Trigger Component Synchronizes Asynchronous Sensor Timestamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Synchronizing data from multiple sensors with different time bases is challenging due to imprecise internal clocks and varying sampling frequencies, especially in consumer-level devices where timestamp accuracy is insufficient for applications requiring precise correlation of data with respect to time.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a trigger component, synchronized data sources, and unsynchronized data sources, where the system timestamp generator receives data from both types of sources, adjusts timestamps based on the trigger component's timestamp and known sampling frequencies, and synchronizes data to a common time base, enabling accurate correlation of data from sensors with different time bases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mechanism is used to receive all sensor data in real time and provide timestamps, then data synchronization is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a trigger component as an intermediary device that generates trigger timestamps and trigger signals. This mediator coordinates between multiple data sources with different time bases and the recording system, providing accurate timing reference without requiring complete system redesign. The trigger component acts as a central timing authority that all sensors can reference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses system timestamps generated by the consumer-level device's operating system and copies/adapts them for correlation with trigger timestamps. By creating a mapping between system timestamps and trigger timestamps, the system achieves accurate time correlation without requiring expensive dedicated timestamping hardware for each sensor.
2Ease of manufacture
If consumer-level device software is used to record sensor data, then cost is reduced, but timestamp accuracy deteriorates due to interface and OS delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent copies the system timestamp from the consumer-level device's operating system and correlates it with the trigger timestamp. By establishing a mathematical relationship between these two timestamp sources, the system achieves accurate time correlation despite the imprecision of software-based timestamping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system measures the relationship between system timestamps and trigger timestamps, then uses this information to adjust and correlate timestamps from unsynchronized data sources. This feedback loop compensates for the inherent delays in consumer-level device timestamping.
3Ease of operation
If sensors with internal clocks are used, then ease of operation is improved, but time correlation between sensors deteriorates due to clock drift
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger component serves as a common time reference intermediary that all sensors can reference independently. Each sensor continues to operate with its own internal clock, but the trigger component provides a centralized timing signal that allows post-processing correlation of data from all sensors to a common time base.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger component generates trigger timestamps and signals in advance of data recording, establishing a common time reference before data collection begins. This preliminary timing action allows all subsequent sensor data to be correlated to this pre-established time base, preventing drift issues during data collection.
4Adaptability or versatility
If data from sensors with different sampling frequencies is correlated, then versatility is improved, but synchronization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger component acts as a universal mediator that works with data sources regardless of their sampling frequency. By providing a common trigger timestamp reference, the system can correlate data from sensors with different sampling rates without requiring complex real-time synchronization of their individual clocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from trying to synchronize sensor clocks in real-time to instead correlating timestamps post-recording using the trigger component as reference. This parameter change in the synchronization strategy allows versatile support for different sampling frequencies without increasing real-time synchronization complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described herein that cause data from asynchronous data sources to be provided with a timestamp that corresponds to a common time base. A trigger board can be used to control synchronized data sources, and can generate timestamps when data is collected by the synchronized data sources. Unsynchronized data sources can generate data independent of the trigger board. System timestamps are generated each time data from the synchronized data source and the unsynchronized data source is received. Values of the system timestamp can be modified, and can be replaced by timestamps that correspond to the time base used by the trigger board.