Spread Clock Duration Compensation for Precise Time Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for clock signal spectrum spreading, such as those used to reduce electromagnetic emissions, face challenges in accurately measuring and compensating for the shift in clock signal transitions, leading to precision issues due to processing lags and phase differences.

Innovation Solution

A method and circuit for counting service duration and determining actual duration of a clock signal with spectrum spreading, using a periodic variation algorithm to establish a precise relation between service and actual durations, and compensating for shifts by analyzing pulse ranks and dynamic biases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If spectrum spreading is applied to reduce electromagnetic emissions, then electromagnetic interference is reduced, but time measurement precision deteriorates due to frequency modulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic interferenceVSAvoidtime measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by continuously monitoring the service duration of the spread clock signal and comparing it with the actual duration. The system calculates the difference (error) and uses this feedback to adjust the time counter, compensating for the precision loss caused by spectrum spreading. This closed-loop approach maintains measurement accuracy while preserving the electromagnetic interference reduction benefits of spectrum spreading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of clock frequency by applying spectrum spreading with periodic variation algorithms. This frequency modulation reduces the amplitude of the clock frequency spectral line, thereby reducing electromagnetic interference. Simultaneously, the system tracks the duration parameters and applies compensation to maintain time measurement precision despite the frequency changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If periodic variation algorithm is used for spectrum spreading, then clock frequency spectral line amplitude is reduced, but difference between service duration and actual duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclock frequency spectral line amplitudeVSAvoidduration accuracy information

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback by calculating the difference between service duration (measured by counter) and actual duration (calculated based on known algorithm parameters). This duration error is fed back to adjust the time counter, compensating for the information loss caused by spectrum spreading and maintaining accurate time measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating the relationship between service duration and actual duration based on the known parameters of the periodic variation algorithm. Compensation values are determined in advance or continuously updated, allowing the system to correct duration accuracy issues before they accumulate significant errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Duration of action of stationary object

If time counter is maintained during spectrum spreading, then continuous time measurement is provided, but precision errors accumulate due to frequency modulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous time measurementVSAvoidtime counter precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous feedback correction where the time counter operates continuously during spectrum spreading, and its output is continuously compared with the actual duration calculated from algorithm parameters. The difference is fed back to adjust the counter, ensuring continuous time measurement while preventing precision errors from accumulating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical counting approach with a computational compensation approach. Instead of relying solely on the hardware counter's inherent precision, the system uses software-based calculation of actual duration and mathematical compensation to correct the counter's output, substituting physical counting precision with computational accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10795405B2Methods and devices for counting a service duration for a spread clock signal and determining or generating an actual time duration

Publication Date: 2020.10.06 SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO KG

AI summary

A method for counting a service duration of time measurement on a clock signal including periodic transitions and for determining an actual duration (tmr) of measurement as a function of the service duration, the signal having undergone spectrum spreading according to a periodic variation algorithm causing a frequency modulation of the clock transitions of the signal and creating a difference between actual duration (tmr) and service duration. There are counted during successive time increments at least service times for starting (t_d_s) and stopping (t_a_s) and, on the basis of these times, there are determined actual times for starting and for stopping (t_d, t_a) serving for the calculation of the actual duration of measurement (tmr) as a function of the parameters of the variation algorithm. The invention also relates to a method of continuous compensation of the error between actual and service durations.