Wireless Phase Estimation for Delay-Resilient Signal Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for synchronizing periodic signals between a master unit and slave units in a network face challenges in accurately synchronizing frequencies and phases due to processing delays and transmission delays, particularly when the period or frequency of the first periodic signal changes.
Innovation Solution
A phase estimating device that determines phase information of a first periodic signal by sampling times at which the signal rises or falls below a predetermined level, synchronizes this information with a signal generating device, and wirelessly transmits it to generate a second periodic signal that is synchronized with the first signal, using a reference time synchronized between the devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used to transmit phase information between devices, then synchronization flexibility and ease of deployment are improved, but transmission delays and processing delays increase, degrading synchronization precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-synchronizing the reference times of the phase estimating device and signal generating device before phase information transmission. The reference time synchronization unit performs time synchronization in advance using wireless communication, ensuring that both devices share a common time baseline. This preliminary time alignment compensates for subsequent transmission and processing delays, allowing the phase information to be accurately interpreted even though it experiences delays during wireless transmission.
2Measurement precision
If sampling is performed at rising or falling edges of the periodic signal, then phase detection accuracy is improved, but the system becomes more sensitive to frequency changes and requires continuous re-synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the phase information of the periodic signal and comparing it against the reference time. The phase information detection unit samples the signal at rising or falling edges to achieve high phase detection accuracy, while the reference time synchronization unit continuously updates the time baseline. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust to frequency changes by detecting phase deviations and correcting them through continuous re-synchronization, thereby maintaining both high detection accuracy and adaptability to frequency variations.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a phase estimating device includes a periodic signal obtaining unit that obtains a first periodic signal, and a wireless time synchronizing unit that synchronizes a reference time with that of a signal generating device by wirelessly communicating with the signal generating device that outputs a second periodic signal according to phase information. The phase estimating device includes a reference time storing unit that stores the reference time synchronized with that of the signal generating device by the wireless time synchronizing unit. The phase estimating device includes a phase determining unit that obtains sampled times from the reference time storing unit at timing at which the first periodic signal rises above or falls below a predetermined level, and determines phase information on a phase of the first periodic signal based on the obtained sampled time and period information on a period of the first periodic signal.