Data Recorder Packet Synchronization via Common Clock Time Tag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data recorders require manual or complex automatic synchronization processes to synchronize different data types after a crash, which are time-consuming, costly, and computationally intensive, and they use multiple memory devices increasing circuit complexity and storage latency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for synchronizing data types like audio, flight, and image/video data on a single packet using a common clock time tag, encapsulating the data in a packet header and payload, and storing it in both primary and secondary data stores, eliminating the need for post-crash synchronization processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data types are physically segregated in separate memory chips, then reliability is improved (data recoverability), but device complexity increases (multiple memory devices, synchronization requirements)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments data into different types (audio, flight, image/video, data link) and assigns each type to a specific memory chip within a unified storage system. This allows physical separation for reliability while maintaining logical integration through the common clock time tag synchronization mechanism, resolving the contradiction between segregation benefits and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary synchronization by embedding a common clock time tag in each data packet at the moment of storage, rather than performing synchronization after data collection. This advance timing synchronization eliminates the need for complex post-crash synchronization processes, reducing both device complexity and analysis time while maintaining the reliability benefits of physical data segregation.
2Measurement precision
If manual synchronization processes are used to synchronize recoverable data, then measurement precision is improved (accurate event reconstruction), but loss of time increases (time-consuming analysis)
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service synchronization by automatically embedding common clock time tags in each data packet during the storage process. This eliminates the need for manual synchronization analysis, allowing investigators to directly correlate events across different data types using the pre-synchronized time stamps, thereby maintaining measurement precision while eliminating time loss.
3Productivity
If automatic synchronization processes are used, then productivity is improved (faster analysis), but device complexity increases (computationally intensive software)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex software-based automatic synchronization mechanisms with a simpler hardware-level solution: embedding common clock time tags directly in data packets during storage. This substitution maintains high productivity by enabling fast automated correlation of events while significantly reducing the computational complexity and software requirements for synchronization.
4Reliability
If multiple memory devices are used for physical segregation, then reliability is improved (data protection), but loss of substance increases (higher storage requirements)
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a nested storage structure where multiple data types are organized in a hierarchical manner within the storage system. Different data types are segmented into specific memory chips (first level nesting), while the unified synchronization mechanism provides an outer layer of integration (second level nesting). This nested approach maintains data protection through physical segregation while optimizing storage space utilization through structured organization.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Data recording systems (100) and methods (400) for synchronizing data of a plurality of different data types on a single packet (300). The methods involve: receiving the data and an audio frame containing voice data and timing data communicated over a plurality of channels; generating, in response to the reception of the audio frame, a combined packet on which the audio frame and at least a portion of the data are time synchronized to each other; and substantially simultaneously storing the combined packet in a primary data store and a secondary data store of a data recorder for subsequent use in reconstructing events leading up to a crash of a land vehicle, aircraft or vessel. The portion of data may include data link data, flight data and/or image/video data. The channels may include a cockpit channel and a plurality of pilot channels.