Decentralized Time Synchronization for Distributed Simulation Nodes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Distributed simulation systems face challenges in maintaining time logic consistency across nodes, leading to low fault tolerance and robustness due to reliance on a centralized server for time synchronization, which is critical for the correctness and scalability of the system.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized time consistency synchronization method where each simulation node sets system parameters, determines a master clock through voting, and synchronizes clocks using logic time state query packets and network communication threads, ensuring robustness even if a node is down.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized server/client time synchronization method is used, then time synchronization can be implemented, but the fault tolerance and robustness are low because the system stops running when the server is down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized time synchronization system into multiple autonomous nodes that can independently perform time synchronization functions. Each node maintains its own logic clock and can act as either a master or slave clock, eliminating the single point of failure in centralized systems. This segmentation allows the system to continue operating even when individual nodes fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic role assignment where nodes can switch between master and slave clock roles based on system conditions. The master slave relationship is not fixed but can change dynamically, allowing the system to adapt to node failures and maintain robustness. This dynamic structure replaces the static centralized control with a flexible distributed architecture.
2Reliability
If a decentralized time synchronization method is used, then fault tolerance and robustness are improved, but time consistency across nodes becomes more difficult to ensure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where nodes exchange time synchronization packets containing their logic clock values. Each node compares its local clock with received packets from other nodes and adjusts its clock accordingly. This continuous feedback loop ensures time consistency is maintained across the distributed system while preserving the robustness benefits of decentralization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter adjustment mechanisms where nodes modify their logic clock parameters based on synchronization packets received from other nodes. By dynamically changing clock parameters such as offset values and rates, the system maintains time consistency across distributed nodes without requiring centralized control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If nodes are freely connected to form connection units, then system adaptability and scalability are improved, but the complexity of managing nonlinear causal relationships increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal time synchronization protocol that works across any network topology and connection configuration. The same synchronization mechanism functions effectively whether nodes are connected in simple or complex patterns, eliminating the need for different management approaches for different connection structures. This universality simplifies connection management while maintaining scalability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention belongs to the technical field of time synchronization of computer co-simulation, and particularly relates to a time consistency synchronization method for distributed simulation. According to the time consistency synchronization method, a most appropriate master clock is selected according to votes, and then the other clocks in a network are controlled to synchronize by using the master clock, so that the consistency of data of each node and a time-related event in time logic is ensured. Even if a certain simulation node goes down, influences on the other links of the whole system are relatively small, which can effectively perform decentration, ensure the time consistency to the greatest extent, and ensure the correctness and the scale of a whole distributed system.