Master Control Device Timing Synchronization via Feedback Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timing synchronization methods for control devices in networks, such as those in vehicles, face challenges in achieving accurate synchronization due to delays and uncertainties, particularly in communication and processing delays, which can lead to desynchronization and increased troubleshooting time.
Innovation Solution
A master control device that includes a timing synchronization unit to transmit its local time, a message reception difference calculation unit to determine timing corrections, and a timing correction amount calculation unit to adjust slave control devices' timing, ensuring synchronization by calculating and applying necessary corrections based on message reception differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing timing synchronization methods are used to synchronize control devices via network, then timing synchronization is achieved, but communication and processing delays cause timing deviations and desynchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The master control device receives timing information from slave control devices and calculates timing deviations based on expected versus actual reception times. Correction information is then transmitted back to slave devices to adjust their timing, creating a closed-loop feedback system that continuously maintains synchronization despite communication delays
Solution Approach 2:
The master control device calculates expected message reception times in advance based on known communication delays and processing times. By comparing actual reception times against these pre-calculated expectations, the system can proactively identify and correct timing deviations before they cause desynchronization
2Measurement precision
If local timer values are exchanged between master and slave control devices, then timing synchronization is attempted, but processing delays within CPUs introduce errors in transmitted timer values
Solution Approach 1:
The master control device acts as an intermediary that receives timing information from slave devices and recalculates correction amounts based on actual reception times. This intermediary process compensates for processing delays by using the actual reception time as a reference point, rather than relying on potentially inaccurate pre-calculated values
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts timing parameters by calculating correction amounts based on actual message reception times. The correction amount is derived from the difference between expected and actual reception times, allowing the system to adapt to varying processing delays and maintain synchronization accuracy
3Productivity
If timing synchronization is not accurately maintained, then system operation continues, but troubleshooting time increases when problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous feedback mechanism maintains accurate timing synchronization during system operation, preventing timing-related issues from developing. This proactive maintenance reduces troubleshooting time when problems occur by ensuring the system is operating with correct timing parameters
Data Source
AI summary
A master control device connected to a plurality of slave control devices via a network is configured to include an own local time counted by a counter unit, in a message and transmit the message to the slave control devices by the timing synchronization unit, calculate a difference between a reception time of a message transmitted from the slave control device, which has received the message, at a timing corrected in accordance with the local time and a pre-calculated message reception predicted time by a timing synchronization determination unit, calculate a correction amount for timing of the slave control devices using the difference by a timing synchronization correction unit, add the correction amount to the local time, include the local time in a message, and transmit the message to the slave control devices.