing system's responsiveness. The main control board 10 distributes the high-precision time-varying data received from the PCIe time code card 20 to external devices via an industrial bus protocol. This system is compatible with multiple industrial communication standards, facilitating integration with existing control systems or measurement and control equipment, enhancing system versatility and practicality. The PCIe time code card 20 connects to the main control board 10 via the PCIe bus, offering high-speed, high-bandwidth, and low-latency data communication capabilities. This ensures that calibrated time information is transmitted to the main control board 10 in real time, improving overall system timing efficiency. This invention thus addresses the issue of insufficient timing accuracy in traditional industrial computers.

[0025] Specifically, the PCIe time code card provided in this embodiment supports one channel of IRIG-B (AC) code decoding input and output, two channels of IRIG-B (DC) code (RS422 / RS485) decoding input and output, two channels of RS232 input and output, and two channels of PPS (TTL, LVTTL) output. The card can provide computer time synchronization via both the PCIe bus and the Universal Serial Bus (UART) interface. The XBD620 series timing card supports both query and interrupt access to information such as card status, local time, and geographic coordinates in the PCIe address space. The PCIe time code card 20 features Beidou time and frequency measurement and control technology, ensuring continuous, high-precision time signals are provided to computer systems even in the event of temporary loss of GPS and Beidou navigation satellite signals. Industrial computers include, but are not limited to, fanless boxes, industrial tablets, rack-mounted industrial computers, and edge controllers.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the industrial computer further includes a power module 30 and a control module 40 . The power module 30 is used to provide power to the main control board 10 , and the control module 40 is used to control the working state of the main control board 10 .

[0027] In this embodiment, an industrial computer is equipped with an independent power module 30 and control module 40, which are used to power the main control board 10 and control its operating status, respectively. This improves the system's controllability, safety, and electrical isolation capabilities, adapting to the needs of diverse industrial application environments. The main control board 10 can distribute high-precision time information to external devices via industrial bus protocols (such as CAN, Modbus, and Profinet), achieving precise time synchronization between systems and improving the efficiency and consistency of collaborative industrial system operations. This invention is suitable for industrial scenarios with strict requirements for timing accuracy and continuity, such as power automation, traffic control, distributed monitoring, and industrial robot collaboration, helping to improve the time consistency, reliability, and intelligence of the entire system.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, PCIe time code card 20 also includes a dynamic compensation module 23. Dynamic compensation module 23 is used to periodically compare the accumulated error of the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator 22 with the satellite time reference and compensate for crystal oscillator frequency drift in real time using a quadratic polynomial compensation model. The calibration period of dynamic compensation module 23 is 5 minutes.

[0029] Specifically, the PCIe timecode card 20 further integrates a dynamic compensation module 23. This module periodically compares the accumulated time error generated by the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator 22 with the time reference provided by GNSS satellites and compensates for crystal oscillator drift in real time based on a quadratic polynomial compensation model, effectively improving timing accuracy and long-term stability in non-GNSS conditions. The compensation calibration cycle is 5 minutes, ensuring both compensation accuracy and controlling system computing resource consumption. By recording the deviation between the crystal oscillator and GNSS (or B-code) time over a specific period, the error is curve-fitted using a quadratic polynomial. The fit result is used to estimate the error at a future time in real time. The crystal oscillator output is then adjusted to offset the predicted error, maintaining timing accuracy. Compared to linear models, the quadratic polynomial compensation model can better fit and predict these nonlinear changes while maintaining low computational complexity, making it suitable for real-time operation on embedded systems / timecode cards.

[0030] like Figure 1 As shown, the PCIe time code card 20 is also integrated with a timestamp service module 24, which is used to timestamp computer instructions after receiving them and transmit them back to the computer through the PCIe bus; the PCIe time code card 20 supports timing of the computer through the universal serial bus.

[0031] It should be noted that by integrating the timestamp service module 24 on the PCIe time code card 20, it can accurately timestamp events received from a computer and transmit the timestamp back to the computer via the PCIe bus, providing precise event time stamps for upper-layer applications. This is suitable for a variety of application scenarios, such as measurement, control, and log synchronization. The PCIe time code card 20 supports timing to external computer systems via the Universal Serial Bus (UART), expanding the scope of timing capabilities, facilitating application deployment in non-PCIe environments, and improving device compatibility and flexibility.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the PCIe time code card 20 is also integrated with a B code demodulation module 25, a crystal oscillator locking module 26 and a programmable pulse module 27; The B-code demodulation module 25 is used to receive the DC B-code signal, demodulate the time information and synchronize the local clock. The crystal oscillator locking module 26 is used to lock the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator 22 through the B-code demodulated seconds or GPS seconds to generate a time base signal. The programmable pulse module 27 is used to generate a pulse timing signal with adjustable frequency and pulse width.

[0033] It should be noted that the B-code demodulation module 25 supports receiving and demodulating DC B-code signals, synchronizing the local clock, and serving as a redundant backup time source for the GNSS. By flexibly selecting between B-code and GNSS signals, multi-source timing is achieved, improving the system's time acquisition reliability in complex or restricted environments. The crystal oscillator locking module 26 is used to lock the demodulated second signal from the GNSS second or B-code to the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator 22, thereby suppressing long-term crystal oscillator drift and outputting a stable, continuous timebase signal. This improves the system's timing accuracy and stability, particularly significantly enhancing the accuracy retention performance after GNSS / B-code failure. The programmable pulse module 27 can output a timing pulse signal with adjustable frequency and pulse width, facilitating synchronization or triggering operations for external devices based on different time synchronization requirements (e.g., 1PPS, 10MHz, or programmable period), enhancing the flexibility and adaptability of the system's external synchronization interface.

