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Sharing a Common Sense of Time

Published

Author(s)

J C. Eidson, Kang B. Lee

Abstract

Distributed measurement and control systems in which all components share a common sense of time allow significant decoupling of synchronization issues from considerations of communication latency and fluctuation. This decoupling enables new techniques for solving measurement and control problems involving large numbers of sensors and actuators or complex synchronization requirements. A common sense of time is established by having each component contain a real-time clock synchronized to its peers. This may be accomplished using IEEE 1588, a standard that defines a protocol enabling the precise synchronization of clocks in the components of a networked, distributed measurement and control system.
Citation
Instrumentation and Measurement Magazine, IEEE
Volume
6 (1)
Issue
No. 1

Keywords

message-based system, distributed measurement and control, IEEE 1588, NTP, real-time clock, SCADA, SERCOS, synchronization, time-based system

Citation

Eidson, J. and Lee, K. (2003), Sharing a Common Sense of Time, Instrumentation and Measurement Magazine, IEEE (Accessed October 11, 2025)

Issues

If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].

Created February 28, 2003, Updated October 12, 2021
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