Multihop Time Synchronization for Wireless Sensor Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ubiquitous sensor networks face challenges in power consumption and interference due to the need for high-power radio wave transmission and synchronization, especially in large-scale deployments, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A multihop method for time synchronization in wireless communication systems, where a time synchronizing signal is transmitted between wireless nodes, reducing unnecessary radio wave radiation and power consumption, allowing for intermittent operation and maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-power radio wave transmission is used to transmit time synchronization signals over large distances, then the signal-to-noise ratio at the reception point is improved, but the power consumption of wireless nodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the time synchronization signal transmission into multiple segments or hops. Instead of transmitting directly from the root node to all distant nodes using high power, the signal is transmitted through intermediate wireless nodes that relay the synchronization information. This segmentation allows each node to transmit at low power while still achieving wide area synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate wireless nodes as mediators in the time synchronization process. These intermediate nodes receive the time synchronization signal from the root node and forward it to other nodes in the network. This intermediary approach enables the synchronization signal to propagate over large distances without requiring any single node to transmit at high power.
2Area of stationary object
If radio base stations transmit high-power signals for time synchronization in large-scale networks, then the coverage area is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time synchronization function across multiple wireless nodes instead of concentrating it in a single high-power radio base station. Each node in the multihop network performs local synchronization and relaying, distributing the functional complexity throughout the network rather than requiring one complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables wireless nodes to serve themselves and their neighbors in the time synchronization process. Each node autonomously receives the synchronization signal, adjusts its local clock, and forwards the signal to neighboring nodes without requiring centralized control or complex coordination infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If wireless nodes transmit continuously to maintain synchronization in large-area networks, then the time synchronization accuracy is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic time synchronization transmissions instead of continuous transmission. The root node transmits time synchronization signals at regular intervals, and wireless nodes update their clocks periodically. This periodic approach maintains synchronization accuracy while allowing nodes to enter low-power states between transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a copy-based approach where intermediate nodes receive and forward copies of the time synchronization signal rather than each node independently transmitting. This allows nodes to maintain synchronization by copying the signal from neighbors, reducing the need for continuous high-power transmissions.
Data Source
AI summary
A time synchronizing signal for synchronizing the times of wireless nodes capable of wireless communication is transmitted to the wireless nodes by multihop. Optional information is transferred by multihop from a predetermined wireless node to an optional node along the same path as the transfer path of the time synchronizing signal by the wireless nodes. Information to respond the optional information is transferred by multihop from the optional wireless node to the predetermined wireless node along the reverse path to the transfer path of the time synchronizing signal.