Circuit Breaker Input Signal Serialization for Smaller PCB Layouts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses for processing digital input signals from circuit breakers require a large number of photo couplers and CPU input/output ports, leading to increased PCB size and limited functionality due to parallel signal processing.
Innovation Solution
A digital input signal processing apparatus that converts parallel signals to serial signals using a digital input signal parallel-to-serial converting unit and a controller, with an optional noise insulating unit, reducing the number of required hardware components and ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If parallel digital input signals are processed directly by the CPU without photo couplers, then the processing speed is fast, but the number of CPU input ports and photo couplers increases, leading to larger PCB area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the parallel digital input signals into multiple groups and processes them sequentially through a single photo coupler and CPU input port. The signal input unit divides N parallel signals into groups, allowing them to be handled one group at a time, thereby reducing the number of simultaneous connections required on the PCB.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the parallel signal processing approach into serial processing by converting spatial parallelism into temporal sequencing. Instead of processing all N signals simultaneously across N ports, the system processes them sequentially through a single port over time, effectively changing from a 2D parallel architecture to a 1D serial architecture.
2Reliability
If the same number of photo couplers as digital input signals are used, then noise insulation is effective, but the apparatus size increases due to more hardware components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single photo coupler perform multiple functions by sequentially processing multiple groups of digital input signals. Instead of dedicating one photo coupler per signal line, the same photo coupler is reused across different time slots to handle N different signals, thereby reducing the total number of photo couplers from N to a smaller number.
Solution Approach 2:
The signal input unit and control unit work together to manage the sequential routing of multiple signals through a single photo coupler. The system self-manages the timing and grouping of signals, allowing one photo coupler to serve multiple signal sources through intelligent time-multiplexed allocation.
3Productivity
If multiple CPU input ports are used for parallel signal processing, then all digital input signals can be processed simultaneously, but the number of CPU ports and PCB area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by sequentially processing groups of digital input signals at different time intervals. The control unit generates timing signals that periodically switch which group of signals is currently being processed through the single photo coupler and CPU port, allowing all N signals to be processed over time without requiring N simultaneous ports.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic signal routing where the connection between digital input terminals and the photo coupler changes over time based on control signals. The signal paths are dynamically reconfigured to route different groups of signals to the same photo coupler at different times, enabling flexible time-multiplexed processing with minimal hardware.
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
This approach minimizes the size of the PCB and enhances processing capabilities by simplifying signal lines to three control lines and one data line, reducing the number of photo couplers and CPU ports needed, thus improving the efficiency and functionality of the monitoring and managing apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a noise insulating unit provided between the digital input signal parallel-to-serial converting unit and the controller and removing an input noise signal, except for transmitted and received data and the control signal
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for processing digital input signals transferred from a plurality of circuit breakers includes: a plurality of signal input terminals configured to receive a plurality of digital input signals, which are generated from the plurality of circuit breakers and indicate an ON/OFF state of the plurality of circuit breakers, in parallel; a digital input signal parallel-to-serial converting unit configured to convert the parallel digital input signals from the plurality of signal input terminals into serial digital input signals, and output the converted serial digital input signals according to a control signal; and a controller configured to receive and process the serial digital input signals transferred from the digital input signal parallel-to-serial converting unit, and transmit the control signal to the digital input signal parallel-to-serial converting unit.