Wireless Node Frequency Synchronization Without Quartz Crystals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless systems rely on bulky quartz crystals for precise timing and frequency references, limiting miniaturization and increasing costs, and require improved methods for precise timing and frequency references.
Innovation Solution
A wireless slave node with a tunable RF receiver and oscillator that communicates with a master node to receive calibration signals, allowing the slave node to tune its frequency and synchronize with the master node, eliminating the need for a crystal resonating element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If quartz crystal technology is used for precise timing and frequency reference, then timing precision is improved, but device size increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the quartz crystal component from the wireless sensor node, replacing it with a software-based timing synchronization mechanism. The slave node determines its timing reference from the master node's transmissions rather than using a local quartz crystal, thereby removing the bulky off-chip component while maintaining timing precision through network-synchronized frequency reference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical quartz crystal oscillation system with an electronic/software-based frequency determination system. The slave node uses a frequency determination circuit that calculates the frequency reference from received master node signals and software processing, substituting the mechanical resonance-based timing mechanism with an electronic computation approach that achieves the same timing precision without the physical crystal.
2Measurement precision
If quartz crystal technology is used for precise timing and frequency reference, then timing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the quartz crystal component from the bill of materials, eliminating its associated manufacturing cost. The timing precision function is transferred to the master node's crystal reference, and slave nodes achieve synchronized timing through software-based frequency determination from master node transmissions, reducing overall system cost while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive quartz crystal with a cost-effective software-based frequency determination mechanism. The slave node uses inexpensive frequency determination circuits and algorithms to derive timing reference from the master node, achieving the same functional outcome at lower component cost and simplifying the manufacturing bill of materials.
3Measurement precision
If quartz crystal is used as off-chip component, then timing accuracy is maintained, but device miniaturization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the quartz crystal from the slave node's component list, eliminating the need for off-chip timing components. Timing accuracy is achieved through the master node's crystal reference and software-based frequency determination at slave nodes, enabling complete integration without external crystal components and facilitating device miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The master node's crystal reference serves multiple functions: it provides the frequency reference for its own transmissions and simultaneously serves as the timing reference for all slave nodes in the network through software-based frequency determination. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate crystal components at each slave node, reducing overall device size while maintaining timing accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless network includes a tunable RF transmitter in wireless communication with a master node to transmit at a first slave frequency; a tunable RF receiver in wireless communication with the master node to receive at a second slave frequency; and an RF oscillator to communicate with the RF receiver and the RF transmitter an RF oscillator frequency to determine and tune the first and second slave frequencies. The RF oscillator is configured to receive calibration information including time information or frequency information, or both, from a reference node. The RF oscillator frequency of the RF oscillator is tuned based on the calibration information from the reference node to enable communication between the slave node and the master node at the tuned RF oscillator frequency.