Scalable GPS Signal Distribution via Cascaded Time Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GPS-based time master server architectures in communication networks are limited by computation resources, leading to a non-scalable solution that cannot accommodate the increasing demand for accurate time distribution across a large number of clients.
Innovation Solution
A cascaded distribution framework is introduced, utilizing global positioning system (GPS) receivers, management cards, and line cards with replicators and selectors to determine and select the highest quality GPS signals, ensuring accurate time distribution by replicating and filtering signals based on signal quality scores, including signal drift and phase precision, and using a time-of-day component as the primary source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a GPS-based time master server architecture is used, then accurate time distribution is achieved, but the system cannot scale to accommodate a large number of clients due to limited computation resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized time master server into multiple distributed time distribution units (TDUs), each capable of independently receiving GPS signals and providing time synchronization to a subset of clients. This segmentation allows the system to scale horizontally by adding more TDUs without overloading a single central server, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining time accuracy and achieving scalability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple GPS receivers are deployed to increase client capacity, then scalability improves, but computation resources are insufficient to handle all clients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hierarchical time distribution architecture with multiple levels: GPS receivers at the top level, followed by TDUs in regional offices, and finally local time distribution points. This multi-dimensional hierarchical structure allows the system to serve more clients by distributing computation tasks across multiple levels and locations rather than concentrating all processing in a single resource-constrained server.
3Device complexity
If a centralized time master server is used, then time synchronization is simplified, but the system lacks redundancy and fails when the server malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a redundant distributed architecture where multiple TDUs are pre-deployed across different geographic locations, each capable of independently receiving GPS signals. This creates built-in redundancy so that if one TDU or GPS receiver fails, other TDUs continue to provide time synchronization services, thus protecting against system failure while maintaining a relatively simple operational model.
4Stability of the object's composition
If GPS signals are distributed to all clients through a single server, then signal consistency is maintained, but the distribution network cannot expand to new regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-deploys multiple TDUs in various regional offices across different geographic locations, each equipped with GPS receivers and time distribution capabilities. This preliminary distribution of time distribution functionality allows the system to expand geographically without compromising signal consistency, as each TDU independently receives and distributes synchronized time signals from GPS satellites to its local clients.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for selecting a global positioning receiver includes receiving global positioning system signals from global positioning system receivers. The global positioning system receivers receive the global positioning system signals from corresponding global positioning system satellites. The method also includes replicating the global positioning system signals from the global positioning system receivers, determining a signal drift and a phase precision for each global positioning system signal, and selecting one of the global positioning system signals based on the corresponding signal drift and the phase precision of the global positioning system signal.