Controller Time Synchronization for Automation Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Automation systems face challenges in transmitting time-synchronized data from a controller with a local time to a server, leading to variations in measurement data within predetermined intervals and difficulties in comparing data from different systems at the same points in time.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a controller that sends a reference time request to a server, determines the time difference between the server and local times, and adds a timestamp to measurement data to synchronize them with the server's reference time, allowing efficient transmission of time-synchronized data to subscribers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the controller uses its local time for data transmission, then the controller can operate independently with its own time base, but the measurement data within a predetermined time interval will vary and cannot be precisely compared with server data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary time synchronization mechanism where the controller acts as a time client that requests time information from the server (time server). The server provides reference time and transmission time information, which the controller uses to calculate time differences and synchronize its local time. This intermediary approach allows the controller to maintain operational independence while achieving precise time synchronization with the server, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the time difference between its local time and the server's reference time. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts its time stamping of measurement data to ensure precise time synchronization. The feedback loop includes receiving time information from the server, calculating time differences, and applying corrections to maintain synchronization, thereby achieving high measurement precision without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If the controller stores transmission times locally, then the controller can track time synchronization status, but memory resources are consumed and the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the time storage function from the controller's local memory and relocates it to the server. Instead of storing transmission times locally, the controller only stores essential time difference information and relies on the server to store and manage the reference time and transmission time data. This extraction principle reduces the controller's memory resource consumption while maintaining data transmission reliability through the server's centralized time management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a copying approach where the controller receives time information from the server and creates local copies only of the essential time difference values needed for immediate synchronization. The full time stamping information is generated on-demand based on these copied values, rather than storing complete transmission time records. This reduces memory usage while maintaining the reliability needed for accurate time-synchronized data transmission.
3Productivity
If multiple controllers transmit data with different local times, then each controller can operate independently, but the data cannot be compared at the same points in time across different systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes equipotentiality in the time domain by having all controllers synchronize to a common reference time provided by the server. Each controller adjusts its time stamping to reflect the server's reference time, creating a unified time potential across the distributed system. This allows measurement data from different controllers to be directly compared at the same points in time, improving both data processing efficiency and time comparison accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal time reference system where the server's reference time serves all controllers in the automation system. The time synchronization mechanism is designed to be universally applicable across multiple controllers, allowing them to all use the same time base for stamping measurement data. This universal approach enables efficient centralized data processing while maintaining precise time comparison accuracy across the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transmitting time-synchronized data from a controller of an automation system comprising a local time to at least one subscriber of the automation system, wherein the automation system comprises a server having a reference time.