Wireless Communication Device Clock Error Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), the longer idle periods lead to increased clock errors between devices, causing desynchronization and higher power consumption as devices must operate actively for longer periods to maintain reliable communication.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication device that calculates and corrects clock errors using notification signals, allowing it to synchronize communication timing with other devices by determining the timing to receive next notification signals based on calculated clock errors and predetermined or signal-contained time intervals, and transmits notification signals in groups with information on group membership and idle periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the idle period is extended to reduce power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but clock error increases causing communication desynchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary clock error correction by calculating the error based on notification signal timings before the idle period begins. This preliminary correction ensures that even though devices remain inactive during the idle period, their clock synchronization is预先 established, allowing them to resume communication without desynchronization issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the timing of notification signals exchanged between devices. By measuring the actual reception timing against expected timing, the system calculates clock error and uses this feedback to correct synchronization drift, enabling reliable communication even after extended idle periods.
2Device complexity
If clock error correction is only performed at communication packet transmission/reception, then calculation complexity is reduced, but clock error accumulates during idle periods requiring longer active periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs clock error correction periodically using notification signals that are exchanged at regular intervals. By utilizing these periodically occurring signals to calculate and correct clock error, the system maintains synchronization without requiring continuous complex calculations, thus balancing computational simplicity with effective error correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary clock error correction using notification signals before entering idle periods. This preliminary correction based on known timing relationships allows the system to extend idle periods without accumulating significant clock error, thereby reducing the duration of active operation needed while maintaining synchronization reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If notification signals are transmitted in groups with idle periods, then power consumption is reduced, but timing synchronization becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments notification signals into groups separated by idle periods, allowing devices to enter low-power states between groups. By incorporating synchronization information within each group and using the structured timing relationships, the system maintains precise timing synchronization despite the segmented transmission pattern and extended idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the timing of received notification signals within groups to calculate clock error and correct synchronization. By continuously measuring timing deviations and applying corrections based on this feedback, the system maintains precise synchronization even though communication is segmented into groups with idle periods in between.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device includes: a wireless communication module configured to receive a plurality of notification signals that are successively transmitted from another wireless communication device; and a processor that is connected to the wireless communication module, the processor calculating a clock error between a clock in the wireless communication device and a clock in the other wireless communication device based on one or more of the notification signals that are received, and determining a timing at which to make the wireless communication module ready to receive a next notification signal from the other wireless communication device in accordance with the calculated clock error and a time interval at which the next notification signal will be transmitted from the other wireless communication device, the time interval being a predetermined fixed time interval or contained in the notification signal that has been received immediately prior to the next notification signal.