Wireless Alerting System Synchronization Using Beacon Cadence
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alerting systems face challenges in synchronizing non-symmetrical multi-second tonal patterns, particularly for long-duration temporal alarm patterns like Temporal-Three (T3) and Temporal-Four (T4), which require precise and efficient synchronization of alarm cadences across multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a beacon message with a Cadence Section Indicator (CSI) and synchronization pulses to synchronize alarm cadences among wireless alerting devices, ensuring precise timing and coordination of alarm notifications, even for asymmetrical patterns with varying duty cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If simple repetitive alerting patterns are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to communicate hazard information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The alerting system segments complex temporal patterns into discrete, synchronized pulses distributed across multiple devices. Each device generates individual pulses based on a master timing signal, breaking down the complexity of generating and coordinating long-duration patterns into manageable units that can be independently controlled and synchronized.
2Reliability
If multiple devices operate independently, then device complexity is reduced, but synchronization of alarm cadences deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A master timing device acts as an intermediary, generating a centralized timing signal that all slave devices receive and follow. This mediator coordinates the alarm cadence across the network, ensuring all devices synchronize their pulses to the same temporal pattern without each device needing complex independent synchronization logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through acknowledgment signals from slave devices confirming receipt of timing commands, and through continuous monitoring of alarm cadence synchronization. This feedback mechanism allows the master device to adjust timing signals and ensure all devices remain synchronized throughout the alarm duration.
3Duration of action of moving object
If long-duration temporal patterns are implemented, then hazard information communication is improved, but timing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic timing signals from a master device to generate regular, repeating alarm cadence patterns. These periodic pulses are distributed to slave devices at fixed intervals, maintaining precise timing throughout long-duration alarms by continuously refreshing the synchronization reference rather than relying on initial timing alone.
Data Source
AI summary
Method for synchronizing a non-symmetrical tonal pattern in a wireless alerting system involves receiving at a plurality of alerting devices a beacon message. The beacon message is used at the alerting devices to synchronously generate a synchronization pulse signal comprised of a plurality of synchronization pulses which are periodic in accordance with a predetermined synchronization pulse interval. A cadence section indicator (CSI) in the beacon message is used in combination with the synchronization pulse signal to determine a portion of an alarm cadence to sound at each of the alerting device so that the alarm cadence is synchronized among the plurality of the alerting devices.