Add-on Module Synchronizing Legacy Instruments via IEEE 1588
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy test instruments often lack synchronization capabilities, such as synchronized local clocks and network interfaces, making it difficult to coordinate the operations of multiple devices in measurement systems, which can lead to inaccurate measurements and increased complexity in wiring and troubleshooting.
Innovation Solution
An add-on synchronization module that provides synchronization functionality to legacy devices, enabling them to synchronize operations with other instruments via synchronized local clocks and messaging over a communication network, using techniques like IEEE 1588 and event messages or time bombs, allowing for precise coordination of actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hardware trigger lines are used to synchronize instruments, then precise synchronization is achieved, but wiring complexity and troubleshooting difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware trigger line system with a software-based synchronization system using synchronized local clocks and network messages. Each instrument maintains its own local clock synchronized to a common time source, and coordination is achieved through software timing and network communication rather than physical wire connections between trigger ports.
2Measurement precision
If hardware trigger lines are used for synchronization, then precise timing is achieved, but the distance between instruments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical hardware trigger line with a software-based timing system using synchronized local clocks. Each instrument has its own clock synchronized to a common time source (such as GPS or network time protocol), allowing instruments to be placed anywhere on the network without being constrained by physical distance limitations of hardware trigger wires.
3Length of moving object
If software synchronization is used to control instrument operations, then instruments can be placed farther apart, but synchronization precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having each instrument pre-synchronize its local clock to a common time source before operations begin. This preliminary clock synchronization ensures that when software-based coordination occurs, all instruments are already operating from the same time reference, thereby maintaining precision despite the distributed physical arrangement.
4Adaptability or versatility
If legacy instruments without synchronization capabilities are used, then existing equipment can be utilized, but coordination with newer equipment becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a synchronization system that works with both legacy instruments and modern instruments. Legacy instruments can participate in the synchronized network through software-based coordination without requiring hardware modifications, while newer instruments with native synchronization capabilities can also join the same network, creating a universal system that accommodates mixed equipment environments.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided which add, via an add-on module, synchronization functionality to an instrument that does not otherwise support such synchronization functionality. Various synchronization techniques may be supported by the synchronization module. For instance, in certain embodiments the synchronization module supports message-based synchronization techniques and/or time-based synchronization techniques. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the add-on module supports synchronization with another device (e.g., another instrument or another add-on module coupled to an instrument) via synchronized local clocks (e.g., IEEE 1588) and messaging over a communication network. In certain embodiments, the add-on module additionally or alternatively supports the use of “time bombs” to trigger scheduled actions on the instrument with which the synchronization module is interfaced.