Abstract: A method of executing an action at a predetermined time by a device is disclosed. The device has a latency time between initiation of the execution of the action and the actual execution of the action. The method includes advancing the initiation of the execution of the action by the latency time. A device in which the method is implemented and a system including the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Representative embodiments are directed to distributed sensor systems from which measurement data is extracted using mobile devices. Representative embodiments record access attempts by the mobile devices and calculate the probabilities of future access by a mobile device to sensor devices using the recorded information. Collection points are selected in response to the probabilities of future access. Additionally, memory management and data prioritization may occur that is at least partially dependent upon the probabilities of future access.

Abstract: An instrument including a device, a transducer and a calibration module is disclosed. The device produces a reference time and/or a reference frequency. The transducer converts the reference time and/or the reference frequency to a reference signal. The calibration module adjusts an output signal generated by the instrument and/or a result of a measurement taken by the instrument, based on the reference signal. A system including the instrument and a method of calibrating the instrument are also disclosed.

Abstract: A timing bridge device is used to gain boundary and transparent clock functionality using conventional network components on those network links that require good timing distribution. This timing path is invisible to the network component. The timing bridge device has an internal time clock and timestamps a received message according to the internal time clock when the message is received by a network device and when the message leaves the network device. The time associated with the message is then adjusted based on a determined transit delay.

Abstract: An instrument including a device, a transducer and a calibration module is disclosed. The device produces a reference time and/or a reference frequency. The transducer converts the reference time and/or the reference frequency to a reference signal. The calibration module adjusts an output signal generated by the instrument and/or a result of a measurement taken by the instrument, based on the reference signal. A system including the instrument and a method of calibrating the instrument are also disclosed.

Abstract: Two or more local-oscillator-equipped instruments connected to a network are disclosed. Among the instruments, one instrument is designated as the master instrument and the rest, slave instruments. A master clock signal generated by the local oscillator of the master instrument is used by the slave instruments, through the network, to discipline their own local oscillators to generate slave clock signals that are synchronized to the master clock signal. In one embodiment, in the slave instrument, the master clock signal from the master instrument is used as a reference to generate slave clock signals. In another embodiment, the phases of the slave clock signals are adjusted to compensate for the phase difference between the slave clock signals and the master clock signal.

Abstract: Test instruments constituting an automatic test system are characterized in terms of execution time data. The execution time data is composed of a set of execution times. Each of the execution times is the time required for the test instrument to perform a respective testing operation. The test instruments additionally have the ability to communicate their respective execution time data to such recipients as others of the test instruments, the system controller and recipients outside the automatic test system. Additionally, such test instruments have the ability to communicate test results to at least one other of the test instruments and the ability to process test results received from at least one other of the test instruments. Such characterization, communication and processing allows a system integrator to devise execution time-dependent test programs as part of a test suite that allows test throughput to be maximized.

Abstract: A network of RF devices is connected to a central processing device and a common network clock. The central processing device and the RF devices exchange timing information in order to synchronize the network of RF devices to a common time defined by the common network clock.

Abstract: A signal monitor device that detects a signal propagating on a signal line and that generates a timestamp when the signal is detected. The timestamp may be used in a variety of applications including measuring the propagation delays on signal lines and determining the timing in a system.

Abstract: Techniques for correcting time synchronization inaccuracy caused by asymmetric delays on a communication link. Time synchronization according to the present techniques includes determining an asymmetry in a propagation delay on a communication link used by a first device and a second device to exchange timing information and incorporating the asymmetry into a determination of a clock offset between the first and second devices.

Abstract: A method of executing an action at a predetermined time by a device is disclosed. The device has a latency time between initiation of the execution of the action and the actual execution of the action. The method includes advancing the initiation of the execution of the action by the latency time. A device in which the method is implemented and a system including the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The method augments the time-slotted protocols with additional features that allow arming functions to be implemented as an inherent part of the protocol.

Abstract: A timing bridge device is used to gain boundary and transparent clock functionality using conventional network components on those network links that require good timing distribution. This timing path is invisible to the network component.

Abstract: Test instruments constituting an automatic test system are characterized in terms of execution time data. The execution time data is composed of a set of execution times. Each of the execution times is the time required for the test instrument to perform a respective testing operation. The test instruments additionally have the ability to communicate their respective execution time data to such recipients as others of the test instruments, the system controller and recipients outside the automatic test system. Additionally, such test instruments have the ability to communicate test results to at least one other of the test instruments and the ability to process test results received from at least one other of the test instruments. Such characterization, communication and processing allows a system integrator to devise execution time-dependent test programs as part of a test suite that allows test throughput to be maximized.

Abstract: A method for designing a measurement/control system that enables a system designer to explicitly specify the portions of a measurement/control system that are subject to a set of time constraints and the portions of the measurement/control system that are not directly subject to the set of time constraints. A method according to the present teachings includes determining an HRT/SRT boundary between a hard real-time (HRT) portion of a measurement/control system and a soft real-time (SRT) portion of the measurement/control system and determining a buffer for the HTR/SRT boundary in response to a set of time constraints associated with the HRT portion.

Abstract: A synthetic instrument having a local area network, a plurality of component modules and a data source module is disclosed. Each component module has an input for receiving an input signal, an output for transferring an output signal derived from the input signal by that component module, and a network port that connects that module to the local area network. One of the component modules receives a signal that is external to the instrument for processing on that component module's input port. The data source module generates data that can be displayed. The data source module is connected to the local area network and broadcasts the data on the network. The data includes information identifying the data. The instrument may also include a display module connected to the local area network, the display module displaying the data on a display connected to the display module.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for utilizing a pool of mobile devices in probing operations comprising a probing host system including probe management and data management operative aspects, and a pool of mobile devices, one or more of which are operative under control of the probe management to provide probing data to the data management, wherein the one or more mobile devices comprise mobile devices for which location and movement is not under control of the probing host system.

Abstract: A method of specifying the coordination of activities and correlation of data in a distributed system is described. A computer readable medium and a system are also described.

Abstract: A distributed system with a timing signal path for increased precision in time synchronization among distributed system clocks. A distributed system according to the present teachings includes a master clock coupled to a timing signal path and a set of slave clocks coupled to the timing signal path. The master clock includes means for generating a timing signal on the timing signal path in response to time events associated with the master clock. The slave clocks include means for adjusting their local time in response to the timing signal received via the timing signal path.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that use mobile collectors for accessing a wireless sensor network. In certain embodiments, one or more mobile collectors having mobility that is unpredictable to a wireless sensor network are deployed for use in accessing the wireless sensor network. Thus, rather than relying on an access technique having certainty designed therein with regard to the access of a wireless sensor network, certain embodiments utilize an access technique that relies on statistical probability for accessing the wireless sensor network. For instance, by deploying a plurality of mobile collectors that are operable for accessing a wireless sensor network, a statistical probability exists that at some point (or at various points in time) at least one of the mobile collectors will travel within range of the wireless sensor network to enable access thereof.