Simulation Clock Synchronization for Real-Time Data Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Delays in data exchange between offline simulation models and real-time systems can falsify simulation results, making it challenging to accurately validate hardware components during the development phase without road-worthy experimental vehicles.
Innovation Solution
Adapting the computing clock of offline simulations to match the real-time system's clock by synchronizing the clocks at the start of the simulation, minimizing and standardizing delays through precise clock alignment, ensuring consistent and efficient data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If offline simulation models are coupled with real-time systems for hardware validation, then the need for expensive real prototypes is reduced, but delays in data exchange occur that can falsify simulation results
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization of computing clocks between the offline simulation model and the real-time system before the simulation run. The start times of the computing clocks are aligned and stored as reference values, so that during the simulation, any time deviations can be compensated. This preliminary action ensures that data exchange delays are minimized and standardized from the beginning, preventing falsification of simulation results.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the actual start times of computing clocks during simulation execution and compares them with the reference values established at synchronization. When time deviations are detected, the system applies compensation to the simulation time values, ensuring that the simulation results remain accurate despite variations in data exchange timing. This feedback mechanism maintains simulation reliability throughout the run.
2Reliability
If the computing clock of offline simulation is adapted to match real-time system clock, then delays are standardized and minimized, but additional synchronization steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization mechanism performs its complex work before the simulation run begins. The computing clocks are aligned, reference time values are stored, and the synchronization is verified. Once synchronized, the system can run with minimal additional overhead, as the reference values are already established. This concentrates the complexity in a one-time setup rather than continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a time deviation compensation mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the offline simulation model and the real-time system. This mediator calculates and applies corrections for time deviations, allowing the two systems to operate with their own clocks while maintaining synchronized behavior. The intermediary handles the complexity of clock alignment without requiring the main simulation systems to be fundamentally changed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for synchronizing a simulation of a simulation model on a computer with a real-time system, the simulation and the real-time system each having a computing clock having a matching macro increment. The method includes the following features: awaiting a message from the real-time system, measuring a receiving instant of the message by the simulation, awaiting at least one further message of the real-time system, measuring the receiving instant of the further message by the simulation; calculating an averaged receiving instant based on the receiving instants of the message and the at least one further message; determining a starting instant of the simulation based on the averaged receiving instant such that the results of a macro increment of the real-time system are available to the simulation at the start of a macro increment.