Time Base Distribution Circuit for Hardware Event Time Stamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processing systems, such as micro-controllers in automotive applications, face challenges in synchronizing operations across different components due to the lack of a precise and efficient time reference distribution, leading to delays and inaccuracies in real-time operations.
Innovation Solution
A processing system with a time reference circuit that generates a system time signal and a time base distribution circuit, allowing for programmable time resolution and direct hardware-level time stamping, enabling synchronized operations across multiple components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a time reference circuit is implemented to generate system time signals, then time synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated time reference circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the clock signal source and the various processing units. This circuit generates system time signals and time base signals that mediate the time synchronization between different components, thereby improving measurement precision while isolating the complexity within a specific module rather than distributing it throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The time reference circuit is segmented into distinct functional units: a digital counter circuit for generating system time signals, and a time base distribution circuit for generating time base signals. This segmentation allows each unit to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall design by breaking down the complex time synchronization function into manageable, modular components.
2Reliability
If time base distribution circuit is added to provide time base signals to multiple resources, then time synchronization across components is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The time base distribution circuit is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple resources simultaneously. It receives a single system time signal and distributes derived time base signals to multiple processing units, communication interfaces, and peripherals. This multi-functionality improves time synchronization reliability across all components while avoiding the need for separate time reference circuits in each unit, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Measurement precision
If direct hardware-level time stamping is implemented, then time measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based time stamping mechanisms with hardware-level time stamping circuits. Dedicated hardware circuits capture and record time base signals directly at the moment of specific events (such as data transmission or reception), eliminating the delays and inaccuracies associated with software polling and processing. This substitution significantly improves time measurement precision while confining the added complexity to specific hardware modules rather than requiring complex software synchronization protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A processing system includes a digital processing unit programmable as a function of a firmware stored to a non-volatile memory and a resource connected to the digital processing unit via a communication system. The processing system also includes a time reference circuit including a first digital counter circuit to generate, in response to a clock signal, a system time signal including a plurality of bits indicative of a time tick-count, and a time base distribution circuit to generate a time base signal by selecting a subset of the bits of the system time signal, wherein the time base signal is provided to the resource. The resource detects a given event, stores the time base signal to a register in response to the event, and signals the event to the digital processing unit. The digital processing unit reads, via the communication system, the time base signal from the register.