[0034] For example, take the electric power SCADA system as an example: after power-on, the UTC time is obtained through the GNSS timing module 21 first, and the 1PPS pulse triggers the industrial computer clock to be reset; the dynamic compensation module 23 compares the accumulated error of the crystal oscillator every 5 minutes, and uses a quadratic polynomial compensation model to compensate for the crystal oscillator frequency drift in real time; and the synchronous clock signal (accuracy ±1μs) is distributed to the PLC device through the Modbus-TCP protocol.

[0035] Working Principle: The present invention provides a real-time timing industrial computer. By integrating a GNSS timing module 21, it can receive satellite signals and output a UTC timestamp and a 1PPS pulse signal. This provides the industrial computer with a standardized, unified time base, achieving sub-microsecond (±1μs) synchronization accuracy and meeting the industrial demand for high-precision time synchronization. Because the PCIe time code card 20 integrates a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator 22 and a PPS synchronization circuit, it automatically switches to a PPS output driven by the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator 22 when the GNSS signal is lost, avoiding timing interruptions and enhancing the system's clock robustness and availability in complex electromagnetic or obstructed environments. After the industrial computer is powered on, the 1PPS pulse signal triggers the main control board 10 clock to reset, achieving rapid synchronization of the time base, shortening the window for time error accumulation after system startup, and improving the timing system's response speed. The main control board 10 distributes the high-precision time-varying data received from the PCIe time code card 20 to external devices via an industrial bus protocol. This system is compatible with multiple industrial communication standards, facilitating integration with existing control systems or measurement and control equipment, enhancing system versatility and practicality. The PCIe time code card 20 connects to the main control board 10 via the PCIe bus, offering high-speed, high-bandwidth, and low-latency data communication capabilities. This ensures that calibrated time information is transmitted to the main control board 10 in real time, improving overall system timing efficiency. This invention thus addresses the issue of insufficient timing accuracy in traditional industrial computers.

[0036] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit the same. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the above embodiments can still be modified, or some of the technical features thereof can be replaced by equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A real-time timing industrial computer, characterized in that: It comprises a main control board (10) and a PCIe time code card (20), wherein the PCIe time code card (20) is connected to the main control board (10) via a PCIe bus, and the PCIe time code card (20) is integrated with a GNSS timing module (21), a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (22), and a PPS synchronization circuit; The GNSS timing module (21) is used to receive satellite signals and output a UTC timestamp and a 1PPS pulse signal; the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (22) is used as a local clock source, and the PPS synchronization circuit is used to directly output a 1PPS signal when a satellite signal is available, and switch to a compensated crystal oscillator PPS signal when the satellite signal is lost; When the industrial computer is powered on, the clock of the main control board (10) is reset by triggering a PPS pulse, and the PCIe time code card (20) transmits calibrated time-varying data to the main control board (10) in real time. The main control board (10) distributes the time-varying data provided by the PCIe time code card (20) to external devices through an industrial bus protocol as a synchronous clock signal with an accuracy of ±1 μs.

2. The real-time timing industrial control computer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The PCIe time code card (20) further includes a dynamic compensation module (23), which is used to periodically compare the accumulated error of the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (22) with a satellite time reference, and to compensate for the crystal oscillator frequency drift in real time using a quadratic polynomial compensation model.

3. The real-time timing industrial control computer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The calibration period of the dynamic compensation module (23) is 5 minutes.

4. The real-time timing industrial control computer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The industrial bus protocol is the Modbus-TCP protocol.

5. The real-time timing industrial control computer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The PCIe time code card (20) transmits the card status, local time and geographical coordinate information to the main control board (10) through query or interruption.

6. The real-time timing industrial computer according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that: The PCIe time code card (20) is also integrated with a time stamp service module (24), which is used to stamp a time stamp after receiving a computer instruction and transmit it back to the computer via the PCIe bus; the PCIe time code card (20) supports time synchronization of the computer via the universal serial bus.

7. The real-time timing industrial control computer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: It also includes a power module (30) and a control module (40), wherein the power module (30) is used to provide electric energy to the main control board (10), and the control module (40) is used to control the working state of the main control board (10).

8. The real-time timing industrial control computer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The PCIe time code card (20) is also integrated with a B code demodulation module (25), and the B code demodulation module (25) is used to receive a DC B code signal, demodulate time information, and synchronize a local clock.

9. The real-time timing industrial control computer according to claim 8, characterized in that: The PCIe time code card (20) is also integrated with a crystal oscillator locking module (26), which is used to lock the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (22) through B-code demodulated seconds or GPS seconds to generate a time base signal.

10. The real-time timing industrial control computer according to claim 9, characterized in that: The PCIe time code card (20) is further integrated with a programmable pulse module (27), and the programmable pulse module (27) is used to generate a pulse timing signal with adjustable frequency and pulse width.

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