Wireless Radio Cluster Clock Synchronization via TDOA and TW-TOA
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networks face challenges in accurately synchronizing clocks across radio devices, which is crucial for determining location information and preventing collisions or enforcing distancing between objects in various applications, but current methods lack efficiency and precision.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a cluster of radio devices in a wireless network to synchronize clocks through a process that includes transmitting and receiving wireless signals between anchors and mobile tags, employing techniques like Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA) and Two-Way Time of Arrival (TW-TOA) to calculate distances and positions, and utilizing peer-to-peer communications when network coverage is insufficient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional clock synchronization methods are used in wireless networks, then the system can operate with basic timing functions, but location determination precision and collision avoidance reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wireless network into clusters of radio devices, where each cluster synchronizes clocks independently using TDOA and TW-TOA methods. This segmentation allows precise local time synchronization without requiring perfect synchronization across the entire network, thereby improving location determination precision while maintaining collision avoidance reliability through localized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where radio devices continuously exchange timing information and adjust their local clocks based on received synchronization signals. This feedback loop enables iterative refinement of time synchronization, improving both location precision and collision avoidance reliability by adapting to real-time network conditions.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive network coverage is provided for clock synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
By organizing the network into clusters, the patent reduces the complexity of achieving network-wide synchronization. Each cluster can synchronize independently using simplified TDOA and TW-TOA procedures, avoiding the need for complex centralized coordination while maintaining sufficient accuracy for location determination and collision avoidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial synchronization within clusters rather than requiring full network synchronization. This partial action approach achieves sufficient accuracy for practical applications without the excessive complexity of comprehensive network-wide synchronization, especially in areas with limited network coverage.
3Reliability
If multiple synchronization methods (TDOA and TW-TOA) are implemented, then synchronization reliability is improved, but computational requirements and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the synchronization process into distinct TDOA and TW-TOA phases that can be executed sequentially within clusters. This segmentation allows the system to use simpler, faster TDOA calculations for initial synchronization and reserve TW-TOA methods for situations requiring higher reliability, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining synchronization reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial use of computational resources by implementing TDOA as the primary synchronization method and reserving TW-TOA for specific scenarios. This partial action approach achieves sufficient reliability without the full computational burden of always using the more complex TW-TOA method, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining adequate synchronization reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device having a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations including: determining that a first radio device in a first cluster is a neighbor of a boundary radio device in a second cluster of a wireless network; sending a first instruction to the boundary radio device to transmit first timestamp information received from a third radio device in the second cluster to the first radio device; and sending a second instruction to the first radio device to transmit the first timestamp information to radio devices in the first cluster. Other embodiments are disclosed.