signal processing device

Abstract

To provide a signal processing device capable of wirelessly transmitting a signal with a compact configuration.SOLUTION: A signal processing device 10 includes: a signal processing section 20 for processing a signal to be input from a sensor 50; a wireless communication section 30 for transmitting a signal based on output of the signal processing section 20 to an external device by wireless communication; and an insulation section 40 for performing insulation between at least a part of components of the signal processing section 20 and the wireless communication section 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a signal processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a signal processing device that transmits an output wirelessly is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-120628 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the wireless communication device and the signal processing device are configured as separate units, the device configured by the wireless communication device and the signal processing device becomes large overall.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points, and has an object to provide a signal processing device that can wirelessly transmit signals with a compact configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A signal processing device according to some embodiments includes a signal processing unit that processes a signal input from a sensor, a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates a signal based on the output of the signal processing unit to an external device, and an insulating unit that insulates at least a portion of the components of the signal processing unit from the wireless communication unit. This allows the components of the signal processing unit to be housed together with the wireless communication unit in a compact housing. Furthermore, the components of the signal processing unit are less susceptible to noise from the wireless communication unit. As a result, a signal processing device capable of wirelessly transmitting signals with a compact configuration can be realized.

[0007] In one embodiment of the signal processing device, the components of the signal processing unit may include at least one of a signal input / output unit to which a signal is input from the sensor, a control unit that processes the signal from the sensor, a sensor power supply that supplies power to the sensor and the signal input / output unit, or a power supply unit that supplies power to the wireless communication unit, the control unit, and the sensor power supply. The insulating unit may insulate at least one of the signal input / output unit, the control unit, the sensor power supply, or the power supply unit from the wireless communication unit. This allows the components of the signal processing unit to be housed together with the wireless communication unit in a small housing. Furthermore, the components of the signal processing unit are less susceptible to noise from the wireless communication unit. As a result, a signal processing device capable of wirelessly transmitting signals with a small configuration may be realized.

[0008] In one embodiment of the signal processing device, the signal processing unit may include a plurality of channels connected to the plurality of sensors, respectively. The isolation unit may isolate at least one of the plurality of channels from the other channels. This reduces mutual influence between the channels. As a result, a signal processing device capable of wirelessly transmitting signals with a compact configuration may be realized.

[0009] In a signal processing device according to one embodiment, the insulating unit may insulate a circuit including the wireless communication unit, the control unit, and the power supply unit from a circuit including the signal input / output unit and the sensor power supply. This may simplify the layout of the insulating unit. Furthermore, the number of components in the insulating unit 40 may be reduced. As a result, a signal processing device capable of wirelessly transmitting signals with a compact configuration may be realized.

[0010] In one embodiment of the signal processing device, the control unit may control the power supply unit to restart the sensor power supply that supplies power to the sensor in which an abnormality has been detected. In this way, the sensor can be restarted automatically or remotely when an abnormality in the sensor is detected. As a result, the convenience of the signal processing device can be improved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, a signal processing device capable of wirelessly transmitting signals with a compact configuration is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a signal processing device according to a comparative example. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a signal processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example in which a signal input / output unit and a sensor power supply in the signal processing unit are insulated from the wireless communication unit. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration in which the entire signal processing unit is insulated from the wireless communication unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration in which channels connected to a plurality of sensors are insulated from each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] (Comparative Example) The system according to the comparative example is configured to receive analog signals from sensors or the like using a signal processing device, digitize them, and transmit them via wired communication to a higher-level system such as the cloud. However, in a system using wired communication, there are increased constraints and costs involved in assembling the system, such as the complexity of communication wiring and the need for internal system approval and licensing procedures.

[0014] On the other hand, in order to avoid the complication of wiring or the problem of the licensing procedures for the communication system, it is possible to use wireless communication instead of wired communication. As shown in Fig. 1, a system 90 according to the comparative example includes a signal processing device 91, a wireless communication device 92, an isolated power supply 93, and a sensor 94.

