Pulse Clock Synchronization Training for Phase Offset Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed digital and mixed-signal systems face challenges in maintaining accurate clock synchronization due to varying electrical path lengths, temperature variations, and radiation effects, leading to asynchronous operation and potential system inefficiencies or shutdowns in space-based and high-altitude assets.
Innovation Solution
A pulse-based synchronization method where a central device sends variably delayed synchronization pulses to destination devices to determine and adjust phase offsets, ensuring that all devices operate in synchrony by using synchronization pulse signals and clock sampler circuitry to calculate and correct for phase discrepancies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If digital systems are operated at higher speeds, then productivity is improved, but clock synchronization accuracy deteriorates due to varying electrical path lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing synchronization training before the digital system operates at high speeds. The training mode pre-determines optimal delay values for each processing device, storing them in lookup tables. This allows the system to quickly switch to high-speed operation without real-time synchronization adjustments, resolving the contradiction between high speed and synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making delay values adjustable and device-specific rather than fixed. The synchronization training process dynamically determines optimal delay values for each processing device based on its electrical path characteristics. These dynamic delay adjustments compensate for varying path lengths, enabling both high operating speeds and accurate clock synchronization.
2Measurement precision
If synchronization training is performed in real-time during operation, then clock synchronization accuracy is improved, but loss of time occurs due to training overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by performing synchronization training in advance during a dedicated training mode before normal operation begins. The training results are stored in lookup tables for quick retrieval. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming real-time training during high-speed operation, maintaining synchronization accuracy without operational time loss.
3Measurement precision
If delay values are adjusted dynamically for each processing device, then clock synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by performing the complex delay value determination in advance during training mode. The results are stored in lookup tables that can be quickly queried during operation. This preliminary computation simplifies the operational complexity while maintaining the ability to provide device-specific dynamic delay adjustments for accurate synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating lookup tables that store pre-determined delay values for each processing device. Instead of performing complex real-time calculations, the system copies the appropriate delay value from the lookup table based on the device identifier. This copying approach maintains synchronization accuracy while significantly reducing operational complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for synchronizing the clocks of a central device and one or more destination devices are disclosed. In some embodiments the central device and destination devices are implemented in a space-based or high-altitude asset. The central device provides a series of synchronization pulses to the one or more destination devices. In response to detecting, at the destination device, the synchronization pulse, a sample of the destination device clock is stored in a register. The sample is provided to the central device. The sequence is repeated at least once. A phase offset between the central device clock and the destination device clock may be determined based on the returned samples and the position of the samples within the register.