Power Supply Device Satellite Synchronization via Modulated Current

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In industrial network deployments, especially in indoor environments, network devices struggle to receive synchronization information from satellite signals due to weak signal strength, and existing synchronization methods like Precision Time Protocol (PTP) face accuracy limitations due to complex architectures and transmission delays.

Innovation Solution

A system that efficiently communicates synchronization information from a satellite to a power supply device using a modulated current, where a power consumption analyzer recovers synchronization information from a modulated voltage, enabling high-accuracy time synchronization with minimal transmission delays (less than 50 ns) between the power supply device and the satellite.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If network devices receive synchronization information directly from satellite signals in indoor environments, then synchronization accuracy can be maintained, but signal strength is too weak to be reliably received

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidweak signal strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a signal booster and relay device that receives weak satellite signals outdoors, amplifies them, and transmits them through existing Ethernet infrastructure to indoor network devices. This intermediary approach enables indoor devices to receive synchronization information without direct satellite signal reception.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the direct electromagnetic signal reception path (satellite to device) with an alternative transmission path using existing Ethernet cable infrastructure. Instead of relying on wireless satellite signal penetration through building structures, the system uses wired Ethernet networks to deliver synchronization data to indoor devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If Precision Time Protocol (PTP) is used for synchronization, then network-based synchronization can be achieved, but transmission delays reduce synchronization accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork-based synchronizationVSAvoidsynchronization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary synchronization by having network devices synchronize with the relay device using PTP, and the relay device separately synchronizes with the satellite signal source. This two-stage preliminary synchronization approach allows the system to compensate for network transmission delays by establishing reference time points before data transmission occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a hierarchical synchronization structure where the relay device acts as a local time reference copy of the satellite signal. Instead of requiring each device to directly reference the satellite signal, devices copy the synchronized time reference from the relay device, eliminating the need for continuous long-distance signal transmission and reducing cumulative delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for accurate synchronization of network devices with the satellite and subsequently with each other, improving synchronization accuracy and reducing delays in indoor environments.

Implementation Method 1

A modulator may be configured to receive the pulse signal from the receiver and generate a modulated current based on the signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectModulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 2

A power consumption analyzer may be configured to measure power consumption of the electronic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPower measurement:

Implementation Method 3

the power consumption analyzer may be configured to receive a modulated voltage, across a shunt resistor, corresponding to the modulated current and recover the synchronization information from the modulated voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal recovery:

Data Source

PatentUS11537187B2Synchronization of power supply devices

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

Examples relate to communicating synchronization information from a satellite to a power supply device to enable time synchronization between the satellite and the power supply device. The power supply device includes a port to receive, from a modulator, a modulated current corresponding to a power consumption across a dummy load, where a level pattern of the modulated current indicates the synchronization information received from the satellite. The power supply device includes a power consumption analyzer configured to receive a modulated voltage, across a shunt resistor, corresponding to the modulated current and recover, from the modulated voltage, the synchronization information.