[0015] The sensor 94 outputs signals such as analog signals or digital signals representing measurement results of various physical quantities to the signal processing device 91. The signal processing device 91 converts the signals input from the sensor 94 into various formats such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or RS485, and outputs the converted signals to the wireless communication device 92. The wireless communication device 92 transmits the signals converted by the signal processing device 91 to an external device via wireless communication. The wireless communication device 92 is also referred to as a gateway. The wireless communication device 92 includes a wireless communication device such as an LTE (Long Term Evolution) router. The external device includes a higher-level system such as a cloud environment. The signal processing device 91 and the wireless communication device 92 operate on power supplied from an isolated power supply 93. The sensor 94 operates on power supplied from the signal processing device 91.

[0016] In a system 90 according to the comparative example, a signal processing device 91 is configured separately from a wireless communication device 92 so as to be less susceptible to the effects of noise generated by the wireless communication of the wireless communication device 92. Furthermore, the signal processing device 91 is powered by an isolated power supply 93, and is thereby insulated from the wireless communication device 92 via the power line so as to be less susceptible to the effects of noise generated by the wireless communication of the wireless communication device 92. In this case, the distribution board or wiring box becomes large. It is therefore necessary to house the signal processing device 91 and the wireless communication device 92 in a small housing.

[0017] Here, when the wireless communication function and the signal conversion function are placed close to each other and housed in a small housing, they are electrically capacitively coupled, and noise on the sensor wiring side, noise on the wireless communication device side, or fluctuations in the power supply, etc., can cause the output signals of the wireless communication device 92 and the sensor 94 to interfere with each other and have adverse effects.

[0018] Therefore, the present disclosure describes a signal processing device 10 (see FIG. 2) having a wireless communication function, which is compactly housed in a small housing with an insulating section that insulates the wireless communication function from the signal conversion function. The signal processing device 10 according to the present disclosure includes various devices such as a signal processing device, a programmable controller, a temperature controller, a flow meter, or a transmitter. Furthermore, the signal processing device 10 according to the present disclosure can be deployed in markets such as small-scale instrumentation, industrial instruments, converters, or distributed systems.

[0019] (Embodiments of the present disclosure) As shown in FIG. 2, a signal processing system 1 according to one embodiment includes a signal processing device 10, a sensor 50, and an external power supply 60.

[0020] The sensor 50 measures a physical quantity such as pressure or temperature, converts the measurement data into an electrical signal, and outputs it to the signal processing device 10. The sensor 50 may be operated by power supplied from the signal processing device 10. The sensor 50 may also be operated by power supplied from another power source instead of power supplied from the signal processing device 10. The sensor 50 may be arranged outside the signal processing device 10, inside the signal processing device 10, or both outside and inside the signal processing device 10.

[0021] The external power supply 60 supplies power to the signal processing device 10. The external power supply 60 may include a battery or a fuel cell, or may include a regulator that converts power received from a power grid. The external power supply 60 may also be the power grid itself.

[0022] The signal processing device 10 includes a signal processing unit 20 and a wireless communication unit 30. The signal processing unit 20 processes a signal input from a sensor 50. The signal processing unit 20 may include a signal processing device that converts the signal input from the sensor 50 into one of various formats such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or RS485. The signal processing unit 20 is configured to supply power to the sensor 50.

[0023] The wireless communication unit 30 performs wireless communication between the signal processing unit 20 and an external device, and transmits a signal processed by the signal processing unit 20 to the external device via wireless communication. That is, the wireless communication unit 30 wirelessly communicates a signal based on the output of the signal processing unit 20 to the external device. The wireless communication unit 30 may include a wireless communication device such as an LTE router. The external device may include a higher-level system such as a cloud environment.

[0024] <Configuration example of insulation between wireless communication unit 30 and signal processing unit 20> As shown in FIG. 3 , the signal processing device 10 further includes an insulating unit 40. The insulating unit 40 is configured to insulate the wireless communication unit 30 from at least a portion of the signal processing unit 20. The insulating unit 40 includes a signal insulating unit 42 and a power insulating unit 44. The signal insulating unit 42 may include, for example, a chip or an insulating coupler having an insulating function to insulate the wireless communication unit 30 from multiple components connected by signal lines. The power insulating unit 44 may include, for example, an isolation transformer to insulate the multiple components connected by power lines from each other. In the block diagram of FIG. 3 , the signal processing device 10 is divided into two regions that are insulated from each other by the insulating unit 40. The boundary between the two insulated regions is indicated by a dashed line that passes through the signal insulating unit 42 and the power insulating unit 44. That is, the signal processing device 10 is insulated from each other at the boundary indicated by the dashed line.

