Time-Synchronized Sensor Package for Spatial Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems lack precise time synchronization, which limits their ability to coherently combine sensor inputs, reducing signal-to-noise ratio and sensor resolution, and hindering the localization of detected target signatures.
Innovation Solution
A time-synchronized sensor package (TSSP) that uses GPS UTC or a secondary oscillator to provide a common time reference, enabling precise time tagging of sensor data and synchronization of multiple sensor pods via wireless interfaces, allowing for coherent processing and improved sensor array capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple sensor pods operate independently without a common time reference, then each sensor can function autonomously, but the sensor system cannot coherently combine sensor inputs, reducing signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent sensor pods into a unified sensor array system by introducing a common time reference (GPS UTC or secondary oscillator) that synchronizes all sensors. This merging allows coherent processing of sensor inputs, improving spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio through constructive interference of sensor signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time synchronization intermediary (GPS receiver or secondary oscillator) that mediates between independent sensor pods. This intermediary provides a common time reference that enables precise time tagging of sensor data, allowing the system to correlate measurements from multiple sensors without requiring direct communication between them.
2Reliability
If sensor data is tagged with precise time measurements using GPS UTC, then coherent processing and array configuration capabilities are enabled, but the system requires additional GPS receivers and synchronization infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables each sensor pod to independently acquire time synchronization from GPS satellites or a local secondary oscillator without requiring centralized control. This self-service approach allows each node to autonomously tag its sensor data with precise time measurements, reducing the need for complex centralized synchronization infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the time synchronization system universal by allowing any sensor pod to serve as a time reference source for other pods. The secondary oscillator can function as both a standalone time reference and a synchronization source for the entire array, providing multi-functionality that reduces infrastructure requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the sensor array operates without precise time synchronization, then the system is simpler to implement, but it cannot perform coherent processing or accurately localize target signatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary time synchronization of all sensor pods before data collection begins. By pre-establishing a common time reference and tagging all sensor data with precise time stamps, the system prepares the data for coherent processing in advance, simplifying the operational complexity during actual target detection and localization tasks.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor system may comprise a sensor, an oscillator, a receiver, a processor, and a data interface. The sensor may he configured to detect an environmental condition and produce a sensor signal in response. The receiver may receive a signal comprising a time reference having a first frequency. The oscillator may be configured to produce a precision time reference signal having a second frequency that is higher than the first frequency. The processor may be configured to generate a time stamp using a combination of the time reference and the precision time reference signal and package data from the sensor signal with the time stamp. The data interface may be configured to transmit the packaged data over a network.