Distribution Device Time Synchronization Cycle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monitoring technologies face issues with maintaining a stable cycle for data recording, leading to inaccuracies in analysis due to discrepancies between external time information and local clock times in sensor equipment.
Innovation Solution
A distribution system that includes a distribution device connected to a server, which corrects its local time and distributes it to sensor equipment in a constant cycle, ensuring accurate and synchronized data collection by adjusting the local time within a predetermined correction range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor equipment uses external time information from a network to synchronize its local clock, then time synchronization with external devices is improved, but the stability of the local execution cycle deteriorates due to time corrections disrupting the constant cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and storing the correction amount before time synchronization occurs. The distribution device pre-calculates the difference between external time and local time, then applies this correction in advance to maintain stable execution cycles. This allows the system to prepare for time corrections without disrupting the constant cycle execution of sensor equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution device acts as an intermediary between the external time source and the sensor equipment. It receives external time information, calculates appropriate correction amounts within a predetermined range, and distributes corrected time information to sensor equipment. This intermediary role prevents direct time corrections from disrupting the execution cycles of connected devices.
2Measurement precision
If the distribution device corrects its local time to match external time information, then time synchronization is improved, but the constant cycle for distributing time information to sensor equipment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution device pre-calculates correction amounts and determines the appropriate timing for applying corrections. By planning corrections in advance and selecting optimal moments to apply them, the device maintains stable distribution cycles while still achieving time synchronization. The correction is applied only when it won't disrupt the constant cycle of time information distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action by distributing time information at constant intervals to sensor equipment. The distribution device maintains this periodic distribution cycle even when corrections are needed, applying corrections only at appropriate periods when they align with the regular distribution schedule. This ensures both time synchronization and cycle stability are maintained.
3Productivity
If sensor equipment executes processes at extremely short cycles (5-10 milliseconds) to analyze microtremors or earthquakes, then measurement capability is improved, but the impact of time synchronization errors on analysis accuracy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution device serves as a mediator that provides corrected time information to sensor equipment executing high-speed measurements. By intercepting and correcting time information before it reaches the sensor equipment, the system prevents time synchronization errors from affecting the accuracy of rapid measurements. This is critical for maintaining precision in 5-10 millisecond measurement cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
Time corrections are applied in advance to the time information that will be used by sensor equipment for high-speed measurements. By preparing corrected time data before the measurement cycle begins, the system ensures that even extremely rapid measurements at 5-10 millisecond intervals use accurate time references, preventing analysis errors.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a distribution device that distributes time information to one or more items of sensor equipment, the distribution device including a storage unit that stores correction amount information indicating a correction amount by which a local time of the distribution device is to be corrected at one time, an acquisition unit that acquires a reference time, a calculation unit that calculates the difference between the acquired reference time and the local time, a correction unit that corrects the local time by the correction amount when the calculated difference is greater than the correction amount, and a distribution unit that distributes time information indicating the corrected local time to the sensor equipment.