[0025] The signal processing unit 20 includes a control unit 21, a signal input / output unit 22, a power supply unit 23, and a sensor power supply 24. The signal processing unit 20 is not limited to including all of these units, and may include only some of these units.

[0026] The solid lines connecting the components represent power supply lines. The power supply unit 23 supplies the components with power supplied from an external power supply 60. The power supply unit 23 may include, for example, a regulator, an inverter, or a converter.

[0027] The power supply unit 23 supplies power to the wireless communication unit 30, the control unit 21, and the sensor power supply 24. The sensor power supply 24 supplies power to the signal input / output unit 22 and the sensor 50. The power supply unit 23 is connected to each of the signal input / output unit 22 and the sensor power supply 24 by power lines via a power supply insulating unit 44. In this case, the power supply insulating unit 44 is configured to transmit power while electrically insulating the power supply unit 23 from the signal input / output unit 22 and the sensor power supply 24.

[0028] The dashed arrows connecting the components indicate the flow of signals via signal lines. The signal output from the sensor 50 is input to the signal input / output unit 22. The signal input / output unit 22 may include, for example, an AD converter that converts the analog signal output from the sensor 50 into a digital signal. The signal input / output unit 22 may include, for example, a receiver that receives a digital signal, such as a HART communication signal, output from the sensor 50.

[0029] The signal output from the signal input / output unit 22 is input to the control unit 21 via the signal insulating unit 42. The signal insulating unit 42 is configured to transmit the signal while electrically insulating the signal input / output unit 22 from the control unit 21. The control unit 21 outputs the signal to the wireless communication unit 30. The control unit 21 may process the signal input from the signal input / output unit 22 and output it to the wireless communication unit 30, or may output the signal input from the signal input / output unit 22 to the wireless communication unit 30 as is.

[0030] As described above, in the signal processing device 10 illustrated in FIG. 3 , the wireless communication unit 30 is insulated from the signal input / output unit 22 and the sensor power supply 24. That is, the wireless communication unit 30 is insulated from at least a portion of the signal processing unit 20. Because the signal input / output unit 22 is insulated from the wireless communication unit 30 by the signal insulating unit 42, it is less susceptible to noise from the wireless communication unit 30 even when housed in the same housing as the wireless communication unit 30. Furthermore, because the signal input / output unit 22 and the sensor power supply 24 are insulated from the wireless communication unit 30 by the power insulating unit 44, mutual interference between the wireless communication unit 30 and the sensor 50 due to fluctuations in the power supply is less likely to occur. Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 30 is less likely to adversely affect the signal input / output unit 22 and the sensor power supply 24. As a result, it is possible to house the signal processing unit 20 and the wireless communication unit 30 in a small housing and to wirelessly transmit analog or digital signals input from the sensor 50 or the like with good and stable quality.

[0031] 4 , in a signal processing system 1 according to one embodiment, a signal processing device 10 may include an insulating unit 40 that insulates the wireless communication unit 30 from all components of the signal processing unit 20. Specifically, the signal insulating unit 42 is configured to insulate the wireless communication unit 30 from the control unit 21. The control unit 21 is connected to the signal input / output unit 22 and the power supply unit 23 without the signal insulating unit 42 being interposed therebetween. Furthermore, the power supply insulating unit 44 is configured to insulate the wireless communication unit 30 from the power supply unit 23. The power supply unit 23 is connected to the control unit 21, the signal input / output unit 22, and the sensor power supply 24 without the power supply insulating unit 44 being interposed therebetween.

[0032] Since all of the components of the signal processing unit 20 are insulated from the wireless communication unit 30, the signal processing unit 20 is less susceptible to noise from the wireless communication unit 30 even when housed in the same housing as the wireless communication unit 30. Furthermore, since all of the components of the signal processing unit 20 are insulated from the wireless communication unit 30 by the power supply insulation unit 44, mutual interference between the wireless communication unit 30 and the sensor 50 due to fluctuations in the power supply or the like is less likely to occur. As a result, it is possible to house the signal processing unit 20 and the wireless communication unit 30 in a small housing and to achieve good, stable quality wireless transmission of analog or digital signals input from the sensor 50 or the like.

