GNSS-Calibrated UWB Node Synchronization for Oscillator Aging
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Solution Overview
Problem
UWB communication systems face inaccuracies in clock signals due to aging effects in crystal oscillators, which current calibration methods fail to address effectively over the lifetime of components, leading to increased system costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A communications system utilizing a master-node with a GNSS receiver to generate a timing reference signal, which calibrates both the master and slave nodes' clock signals, ensuring accurate synchronization and reducing inaccuracies through periodic recalibration based on GNSS-derived timing information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crystal oscillators are used for clock signal generation in UWB systems, then the system can operate with standard components, but aging effects cause timing inaccuracies to increase over the component lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic recalibration of crystal oscillators using GNSS timing references. The system continuously compares the local clock signal against the accurate GNSS time reference and applies correction factors at regular intervals, preventing timing drift from accumulating over the component's lifetime.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the GNSS receiver provides timing reference signals that are compared with the local crystal oscillator output. The timing calibrator uses this feedback to generate correction signals that adjust the crystal oscillator frequency, maintaining accurate timing despite aging effects.
2Measurement precision
If current calibration methods are used for crystal oscillators, then initial timing accuracy can be achieved, but inaccuracies increase over time and additional hardware is required to maintain accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The GNSS receiver serves multiple functions: it provides positioning data, navigation information, and serves as a highly accurate timing reference for calibrating the UWB system's crystal oscillators. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate calibration hardware while maintaining timing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The GNSS satellite signals act as an intermediary reference that mediates between the master and slave nodes. Instead of requiring direct complex synchronization hardware between nodes, the GNSS reference signal serves as a common intermediary that both nodes use to calibrate their respective crystal oscillators.
Data Source
AI summary
A communications system comprising a master-node and a slave-node. The master-node comprising: a GNSS receiver configured to provide a GNSS based time reference signal; a master-timing-reference-calibrator configured to determine a master-timing-reference-calibration-signal, for calibrating the master reference timing circuit, based on the GNSS based time reference signal; and a master-reference-timing-circuit configured to provide a master-clock-signal based on the master-timing-reference-calibration-signal, wherein the master-clock-signal is a clock signal for the master-node; and a master-transmitter configured to determine a master-communications-signal using the master-clock signal. The slave-node comprising: a slave-receiver configured to receive the master-communications-signal from the master-node; a slave-timing-reference-calibrator configured to determine a slave-timing-reference-calibration-signal based on the master-communications-signal; and a slave-timing-reference-circuit configured to provide a slave-clock-signal based on the slave-timing-reference-calibration-signal, wherein the slave-clock-signal is a clock signal for the slave-node.