System and method for synchronizing wireless devices without sending timestamp data

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A method for synchronizing a plurality of wireless devices without exchanging timestamp information, wherein each wireless device has a clock, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving, at the plurality of wireless devices, a series of data acquisition requests having a predefined time interval between the data acquisition requests, wherein each data acquisition request includes an index; recording timestamps of receipt for each received request according to the clock of each wireless device; determining a clock value to start data acquisition for each timestamp at each wireless device based on the timestamps, the respective index, and the predefined time interval; and selecting a minimum clock value for each wireless device from the respective clock values as an instant to start data acquisition for the respective wireless device.