[0033] In the signal processing device 10 exemplified in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, the control unit 21 is not insulated from the power supply unit 23, and therefore can output a control signal to the power supply unit 23 via a signal line that does not pass through the signal insulating unit 42.

[0034] In the signal processing device 10, the components insulated from the wireless communication unit 30 may be in any combination. The insulating unit 40 may be arranged so that only one of the control unit 21, the signal input / output unit 22, the power supply unit 23, or the sensor power supply 24 is insulated from the wireless communication unit 30. For example, if only the control unit 21 is insulated from the wireless communication unit 30, the signal insulating unit 42 is arranged between the control unit 21 and the wireless communication unit 30, between the control unit 21 and the signal input / output unit 22, and between the control unit 21 and the power supply unit 23. Furthermore, the power supply insulating unit 44 is arranged only between the control unit 21 and the power supply unit 23.

[0035] Insulating section 40 may be arranged so that two of control section 21, signal input / output section 22, power supply section 23, or sensor power supply 24 are insulated from wireless communication section 30. Insulating section 40 may be arranged so that three of control section 21, signal input / output section 22, power supply section 23, or sensor power supply 24 are insulated from wireless communication section 30. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 4 , insulating section 40 may be arranged so that all four of control section 21, signal input / output section 22, power supply section 23, or sensor power supply 24 are insulated from wireless communication section 30.

[0036] Regardless of the combination of the wireless communication unit 30 and the components that are insulated from it, the components that are insulated from the wireless communication unit 30 are less susceptible to noise from the wireless communication unit 30 even when housed in a small housing together with the wireless communication unit 30, or are less likely to cause mutual interference with the wireless communication unit 30 due to power supply fluctuations, etc.

[0037] The insulating unit 40 may be arranged so as not to insulate the wireless communication unit 30 from the control unit 21, but to insulate the wireless communication unit 30 from at least one component other than the control unit 21. That is, the insulating unit 40 may be arranged so as to insulate a circuit including the wireless communication unit 30 and the control unit 21 from a circuit including at least one of the signal input / output unit 22, the sensor power supply 24, or the power supply unit 23. If the control unit 21, which is connected to the wireless communication unit 30 by a communication line, is not insulated from the wireless communication unit 30, the arrangement of the insulating unit 40 can be simplified. Furthermore, the number of signal insulating units 42 or power insulating units 44 of the insulating unit 40 can be reduced.

[0038] <Summary> As described above, in the signal processing device 10 according to this embodiment, by insulating at least a part of the signal processing unit 20 from the wireless communication unit 30, the components insulated from the wireless communication unit 30 can be housed in a small housing together with the wireless communication unit 30. Furthermore, the signal processing device 10 becomes less susceptible to the effects of noise from the wireless communication unit 30. As a result, a signal processing device 10 that can transmit signals wirelessly with a small configuration can be realized.

[0039] (Other embodiments) Other embodiments are described below.

[0040] <Example of a configuration where each channel is isolated> As shown in FIG. 5 , the signal processing device 10 may be configured to be connected to a first sensor 51, a second sensor 52, and a third sensor 53. The signal processing device 10 includes a first channel 251 connected to the first sensor 51. The first channel 251 includes a first signal input / output unit 221 to which a signal from the first sensor 51 is input, and a first sensor power supply 241 to supply power to the first sensor 51. The signal processing device 10 includes a second channel 252 connected to the second sensor 52. The second channel 252 includes a second signal input / output unit 222 to which a signal from the second sensor 52 is input, and a second sensor power supply 242 to supply power to the second sensor 52. The signal processing device 10 includes a third channel 253 connected to the third sensor 53. The third channel 253 includes a third signal input / output unit 223 to which a signal from the third sensor 53 is input, and a third sensor power supply 243 to supply power to the third sensor 53.

