Intralogistic Vehicle Time Synchronization Over Non-Real-Time WLAN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Driverless transport systems face challenges in synchronized movement due to non-real-time capable data transmission, which hinders efficient logistic operations in intralogistic transport systems.
Innovation Solution
The system synchronizes time bases among vehicles connected via a data transmission channel, using buffered commands and time stamps to enable synchronized movement, even with periodic data transmission, by determining a synchronized time through controller elements and quality code numbers, allowing vehicles to move in mutual dependence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data transmission is performed via WLAN connection, then communication flexibility is improved, but real-time capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-synchronizes time bases of all subscribers before actual transport operations begin. This preliminary time synchronization ensures that even though WLAN data transmission is not real-time capable, all vehicles can still execute movements in a coordinated manner by referencing the pre-established time synchronization, thus resolving the contradiction between using flexible WLAN communication and maintaining real-time coordination capability
2Measurement precision
If data transmission rate is increased periodically, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but data transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where time stamps are exchanged between master and slave subscribers, and time offsets are calculated and applied to correct time base differences. This feedback loop continuously monitors and adjusts synchronization accuracy without requiring complex high-speed data transmission, thus achieving precise synchronization while keeping the data transmission system relatively simple
3Productivity
If group formation is performed quickly, then productivity is improved, but synchronization precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs time base synchronization as a preliminary step before group formation and transport operations. By establishing time synchronization in advance, the system enables quick group formation without compromising synchronization precision, as the time synchronization is already in place and does not need to be established during the quick group formation process
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for operating a system for intralogistic transport and system, the system having subscribers, in particular vehicles, which are connected via a data transmission channel such that each subscriber is a subscriber of a group of subscribers connected for data transmission via the data transmission channel, the data transmission being in particular not real-time capable, the data transmission channel being in particular a WLAN connection, each subscriber having a time base, in particular a clock, a group is formed; the time base of each subscriber of the group is synchronized, that is, in particular the time of the time base of the subscriber modified by a specific time offset by the synchronization is used as the time for operation; and subscribers are moved in dependence on a respective subscriber functioning as a master or in mutual dependence, in particular the position activated by the respective subscriber, in particular at the respective point in time, depending on the respective position of at least one other subscriber of the group or on the respective position of multiple or all other subscribers of the group.