Radio-Controlled Timepiece Self-Calibration for Temperature Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radio-controlled timepieces require cumbersome external adjustment for setting temperature compensation signals due to individual variations in crystal oscillators, necessitating an easy and efficient method for generating temperature compensation data.
Innovation Solution
A radio-controlled timepiece with a first oscillating unit and a second oscillating unit less temperature-dependent, along with a temperature acquiring unit and a control unit, calculates and stores temperature compensation data internally, using a highly precise clock from the second oscillating unit to measure and adjust the first unit's frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a low-frequency crystal oscillator is used for timekeeping, then power consumption is reduced and timepiece functionality is achieved, but individual variation in oscillation frequency and temperature characteristics vary among individual crystal oscillators, requiring cumbersome external adjustment for each unit
Solution Approach 1:
The radio-controlled timepiece performs self-adjustment by automatically generating its own temperature compensation data using its internal receiving unit and second oscillating unit, eliminating the need for external adjustment devices and manual calibration processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the oscillation frequency parameter of the first oscillating unit based on temperature data and measured frequency deviations, allowing the crystal oscillator to maintain accurate timing across different temperature conditions without external intervention
2Measurement precision
If temperature compensation is performed for each individual crystal oscillator, then timekeeping accuracy is improved, but the process becomes cumbersome requiring dedicated external adjustment devices
Solution Approach 1:
The functions of timekeeping, temperature sensing, frequency measurement, and compensation data generation are merged into a single integrated system, eliminating the need for separate external adjustment devices
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving unit and control unit serve multiple functions: receiving radio waves for time synchronization, measuring the oscillation frequency of the crystal oscillator, acquiring temperature data, and calculating compensation parameters, replacing multiple dedicated devices
3Measurement precision
If a second oscillating unit with less temperature dependence is used as reference, then frequency measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second oscillating unit serves as an intermediary reference that provides a stable frequency baseline for measuring the first oscillating unit's frequency deviations, enabling accurate temperature compensation without direct complex measurement systems
Data Source
AI summary
A radio-controlled timepiece includes a first oscillating unit configured to oscillate at a first frequency and output a clock signal, a receiving unit including a second oscillating unit and configured to receive radio waves including time information, frequency of the second oscillating unit being less temperature-dependent than that of the first oscillating unit and the second oscillating unit being configured to oscillate at a second frequency and output a clock signal, a control unit configured to calculate temperature compensation data for the first oscillating unit based on an oscillation frequency of the first oscillating unit obtained using, as a reference, the clock signal output from the second oscillating unit and on the temperature data acquired by a temperature acquiring unit, and a storage unit configured to store the temperature compensation data. The control unit performs temperature compensation for the first oscillating unit based on the temperature compensation data and the temperature data.