Extended Time Reference Generation for Simulcast Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing simulcast transmission systems face challenges in accurately synchronizing multiple broadcast signals across extended time ranges, leading to potential artifacts and seamless reception issues due to limitations in timestamp resolution and range.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines first and second timestamps, derived from global and coarse time bases respectively, to generate an extended timestamp with high resolution over an extended range, enabling precise synchronization and delay measurement across simulcast transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single timestamp generator with high resolution is used, then synchronization precision is improved, but the time range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The timestamp generation function is segmented into two separate generators: a first timestamp generator providing high-resolution timestamps for precise synchronization, and a second timestamp generator providing coarse timestamps for extended time range coverage. This segmentation allows each generator to be optimized for its specific function without compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The coarse timestamp from the second generator is nested within the fine timestamp from the first generator to form a composite timestamp. The fine timestamp provides the lower-order bits for precision while the coarse timestamp provides the upper-order bits for extended range, creating a hierarchical time reference structure
2Area of stationary object
If multiple transmitters are used for simulcasting, then geographical coverage is improved, but synchronization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each transmitter measures its own signal delay using the extended timestamp and feeds back this delay information to adjust its transmission timing. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic synchronization compensation across multiple transmitters without complex external control
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the time reference parameter from a single limited-range timestamp to a composite extended timestamp with sufficient range to accommodate delays across all transmitters. This parameter change allows delay measurement and synchronization control over the extended time periods required for geographically distributed transmitters
Data Source
AI summary
As one example, a system includes a first timestamp generator to provide a first timestamp in response to at least one input clock signal. The first timestamp may be derived based on a global time base and have a resolution that resides within a first range of values corresponding to a first time range. A second timestamp generator provides a second timestamp in response to the at least one input clock signal. The second timestamp may be derived based on a second time base and have a resolution that resides within a second range of values complementary to the first timestamp and corresponding to a second time range that is greater than the first time range. A combiner combines the first and second timestamps to provide a reference timestamp having a value over an extended range of continuous time values.