Point-to-Point Bus Control Device for Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In programmable controllers, the multipoint backplane transmission bus faces challenges with signal mismatch and electromagnetic radiation due to varying module connections, especially in low-power technology environments, where optimal dimensioning is difficult and leads to high energy consumption and instability.
Innovation Solution
A device transforms multipoint bidirectional communication lines into point-to-point connections between the bus and each module, using a printed circuit with unidirectional communication logic gates and a logic control circuit to offload signal control, maintaining signal integrity and reducing electromagnetic radiation, while allowing for transparent modification of the physical bus topology without affecting higher protocol layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multipoint backplane transmission bus is used with varying module connections, then the system provides flexible module connectivity, but signal mismatch and electromagnetic radiation occur due to varying equivalent impedance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the multipoint bus into multiple independent point-to-point connections, each with its own communication control unit. This segmentation allows each connection to have controlled impedance independently, eliminating signal mismatch while preserving flexible module connectivity through the backplane architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces communication control units as intermediary components between the bus and modules. These units act as impedance transformers that decouple the varying module connections from the bus signals, maintaining signal integrity while allowing flexible connectivity configurations.
2Productivity
If the number of connected modules increases, then the system capacity expands, but the equivalent impedance of the bus lines decreases causing high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bus into multiple point-to-point connections with dedicated communication control units, the patent allows the system to scale capacity without increasing the capacitive load on individual lines. Each point-to-point connection maintains optimal impedance regardless of total system size, preventing energy consumption increases.
3Device complexity
If traditional multipoint/multiconnector lines are used, then the system structure is simpler, but optimal dimensioning cannot be obtained systematically leading to signal mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of connection topology from multipoint to point-to-point. This parameter change enables systematic optimization of impedance and signal dimensions for each connection, achieving manufacturing precision while the backplane architecture keeps the overall system structure manageable.
4Use of energy by moving object
If low voltage is chosen for bus signals to consume less energy, then energy consumption decreases, but signal stability becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The communication control units serve as intermediary impedance transformation devices that enable low-voltage operation while maintaining signal stability. These units compensate for the reduced signal strength by providing controlled impedance matching and isolation, allowing low-power operation without sacrificing stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for controlling point-to-point communication between a module and a transmission bus, the device including a printed circuit that carries the transmission bus and that includes a connection element to connect the module to the transmission bus. The printed circuit includes a communication control unit disposed between the transmission bus and the connection element, the communication control unit includes unidirectional communication logic gates, and a logic control circuit for the logic gates. Such a device may, as an example, find application to programmable controllers.