Optical Bus Clock Synchronization Using Timestamp Delay Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clock synchronization methods, such as those used in EtherCAT, are limited to serial bus architectures and are not applicable to other system architectures, particularly in industrial optical bus networks, where they fail to ensure synchronized operations across multiple slave stations.
Innovation Solution
A clock synchronization method for optical bus networks that involves an optical head end generating packets with time information to control optical terminals, which then synchronize the operations of slave stations, using timestamp and compensation delay to ensure precise timing across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If EtherCAT distributed clock method is used, then clock synchronization is achieved in serial bus architecture, but the method is not applicable to optical bus network architecture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adapts the EtherCAT distributed clock synchronization mechanism to optical bus networks by using optical packets to carry synchronization commands and timestamp information. The optical head end generates packets with precise timing information that are transmitted through optical terminals to slave stations, enabling the same synchronization functionality across different physical media (serial bus and optical bus).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical serial bus transmission mechanism with optical transmission. Instead of using electrical signals over copper cables, the system uses optical packets transmitted through optical fibers, substituting the physical transmission medium while maintaining the logical synchronization protocol structure.
2Speed
If optical communication is introduced into industrial field bus, then transmission speed and distance are improved, but clock synchronization becomes difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The optical head end performs preliminary actions by generating packets with pre-calculated timestamp information and synchronization commands before transmission. The system pre-compensates for transmission delays and establishes timing references in advance, allowing slave stations to synchronize their operations based on these pre-prepared timing packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the optical head end monitors transmission timing and adjusts synchronization packet generation accordingly. Timestamp information is carried in packets to provide feedback on actual transmission times, allowing the system to compensate for variations and maintain precise synchronization despite the high-speed optical transmission medium.
Data Source
AI summary
This application relates to clock synchronization methods optical head ends, and optical terminals. In an example method, the optical head end receives a first packet from a controller. The first packet includes service data to be transmitted to a plurality of slave stations. The optical head end generates a second packet based on the first packet. The second packet includes the service data and time information. The time information indicates an execution time point at which the plurality of slave stations perform an operation based on the service data. The optical head end further sends the second packet to the plurality of optical terminals to request the plurality of optical terminals to control the plurality of slave stations to perform the operation at the execution time point based on the service data.