Time Synchronization in Distributed Control Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed control systems, synchronization errors accumulate exponentially when multiple communication networks are hierarchically connected through bridges, leading to instability and reduced synchronization performance.
Innovation Solution
A method that separates time offset and frequency compensation operations based on predefined intervals, performing only time offset compensation when the synchronization intervals do not match a preset Frequency Compensation Interval (FCI) and both time offset and frequency compensation when they do, using distinct frequency scaling factors for each interval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple communication networks are hierarchically connected through bridges, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but synchronization errors accumulate exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the synchronization process into two distinct operations: time offset compensation and frequency compensation. Time offset compensation is performed at all synchronization points, while frequency compensation is performed only at predefined Frequency Compensation Intervals (FCI). This segmentation allows the system to maintain synchronization accuracy across hierarchical bridges by applying compensation operations selectively rather than uniformly, thereby preventing exponential error accumulation while preserving network coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic frequency compensation at predefined Frequency Compensation Intervals (FCI) rather than at every synchronization point. This periodic action reduces the frequency of compensation operations to match the actual rate at which frequency drift accumulates significantly, thereby reducing synchronization errors while maintaining adequate coverage across hierarchical network structures.
2Measurement precision
If frequency compensation is performed at every synchronization point, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but system complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing frequency compensation only at necessary intervals (FCI) rather than at every synchronization point. This selective application of compensation operations maintains sufficient synchronization accuracy while significantly reducing system complexity and processing overhead compared to continuous frequency compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the compensation operations into two distinct types with different frequencies: time offset compensation performed at every synchronization point and frequency compensation performed only at FCI. This segmentation allows the system to achieve necessary synchronization accuracy without the excessive complexity of performing both compensations continuously.
3Measurement precision
If time offset and frequency compensation are performed simultaneously at every interval, then synchronization performance is improved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic frequency compensation at predefined Frequency Compensation Intervals (FCI) rather than at every synchronization interval. This periodic approach maintains synchronization performance by correcting frequency drift at appropriate intervals while significantly reducing processing time and computational load compared to continuous simultaneous compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing only time offset compensation between FCI points and reserving frequency compensation for FCI points only. This selective approach achieves adequate synchronization performance while reducing the computational burden of performing both compensations simultaneously at every interval.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for time synchronization in a distributed control system includes the steps of: when a sync is received from a master-side, confirming both a reception time point of the corresponding sync and a compensation time point of a previous frequency, and determining if a result obtained by confirming the two time points corresponds to a preset Frequency Compensation Interval (FCI); performing only a time offset compensation operation when the result obtained by confirming the two time points does not correspond to the preset FCI; and performing both time offset and frequency compensation operations when the result obtained by confirming the two time points corresponds to the preset FCI.