CC2674R10: Time synchronization over BLE

Richard van Paasen

Part Number: CC2674R10

Hello,

We are developing a system that needs to accurately synchronization clocks between 2 microcontrollers over Bluetooth LE connection. Each MCU will have one sensor connected via I2C or SPI. The time synchronization must be as accurate as possible and held over a longer time. The purpose for the requirement is that sensor readings from two mobile devices need to be taken at the same time and later processed on a PC. A first estimate of the required accuracy is < 1 ms, but this is still under discussion.

Does the TI CC2674R10 (or other?) and its BT software stack support time synchronization over Bluetooth? Is there example code or instructions on how to do this?

Best regards,

Richard van Paasen.

over 2 years ago

0 Clément over 2 years ago

TI__Guru** 101460 points

Hi Richard,

Thank you for reaching out.

We do not have a specific example showcasing time synchronization, but all the tools required to implement it should be available in the stack.

You could leverage the connection event callback (see https://software-dl.ti.com/simplelink/esd/simplelink_cc13xx_cc26xx_sdk/7.10.00.98/exports/docs/ble5stack/ble_user_guide/html/ble-stack-5.x/gap-cc13xx_cc26xx.html#connection-event-callback).
Connection event callbacks reception can be enabled both on the central and the peripheral. For successful connection event (i.e. with status = GAP_CONN_EVT_STAT_SUCCESS) you can assume the callbacks are received very close in time (less than 1 ms apart) on both sides. This can then be used to synchronize the devices.

This suggestion applies to all the devices supported by the SimpleLink Low Power F2 software development kit (SDK) (i.e. CC13x2, CC13x4, CC26x1, CC26x2 and CC26x4) (see https://www.ti.com/tool/download/SIMPLELINK-LOWPOWER-F2-SDK ) [it means you can implement it on CC2674R10, and also start the eavluation on a CC2652 in case you have not access to a CC2674R10 right now]

Let me know your thoughts!

I hope this will help,

Best regards,

Bluetooth®︎

Bluetooth forum

CC2674R10: Time synchronization over BLE