Control Bus Message Segmentation for Versatile Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control bus systems are limited in message length and type, making it difficult to implement complex control tasks, especially in applications requiring a higher number of message types or greater bandwidth, which often necessitates replacing existing control units and can be costly and labor-intensive, particularly in safety-critical applications.
Innovation Solution
A method for transmitting information on a control bus that includes a first field with a variable reference to the type of information and a second field containing the information itself, allowing for multiple types of information to be transmitted within a single message, with the option to change the reference cyclically and include a third field for frequently transmitted data, enabling flexible data rates and simplified processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a simple control bus with predetermined message length and limited fields is used, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the number of different message types and information bandwidth are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The message is divided into multiple fields (first field for reference, second field for information, optional third field for frequent data). This segmentation allows the same message structure to carry different types of information by changing the reference value in the first field, thereby increasing the number of message types without requiring different physical bus structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The control bus is designed with a universal message structure that can handle multiple information types through the variable reference field. The same physical bus and message format can transmit different kinds of data (control parameters, peripheral conditions, status information) by simply changing the reference value, making the bus multi-functional without increasing physical complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control bus supports greater bandwidth and more message types, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases and retrofitting becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The message structure incorporates dynamic elements where the first field (reference) can be varied to indicate different information types. This dynamic reference mechanism allows the same physical bus infrastructure to adapt to different information bandwidth requirements by software/configuration changes rather than hardware modifications, enabling easy retrofitting.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of message interpretation rather than physical bus parameters. By varying the reference value in the first field, the same physical message format can represent different information types and bandwidths. This parameter-based adaptation allows existing control units to be retrofitted with new communication capabilities through software updates without changing the physical bus infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If messages are transmitted with fixed data rates, then processing is simplified, but flexibility in transmitting different types of information is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a periodic reference field that cycles through different values to indicate different information types. The third field can be transmitted periodically for frequently changing data, while the second field carries less frequently changing information. This periodic structure with variable references maintains processing simplicity through regular message patterns while providing flexibility in data rate and information type.
Data Source
AI summary
A control bus (165) permits the transmission of a message (205) of a predetermined message length. A method (300) for transmitting pieces of information on the control bus (165) includes transmitting a message (205). The message includes a first field (210) and a second field (215). The first field (210) contains a variable reference to a type of information, and the second field (215) contains a piece of information of the type of information referred to in the first field (210).