Animal Tag Reader Synchronization Using GNSS Pulse Cadence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic animal identification tag readers lack synchronization, leading to interference between transmit and receive modes, which affects the accuracy and reliability of animal identification and monitoring.
Innovation Solution
The method involves receiving a pulse from a GNSS receiver and wirelessly receiving a synchronization signal from a master reader to synchronize the cadence of the tag readers, ensuring they operate in synchronized transmit and receive modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple readers operate independently without synchronization, then each reader can function autonomously, but interference occurs between transmit and receive modes affecting identification accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A master reader is introduced as an intermediary device that generates and distributes synchronization signals to all slave readers. This mediator coordinates the transmit and receive cadence across the entire reader network, eliminating interference between simultaneous operations while maintaining reliable animal identification. The master reader acts as a central timing source that all other readers follow.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization system implements feedback mechanisms where slave readers receive timing signals from the master reader and adjust their operate cadence accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that all readers remain synchronized, with the master reader's transmit/receive pattern dictating when slave readers should be in receive mode, thereby preventing interference.
2Reliability
If readers are synchronized to operate in coordinated transmit and receive modes, then interference between readers is reduced, but the system requires complex synchronization signaling and coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic transmit and receive cadence patterns that are synchronized across all readers. The master reader establishes a regular periodic cycle of transmitting identification signals and then listening for responses, with all slave readers coordinating their receive periods to coincide with the master's transmit periods. This periodic structure simplifies the synchronization complexity by using repetitive, predictable timing patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The master reader performs preliminary action by generating and distributing the synchronization signal before the actual identification operations begin. This preliminary synchronization step establishes the timing framework that all readers will follow, allowing subsequent identify operations to proceed without complex real-time coordination during the actual monitoring process.
3Productivity
If readers operate without synchronization, then the system is simpler to implement, but transmit and receive interference reduces the effectiveness of animal identification
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the timing and coordination functions into a single master reader that controls all other readers. By combining the synchronization authority in one device, the system achieves coordinated operation across multiple readers without requiring complex peer-to-peer communication between all devices. The master reader's transmit and receive cadence is merged with the operational cadence of all slave readers, ensuring unified operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Approaches for synchronising electronic animal identification tag readers for reading clectronic animal identification tags attached to animals. Embodiments include using a pulse from a GNSS receiver, adjusting for an error between a reference cadence signal and a local cadence signal, and using a synchronisation signal.