Communication Station Synchronization Deviation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for synchronizing communication stations lack compactness, portability, and efficiency, requiring satellite equipment and complex signal processing, and do not effectively calculate synchronization deviations between clocks in a distributed network.
Innovation Solution
A method for detecting synchronization deviations between communication stations involves transmitting and receiving time and phase information, calculating transfer times and phase differences, and using these values to determine synchronization deviations, allowing for simultaneous clock synchronization without a master timepiece.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS satellite methods are used for time synchronization, then time transfer precision is improved (nanoseconds to picoseconds), but device complexity and portability are worsened (requiring satellite viewing equipment and complex spectrum dispersion modems)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication station as an intermediary device that exchanges time information through simple communication protocols instead of requiring direct satellite viewing. This mediator approach achieves precise time synchronization without complex satellite reception equipment at each endpoint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses time information copying and exchange between communication stations rather than direct satellite time transfer. Each station copies time data from others through communication channels, achieving synchronization without requiring complex satellite viewing equipment.
2Ease of operation
If IEEE 1588 standard protocol is used for clock synchronization, then ease of operation is improved (software/hardware timestamping), but measurement precision is worsened (cannot simultaneously calculate deviations at both stations)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional master-slave synchronization model where only the slave calculates deviation. Instead, both communication stations simultaneously calculate their mutual time and phase deviations by exchanging time information, enabling bidirectional precision measurement while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Device complexity
If traditional master-slave synchronization is used, then device complexity is reduced (one master clock), but adaptability is worsened (requires master timepiece and locking mechanism)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized master clock function into distributed time information exchange capabilities at each communication station. Instead of one master controlling all slaves, each station independently processes and exchanges time data, enabling flexible distributed timekeeping without requiring a designated master device.
Data Source
AI summary
The time of transmission and reception between stations A and B is exchanged, and any deviation in time is calculated in a corresponding manner in the stations. Using the transmission time TXA from station A to B, the transmission time TYB from station B to A, the time TXB of a clock at station B in a transmission from station A to station B, and the clock time TYA at station A in a transmission from station B to A, the following are measured in sequence: 1) station A records the time TXA at which TXA and TYA were transmitted, 2) station B measures the time TXB at which TXA and TYA were received, 3) station B records the time TYB at which TXB and TYB were transmitted, and 4) station A measures the time TYA at which TXB and TYB were received, the transfer time between stations A and B being derived at each station on the basis of the average of the increase ΔTXB-A from TXA to TXB and the increase ΔTYA-B from TYB to TYA, or the deviation in time for a transfer between stations A and B being determined by subtracting the increase ΔTXB-A from the transfer time. The transmission time TXA from station A to B may also be measured using a reflection signal from a transmission terminal.