Navigation Satellite Time System Autonomous Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Navigation satellites face challenges in maintaining accurate timing due to complex space environments and component failures, leading to prolonged service disruptions and instability in timing functions, especially when ground station control is unavailable.
Innovation Solution
A navigation satellite time system with a load time system comprising a spaceborne atomic clock, time-frequency processing unit, and multiple load time backup modules, which enables autonomous recovery through first-level, second-level, and third-level recovery states, utilizing inter-satellite links and platform timekeeping to quickly restore timing information and ensure system reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the satellite relies on ground station control for time synchronization, then timing accuracy is maintained, but system reliability deteriorates when ground station control is unavailable due to electromagnetic interference or distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple backup time systems (load time backup module, platform time system) before failures occur. These backup systems are prepared in advance and can immediately take over when the primary time synchronization fails, eliminating the need to wait for ground station control during emergencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary backup time systems that mediate between the primary time synchronization and the navigation functions. When ground station control is unavailable, these intermediary systems (load time backup module, platform time system) provide continuous time information, acting as buffers that maintain system operation without direct ground control.
2Measurement precision
If the satellite waits for ground station to restore time information after failure, then timing accuracy can be recovered, but loss of time increases during the recovery period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having backup time systems pre-configured and ready to activate immediately upon failure detection. The load time backup module and platform time system are prepared in advance with synchronized time information, enabling instant takeover without waiting for ground station restoration, thus minimizing time loss during recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the satellite to autonomously recover time information through its own backup systems without requiring ground station intervention. The load time backup module and platform time system self-synchronize and automatically restore navigation functions, eliminating dependency on external ground control for recovery operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the satellite operates without ground station control in autonomous mode, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases due to need for autonomous recovery mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the time synchronization system into distinct functional modules: primary time synchronization, load time backup module, and platform time system. Each module operates independently with specific functions, allowing the system to achieve autonomous operation through modular coordination rather than monolithic complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing backup time systems that serve multiple functions: time synchronization, failure detection, autonomous recovery, and navigation continuity. The load time backup module and platform time system can operate in normal mode or failure recovery mode, providing versatile functionality that reduces overall system complexity despite enhanced autonomous capabilities.
4Reliability
If the satellite uses backup time systems for autonomous recovery, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases due to multiple time systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by organizing the time system into clearly defined segments with specific responsibilities: the load time backup module handles navigation load time synchronization, while the platform time system manages platform-level timekeeping. This modular segmentation improves reliability through redundancy while managing complexity through functional specialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the time-frequency processing unit continuously monitors the operational status of time systems and automatically switches between primary and backup systems based on detected failures. This feedback-driven automatic switching enhances reliability by ensuring continuous operation while managing complexity through intelligent control rather than rigid structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A navigation satellite time system and its autonomous recovery method are provided, including a load time system, the load time system is configured to generate and maintain the load time, and the load time system comprises an space borne atomic clock, a time-frequency processing unit and a plurality of load time backups module, the time information of the load time is obtained from the ground station time; the pulse-per-second signals of the load time are generated and maintained by the space borne atomic clock and the time-frequency processing unit; when the time-frequency processing unit fails, the first-level recovery state is triggered: the time-frequency processing unit compares the time information and the pulse-per-second signals reversely output by the multiple load time backup modules to perform load time recovery.