Transmission Node Synchronization via Master Timer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing synchronization techniques for transmission nodes over a transmission medium face limitations such as clock drift, leading to reduced accuracy and increased costs due to complex hardware requirements, and GPS receivers have limited availability and complexity, especially in indoor applications.
Innovation Solution
A continuous periodic synchronization signal is communicated over the transmission medium, allowing transmission nodes to derive a common time reference by determining signal values and using a lookup table or curve fitting to generate timestamps, eliminating the need for individual timers and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual timers with quartz oscillators are used in each transmission node, then each node can independently determine timestamps, but clock drift occurs over time reducing synchronization accuracy to only microseconds level
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated timer node acts as an intermediary that generates a master clock signal and distributes it to all transmission nodes through the transmission medium. This mediator eliminates clock drift by providing a common time reference that all nodes synchronize to, rather than each node maintaining its own independent timer.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the timing function from individual distributed timers into a single centralized timer node. Instead of multiple independent timing sources that drift relative to each other, all timing functions are combined into one master timer that provides unified time references to all nodes.
2Measurement precision
If complex hardware implementations of timers are used to achieve higher accuracy, then time reference accuracy improves, but system costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the complex timing hardware from each transmission node and consolidates it into a single dedicated timer node. This extraction eliminates the need for expensive, high-precision timers in every node, while still achieving high accuracy through the centralized master clock that distributes time references to all nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The master timer node provides a universal time reference service to all transmission nodes in the network. Instead of each node requiring its own specialized high-precision timer hardware, the single master timer serves multiple nodes simultaneously, reducing overall system complexity and cost.
3Measurement precision
If GPS receivers are used to receive control signals from satellites for common time reference, then synchronization accuracy improves, but device complexity and system costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using GPS receivers to obtain time references from external satellites, the invention creates a local copy of the time reference function through a dedicated timer node within the network. This local timer node generates and distributes time references similar to how GPS provides satellite-based timing, but without the complexity and cost of GPS hardware in each node.
Solution Approach 2:
The dedicated timer node serves as an intermediary that provides time reference functionality locally within the network, replacing the need for external GPS satellite communication. This mediator delivers the same synchronization benefit as GPS would provide, but through a simpler, more cost-effective local implementation.
4Reliability
If GPS receivers are used for synchronization, then common time reference can be obtained, but availability is limited especially in indoor applications
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on external satellite signals that cannot penetrate buildings, the invention inverts the approach by creating an internal time reference system within the network. The dedicated timer node generates time references locally that are distributed through the existing transmission medium, making synchronization available indoors where GPS signals are blocked.
Solution Approach 2:
The network becomes self-sufficient for synchronization by having its own dedicated timer node that generates and distributes time references internally. This self-service approach eliminates dependency on external GPS satellites, allowing the system to operate reliably in indoor environments where satellite signals are unavailable.
Data Source
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AI summary
A continuous periodic synchronization signal (120) is received. According to the invention, at least two time-spaced signal values (301-303, 311-313) of the synchronization signal (120) are determined. A message is sent, which is indicative of the at least two signal values (301-303, 311-313).