Wireless Network Clock Synchronization for Scheduled Multi-Device Actions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for time synchronization in wireless networks, such as Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy, are inaccurate due to uncertainties in signal transmission times, leading to potential mismatches in clock synchronization among devices, especially under varying network conditions.
Innovation Solution
A central device communicates time stamps and connection intervals to peripheral devices, allowing them to calculate clock mismatches and adjust their internal clocks for synchronized actions, using methods like scheduled connection events, broadcast advertisements, and eavesdropping to ensure accurate time synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If wireless time synchronization is used instead of wired connections, then installation and maintenance complexity is reduced, but synchronization accuracy deteriorates due to signal transmission uncertainties
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary time stamp exchanges during connection establishment and uses these pre-collected timing data to calculate and compensate for clock mismatches before actual synchronized actions are executed. This preliminary measurement and compensation approach allows the system to achieve accurate synchronization without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where devices exchange time stamps and measure actual transmission times, then use these measurements to calculate clock mismatches and adjust their internal clocks accordingly. This closed-loop feedback process continuously refines synchronization accuracy despite varying wireless transmission conditions.
2Reliability
If multiple connection methods (scheduled connection events, broadcast advertisements, eavesdropping) are used for time synchronization, then synchronization reliability is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system designs a universal time synchronization mechanism that can operate through multiple connection methods (scheduled connection events, broadcast advertisements, and eavesdropping). The same fundamental protocol of time stamp exchange and clock mismatch calculation is applied across different connection types, allowing the system to adapt to various network conditions without requiring separate specialized mechanisms for each connection method.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and switches between different connection methods based on current network conditions and device states. Devices can transition between scheduled connections, broadcast advertisements, and eavesdropping modes as needed, allowing the synchronization mechanism to adapt flexibly to changing environmental factors while maintaining reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If BLE devices remain in sleep mode and transition to active mode only when data communication is needed, then energy consumption is reduced, but time synchronization accuracy deteriorates due to clock transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs time stamp exchanges and clock synchronization measurements during the brief periods when BLE devices are in active mode. By collecting all necessary timing data during these active periods and calculating clock mismatches beforehand, the system ensures accurate synchronization is established before devices return to sleep mode, eliminating the need for continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic time synchronization updates at scheduled connection events, allowing BLE devices to remain in sleep mode between updates while still maintaining accurate clock synchronization. This periodic approach balances energy savings from sleep mode with the need for occasional synchronization refreshes.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations disclosed describe numerous techniques and systems facilitating synchronous actions in wireless networks that have a central device (CD) and multiple peripheral devices (PDs) communicating wirelessly with the CD. The CD communicates one or more messages to the PDs and various PDs determine, using communicated messages, a time of a synchronous action to be performed by the PDs. The synchronous action includes an interaction of a respective PD with one or more associated devices communicatively coupled with the PD. Upon completion of the synchronous action, the PDs may transmit data generated by the PDs, or by the one or more associated devices, in connection with the synchronous action.