Data Network Hop Latency Equalization for Implicit Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing avionics data network systems face challenges in achieving deterministic communication with high complexity, cost, and prolonged security certification times due to varying network-specific and node-specific latencies, making synchronization complex and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A synchronized data network system with fixed common hop latency across nodes, achieved by delaying data forwarding to equalize hop latency, using synchronization data packets with timestamp multiplication for clock synchronization, and a decentralized initialization process to determine and set a uniform hop latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional clock synchronization protocols (NTP, PTP) are used, then network time can be synchronized, but the process is complex and requires additional hardware components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization function from complex traditional protocols (NTP, PTP) and implements it through a simplified mechanism using only standard Bluetooth Low Energy operations. The core synchronization logic is extracted and implemented through timestamp exchange and calculation without requiring specialized synchronization hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/electronic synchronization hardware with a software-based timestamp exchange mechanism over Bluetooth Low Energy. Instead of using dedicated synchronization devices or complex protocols, the system uses standard BLE communication with timestamp fields to achieve synchronization, substituting hardware complexity with software-based timekeeping.
2Reliability
If existing synchronization protocols are implemented, then time coordination is achieved, but communication overhead and processing time are excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the synchronization process into discrete, simple steps: master device sends timestamp, slave device receives and stores timestamp, slave device calculates synchronized time based on stored timestamp and current time. This segmentation allows each step to be executed efficiently with minimal processing overhead compared to full protocol implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing only the essential synchronization functionality through simple timestamp exchange rather than complete protocol implementations. The system performs sufficient synchronization through minimal data exchange (timestamps only) without the excessive communication overhead of full NTP/PTP protocols.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex synchronization protocols are used, then precise time alignment is achieved, but the system requires specialized hardware and protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by using standard Bluetooth Low Energy technology that is already widely deployed in smartphones and wearable devices. The synchronization mechanism works with any device supporting standard BLE, eliminating the need for specialized hardware. The system achieves precise time alignment through software-based timestamp processing rather than hardware-specific protocols.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a synchronized data network system (10), comprising a data network (100) that connects data network nodes (110) to one another via direct bidirectional data transmission links (x) between neighbouring data network nodes (110) in order to exchange data; and an arbitrary node chain of the data network nodes (110) consisting of successive first (110A), second (110B) and third (110C) data network nodes, wherein the second data network node (110B) is designed to receive data transmitted on a first direct data transmission link (xAB) between the first (110A) and the second (110B) data network node from the first data network node (110A) on a data forwarding link (xABBC) and to forward said data in transmit mode to the third data network node (110C) on a second direct data transmission link (xBC) between the second (110B) and the third (110C) data network node. The synchronized data network system (10) is characterized in that the second data network node (110B) is designed to delay forwarding of the data on a single-hop data forwarding link (xABB, xBBC) between the first and the third data network node (110A, 110C) such that the hop latency (dH_ABB, dH_BBC) is equal to a predetermined fixed common hop latency (dCH). This thus enables a simple method for achieving implicit time synchronization of the data network system.