Space Timekeeping System Using Pulsar Pulse Data for Wide Area Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timekeeping technologies cannot unify time across different coordinate systems, and celestial bodies and spacecrafts other than Earth cannot be accurately timed due to relativistic effects.
Innovation Solution
A method for unifying time in a wide area space is established by creating a wide area inertial coordinate system, obtaining local proper time, and using pulsar pulse data to determine pulse origin time, which is then broadcast to synchronize local area timekeeping systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ground-based time dissemination is used to synchronize spacecraft time with Earth time, then approximate time synchronization is achieved, but accurate time unification across different coordinate systems cannot be realized due to relativistic effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pulsars as intermediary celestial bodies to establish a common time reference for both Earth and spacecraft. By using pulsar pulse arrival times as a mediator, the system can unify time across different coordinate systems without relying on Earth-based time dissemination, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal time system that functions for both Earth-based observations and deep space missions. The pulsar-based time reference serves multiple purposes: it provides time synchronization for spacecraft, establishes a common coordinate system framework, and enables accurate timing across vast distances, making the system universally applicable rather than Earth-centric.
2Measurement precision
If a unified time system for wide area space is established using pulsar data, then accurate time unification across different coordinate systems is achieved, but system complexity increases due to relativistic effect calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pulsars as self-service time references that inherently provide stable, periodic signals without requiring active maintenance or control. The pulsars' natural rotation and pulse emission serve as self-contained timekeeping mechanisms, reducing the complexity of ground-based time dissemination infrastructure while maintaining high accuracy across different coordinate systems.
3Reliability
If Earth-based time dissemination is used for spacecraft, then time synchronization is achieved, but independence and self-sufficiency of spacecraft timekeeping systems cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pulsars as intermediary celestial bodies to establish a common time reference for both Earth and spacecraft. By using pulsar pulse arrival times as a mediator, the system can unify time across different coordinate systems without relying on Earth-based time dissemination, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pulsars as self-service time references that inherently provide stable, periodic signals without requiring active maintenance or control. The pulsars' natural rotation and pulse emission serve as self-contained timekeeping mechanisms, reducing the complexity of ground-based time dissemination infrastructure while maintaining high accuracy across different coordinate systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for accurate time unification among independent local area timekeeping systems, suitable for celestial bodies and spacecrafts, without relying on Earth-based time dissemination, ensuring precise and consistent timekeeping.
Implementation Method 1
observing a pulse profile of a pulsar according to the local proper time
Implementation Method 2
due to the influence of gravitational potential and relativistic effect such as relative velocity
Implementation Method 3
converting the pulse local time by using the local orbit parameter ephemeris so as to obtain a pulse origin time
Data Source
AI summary
A method for unifying a time in a wide area of space, and a space time-keeping system. The method comprises: establishing a wide-area inertial coordinate system, wherein the wide-area inertial coordinate system comprises all local area coordinate systems within a space range covered by a unified time (S101); obtaining an original local time, and establishing a local orbital parameter ephemeris by using the original local time as a time independent variable (S102); observing a pulse profile of a pulsar according to the original local time, and determining a local pulse time, wherein the local pulse time is a coordinate time when a pulse of the pulsar arrives at a local moment (S103); and converting the local pulse time by using the local orbital parameter ephemeris, so as to obtain a pulse origin time.