Counter-Based Clock Synchronization for Continuous Image Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clock synchronization systems in communication terminals controlling cameras face challenges when internal clocks have low accuracy, leading to gradual shifts in synchronization signals, which can disrupt continuous synchronized image capturing.
Innovation Solution
A communication apparatus with a first counter synchronized with a reference time, a second counter, a generation unit for synchronization signals, and a correction unit that adjusts the second counter's value step-by-step to match the first counter's value, ensuring synchronization accuracy by calculating and correcting differences within a predetermined threshold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the internal clock is used for generating synchronization signals, then the device can operate autonomously, but the synchronization accuracy deteriorates due to jitter and time drift
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the time difference between the internal clock and reference time, and automatically corrects the internal clock by adjusting the second counter when the difference exceeds a threshold, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that maintains synchronization accuracy while preserving autonomous operation
Solution Approach 2:
A correction unit acts as an intermediary between the internal clock and the reference time, selectively applying corrections only when necessary (when time difference exceeds threshold) to maintain synchronization without completely relying on the reference time source
2Measurement precision
If the internal clock is corrected frequently to maintain synchronization accuracy, then synchronization precision is improved, but image capturing may be disrupted due to excessive adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously correcting the internal clock, the system applies partial corrections only when the time difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, avoiding excessive adjustments that could disrupt image capturing while still maintaining acceptable synchronization accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the correction parameter (correction amount) based on the current time difference, applying step-by-step corrections that are large enough to reduce the error but small enough to avoid causing synchronization jumps that would disrupt image capturing
Data Source
AI summary
A communication apparatus includes a first counter configured to synchronize with a reference time, a second counter configured to synchronize with the first counter, a generation unit configured to generate a synchronization signal each time when a value of the second counter is incremented by a predetermined number, a correction unit configured to correct the value of the second counter toward a value of the first counter, and a control unit configured to control the correction unit to cause the correction unit to calculate a difference between the value of the first counter and the value of the second counter and, in a case where the calculated difference is greater than a predetermined threshold value, the correction unit to correct the value of the second counter step by step.