Time Synchronization Master Selection Without BMCA Startup Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing time-synchronization systems using the best master clock algorithm (BMCA) take a long time to determine the grandmaster, prolonging the startup of time synchronization control.
Innovation Solution
A time-synchronization system where devices can be predetermined by user parameters to function as master or device stations without performing the BMCA algorithm, allowing quicker determination of the master station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the best master clock algorithm (BMCA) is performed to select the grandmaster, then the most appropriate device is selected as master station, but the time taken before starting time synchronization control becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration where each time-synchronization device is pre-assigned a predetermined parameter (such as a unique ID or priority value) before the system starts operating. When the system initializes, devices simply read their own predetermined parameter and compare it with parameters received from other devices, rather than performing complex iterative comparisons. This preliminary assignment of parameters resolves the contradiction by enabling fast master station selection while maintaining reliable selection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the BMCA repeatedly compares priority information to determine the grandmaster, then the selection is based on comprehensive device characteristics, but the determination process takes longer time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter representation from complex priority information requiring iterative comparison to simple predetermined parameters (such as numeric IDs or priority values) that can be directly compared. Each device holds a predetermined parameter that encapsulates its selection criteria, allowing for O(1) or O(n) comparison instead of repeated iterative BMCA steps. This parameter transformation maintains selection precision while dramatically improving the speed of master station determination.
Data Source
AI summary
A time-synchronization system includes a first time-synchronization device, a second time-synchronization device, a third time-synchronization device, and a fourth time-synchronization device each to perform time synchronization as a master station or a device station. In the first time-synchronization device, the second time-synchronization device, the third time-synchronization device, or the fourth time-synchronization device, a master station determiner determines whether the time-synchronization device performs control as the master station based on a parameter predetermined by a user, and a time synchronizer performs the time synchronization as the master station when the time-synchronization device is determined to perform control as the master station and performs the time synchronization as the device station when the time-synchronization device is determined not to perform control as the master station.