[0041] The signal processing device 10 further includes a first insulating unit 401 that insulates the first channel 251 from other components. The first insulating unit 401 is arranged to insulate the first channel 251 from the second channel 252, the third channel 253, the wireless communication unit 30, the control unit 21, and the power supply unit 23. The first insulating unit 401 includes a signal insulating unit 42 connected between the control unit 21 and the first signal input / output unit 221, and a power supply insulating unit 44 connected between the power supply unit 23 and the first sensor power supply 241. The signal processing device 10 further includes a second insulating unit 402 that insulates the second channel 252 from other components. The second insulating unit 402 is arranged to insulate the second channel 252 from the first channel 251, the third channel 253, the wireless communication unit 30, the control unit 21, and the power supply unit 23. The second insulating unit 402 includes a signal insulating unit 42 connected between the control unit 21 and the second signal input / output unit 222, and a power supply insulating unit 44 connected between the power supply unit 23 and the second sensor power supply 242. The signal processing device 10 further includes a third insulating unit 403 that insulates the third channel 253 from other components. The third insulating unit 403 is arranged to insulate the third channel 253 from the first channel 251, the second channel 252, the wireless communication unit 30, the control unit 21, and the power supply unit 23. The third insulating unit 403 includes a signal insulating unit 42 connected between the control unit 21 and the third signal input / output unit 223, and a power supply insulating unit 44 connected between the power supply unit 23 and the third sensor power supply 243.

[0042] By isolating the channels from each other, mutual influence between the channels can be reduced. The number of channels is not limited to three as illustrated in FIG. 5, but may be two or less, or four or more. Regardless of the number of channels, the insulating section 40 may be arranged so that all the channels are insulated from each other. The channels may be divided into groups including one or more channels. The insulating section 40 may be arranged so that each group is insulated from each other.

[0043] <Control of power supply unit 23 by control unit 21> 3 to 5, control unit 21 may generate a signal for controlling power supply unit 23 and output it to power supply unit 23. Control unit 21 may determine the state of each component such as sensor 50 based on a signal input from signal input / output unit 22. Control unit 21 may generate a signal for controlling power supply from power supply unit 23 to each component based on the determination result of the state of each component, and output it to power supply unit 23.

[0044] Specifically, control unit 21 may control power supply unit 23 to stop power supply to some of the components powered by power supply unit 23, and then start power supply thereto, thereby restarting the components to which power supply has been stopped. When power supply unit 23 is arranged so as not to be insulated from wireless communication unit 30 as shown in Fig. 3, control unit 21 may control power supply unit 23 to stop power supply to signal input / output unit 22 or sensor power supply 24 that is insulated from wireless communication unit 30, and restart the component.

[0045] For example, when a signal input from the signal input / output unit 22 indicates an abnormality in the sensor 50, the control unit 21 may control the power supply unit 23 to restart the signal input / output unit 22 or the sensor power supply 24. In this way, when an abnormality in the sensor 50 is detected, the sensor 50 that is powered by the sensor power supply 24 can be restarted automatically or remotely. As a result, the convenience of the signal processing device 10 can be improved.

[0046] For example, the control unit 21 may control the power supply unit 23 so that the sensor power supply 24 is turned on only when necessary. In this way, power saving of the sensor 50 can be achieved.

[0047] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications or alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications or alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component can be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple components can be combined or divided into one. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 signal processing system (50: sensor, 51-53: first to third sensors, 60: external power supply) 10. Signal Processing Device 20 signal processing unit (21: control unit, 22: signal input / output unit, 221 to 223: first to third signal input / output units, 23: power supply unit, 24: sensor power supply, 241 to 243: first to third sensor power supplies, 251 to 253: first to third channels) 30 Wireless Communication Department 40 insulating section (401 to 403: first to third insulating sections, 42: signal insulating section, 44: power insulating section)

Claims

1. a signal processing unit that processes a signal input from the sensor; a wireless communication unit that wirelessly transmits a signal based on the output of the signal processing unit to an external device; an insulating unit that insulates at least a part of the components of the signal processing unit from the wireless communication unit; Equipped with the components of the signal processing unit include a control unit that processes a signal from the sensor, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the wireless communication unit and the control unit, the insulating unit includes a signal insulating unit that insulates the control unit from the wireless communication unit, and a power supply insulating unit that insulates the power supply unit from the wireless communication unit, The signal processing unit and the wireless communication unit are housed in the same housing.

2. the components of the signal processing unit further include at least one of a signal input / output unit to which a signal is input from the sensor, or a sensor power supply that supplies power to the sensor and the signal input / output unit, The signal processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating section insulates the wireless communication section from at least one of the signal input / output section and the sensor power supply.

3. The signal processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit controls the power supply unit to restart the sensor power supply that supplies power to the sensor in which an abnormality has been detected.

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