Wireless Clock Synchronization for Power Substation Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for configuring and diagnosing primary devices in power substations are complex and require direct wired connections for clock synchronization and data transfer, which complicates the process and limits flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A method using a mobile device with both local wireless and cell phone communication capabilities to receive actual time from a time server, synchronize and recalibrate the internal clock of primary device controllers, and transfer configuration parameters via local wireless networks, eliminating the need for wired connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wired connections are used for clock synchronization and data transfer, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication technology. The mobile device establishes wireless connections with both the time server and the primary device controller, eliminating the need for physical wired connections while maintaining communication functionality for time synchronization and data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device acts as an intermediary between the time server and the primary device controller. It receives time information from the time server via cellular network, processes it locally, and then transmits the synchronized time to the controller via wireless local network, mediating the time synchronization process without requiring direct wired connections between the server and controller.
2Reliability
If wired connections are used for data transfer, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes wired data transfer connections with wireless communication. The mobile device communicates with the controller wirelessly to transfer configuration parameters and diagnostic data, eliminating the need for physical connection setup while maintaining reliable data transmission through protocol-level error handling and verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device performs multiple functions: it acts as a time client to synchronize with the time server, as a wireless communication bridge between server and controller, as a configuration tool for setting controller parameters, and as a diagnostic interface for reading fault records. This multi-functionality consolidates what previously required multiple specialized wired connections into a single versatile device.
3Measurement precision
If direct wired connections are required for configuration and diagnostics, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired connection requirements with wireless communication for both configuration and diagnostic operations. The mobile device establishes wireless connections to read fault recorder data and configure parameters, maintaining timestamp accuracy through software-based time synchronization while eliminating the operational burden of physical connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service time synchronization where the mobile device automatically receives accurate time from the time server and applies it to the controller without manual intervention. The timestamp recalibration is performed automatically based on the time difference calculation, reducing manual configuration effort while maintaining precision.
4Stability of the object's composition
If wired connections are used for clock synchronization, then stability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves as a flexible intermediary that can adapt to different communication scenarios. It can connect to the time server via cellular network and to the controller via wireless local network, providing stable time synchronization while adapting to various network conditions and device locations without requiring fixed wired infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static wired connections to dynamic wireless connections. The mobile device can move freely while maintaining communication links, and the connection topology adapts dynamically based on device proximity and network availability, providing both stability through protocol-level guarantees and flexibility through mobile accessibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
When data from a controller 16 of a primary device 12 of a power substation 10 is updated, diagnostic data from the controller 16 via a local wireless communication network 24 is received, the diagnostic data having timestamps tts with respect to a local clock 25 of the controller 16, a local clock time t1 via the local wireless communication network 24 from the controller 16 is received, an actual time tg from a time server 40 is received, and the timestamps tts of the diagnostic data with respect to the local clock time tl and the actual time tg are recalibrated.