MR System Clock Synchronization via PCI Express Bus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic resonance tomography systems face challenges in synchronizing components due to spatial separation and varying data/command arrival times, which complicates precise command execution, especially given the stringent phase lock requirements for maintaining consistent phase conditions between transmission and reception systems.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a centralized synchronization system using local clocks, command execution time specifications, and time synchronization signals allows for precise command execution by ensuring all components are synchronized with a central controller, either through a star topology with conductors of identical length or a ring structure with synchronized signals, enabling identical clock times across the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If spatially separate components are connected via dedicated control signals through optical waveguide connections, then control precision is maintained, but device complexity increases and scaling capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces dedicated optical waveguide connections with electrical conductors (PCI Express bus) for command transmission. This substitution simplifies the physical connection structure while maintaining control capability, allowing components to be connected through a shared electrical bus rather than requiring individual optical waveguides for each component pair.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The PCI Express bus serves as a universal communication infrastructure that can transmit commands, data, and synchronization signals to multiple components through a single shared medium. This multi-functional bus replaces the need for dedicated control signal paths, enabling simplified scaling and reduced device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If commands are transmitted via PCI Express bus to spatially separated components, then device complexity is reduced and scaling capability is improved, but command arrival time varies and execution precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidcommand execution precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transmits synchronization signals and timing information to components before command execution. The central controller sends timing reference signals through the PCI Express bus to all components, enabling them to pre-synchronize their local clocks and prepare for precise command execution at predetermined time points, compensating for variable transmission delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements timing feedback mechanisms where components report their received timing information and execution status back to the central controller. This feedback enables the central controller to adjust subsequent command timing and synchronization signals, maintaining precise execution despite variations in command arrival times across different components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Extent of automation

If local clocks are used in autonomous components, then execution autonomy is improved, but synchronization precision with central controller deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexecution autonomyVSAvoidsynchronization precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Components with local clocks continuously monitor and report their timing status to the central controller, which provides feedback corrections. The central controller compares received timing information from various components and sends corrective synchronization signals to adjust local clock drift, maintaining precise synchronization while preserving execution autonomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces a purely hierarchical clock distribution system with a hybrid approach where electrical timing signals through PCI Express bus supplement mechanical/quartz local clocks. This substitution enables bidirectional timing communication, allowing components to maintain autonomous execution with local clocks while receiving synchronization corrections from the central controller through electrical feedback paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8402300B2Synchronization of clocks in autonomous components of an MR system and synchronous execution of commands in those components

Publication Date: 2013.03.19 SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS AG

AI summary

In a device and a method to execute commands in components of an imaging system, in particular of a magnetic resonance tomography system, local clocks in the components are temporally synchronized, commands, including a respective command execution time specification which respectively specifies at which point in time a command should be executed, are sent to the components, the commands are received by the components, commands and command execution time specifications that are received by components are stored in these components, and a stored command is respectively executed when a time indicated by the local clock coincides with the stored command execution time specification regarding the command.