Master-Slave Timing Synchronization With Reduced Network Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing communication systems with master and slave devices experience significant bandwidth usage due to frequent transmission of time information, leading to network congestion.
Innovation Solution
Implementing counters in both master and slave devices to manage timing information efficiently, where the master device transmits timing updates and slave devices adjust their counters based on received timing information, reducing the need for extensive data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If time information is periodically transmitted from master node to slave nodes, then time synchronization is maintained, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential timing information (counter update timing) from the complete time information, transmitting only what is necessary for synchronization while leaving the slave nodes to generate their own time values locally. This reduces the amount of data transmitted over the network while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Slave nodes are equipped with local counters that autonomously generate time information based on received timing signals. Instead of relying entirely on the master node to provide all time data, each slave node serves itself by generating time values locally, reducing network dependency and bandwidth consumption.
2Measurement precision
If detailed time information is transmitted frequently, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but network congestion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits only the critical timing marker (when the counter updates) rather than complete time information. This extraction of essential timing data maintains synchronization accuracy while minimizing network traffic and preventing congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of transmitting full time information continuously, the system transmits only partial information (timing markers at counter update moments). This partial action is sufficient for maintaining synchronization while avoiding the excessive data transmission that would cause network congestion.
Data Source
AI summary
A bandwidth used in a network of a communication system is suppressed. Communication system includes master device and slave device. Master device includes: first counter that increments a first count value every time a first unit time elapses; second counter that updates a second count value every time a second unit time elapses; and master transmitter that transmits timing information indicating a timing at which the second count value is updated to slave device. Slave device includes: third counter that increments a third count value every time the first unit time elapses; fourth counter that increments a fourth count value every time a third unit time shorter than the first unit time lapses, and resets the fourth count value at a timing of incrementing the third count value; and slave receiver that receives the timing information from master transmitter.