Synchronization Signal Correction for Low-Cost Control Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control devices face challenges in achieving high control accuracy of control targets at low cost, particularly due to the need for high-accuracy oscillators like crystal or ceramic oscillators, which increase system costs and are not easily adjustable.

Innovation Solution

A control device that calculates a correction value based on the oscillation frequency of a synchronization signal generated by a command device, using a specified value and measured value to correct command values, allowing control without requiring high-accuracy oscillators, thus maintaining high control accuracy even with less expensive oscillators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a crystal oscillator or ceramic oscillator is mounted on each transceiver to reduce oscillation frequency difference, then communication quality is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive crystal oscillators with inexpensive RC oscillation circuits in slave transceivers. The RC oscillation circuit uses standard resistors and capacitors that are much cheaper than crystal oscillators, while maintaining adequate communication quality through frequency correction mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent measures the actual oscillation frequency of the RC oscillation circuit and calculates a correction value based on the frequency deviation from the target value. This correction value is then applied to adjust timing or sampling parameters in the communication protocol, effectively compensating for the lower inherent accuracy of RC oscillators without requiring expensive hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If an RC oscillation circuit or LC oscillation circuit is used instead of a crystal oscillator, then system cost is reduced, but oscillation frequency accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem costVSAvoidoscillation frequency accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the slave transceiver measures its own oscillation frequency, compares it with the target frequency, and calculates a correction value based on the deviation. This correction value is then used to adjust communication timing parameters, creating a closed-loop system that compensates for the inherent inaccuracy of RC oscillators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical resonance-based crystal oscillator with an electronic RC oscillation circuit. The correction mechanism then substitutes for the high mechanical precision of crystals by using electronic measurement and digital parameter adjustment to achieve the required effective accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If a voltage-controlled oscillator with adjustment circuit is used to adjust oscillation frequency, then frequency accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoscillation frequency accuracyVSAvoidadjustment circuit
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the frequency correction function from the oscillator hardware itself and moves it to the software/firmware level. Instead of adding complex voltage-controlled adjustment circuits to the oscillator, the patent measures the frequency and applies correction values to communication timing parameters, separating the oscillation generation function from the frequency precision function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4601239A1Control device
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 AISIN CORP
  • EP4601239A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4601239A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4601239A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control device (1) performs communication with a command device based on a synchronization signal generated by the command device and controls driving of a control target. The control device includes: a specified value information storage unit (11) configured to store, as specified value information, a specified value specifying an oscillation frequency of the synchronization signal generated by the command device; a clock signal generation unit (12) configured to generate a clock signal having a predetermined oscillation frequency; a measured value information acquisition unit (13) configured to acquire, as measured value information, a measured value obtained by measuring the oscillation frequency of the synchronization signal transmitted from the command device based on the clock signal; a correction value calculation unit (14) configured to calculate, based on the specified value information and the measured value information, a correction value for correcting command value information transmitted from the command device; a command value information acquisition unit (15) configured to acquire the command value information indicating a command value for the control target from the command device; a corrected command value calculation unit (16) configured to calculate a corrected command value obtained by correcting a cycle of the command value information based on the correction value; and a control unit (17) configured to control the driving of the control target based on the corrected command value.