Receiver Timestamping Using Transmitter Relative Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for timestamping data in a network require precise synchronization of clocks between transmitters and receivers, which is technically demanding and prone to inaccuracies due to unknown transmission times.
Innovation Solution
A method where the transmitter sends a relative time duration since a reference time, allowing the receiver to generate timestamps using its own clock, eliminating the need for an exact clock at the transmitter and enabling correction of any inaccuracies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If absolute time values are exchanged between transmitter and receiver to synchronize clocks, then timestamp accuracy is improved, but device complexity and technical effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the timestamping function into two separate parts: the transmitter generates a timestamp based on its local clock without needing absolute time synchronization, and the receiver independently determines the absolute timestamp using its own synchronized clock. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex bidirectional clock synchronization while maintaining timestamp accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver performs self-service by independently determining the absolute timestamp for data received from the transmitter. Instead of relying on the transmitter to provide accurate absolute timestamps, the receiver uses its own clock (which is synchronized to the network time) to generate the absolute timestamp, thereby eliminating the need for complex transmitter clock synchronization.
2Ease of manufacture
If the transmitter uses a simple counter for relative time, then ease of manufacture is improved, but timestamp reliability deteriorates due to unknown transmission time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the receiver as an intermediary that resolves the reliability issue. The receiver receives both the data with relative timestamp and the current network time, then independently calculates the absolute timestamp. This intermediary approach allows the transmitter to use a simple counter while maintaining timestamp reliability through the receiver's synchronized clock.
3Reliability
If absolute time synchronization is implemented between transmitter and receiver, then timestamp reliability is improved, but technical effort and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the absolute time determination function from the transmitter and relocates it to the receiver. The transmitter only needs to maintain a simple relative counter, while the receiver uses its own synchronized clock to determine absolute timestamps. This extraction eliminates the need for energy-consuming absolute time synchronization at the transmitter while maintaining timestamp reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for detecting in a receiver (18) a transmitter local time (21) on a transmitter (4), comprising the following steps: determining a reference time (24) for the transmitter local time (21); receiving a transmission duration (23) from the transmitter (4), said transmission duration being the time elapsed on the transmitter (4) since the reference time (24) for the transmitter local time (21); and determining the transmitter local time (21) on the basis of the reference time (24) for the transmitter local time (21) and the received transmission duration (23). The invention also relates to a method for generating a time stamp (20) having a transmitter local time (21) for a data unit (19) generated by a transmitter (4).