Shared Bus Interleaving for 1 PPS Synchronization and Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems require multiple dedicated communications paths for synchronizing 1 Pulse Per Second (PPS) signals across a distributed system, leading to issues with uncompensated delay and misalignments due to path length differences.
Innovation Solution
A shared bus is used to time-interleave 1 PPS signals and control information, allowing for precise removal of delays introduced by interleaving and enabling the use of a single communication path for both 1 PPS signals and control data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate dedicated communication paths are used for every 1 PPS signal source, then timing synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity and system cost increase due to multiple communication paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication functions (1 PPS signal transmission and control/coordination messaging) into a single shared communication channel. Instead of using separate dedicated paths for each 1 PPS signal source, the system multiplexes these signals onto one channel, reducing the total number of communication paths while maintaining synchronization accuracy through precise timing management.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared communication channel serves multiple functions: it transmits 1 PPS timing signals from multiple sources, carries control and coordination information, and supports bidirectional communication. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated paths for each function, reducing system complexity while preserving timing precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate control and coordination channels are used in addition to 1 PPS paths, then system control capability is improved, but timing synchronization accuracy deteriorates due to additional uncertainty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control and coordination messaging with 1 PPS signal transmission in a single shared channel. By eliminating separate control channels, the system removes the additional timing uncertainty that would arise from multiple independent communication paths, while maintaining full control capability through carefully designed message protocols within the shared channel.
3Measurement precision
If multiple dedicated communication paths are used for 1 PPS signals, then timing synchronization is improved, but loss of time increases due to uncompensated delay variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the shared communication channel carries not only 1 PPS signals but also timing measurement and control information. This allows the system to measure actual transmission delays and compensate for them dynamically, eliminating the uncompensated delay variations that would exist in static dedicated paths.
Data Source
AI summary
A shared bus time interleaves 1 PPS signal and control and coordination information between a primary timing source and line cards that need to be synchronized using the 1 PPS signals. The shared bus utilizes 1 second frames divided into time slots. The 1 PPS signals are interleaved at predetermined locations in the frame so the delays introduced by interleaving the 1 PPS data in time can be precisely removed. While the bus is not being used for 1 PPS signals, the bus is available to send control and coordination information between the line cards and the primary timing source, avoiding the use of another system and increasing utilization of an available communication path.