Predictive Clock Modeling for GNSS-Independent Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clock synchronization technologies rely on global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) and global standards like UTC, making them vulnerable to jamming, spoofing, and environmental factors, which affects precision timing and frequency accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A predictive clock modeling method and system that collects characteristics and instances of time from multiple clocks, determines time and frequency offsets using a model, and transmits corrections to synchronize clocks without relying on GNSS or UTC, employing crystal oscillators, chip-scale atomic clocks, or atomic clocks with sensors to account for environmental influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS receivers are used for precision timing, then time synchronization can be achieved with 10-20 nanosecond accuracy, but the system becomes vulnerable to jamming, spoofing, and constellation-wide outages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing function from the GPS satellite system and implements it locally using a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and phase-locked loop (PLL) circuitry. This removes the system's dependence on external satellite signals that are vulnerable to jamming and spoofing, while maintaining the ability to achieve precise time synchronization through local clock generation and phase comparison mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a local voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and phase-locked loop (PLL) as intermediary components between the received timing signals and the local clock system. These intermediaries enable the system to generate and synchronize local clock signals without directly relying on vulnerable GPS signals, thereby improving reliability while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If atomic clocks or high quality ovenized crystal oscillators are used, then accuracy of 0.1 nanosecond or better can be achieved, but the cost, size, and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and phase-locked loop (PLL) system that uses low-power, inexpensive components compared to atomic clocks or ovenized crystal oscillators. While individual oscillator components have shorter stability intervals, the system continuously synchronizes through phase comparison and feedback control, achieving accurate timing without the high power consumption and cost of premium clock technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the oscillator system by using a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) whose frequency can be dynamically adjusted through voltage control. This allows the system to optimize between power consumption and timing accuracy by adjusting the control voltage and feedback parameters, rather than relying on fixed high-power atomic clock operations.
3Measurement precision
If atomic clocks with rubidium gas cells, cesium beams or hydrogen masers are used, then accuracy of 0.1 nanosecond or better can be achieved, but the device complexity, cost, and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential timing function from complex atomic clock systems and implements it using simplified voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO) and phase-locked loops (PLL). This extraction removes the need for complex atomic physics infrastructure (rubidium gas cells, cesium beams, hydrogen masers) while maintaining the core function of precise time generation through electronic phase control and feedback mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical and physical infrastructure of atomic clocks (gas cells, beams, masers requiring vacuum systems and precise temperature control) with electronic systems consisting of voltage-controlled oscillators and phase-locked loops. This substitution dramatically reduces device complexity, size, and maintenance requirements while achieving comparable timing accuracy through electronic feedback control.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application at least describes a method for predictive clock modeling. The method may include a step of collecting a characteristic of a first clock disposed therein via a first node. The method may also include a step of collecting a characteristic of a second clock disposed therein via a second node. The method may also include a step of receiving an instance of time of the first clock via the first node. The method may further include a step of receiving an instance of time of the second clock via the second node. The method may even further include a step of causing to determine a time offset and/or frequency offset between the first and second clock via a model based on the collected characteristic and the received instance of time from each of the first and second nodes. The method may yet even further include a step of transmitting an indication of the determined time offset and/or frequency offset output from the model to the second node.