Animal Tag Reader Synchronization for Interference-Free Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic animal identification tag reader systems face challenges in synchronizing their transmit and receive modes, leading to potential interference and reduced accuracy due to the lack of coordinated timing across distributed readers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method and system where a master reader sends a synchronization signal to slave readers, allowing them to calculate and synchronize their transmit and receive periods based on a pulse, either from a GNSS receiver or a reference cadence signal, ensuring that all readers enter their modes at roughly the same time, thereby minimizing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If readers operate independently without synchronization, then each reader can function autonomously, but interference occurs between transmit and receive modes reducing system accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A master reader is introduced as an intermediary device that generates and distributes synchronization signals to all slave readers. This central coordinator enables coordinated transmit and receive modes across the network, eliminating interference while maintaining individual reader autonomy through the master-slave architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Slave readers receive synchronization signals from the master reader and adjust their operational cadence accordingly. The continuous feedback loop of synchronization signals ensures that all readers remain coordinated, with slave readers dynamically adjusting their transmit and receive timing based on master reader instructions.
2Productivity
If readers are synchronized to operate simultaneously in transmit and receive modes, then interference is minimized, but the system requires complex timing coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization system operates on periodic cadence signals where the master reader emits regular synchronization pulses and slave readers adjust their transmit and receive modes to specific phases of this periodic cycle. This periodic structure simplifies timing coordination by providing a predictable, repeating pattern that all readers can follow.
Solution Approach 2:
The operational cycle is segmented into distinct transmit and receive periods within each cadence cycle. By dividing the time domain into discrete segments with specific functions, the system achieves coordinated operation without requiring continuous complex coordination, as each reader knows which segment to perform which function.
3Reliability
If a master-slave synchronization architecture is implemented, then coordinated timing is achieved, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The master reader performs multiple functions: it operates as a full-featured reader for animal identification and simultaneously serves as a synchronization coordinator for the entire network. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated synchronization hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
Slave readers are designed to be self-configuring and self-synchronizing. Upon joining the network, they automatically receive synchronization parameters from the master reader and adjust their operational cadence without manual intervention. This self-service capability reduces deployment and maintenance complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Approaches for synchronising electronic animal identification tag readers for reading electronic 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.