Local UTC Clock Calibration for Aircraft Time Service Disruptions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircraft systems face challenges in maintaining accurate timestamps for fault records when the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) service is disrupted, leading to difficulties in maintenance and troubleshooting.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a local UTC clock calibration mechanism that uses an oscillator frequency to maintain time accuracy by counting ticks and calculating local UTC time when the standard UTC service is unavailable, allowing for precise timestamp logging during disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the aircraft system relies on external UTC time service for timestamping, then time accuracy is maintained, but system reliability deteriorates when the external service is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration of the local UTC clock while the external UTC service is available and functional. By pre-calibrating the oscillator frequency against the external service, the system prepares a backup timekeeping mechanism that can immediately take over when the external service fails, ensuring continuous accurate timestamping without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a local UTC clock as an intermediary between the external UTC service and the fault logging system. This local clock acts as a mediator that can synchronize with the external service when available and independently maintain time accuracy when the external service is unavailable, thus bridging the reliability gap during disruptions.
2Reliability
If the system uses a local oscillator-based UTC clock, then system reliability is improved during disruptions, but measurement precision deteriorates due to oscillator drift
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the local oscillator's deviation from the external UTC service when available. The calibration process measures the oscillator frequency and adjusts the local clock accordingly. This feedback mechanism corrects oscillator drift and maintains time accuracy while preserving the reliability benefits of the local clock during external service disruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the oscillator frequency parameter through calibration processes. By measuring the actual oscillator frequency against the external UTC service and adjusting the frequency parameter, the system compensates for inherent oscillator drift, thereby maintaining measurement precision while using a local clock for reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the system calibrates the local UTC clock continuously, then time accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous calibration, the system performs calibration periodically or at specific trigger events (such as when the external UTC service becomes available or after significant time intervals). This periodic approach maintains time accuracy through regular synchronization while significantly reducing the complexity of the calibration mechanism compared to continuous operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures accurate fault record timestamps are maintained even during UTC service disruptions, facilitating effective maintenance and troubleshooting by providing a calibrated local UTC clock to extend time service.
Implementation Method 1
a local UTC time calculated based on an oscillator frequency of a timer mechanism associated with the at least one processor
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining, by at least one processor, whether a Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) service is communicatively coupled to a communication interface. The method also includes setting a UTC time with (i) a standard UTC time received from the UTC time service or (ii) a local UTC time calculated based on an oscillator frequency of a timer mechanism associated with the at least one processor based on a determination result of whether the UTC time service is communicatively coupled to the communication interface.