Sensor Synchronization Mechanism for High Speed Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional synchronization techniques between sensors and electronic control units (ECUs) result in high and variable synchronization errors, low sensor update rates, and inefficient utilization of interface buses due to asynchronous operations and clock domain mismatches, limiting the performance and reliability of sensor systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a self-adjusting trigger technique that allows sensors to anticipate upcoming synchronization signals based on determined sampling patterns, enabling sensor operations to be triggered before the signal is received, thereby reducing latency and improving synchronization accuracy and update rates through synchronous mode operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional synchronization techniques are used between sensors and ECUs, then the system can operate with simple asynchronous communication, but high and variable synchronization errors occur and sensor update rates are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor determines a sampling pattern based on received synchronization signals and uses this pattern to anticipate the expected time of upcoming synchronization signals. Sensor operations are triggered before the upcoming synchronization signal is received, allowing sensor data to be ready for transmission by the time the synchronization signal arrives, thereby eliminating synchronization delays and improving both accuracy and update rate.
2Device complexity
If asynchronous operations are used between sensor and ECU, then device complexity is reduced, but synchronization errors increase and interface bus utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor receives a group of synchronization signals from the ECU and determines a sampling pattern based on these signals. This sampling pattern is fed back into the sensor's timing mechanism to predict when the next synchronization signal will arrive, allowing the sensor to proactively prepare sensor data in advance, thereby improving synchronization reliability without requiring complex bidirectional communication protocols.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the sensor waits for the synchronization signal before performing sensor operations, then power consumption is reduced, but latency increases and update rates decrease
Solution Approach 1:
By determining the sampling pattern from received synchronization signals, the sensor can calculate the expected arrival time of upcoming synchronization signals and trigger sensor operations in advance. This preliminary action allows the sensor to complete data acquisition and processing before the synchronization signal arrives, reducing latency and increasing update rates while maintaining power efficiency by operating only during predicted windows.
4Productivity
If high speed data transmission is implemented, then sensor update rates improve, but synchronization errors increase due to clock domain mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor determines a sampling pattern based on received synchronization signals and uses this pattern to anticipate the expected time of upcoming synchronization signals. By triggering sensor operations before the synchronization signal is received, the sensor ensures data is ready for high-speed transmission at the exact moment the synchronization signal arrives, eliminating timing mismatches and maintaining synchronization precision even at high transmission speeds.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor may determine, based on two or more synchronization signals provided by a control device, an expected time for receiving an upcoming synchronization signal. The sensor may perform a measurement of a sensor signal at a point in time such that sensor data, corresponding to the measurement of the sensor signal at the point in time, is available at a selectable time interval prior to reception of the upcoming synchronization signal.