Bidirectional Communication via Single Conductor Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bi-directional communication systems for power tools with remote energy sources face limitations in data transmission capacity and reliability due to the limited number of wires in the electrical cable, particularly when dealing with high-bandwidth data and electromagnetic disturbances, and they do not support simultaneous bidirectional communication effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directional communication system using a single conductor transmission line that employs pulse-width modulation for data transmission from the tool to the power unit and amplitude modulation for data transmission from the power unit to the tool, allowing simultaneous and robust data exchange with immunity to electromagnetic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single wire is used for data transmission in the cable, then the cable maintains good flexibility and high reliability, but only sequential communication is possible and not simultaneous bidirectional communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using time-division multiplexing where the single wire alternates between transmitting data from the tool to the power supply and from the power supply to the tool. The communication protocol divides time into slots, allowing bidirectional communication over a single conductor without interference, thus maintaining cable reliability while enabling simultaneous data exchange in both directions.
2Productivity
If more wires are added to the cable for simultaneous bidirectional communication, then communication capacity increases, but cable flexibility decreases and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmit and receive channels into a single wire by implementing full-duplex communication over one conductor. This is achieved through careful signal encoding and timing control that allows both directions of communication to share the same physical medium, thereby maintaining cable simplicity while increasing communication capacity.
3Loss of information
If digital communication is used for high-bandwidth data transmission, then data capacity increases, but susceptibility to electromagnetic disturbances worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the receiving end detects errors caused by electromagnetic disturbances and requests retransmission of corrupted data packets. This error correction protocol ensures high-fidelity digital communication over the power cable despite the presence of electromagnetic interference from motor commutation and other sources.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, simultaneous bidirectional communication with high data capacity and improved resistance to electromagnetic disturbances, suitable for power tools with remote energy sources, enhancing communication reliability and safety data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
means for data transmission from the first piece of equipment to the second piece of equipment by modulation of the pulse width of a transmission signal emitted on the transmission line
Implementation Method 2
means of data transmission from the second piece of equipment towards the first piece of equipment through amplitude modulation of said transmission signal
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for communicating between a first piece of equipment and a second piece of equipment connected to the first piece of equipment via a single-conductor transmission line, wherein data (DATA1, DATA2) are transmitted from the first piece of equipment to the second piece of equipment by pulse width modulation of a transmission signal emitted on the transmission line, and wherein data are transmitted from the second piece of equipment to the first piece of equipment by amplitude modulation of said transmission signal.