Abstract: A system and method are provided which add, via an add-on module, synchronization functionality to an instrument that does not otherwise support such synchronization functionality. Various synchronization techniques may be supported by the synchronization module. For instance, in certain embodiments the synchronization module supports message-based synchronization techniques and/or time-based synchronization techniques. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the add-on module supports synchronization with another device (e.g., another instrument or another add-on module coupled to an instrument) via synchronized local clocks (e.g., IEEE 1588) and messaging over a communication network. In certain embodiments, the add-on module additionally or alternatively supports the use of “time bombs” to trigger scheduled actions on the instrument with which the synchronization module is interfaced.

Abstract: Sensors in a network each have a geographical location and they each periodically broadcast this information to all the sensors in the network. Each receiving sensors then builds a list of sensors (neighbor list) that are closest to that sensor by computing the distance between itself and the other sensors. This list can then be used along with a decision algorithm to decide whether that sensor should act or perform a command when it receives a message from other sensors. In one embodiment, a sensor can use the neighbor list to command a specific other sensor(s) to perform a specific function.