Sensor Trigger Synchronization for Seamless Primary-Backup Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In scenarios requiring high synchronization of sensed data from multiple sensors, such as image and video acquisition during vehicle driving, deviations in synchronization time between backup and primary systems can cause discontinuity or loss of data during system switches, leading to operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and component for synchronizing multiple systems by using a common trigger source and synchronizing signal generators to align the generation times of trigger signals across primary and backup systems based on calibrated delay amounts and first time points, ensuring precise timing control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a backup system is used to take over from the primary system, then system reliability is improved, but synchronization timing deviation causes data discontinuity and loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the backup system monitors the primary system's trigger signal generation time and uses this information to adjust its own trigger signal timing. The backup system calculates the time difference between its trigger signals and the primary system's trigger signals, then dynamically adjusts its timing to maintain synchronization, preventing data discontinuity during failover.
Solution Approach 2:
The backup system performs preliminary synchronization by continuously monitoring and aligning its trigger signal timing with the primary system before any failover occurs. This preliminary timing alignment ensures that when the backup system takes over, it is already synchronized with the sensor data stream, preventing data loss and discontinuity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate trigger sources are used in primary and backup systems, then system independence is improved, but synchronization precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the sensor data stream as an intermediary reference that both the primary and backup systems use to synchronize their trigger signals. Instead of directly coupling the two systems or using a shared trigger source, each system independently monitors the same sensor data timing information and adjusts its trigger signals accordingly, achieving precise synchronization while maintaining independence.
3Device complexity
If trigger signal timing is not adjusted in backup systems, then device complexity is reduced, but synchronization accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial adjustment by having the backup system monitor and adjust only the timing of its trigger signals based on the primary system's timing, rather than redesigning the entire trigger generation mechanism. This selective adjustment approach achieves the necessary synchronization accuracy while minimizing the increase in device complexity, as only the timing adjustment logic is added to the backup system.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method and a component for synchronizing a plurality of systems, a computer-readable storage medium, an electronic device, an autonomous driving system, and a vehicle. The plurality of systems include one primary system and a backup system, and each of the systems includes one common trigger source and N synchronizing signal generators corresponding to N sensors, where the common trigger source provides a trigger signal for the N synchronizing signal generators. The method includes the following steps, S1: determining, for one of the N sensors and based on data received from the sensor by one of the backup systems, a first time point for a portion of the data; S2: determining a generation time of a trigger signal from a common trigger source in the primary system based on a calibrated delay amount for the sensor and the first time point; and S3: adjusting generation times of subsequent trigger signals from common trigger sources in some or all of the backup systems based on the generation time of the trigger signal from the common trigger source in the primary system