Automated System Synchronization Using Global Relative Time
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated systems face challenges in synchronizing electrical components efficiently, particularly in production lines and CNC machines, where precise timing is crucial for optimal operation, but existing methods like absolute time synchronization and EtherCat systems are imprecise and complex.
Innovation Solution
The use of global, relative time information as a common reference variable for synchronizing electrical components in an automated system, where the state change from a standby mode to an operating mode serves as the synchronization point, allowing components to coordinate without complex external verification and minimizing bandwidth usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If absolute time information is sent to all participants for synchronization, then a reference value for calculating local time is established, but the system complexity and coordination overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each electrical component independently determines its local time stamp by calculating the elapsed time since the reference variable using its own time counter, without requiring complex external verification or coordination from other components. The system serves itself through decentralized autonomous time calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential reference variable (global relative time information) needed for synchronization, removing unnecessary complex coordination mechanisms. By sending only the reference variable and letting each component independently calculate its own time stamp, the system eliminates redundant verification and coordination overhead.
2Manufacturing precision
If position measurement using sensors is used to ensure processing coordination, then processing accuracy is improved, but processing speed decreases due to measurement time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical sensor-based position measurement systems with a temporal synchronization mechanism using time counters and reference variables. Instead of mechanically measuring component positions with sensors, the system uses time information to coordinate processing, eliminating the time required for physical measurements while maintaining coordination accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary synchronization by establishing a common reference variable before processing operations. Time counters are pre-synchronized using the reference variable, allowing components to operate in coordination without real-time sensor measurements during the actual processing, thus maintaining both accuracy and speed.
3Measurement precision
If complex coordination and verification of multiple systems is performed for synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but the time and resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential reference variable needed for synchronization, removing unnecessary complex coordination and verification steps. By using a single global relative time information as the reference variable and letting each component independently calculate its local time stamp, the system achieves synchronization with minimal time and resource expenditure.
4Measurement precision
If frequent time synchronization signals are transmitted via the signal network, then synchronization precision is maintained, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic cyclic transmission of process data combined with event-driven updates of the reference variable. Instead of continuous or frequent synchronization signals, the reference variable is updated periodically or event-driven (e.g., on state changes), and all components independently maintain their time stamps using these periodic updates, significantly reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining precision.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to an automated system (2) with at least two interacting electrical components (8, 10, 12), each comprising a timer (22). The electrical components (8, 10, 12) are interconnected via a signal network (14) for cyclic process data transmission and are synchronized with each other using a global, relative time information (32) as a reference variable (34). The invention further relates to a method for synchronizing an automated system (2).