Weapon-Mountable Optics Time Synchronization via Power Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smart optics used in military weaponry struggle with synchronizing data from multiple sensors across different smart optics to achieve high-accuracy data fusion, especially in challenging environments and over time, due to oscillator drift and inherent IMU drift.
Innovation Solution
A smart optic system that includes a mount for weapon attachment, a time reference with a first oscillator, and at least two sensors with secondary oscillators, all in operative communication with a processor. This system synchronizes the sensors using a periodically-repeating signal with time metadata, allowing for precise time-stamping and data fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors with independent oscillators are used in smart optics, then sensor functionality and data gathering capability are improved, but time synchronization accuracy deteriorates due to oscillator drift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent oscillator systems into a unified time reference framework by having all sensors synchronize to a common time reference signal distributed through the power feed network. This combining approach maintains the functionality of multiple sensors while eliminating time synchronization errors that would otherwise accumulate from independent oscillators drifting at different rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the time reference signal distributed through the power feed and using it to correct timing deviations in each sensor's secondary oscillator. The time metadata associated with each power cycle provides feedback information that allows sensors to adjust their timing and maintain synchronization despite environmental variations.
2Measurement precision
If additional hardware time synchronization components are added to smart optics, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power feed network is given multiple functions: it simultaneously provides electrical power to the sensors and acts as a communication channel for distributing the time reference signal. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated hardware synchronization components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high time synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the power distribution function and time reference distribution function into a single integrated system. The same physical infrastructure (power feed wires and connections) that delivers electrical power also carries the time synchronization signal, thereby eliminating redundant hardware and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Device complexity
If sensors operate independently without centralized time reference, then device complexity is reduced, but data fusion accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The time reference signal distributed through the power feed acts as an intermediary that mediates between the centralized time source and the distributed sensors. This intermediary mechanism enables accurate data fusion by providing a common time basis for all sensors without requiring complex direct communication links between each sensor pair.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces what would traditionally be a mechanical or electronic synchronization system (separate wiring, dedicated synchronization hardware) with an electromagnetic signal embedded in the existing power feed. This substitution maintains data fusion accuracy while significantly reducing system complexity by utilizing the already-present power distribution infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A weapon-mountable smart optic comprising: a time reference configured to output a signal comprising a periodically-repeating feature and time metadata and comprising a first oscillator; at least two sensors configured to gather data, each comprising secondary oscillators; and at least one processor in communication with each of the at least two sensors; wherein each of the at least two sensors is in operative communication with the time reference and is configured to associate an edge of the periodically-repeating signal with a time conveyed by the time metadata, and wherein each of the at least two sensors is configured to gather data, associate time metadata with the gathered data, and to send the gathered data with time metadata to the at least one processor, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to fuse the data gathered by each of the at least two sensors.