Data Resampling for Clock Drift Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In systems where multiple apparatuses need to synchronize data accurately over long distances without a common reference clock, existing methods face challenges due to clock drift caused by manufacturing tolerances, temperature, and voltage differences, leading to desynchronization over time.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that utilize a reference timing signal to synchronize a sample clock independently, using a resampler to adjust the data samples within a synchronization time interval to match the nominal number that would occur if the sample clock were synchronized, ensuring consistent data synchronization without requiring a common clock frequency distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If clocks of test instruments are set to the same frequency, then initial synchronization is achieved, but clock drift causes desynchronization over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the actual number of data samples received within synchronization time intervals and compares it to the expected nominal number. Based on this feedback, the resampling ratio is dynamically adjusted to compensate for clock drift, maintaining synchronization accuracy over extended periods without requiring a common reference clock distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The resampling ratio is dynamically changed based on the observed clock drift. By adjusting this parameter, the system compensates for frequency differences between independent clocks, ensuring that the number of data samples within each synchronization time interval matches the expected value despite drift accumulation over time.
2Reliability
If a common reference clock is distributed to test instruments, then synchronization is maintained, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the synchronization function from the physical clock distribution infrastructure. Instead of requiring a common reference clock to be physically distributed to all test instruments, the system achieves synchronization by processing and resampling data locally at each instrument using its own independent clock, eliminating the need for complex clock distribution networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The resampler acts as an intermediary that mediates between the independent local clock and the reference time signal. By introducing this intermediate processing stage, the system allows each instrument to operate with its own clock while still producing synchronized data output, avoiding the need for direct clock distribution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent sample clocks are used in each apparatus, then system flexibility and ease of deployment improve, but clock drift causes data desynchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The resampling ratio is made dynamic rather than fixed. It changes over time based on the observed drift between the independent sample clock and the reference time signal. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain precise data sample synchronization while continuing to use flexible independent clocks in each apparatus.
Data Source
AI summary
A device receives a data signal and a reference timing signal provided from a first clock. The device includes a sample clock that operates independently from the first clock, wherein the sample clock outputs a sample clock signal that is asynchronous with the reference timing signal; a sampler for sampling a data signal in accordance with the sample clock signal and outputting a sampled data signal; and a resampler for resampling the sampled data signal according to a resampling ratio and outputting a resampled data signal such that a number of data samples in the resampled data signal within a synchronization time interval defined with respect to the reference timing signal equals a nominal number of data samples that would occur in the sampled data signal within the synchronization time interval when the sample clock signal was synchronized to the reference timing signal.