Reception Clock Synchronization for High-Resolution Signal Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In real-time networks, the mismatch between the signal clock frequency of the transmitting subscriber and the counter clock frequency of the receiving subscriber leads to limited resolution and synchronization issues, resulting in quantization errors and jitter, which are exacerbated by the cascading effects of clock synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A method where the reception clock of the receiving subscriber is derived from the counter clock, with its phase position adapted to match the signal clock, using a phase-locked loop to ensure synchronization and adjust the reception clock frequency to a multiple of the counter clock frequency, allowing for higher resolution sampling with reduced quantization errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the counter clock frequency is increased to improve sampling resolution, then the resolution of signal sampling is improved, but the device complexity and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the high-frequency sampling task into two stages: a first counter operating at a lower frequency for coarse time measurement, and a second counter operating at a higher frequency for fine time measurement. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high sampling resolution without requiring the entire system to operate at high frequency, thereby reducing overall device complexity and power consumption while maintaining measurement precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If asynchronous clock frequencies are used at transmitting and receiving subscribers, then flexibility in clock frequency selection is improved, but synchronization accuracy and signal reconstruction quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the receiving subscriber measures the actual arrival time of signal samples using its second counter and compares this with the expected arrival time based on the transmitting subscriber's timestamp. This feedback information is used to calculate and apply a compensation value that corrects for clock frequency mismatches, thereby maintaining high sampling accuracy despite using asynchronous and flexible clock frequencies at different subscribers.
3Device complexity
If the second counter operates at a fixed clock frequency to simplify design, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to adapt to different signal rates and achieve optimal sampling is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the second counter's clock frequency dynamic rather than fixed. The second counter can be configured to operate at different clock frequencies depending on the signal rate being received and the desired sampling resolution. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to various signal rates and optimize sampling performance while maintaining a relatively simple base design structure.
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 enables improved resolution and synchronization of the received signal, reducing quantization errors and jitter, and allows for higher bit rates without being directly dependent on the counter clock frequency, effectively addressing the limitations of existing synchronization methods.
Implementation Method 1
A method where the reception clock of the receiving subscriber is derived from the counter clock, with its phase position adapted to match the signal clock, using a phase-locked loop to ensure synchronization
Data Source
AI summary
A method for reception of a signal by a subscriber of a real-time network. The signal includes a signal clock having a signal clock frequency and the subscriber includes a counter, which has a counter clock with a counter clock frequency and which maps a local time of the subscriber. The method includes sampling the signal with a reception clock of a reception counter of the subscriber, the reception clock being derived from the counter clock, whereby the reception counter maps the local time of the subscriber, adapting a phase position of the reception clock to a phase position of the signal clock when said reception clock is derived from the counter clock, and sampling the signal at a reception clock frequency of the reception counter.