Communication Device Time Synchronization for Multi-Sensor Data Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in synchronizing the output of data from multiple sensors without external synchronization signal lines, particularly in configurations where image data is transmitted via C-PHY or D-PHY and sensor data via I2C or I3C, necessitating appropriate time synchronization for efficient data integration.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that utilizes time synchronization counters and information processing to synchronize the output of sampling data across multiple sensors, integrating data at the same timing without external synchronization signal lines by employing I3C standards for communication processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple sensors transmit data through different transmission paths (C-PHY/D-PHY for image data, I2C/I3C for sensor data), then data transmission efficiency is improved, but time synchronization between sensors becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a master device as an intermediary that receives data from multiple sensors through different transmission paths (I2C, I3C, C-PHY, D-PHY) and performs centralized time synchronization processing. The master device acts as a mediator that coordinates the timing of data output from various sensors, ensuring synchronized data integration despite the use of multiple transmission protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal timing control mechanism that works across multiple transmission protocols (I2C, I3C, C-PHY, D-PHY). The master device provides a unified time synchronization function that is protocol-agnostic, allowing sensors using different transmission paths to be synchronized through a common timing reference and control architecture.
2Reliability
If external synchronization signal lines are added to achieve time synchronization, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the synchronization signal transmission with existing data transmission paths. Instead of adding separate external synchronization signal lines, the system utilizes the already-present I2C, I3C, C-PHY, or D-PHY transmission paths to carry both data and timing control signals, thereby achieving time synchronization without increasing wiring complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The master device performs time synchronization using the existing transmission infrastructure already present in the system. The synchronization function is implemented through software/control logic rather than additional hardware signal lines, allowing the system to self-synchronize using its own existing communication resources.
3Reliability
If separate transmission paths are used for image data and sensor data, then data integrity is improved, but coordination and integration of data from multiple sensors becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The master device implements a feedback-based timing control system where it receives data from multiple sensors through separate transmission paths, monitors their arrival times, and sends timing adjustment commands back to the sensors to synchronize their output. This feedback loop ensures that data from different transmission paths is properly coordinated and integrated.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a communication device that includes a communication processing control section that controls communication processing in accordance with a predetermined standard with a plurality of sensors, and a time synchronization counter to implement a timing control defined in the standard. Then, information processing is performed for an output control that causes the time synchronization counter to time synchronize with time synchronization counters included in the respective sensors to output time data indicating a timing at which sampling data is sampled together with the sampling data sampled at a predetermined sampling cycle in the plurality of sensors.