Commissioning Load Devices via Challenge-Response Timing Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing commissioning devices rely on single time-intervals between challenge and response signals to determine load device positions, which is inaccurate due to significant delays and fluctuations, especially when clock signal edges do not match, leading to unreliable positioning.

Innovation Solution

A commission device that transmits multiple challenge signals and analyzes the resulting time-intervals using statistical methods to derive precise positions of load devices, avoiding the limitations of reflection signals from impedance mismatching and enabling accurate positioning without synchronization requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If single time-interval measurement is used between challenge and response signals, then the commissioning process is simple, but the position determination accuracy is poor due to significant delays and fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination accuracyVSAvoidcommissioning process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The commission device transmits multiple challenge signals periodically to the load device and measures multiple time-intervals between challenge signal transmission and response signal reception. By performing repeated measurements, the system obtains a distribution of time-intervals that can be statistically analyzed to determine the position of the load device accurately, overcoming the limitations of single measurement due to clock signal edge mismatches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The load device sends back response signals to the commission device, creating a feedback loop that enables the commission device to measure round-trip time-intervals. This feedback mechanism allows the system to derive position information based on the time it takes for signals to travel to the load device and back, with multiple measurements providing statistical reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If reflection signals from impedance mismatching are used for position determination, then the measurement process is simple, but the reliability is poor due to significant delays and fluctuations in time-intervals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition determination reliabilityVSAvoidcommissioning process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of relying on a single reflection signal measurement, the system performs periodic challenge-response signal exchanges multiple times. This repeated measurement approach creates a distribution of time-intervals that can be statistically analyzed, significantly improving the reliability of position determination by averaging out fluctuations and delays caused by clock signal edge mismatches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional impedance mismatching reflection signal method with an active challenge-response signal exchange mechanism. This substitution allows for precise timing measurements of signal round-trip time, enabling more reliable position determination compared to passive reflection signal analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 allows for precise determination of load device positions with improved accuracy, overcoming the limitations of single time-interval measurements and prior art reflection technologies, enabling reliable commissioning without synchronization needs.

Implementation Method 1

a first transmitter (11) configured to transmit an activation signal to a load device (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave propagation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a controller (14) configured to determine time-intervals present between transmissions of the challenge signals and receptions of the response signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP3363267B1Commissioning load devices via challenge-response-timing
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP3363267B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3363267B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3363267B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Commission devices (1) comprise first transmitters (11) for transmitting activation signals to load devices (2-6), and second transmitters (12) for transmitting numbers of challenge signals to activated load devices (2) that respond by sending back a response signal per challenge signal to the commission devices (1). The commission devices (1) further comprise first receivers (13) for receiving the response signals and controllers (14) for determining time-intervals present between transmissions of the challenge signals and receptions of the response signals. The controllers (14) derive absolute or relative positions of the load devices (2-6) from analyses such as statistical analyses of the time-intervals. Load devices (2-6) comprise second receivers (21) for receiving the activation signals and third receivers (22) for receiving the number of challenge signals and third transmitters (23) for sending back the response signals to the commission devices (1). The load devices (2-6) may further comprise loads (26).