Communication Apparatus Delay Detection Using Measurement Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems fail to detect and identify unexpected delays in synchronization frames due to failures or additions in slave stations or hubs, leading to loss of synchronization, especially when these delays are not accounted for.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus that measures delay times by transmitting measurement frames to slave stations, calculates half of the elapsed time as the delay time, and compares it with an average delay time to detect and identify the occurrence and location of delays using connection configuration information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If delay time measurement and comparison is implemented for each slave station, then reliability of synchronization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The managing station transmits delay time measurement frames to slave stations and receives response frames, measuring the elapsed time to calculate delay times. The delay detecting unit continuously compares measured delay times with average delay times and detects abnormalities when deviations exceed thresholds, implementing a closed-loop feedback mechanism that automatically detects and reports synchronization issues without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dedicated delay time measurement frame and response frame as intermediary communication elements between the managing station and slave stations. These specialized frames serve as mediators that carry timing information and enable precise delay measurement without disrupting normal data communication, separating the measurement function from regular data traffic
2Reliability
If delay detection and identification functions are added to the managing station, then loss of synchronization is prevented, but communication processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The managing station proactively transmits delay time measurement frames to slave stations at regular intervals before synchronization issues occur. By continuously monitoring delay times and comparing them against average values, the system detects abnormalities in advance, allowing the managing station to take corrective action before loss of synchronization actually occurs, rather than reacting after the problem manifests
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or reactive synchronization monitoring with an automated electronic measurement and comparison system. The managing station automatically measures delay times using timestamped frames, computationally compares measured values against stored averages, and electronically detects abnormalities through threshold evaluation, substituting automated digital processing for manual monitoring methods
Data Source
AI summary
A managing station comprises a delay time measuring unit that measures, while transmitting a delay time measurement frame to each of the slave stations and receiving a response frame responsive to the delay time measurement frame from the slave station, an elapsed time from when transmitting the delay time measurement frame to when receiving the response frame and that calculates a delay time of the slave station; and a delay detecting unit that compares the calculated delay time and a delay judgment value that is an average of the delay times calculated in a past for the slave station to determine whether delay is occurring in the slave station for each of the slave stations and that identifies, if delay is occurring in the slave station, the position of a delay element using connection configuration information indicating connection states between the communication apparatuses in the network.