Bus Cascade Address Assignment via Serial Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing devices with unique identifiers at the outset adds time and cost, and existing methods do not allow for efficient assignment of addresses to devices assembled in a system without considering their relative positions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize serial data communication between devices, including a bus controller, shift registers, and multiplexers to selectively couple serial input and output ports, allowing for the assignment of unique addresses after devices are assembled, using commands with a command code, target address, and error checks to determine and store new addresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If unique addresses are assigned to devices during manufacturing, then each device can be individually accessed, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by equipping devices with default addresses during manufacturing, which are then automatically updated after system assembly. This allows devices to function immediately with basic identification while the unique addressing is completed automatically in the field through serial communication protocols, eliminating the need for manual address configuration during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by automatically assigning unique addresses to devices through serial communication between the host controller and devices. The devices receive their unique addresses automatically through the serial protocol without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing manufacturing time and cost while ensuring reliable individual identification.
2Reliability
If unique addresses are assigned to devices during manufacturing, then each device can be individually accessed, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically assigning unique addresses to devices through serial communication between the host controller and devices. The devices receive their unique addresses automatically through the serial protocol without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing manufacturing time and cost while ensuring reliable individual identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by using a standard serial communication interface that serves multiple functions: it transmits data between devices and also automatically assigns unique addresses. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate addressing hardware or manual configuration processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If devices are assembled without considering relative position, then assembly flexibility increases, but address assignment becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically determining device positions and assigning addresses through serial communication. The host controller sequentially communicates with each device in the cascade, automatically detecting their positions and assigning appropriate addresses without requiring manual configuration or consideration of physical positioning during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by using serial communication protocols that dynamically transmit address information based on device position in the cascade. The address assignment is not fixed but changes according to the device's position in the serial chain, allowing flexible assembly configurations while maintaining simple address management through protocol-based parameter adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect there is disclosed an apparatus. The apparatus may include a first device. The first device may include a first serial input port configured to receive serial data from at least one of a host MCU and a second device; a first serial output port configured to output the serial data to a third device when the third device is coupled to the first device; a first shift register configured to receive the serial data from the first serial input port; a first multiplexer configured to selectively couple the first serial output port to the first shift register or the first serial input port; and a bus controller configured to receive the serial data from the first serial input port, the bus controller further configured to control the first multiplexer to couple the first serial output port to the first serial input port or the first shift register, based at least in part on the serial data, wherein the serial data includes a command section of a command and at least a portion of a payload section of the command, wherein the command section includes a command code, a target address and an error check and the payload section includes at least one new address and at least one corresponding error check.