Adaptive Sync Interval for Wireless Clock Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing time synchronization methods, such as GPS and IEEE 1588, face challenges in indoor environments due to satellite signal weakness and bandwidth inefficiency, particularly in mobile communication systems like TD-SCDMA, WiMAX, and LTE, where frequent synchronization messages waste communication bandwidth and consume power when clocks are accurate, and may result in large time offsets when clocks are unstable.
Innovation Solution
A method where a master device dynamically determines the synchronization interval based on the time offset between itself and slave devices, optimizing message frequency to reduce power consumption and ensure timely synchronization, by calculating the time interval using timestamps from synchronization and request messages to adjust the slave clock accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If frequent transmission of sync messages is used to maintain accurate slave clock, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but communication bandwidth is wasted and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the sync message transmission interval adaptive rather than fixed. The master device dynamically adjusts the synchronization interval based on the actual time offset measured from slave devices. When time offset is small (clocks are synchronized), the interval is extended; when time offset is large (clocks diverge), the interval is shortened. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both power consumption and synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of transmission interval based on the time offset condition. By monitoring the time offset between master and slave clocks, the system adjusts the synchronization interval parameter adaptively. This parameter change allows the system to reduce power consumption during good synchronization conditions while maintaining accuracy when needed.
2Measurement precision
If frequent transmission of sync messages is used to maintain accurate slave clock, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but communication bandwidth is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the sync message transmission frequency based on actual synchronization needs. When slave clocks are accurate (small time offset), transmission frequency is reduced. When slave clocks drift (large time offset), transmission frequency increases. This dynamic approach optimizes bandwidth utilization while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission interval parameter is changed adaptively based on time offset measurements. The master device modifies this parameter to reduce unnecessary bandwidth consumption during good synchronization conditions while ensuring timely updates when synchronization degrades.
3Loss of energy
If extended synchronization interval is used to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but time offset between clocks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic interval adjustment to prevent excessive time offset while optimizing power consumption. By continuously monitoring time offset and adapting the synchronization interval accordingly, the system ensures that power savings do not come at the cost of excessive clock drift. The interval is extended only when synchronization accuracy is maintained within acceptable bounds.
4Ease of operation
If fixed default sync interval (2 seconds) is used, then implementation is simple, but bandwidth efficiency and power consumption are not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static fixed interval (2 seconds) to a dynamic adaptive interval based on time offset conditions. This maintains ease of implementation through a clear decision logic while significantly optimizing power consumption and bandwidth efficiency by adjusting transmission frequency to actual needs.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of synchronizing clocks of at least two devices in a network and a corresponding wireless device for synchronizing its clock with another wireless device. The method comprises steps of: transmitting a synchronization signal to said at least one second device to determine at least one time offset between a clock of the first device and at least one clock associated with said at least one second device; receiving said at least one time offset from said at least one second device; determining a time interval for the first device based on a time offset parameter corresponding to said at least one time offset, after which time interval the first device transmits a next synchronization signal to said at least one second device. With this method, the radio station is able to reduce its power consumption when the time offset between the first device and the second device is small.