Time Information-Acquiring Apparatus Noise Resilient Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing time information-acquiring apparatuses face challenges in accurately acquiring time codes from standard time radio waves due to noise interference and field intensity variations, leading to increased calculation time and errors in detecting synchronization markers.
Innovation Solution
A time information-acquiring apparatus comprising a receiver, an input waveform generator, an accumulator, a calculator, a comparator, and a controller, which uses predetermined sampling periods, accumulates and correlates waveform data to determine optimal correlation values, thereby reducing noise impact and improving synchronization accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the processor performs multiple synchronization processes (second synchronization, minute synchronization, code acquisition, matching determination) sequentially during standard time radio wave reception, then time information can be accurately acquired, but the calculation time becomes very long especially when noise causes process restarts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing second synchronization and minute synchronization before code acquisition and matching determination. Specifically, the processor detects the head position of each second using second synchronization, then detects the head position of each minute using minute synchronization, establishing a reliable temporal framework before attempting to acquire and verify time codes. This preliminary setup prevents wasted computation when noise corrupts the signal, as the synchronization framework is already in place to quickly resume code acquisition without restarting entire process sequences.
2Measurement precision
If the processor detects synchronization markers by repeatedly performing second synchronization at one-second intervals, then the head position of minutes can be accurately detected, but the detection time increases significantly requiring multiples of 60 seconds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs second synchronization as a preliminary step before minute synchronization. By detecting the head position of each second in advance and storing this information, the system establishes a precise temporal reference framework that accelerates subsequent minute head position detection. This preliminary second-level synchronization allows the minute synchronization process to operate more efficiently with reduced iteration requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous second synchronization detection throughout the reception period, keeping the temporal reference framework continuously updated and ready. This continuous useful action ensures that when minute synchronization is needed, the system already has current second-head position information available, eliminating the need to restart detection sequences and reducing the total time required to detect minute head positions.
3Loss of information
If the processor performs binarization with predetermined sampling period to acquire TCO data, then time code can be extracted, but noise in the signal causes improper detection requiring process restarts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs synchronization detection (second and minute synchronization) before code acquisition. This preliminary action establishes a reliable temporal framework and expected code structure that guides the subsequent binarization and code extraction processes. When noise causes detection errors, the pre-established synchronization framework allows the system to identify and correct errors more quickly, reducing the frequency and duration of process restarts.
Data Source
AI summary
A time information-acquiring apparatus comprises a receiver receiving a standard time radio wave, an input waveform generator sampling a signal output from the receiver and to generating input waveform data with one or more unit time lengths, the input waveform data at each sampling point having a first value indicating a low level or a second value, the input waveform data within a first characteristic section having a predetermined value unique to codes forming a time code included in the standard time radio wave, an accumulator accumulating the value of the input waveform data during the first characteristic section, a calculator multiplying the accumulated value by characteristic values, and calculating correlation values between the input waveform data and the codes based on multiplied values.