Communication Isolator for Bi-directional Loop Fault Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication systems for sensing and warning fire or gas in large spaces, such as ships or buildings, existing systems fail to maintain communication when the communication lines are short-circuited or disconnected, leading to operational failures of sensors within the affected range.
Innovation Solution
A communication recovery method using an isolator in a bi-directional communication loop, where the isolator maintains normal connection states during normal conditions and converts to an isolation state upon detecting abnormal situations like short circuits, allowing the front stage lines to remain operational while cutting off the rear stage lines, enabling continued signal transmission and receipt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the communication lines are connected in a conventional manner without isolator, then the system structure is simple, but the communication fails when short circuit or disconnection occurs
Solution Approach 1:
An isolator is introduced as an intermediary device between communication devices connected to the same communication line. The isolator includes a first communication port connected to a first communication device, a second communication port connected to a second communication device, and an isolating unit that selectively isolates or connects the first and second communication ports. This mediator prevents harmful electrical interference and faults from propagating between devices, thereby improving communication reliability while adding controlled complexity to the system.
2Reliability
If the isolator is added to protect against short circuits, then the communication reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolator serves as a protective intermediary that can be selectively deployed in the communication network. Each isolator monitors the communication line and automatically isolates affected segments when faults are detected, ensuring continuous operation of unaffected segments. This approach improves communication continuity by containing faults locally rather than causing system-wide failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication network is segmented into isolated segments by the isolating unit. When a fault occurs in one segment, the isolating unit disconnects that segment from the rest of the network, allowing other segments to continue operating independently. This segmentation strategy limits the impact of faults and maintains overall system reliability without requiring complete system redundancy.
3Productivity
If the isolator isolates the faulty line segment, then the healthy segments can continue operating, but the overall system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The isolator employs self-service mechanisms through automatic fault detection and isolation capabilities. The isolating unit continuously monitors the communication line for faults such as short circuits or disconnections and automatically activates the isolation function when anomalies are detected, without requiring external control signals or manual intervention. This self-service approach maintains high system availability while minimizing the complexity of control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The isolator incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the electrical characteristics of the communication line and automatically adjust the isolation state based on detected conditions. When the monitor unit detects a fault condition, the control unit receives feedback and automatically triggers the isolating unit to isolate the faulty segment, ensuring continuous operation of healthy segments without requiring complex external control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a communication recovery method using an isolator in a communication system through a power line of land and marine equipment, wherein the method promptly senses situations, such as a disconnection or a short-circuit of a communication line, and restores the communication line for sensing and warning fire or gas in a larger sized space such as an inside/outside of a ship and an inside/outside of a plant or a building.