Network Time Synchronization via Cooperative Operation Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reliability of network systems involving time synchronization is compromised by synchronization jitter, noise interference, and complex design requirements, particularly in the transmission of cooperative-operation time and command information between time master and slave stations.
Innovation Solution
A network system design that includes a time master station and multiple time slave stations, where the master station generates and transmits cooperative-operation-time information based on a synchronized clock, and the slave stations adjust their timing to account for synchronization errors and noise, ensuring accurate synchronization command signals are sent to external devices without complicating the system design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cooperative-operation time information is transmitted without considering synchronization errors, then the transmission mechanism is simple, but the reliability of cooperative operation deteriorates when synchronization jitter occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The time slave station performs preliminary actions by storing multiple pieces of cooperative-operation time information transmitted from the time master station and determining the appropriate time information based on the current synchronization state. This preliminary preparation ensures that even if synchronization errors occur, the correct time information can be selected from stored data, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex real-time correction mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the time slave station determines whether to use previously stored cooperative-operation time information or newly received information based on synchronization status. This feedback loop allows the system to adapt to synchronization errors dynamically, selecting the most appropriate time information to maintain reliable cooperative operation.
2Measurement precision
If high-accuracy clock correction is implemented, then synchronization precision improves, but the system complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing complex high-accuracy clock correction mechanisms, the system uses a simpler approach where the time slave station stores multiple pieces of time information and selects the appropriate one based on synchronization status. This partial action approach achieves sufficient synchronization precision for reliable operation without the complexity of high-accuracy correction algorithms.
3Reliability
If cooperative-operation time information is not transmitted across cooperative-operation cycles, then the transmission mechanism is simpler, but the reliability deteriorates when synchronization errors cause time counting discrepancies
Solution Approach 1:
The time master station transmits cooperative-operation time information in advance across multiple cooperative-operation cycles, and the time slave station stores this information for later use. This preliminary transmission and storage ensures that even if synchronization errors cause time counting discrepancies between cycles, the correct time information is already available, maintaining reliability without requiring complex transmission protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A network system includes a synchronous master device to output a cooperative-operation timing signal in a cooperative-operation cycle, a time master station connected to a network, and a time slave station connected to the network. The time master station includes a master clock to count a time, and a master generation unit to generate master cooperative-operation-time information on the basis of the cooperative-operation timing signal and the time counted by the master clock. The time slave station includes a slave clock to count a time, and a slave generation unit to generate slave cooperative-operation-time information on the basis of the master cooperative-operation-time information and the time counted by the slave clock.