Communication Module Gateway for Multi-Protocol Power Supply I/O
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial electronic devices, such as power supply devices and programmable logic control systems, require advanced communication protocols and flexible power management capabilities to adapt to various industrial settings, but existing solutions lack modular and secure communication modules that can efficiently convert between different protocols and support remote parameterization and overcurrent protection without additional hardware.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a communication module that provides a gateway functionality for bidirectional protocol conversion, supports multiple external communication protocols, and includes a parameter memory for software-controlled functions, enabling adaptation to different communication protocols and physical layers, as well as software-based overcurrent protection without additional hardware components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple external communication protocols are supported through hardware implementation, then communication versatility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware-based protocol implementation with software-based protocol handling. The communication module uses a processor that executes protocol-specific software to convert between external communication protocols and the internal protocol, eliminating the need for separate hardware circuits for each protocol and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining multi-protocol support
Solution Approach 2:
The communication module is designed as a universal interface that can handle multiple external communication protocols through software configuration rather than dedicated hardware for each protocol. This single multi-functional module replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate protocol-specific hardware interfaces
2Reliability
If communication module is fixed in hardware, then reliability is improved, but adaptability to different protocols deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module employs dynamic software that can be loaded, unloaded, and updated based on the required communication protocol. This allows the module to adapt its behavior dynamically to match different protocol requirements while maintaining stable hardware connections, thus achieving both reliability through fixed hardware interfaces and adaptability through flexible software
3Reliability
If additional hardware components are added for overcurrent protection, then protection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional hardware-based overcurrent protection mechanisms (such as thermal relays or circuit breakers) with software-based monitoring and control. The processor continuously monitors current through existing sensors and executes protection logic through software, eliminating the need for additional dedicated protection hardware components while maintaining reliable overcurrent protection
4Reliability
If password protection is implemented in software, then security is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring password verification routines and authentication data in the software. The processor is pre-programmed with security protocols and can quickly verify passwords using pre-computed validation logic, reducing the actual authentication time during operation while maintaining strong security
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply device for the electrical power supply of electrical components from a power source, wherein the power supply device has at least one communication unit by which the power supply device is designed for data communication with an external computer device, wherein the power supply device has connections for supplying the electrical power for the power supply of the electrical components, wherein the power supply device has at least one controllable digital or analog output connection and/or at least one digital or analog input connection as a further connection, wherein in the case of a controllable digital or analog output connection, this can be controlled by the external computer device via the communication unit and in the case of a digital or analog input connection an input value can be read from this input connection via the communication unit by the external computer device.