Multi-Sensor Data Synchronization Using Barker Sequence Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multi-sensor systems face challenges in synchronizing data from multiple analog sensors due to differing latencies in their electronic circuits, leading to desynchronized outputs despite detecting events simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The system synchronizes the digitized outputs of multiple analog sensor sub-systems by inserting a marker signal, using a Barker sequence generator and digital-to-analog converters, and correlating the signals through cross-correlators and peak detectors to determine time differences and adjust buffer addresses, allowing for synchronized data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple analog sensors are used to obtain better data or provide new types of measurements, then measurement capability and data quality are improved, but synchronization of outputs deteriorates due to differing latencies in electronic circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a timing marker as an intermediary signal that is multiplexed with each sensor's output. This marker serves as a reference point that allows the system to identify and compensate for latency differences between sensors, enabling synchronization without requiring all sensors to have identical electronic circuit characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary timing measurement by detecting the position of timing markers in each sensor's output stream before actual data processing. This advance timing information is stored and used to calculate offset values that are applied during data correlation, allowing the system to pre-compensate for synchronization issues
2Adaptability or versatility
If different types of sensors with different electronic circuits are used to detect various modalities (pressure, sound, image, etc.), then sensor versatility and measurement range are improved, but output synchronization deteriorates due to different processing latencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal timing marker approach that works across all sensor modalities. The same marker generation and detection mechanism is applied to pressure sensors, acoustic sensors, imaging sensors, and other modalities, providing a unified synchronization method that is modality-agnostic and can handle diverse sensor types with different electronic characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The timing marker acts as a universal intermediary that bridges different sensor modalities. By multiplexing the marker with each sensor's output regardless of modality, the system creates a common reference framework that enables correlation and synchronization of data from fundamentally different sensor types with varying processing latencies
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-sensor system includes a first analog sensor sub-system, a second analog sensor sub-system, and a system for synchronizing the outputs of the first and second analog sub-systems. Each analog sensor sub-system includes a sensor that produces an analog output. Each sensor is coupled to analog circuitry that processes the output from the sensor. The system for synchronizing the outputs of the first and second analog sensor sub-systems simultaneously inserts a marker into the outputs of the first and second analog sensors. Then, the outputs of the analog circuitry of the first and second analog sub-systems are synchronized based upon the marker. The marker signal may be produced using a Barker sequence signal generator.