Clock Synchronization Timestamp Correction

Solution Overview

Problem

Clock synchronization networks face accuracy issues when they lose external reference clock signals, leading to errors in data timestamp recording, which affects real-time system monitoring and debugging.

Innovation Solution

A data processing method that adjusts data timestamps based on clock frequency errors or time errors, ensuring consistency with reference time by correcting timestamps using error information when no reference clock is available.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the system uses autonomous timekeeping without external reference clock, then the system can maintain operation in areas with limited coverage (tunnels, basements), but the data recording time becomes inaccurate compared to real time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to operate in areas with limited reference clock coverageVSAvoidaccuracy of data recording time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by recording clock frequency error information and time error information when the reference clock is available, before the loss of reference signal occurs. This stored error data is then used to correct timestamps after the reference clock is lost, allowing the system to maintain measurement accuracy without continuous external reference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where the recorded clock frequency error and time error information are fed back into the timestamp correction process. By continuously monitoring and correcting timestamps based on stored error data, the system maintains synchronization accuracy even when the external reference is unavailable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the system corrects data timestamps based on clock frequency error, then the measurement precision of data recording time is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional error correction processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of data recording timeVSAvoidcomplexity of timestamp correction processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by recording clock frequency error information and time error information when the reference clock is available, before the loss of reference signal occurs. This stored error data is then used to correct timestamps after the reference clock is lost, allowing the system to maintain measurement accuracy without continuous external reference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses self-service by utilizing its own recorded error information to correct its own timestamps. The clock synchronization network system uses the clock frequency error and time error data it has collected to autonomously correct timestamps, eliminating the need for external intervention or complex additional processing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the system records data during autonomous operation without reference clock, then productivity is maintained, but the reliability of data for accident assessment and debugging is reduced due to time errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous data collection capabilityVSAvoidaccuracy of system work log for accident assessment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by recording clock frequency error information and time error information when the reference clock is available, before the loss of reference signal occurs. This stored error data is then used to correct timestamps after the reference clock is lost, allowing the system to maintain measurement accuracy without continuous external reference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms where the recorded clock frequency error and time error information are fed back into the timestamp correction process. By continuously monitoring and correcting timestamps based on stored error data, the system maintains synchronization accuracy even when the external reference is unavailable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12052339B2Data processing method and apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.07.30 YINWANG INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGIES CO LTD

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose a data processing method, which can be applied to a clock synchronization network system. The system can correct, based on a clock frequency error or a time error, a data timestamp of a data packet collected by the system in a time period in which there is no reference clock, so that a corrected system time of the data packet is consistent with a reference time. This improves accuracy of data record.