Wireless Sensor Clock Synchronization via Merged Data Requests
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems in avionics face synchronization challenges due to unpredictable packet losses and delays, leading to incorrect mechanical health assessments in aircraft monitoring systems, and existing synchronization techniques consume significant energy and require separate message transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an access point sending a reference message with a timestamp to wireless sensors, receiving response timestamps, and calculating relative clock offsets to synchronize data acquisition across multiple sensors, reducing the need for direct sensor-to-sensor communication and minimizing energy consumption by eliminating unnecessary message exchanges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate synchronization messages are transmitted between wireless sensors, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines data transfer and synchronization functions into a single wireless message exchange. The access point sends data requests to sensors and simultaneously provides synchronization timestamps, eliminating the need for separate synchronization messages and reducing energy consumption while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless messages between access point and sensors serve multiple functions simultaneously: data retrieval, timing synchronization, and clock offset compensation. This multi-functionality eliminates redundant communication overhead and reduces the energy required for sensor operation.
2Measurement precision
If multiple message exchanges are used for synchronization, then synchronization precision is improved, but data latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges synchronization timestamp exchange with data transfer operations. The access point retrieves sensor data and receives timing information in the same message exchange, eliminating redundant communication rounds and reducing data latency while maintaining synchronization precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point pre-calculates clock offset compensation values based on timestamp exchanges and incorporates them into subsequent data requests. This preliminary compensation action reduces the need for iterative synchronization messages, decreasing data latency while maintaining precision.
3Reliability
If wireless sensors remain active for synchronization, then synchronization reliability is improved, but battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines synchronization operations with periodic data transfer requests from the access point. Sensors remain in low-power sleep mode between requests and only activate when needed for data transmission, maintaining synchronization reliability through scheduled communications while extending battery life.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point sends periodic data requests to sensors at predetermined intervals, causing sensors to wake, transmit data and synchronization information, then return to sleep mode. This periodic operation pattern maintains system synchronization reliability while minimizing the time sensors spend in high-power states, thereby extending battery life.
Data Source
AI summary
Synchronizing at least one wireless sensor includes sending at least one reference message along with a request for acquired data from an access point to the at least one wireless sensor, where the reference message includes a first timestamp indicating when the reference message was sent according to time of a clock of the access point, receiving from the at least one wireless sensor a response that includes the requested data, the first timestamp, and at least one other timestamp corresponding to time of a clock of the at least one wireless sensor, and determining a relative clock offset of the at least one wireless sensor using the timestamps.