Signal Synchronization Using FIR Filters for Phase Shift Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In decentralized systems like onboard electrical networks, asynchronous signals from multiple sensors pose challenges for synchronization, leading to inaccuracies in measurement data fusion and calibration, as existing methods are costly, resource-intensive, or computationally expensive.
Innovation Solution
A method using digital filters, specifically finite impulse response (FIR) filters, to determine and eliminate phase shifts between signals, allowing for synchronization without additional hardware or system resources, enabling equal damping and compensation for both positive and negative delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a global clock is used for synchronization, then signal synchronization is achieved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor node independently determines its own time offset by correlating its received signal with its transmitted signal, eliminating the need for a centralized clock or synchronization master. The system serves itself through autonomous self-calibration at each node.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitted signal itself acts as an intermediary carrier that embeds timing information. By correlating the received signal with the known transmitted signal, the time offset is extracted without requiring additional synchronization hardware or protocols.
2Measurement precision
If correlation of two signals is used to determine asynchronicity, then synchronization information is obtained, but computational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The method extracts only the essential timing information from the signal correlation process. By focusing solely on finding the time offset that maximizes correlation between transmitted and received signals, unnecessary computational operations are eliminated.
3Measurement precision
If a synchronization signal is transmitted via bus systems, then clock calibration is enabled, but system resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
Each node independently calibrates its own clock using its transmitted and received signals, eliminating the need for centralized clock distribution through bus systems. No additional communication resources are required beyond the existing signal transmission channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitted signals serve dual purposes: both carrying measurement information and providing the basis for synchronization. The same signal transmission infrastructure is used for both measurement and timing calibration, eliminating dedicated synchronization resource requirements.
4Measurement precision
If a trigger line connects all sensors, then synchronous measurement start is enabled, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each sensor node autonomously determines its timing offset and adjusts its measurement start time accordingly, eliminating the need for a centralized trigger line. The system achieves synchronization through independent self-calibration at each node.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical trigger line connection is replaced with a signal processing approach using correlation analysis. The mechanical/electrical trigger infrastructure is substituted with computational timing analysis of existing signal transmissions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for synchronizing signals of a plurality of participants. A relationship between the signals is given by a physical relation. The signals are each filtered with a first filter in order to determine a shift between the signals. The determined shift is a measure of the phase shift between the signals. The shift is subsequently eliminated by filtering the signals respectively with a second filter.