Mesh Network Synchronization via Ambient Temperature Drift Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mesh networks require frequent synchronization procedures to account for clock drift between nodes, which is expensive in terms of power consumption and network resources.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a plurality of interconnected nodes in a mesh network, where a subset of nodes senses and transmits ambient temperature values, and a back-end unit calculates and transmits ambient-related clock drift values to synchronize node operations based on these values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If frequent synchronization procedures are performed to maintain clock accuracy between nodes, then synchronization precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter used for synchronization from time-based clock values to temperature-based clock drift compensation values. By sensing temperature (a physical parameter) and using it to calculate and apply clock drift compensation, the system achieves accurate synchronization without requiring frequent active communication and synchronization procedures, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining precision.
2Measurement precision
If frequent synchronization procedures are performed to maintain clock accuracy between nodes, then synchronization precision is improved, but network resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary temperature sensing and clock drift calculation before synchronization is actually needed. By pre-calculating clock drift values based on temperature measurements and having these values ready, the system eliminates the need for frequent reactive synchronization communication cycles, thus reducing network resource consumption while maintaining synchronization precision.
3Device complexity
If traditional synchronization methods are used without considering environmental factors, then device complexity is reduced, but synchronization reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temperature sensing as a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors environmental conditions affecting clock accuracy. The sensed temperature is used to calculate clock drift and adjust synchronization accordingly. This feedback loop significantly improves synchronization reliability by accounting for environmental variations, while the overall device complexity remains manageable because the feedback uses simple temperature sensing rather than complex multi-parameter monitoring.
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
This approach reduces the need for repeated synchronization loops, thereby significantly reducing power consumption and maintaining synchronized operations within the mesh network.
Implementation Method 1
a first subset of the plurality of nodes is arranged to sense and transmit, over the mesh network, ambient temperature values associated with the nodes of the first subset
Implementation Method 2
calculate, for a second subset of the plurality of nodes which includes at least some nodes of the first subset, respective ambient-related clock drift values between each respective two nodes of the second subset, based on the ambient temperature values associated with the nodes of the first subset
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A system and method of synchronizing a mesh network comprising a plurality of nodes are provided. The method may include sensing and transmitting, by a first subset of the plurality nodes, temperature values of the first subset nodes; receiving, by at least one back-end unit, from the first subset nodes, the temperature values of the first subset nodes; determining, by the at least one back-end unit, for a second subset of the plurality of nodes including all the first subset nodes, respective ambient-related clock drift values, based on the temperature values of the first subset nodes and an inter-node data; transmitting, by the at least one back-end unit, the respective ambient-related clock drift values to the second subset nodes; and determining, by the second subset nodes, ambient-related time offset values between each respective two nodes of the second subset, based on the respective nodes' ambient-related clock drift values.