Microcontroller clock calibration using data transmission from an accurate third party

A method of transmitting timing information from a first electronic device to a second electronic device, wherein the first electronic device comprises a reliable clock source, and wherein the second electronic device comprises a microcontroller with an internal oscillator, the method comprising:

• receiving a timing independent signal from the second electronic device with the first electronic device, wherein the timing independent signal is comprised of a voltage change in the timing independent signal that is detectable by the first electronic device;
• detecting a request for the timing information from the received timing independent signal with the first electronic device;
• and
• transmitting the timing information from the first electronic device to the second electronic device, wherein the timing information is derived from the reliable clock source, wherein the timing information is comprised of a clock signal, and wherein the timing information is used by the second electronic device to calibrate the internal oscillator of the microcontroller.

A system, comprising:

• a third party device comprising a reliable clock source, wherein the third party device is configured to transmit timing information derived from the reliable clock source in response to receiving a timing independent request, wherein the timing independent signal is comprised of a voltage change in the timing independent signal that is detectable by the third party device, wherein the timing information is comprised of a clock signal;
• and
• a first electronic device coupled to the third party device, wherein the first electronic device comprises a microcontroller with an internal oscillator, and wherein the first electronic device is configured to:
• transmit the timing independent request to the third party device;
• and
• calibrate the internal oscillator with the timing information received from the third party device.

An electronic device, comprising:

• a first communication link for transmitting, to a second electronic device, a request for timing information using a timing independent protocol,
• wherein the second electronic device comprises a reliable clock source, wherein the timing independent protocol is comprised of a voltage change in a timing independent signal that is detectable by the second electronic device;
• a second communication link for receiving the timing information, wherein the timing information is comprised of a clock signal;
• and
• a microcontroller for controlling operations of the electronic device, wherein an internal oscillator of the microcontroller is calibrated based on the received timing information.

A method of calibrating a clock source of a first electronic device for use in enabling timing dependent communication between the first electronic device and a second electronic device, the method comprising:

• transmitting a request for timing signals from the first electronic device to a plurality of third party devices using a timing independent protocol, wherein the timing independent protocol is comprised of a voltage change in a timing independent signal that is detectable by the plurality of third party devices;
• receiving a plurality of timing signals with the first electronic device from the plurality of third party devices in response to the request, wherein the plurality of timing signals is comprised of clock signals;
• deriving timing information with the first electronic device from at least a subset of the timing signals;
• and
• calibrating the clock source based on the timing information.