Modular Numerical Control Low-Jitter Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional numerical control systems experience jitter in synchronization information transmission due to independent clock signals between the main computer and controller units, leading to unreliable synchronization and reduced precision in machine tool operations.
Innovation Solution
A modular numerical control system with low-jitter synchronization, where each controller unit includes a clock recovery unit to derive a synchronous clock signal from the serial data stream, ensuring phase-locked coupling of data streams and maintaining a constant delay time, thereby reducing jitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If independent clock signals are used in main computer and controller units, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but synchronization reliability deteriorates due to jitter
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated synchronization unit acts as an intermediary between the main computer and controller units. This unit receives synchronization information from the main computer and distributes it to all controller units, ensuring they operate synchronously despite having independent clock signals. The synchronization unit mediates the timing coordination, allowing independent operation while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If spatial separation of main computer and controller units is implemented, then ergonomics and signal quality are improved, but synchronization precision deteriorates due to transmission delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the main computer sends synchronization information to controller units, and the synchronization status is continuously monitored and adjusted. This feedback loop compensates for transmission delays caused by spatial separation, ensuring that despite physical distance, the synchronization precision is maintained through active correction of timing deviations.
3Device complexity
If serial point-to-point connections are used in series circuit, then cable complexity and cost are reduced, but data transmission reliability deteriorates due to cumulative jitter
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization unit serves as an intermediary that receives synchronization information from the main computer and redistributes it to each controller unit in the series circuit. This prevents cumulative jitter by ensuring each unit receives fresh synchronization information directly from the main computer through the series connection, rather than relying on synchronized transmission from previous units.
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 solution ensures reliable and precise transmission of synchronization information, improving the accuracy and quality of machine tool operations by minimizing the impact of jitter on setpoint and actual value alignment.
Implementation Method 1
the serial data stream arriving at the first receiver unit and the serial data stream output by the first transmitter unit are coupled to each other in phase-locked manner
Data Source
AI summary
A modular, numerical control having low-jitter synchronization includes a main computer and at least one controller unit which, starting from the main computer, are interconnected by serial data-transmission channels in the form of a series circuit. The at least one controller unit includes a first receiver unit for receiving a serial data stream arriving from the direction of the main computer, and a first transmitter unit for outputting a serial data stream. Also provided in the at least one controller unit is a clock recovery unit which derives a synchronous clock signal from the serial data stream arriving at the first receiver unit, and supplies it to the first transmitter unit which uses it as a transmission clock signal, so that the serial data stream arriving at the first receiver unit and the serial data stream output by the first transmitter unit are coupled to each other in phase-locked manner.