Wireless Sensor Synchronization Without Timestamp Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-level communication protocols in wireless sensor networks lead to uncertainty in message delivery latency, making synchronization challenging and energy-intensive, particularly in aircraft systems where battery life is critical.
Innovation Solution
A method for synchronizing wireless sensors without exchanging timestamp information, where sensors receive data acquisition requests with predefined intervals and calculate their clock values to initiate data acquisition independently, reducing the need for radio module activity and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If timestamp exchange methods are used for synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases and radio operation duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the timestamp data exchange component from the synchronization protocol. Instead of having sensors exchange timestamped messages to calculate clock offsets, the system uses a simplified approach where the base station sends synchronization commands with sequence numbers and sensors use their local clocks without transmitting timestamps, thereby reducing radio operation time and energy consumption while maintaining synchronization accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by having each sensor independently calculate its own synchronization timing based on received commands and its local clock, without requiring complex two-way communication. The sensors autonomously determine when to start data acquisition based on the sequence numbers and their local time, eliminating the need for continuous timestamp exchanges and reducing overall system energy consumption
2Reliability
If high level communication protocols are used for wireless communication, then communication reliability is improved, but message delivery latency becomes unpredictable making synchronization difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication protocol into two distinct phases: a synchronization phase where the base station sends commands with sequence numbers and sensors respond with acknowledgment, and a data acquisition phase where sensors independently operate using their local clocks. This segmentation isolates the synchronization function from the data transmission function, allowing high-level protocols to maintain reliability during data communication while using a simpler, more predictable timing mechanism during synchronization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the base station send synchronization commands in advance with sequence numbers before the actual data acquisition begins. The sensors record these sequence numbers and use them to calculate the exact moment to start data acquisition based on their local clocks, eliminating the need for continuous latency compensation during the actual measurement process
3Measurement precision
If sensors continuously monitor and exchange timestamp data for synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is maintained, but radio module activity increases leading to higher energy use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the base station send synchronization commands at regular intervals rather than requiring continuous timestamp exchanges. The sensors only activate their radio modules to receive these periodic synchronization commands and then remain in low-power mode during data acquisition, significantly reducing the total duration of radio operation while maintaining synchronization accuracy through the periodic timing signals
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor network includes a plurality of sensors and a base station for sending a series of data acquisition requests to the sensors. Each data acquisition request has an index. Each sensor has a synchronization calculation module and an internal clock. The sensors are adapted and configured to receive the series of data acquisition requests and record a timestamp of receipt for each data acquisition request. The sensors also store a predefined time interval related to the plurality of data acquisition requests so that the sensor can calculate a time to start collecting data based upon the series of data acquisition requests, the timestamps, the indices, and the predefined time interval. In an alternative embodiment, the base station only sends a general request for data acquisition and a synchronization sensor module receives the general request and, in turn, sends the series of data acquisition requests to the sensors.