Fault-Tolerant Time Reference System Using Multi-Source Voting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack reliability and accuracy in providing a stable time reference, especially in the presence of disruptions such as power failures or covert attacks, which can lead to inconsistencies in critical applications like day trading and manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes multiple time sources, including GPS, GSM, and HDTV clocks, to generate a stable and fault-tolerant time reference by monitoring, decoding, and voting on valid time values, with the ability to reject faulty sources and adjust for skew, ensuring a reliable output even in disrupted conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single time source is used, then the system is simple to operate, but the reliability and fault tolerance are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the time reference system into multiple independent time sources (GPS, GSM, HDTV, and local oscillator) that can be individually monitored and evaluated. Each time source operates independently and can be assessed for validity through voting mechanisms, allowing the system to segment the time reference function across multiple channels to improve reliability without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple time sources into a unified time reference system that integrates GPS, GSM, HDTV, and local oscillator inputs. By merging these diverse time sources and implementing a voting mechanism to select the valid time reference, the system achieves improved reliability and fault tolerance while maintaining operational simplicity through automated selection processes.
2Reliability
If multiple time sources are monitored and voted, then the fault tolerance improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The time reference system implements self-service through automated voting mechanisms that independently evaluate multiple time sources and select the valid reference without external intervention. The system automatically detects invalid time sources, performs validity checks, and switches between sources based on predefined criteria, reducing the need for complex external monitoring and management infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the time reference system by implementing dynamic validity thresholds and voting criteria. The system adjusts parameters such as time deviation limits, validity thresholds, and source prioritization based on operational conditions, allowing flexible fault tolerance management without requiring proportional increases in system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If time sources are selected based on heuristic rules, then the accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring heuristic rules, validity thresholds, and source prioritization criteria before system operation. The voting mechanism and time source selection logic are established in advance based on expected operational conditions, allowing the system to automatically select the most accurate time reference without requiring users to make real-time decisions or complex configurations during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Generally discussed herein are systems, apparatuses, and methods for providing an accurate and stable time base. A device can include a voter to receive a plurality of time source values, determine a central time value, and determine which of the plurality of time source values are valid, a deviance checker to determine a deviance set, a discrete time selector to provide a selector identification identifying which of the time source values is selected, and a network interface to provide a time value based on the selected time source value.