FM Radio Timing Distribution for Critical Infrastructure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Critical infrastructure systems reliant on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) like GPS face vulnerabilities due to environmental disruptions and intentional interference, leading to potential operational disruptions from loss of signal, jamming, or spoofing, necessitating a robust and resilient timing source independent of GNSS.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing radio signals, specifically Frequency Modulation (FM) band signals, to distribute synchronized timing information to critical infrastructure, providing higher signal power and security, with receivers capable of generating time, timing, and frequency reference information synchronized to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) with microsecond accuracy, even in the absence of GNSS signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GNSS signals are used for timing synchronization, then timing accuracy is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to environmental disruptions and intentional interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of ground-based transmitters and receivers that relay timing information between GNSS satellites and critical infrastructure. This intermediary layer provides alternative signal paths that are less vulnerable to jamming and spoofing, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving timing accuracy from GNSS sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing synchronization system is segmented into multiple independent components: GNSS receivers, ground-based transmitters, and local receivers. This segmentation allows the system to maintain timing functionality through multiple independent paths, reducing the impact of interference on any single component and improving overall reliability.
2Reliability
If higher power radio signals are used for timing distribution, then signal reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by deploying ground-based transmitters at strategic locations near critical infrastructure. These local transmitters provide high-power signals only where needed, rather than relying on high-power satellite signals across the entire coverage area. This reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining signal reliability at critical points.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial action by activating ground-based transmitters only when GNSS signals are unavailable or compromised. Instead of continuously operating high-power transmitters, the system selectively engages them based on signal quality metrics, thereby maintaining reliability when needed while minimizing energy consumption during normal operation.
3Reliability
If FM band radio signals are used instead of GNSS, then security is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple timing sources and transmission methods into a unified system. It combines GNSS-based timing with ground-based FM radio signal distribution, allowing the system to leverage the security advantages of FM signals while using GNSS as a reference to maintain high timing accuracy. The merged system achieves both security and precision through coordinated operation of multiple sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where ground-based receivers continuously monitor timing signals from both GNSS and local transmitters. This feedback loop allows the system to detect and correct timing drift, ensuring that FM-based distribution maintains the required microsecond accuracy despite the different signal characteristics compared to direct GNSS reception.
4Reliability
If multiple timing sources are integrated, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs universal timing receivers that can process multiple signal types (GNSS and FM radio) through a single device architecture. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated receivers for each timing source, thereby improving reliability through diverse input sources while minimizing the increase in device complexity through standardized processing components.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for transmitting synchronized timing including a receiver, a transmitter, one or more processors, memory, and one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs are stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the programs including instructions for receiving through the receiver a timing signal comprising first time information that is synchronized to a time standard, determining second time information based at least partially on the first time information, composing a message formatted in accordance with a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) standard, wherein the message comprises the second time information, and transmitting the message through the transmitter on a radio signal having a frequency in the frequency modulation (FM) radio frequency band.