Data Acquisition Card Hardware Address Decoding for Parallel Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data acquisition cards with serial interfaces face limitations in extensibility and stability due to software communication complexities and protocol compatibility issues, particularly in environments lacking RS232/RS485 interfaces, and require extensive data processing capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for data acquisition cards that utilize beat signals and address signals to gate data channels, allowing parallel control and data transmission through hardware circuits like counters and comparators, enabling direct user circuit control and reducing software dependency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If serial bus interfaces (USB, 1394) are used for data acquisition cards, then access distance is extended and usage convenience is improved, but processor ability requirements and software system requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess distanceVSAvoidprocessor ability requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces software-based communication protocols with hardware-based address decoding circuits. The data acquisition card uses hardware address registers and decoding logic to respond to host controller requests, eliminating the need for complex software drivers and protocol stacks, thereby reducing processor burden while maintaining extended bus interface capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a host controller as an intermediary device that manages communication between the host computer and multiple data acquisition cards. The controller handles address decoding, data buffering, and protocol management, freeing the main processor from direct involvement in low-level communication tasks and reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If communication protocols with verification abilities are implemented, then data transmission reliability is improved, but data processing ability requirements and extensibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidextensibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data acquisition system into independent functional modules: address decoding, data buffering, signal conditioning, and digital processing. Each module operates independently with standardized interfaces, allowing verification protocols to be implemented in specific modules without affecting others, thereby maintaining both reliability and extensibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses configurable address registers and decoding parameters that can be programmed to match different communication protocols and verification requirements. This allows the same hardware architecture to adapt to various protocol standards (RS232, RS485, custom protocols) by changing address mapping and decoding parameters rather than requiring hardware modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If multiple data acquisition cards are connected in parallel, then system capability is enhanced, but address signal management and control complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem capabilityVSAvoidaddress signal management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the address space by using multiple address registers (high-order and low-order address registers) to uniquely identify individual cards and channels within cards. This multi-dimensional addressing scheme allows the host controller to selectively access any card or channel in the parallel configuration without signal conflicts, managing complexity through expanded address space rather than complex control logic

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8762587B2Data acquisition card, expansion control system for data acquisition card and method thereof

Publication Date: 2014.06.24 ZTE CORP

AI summary

A data acquisition card, an expansion control system for a data acquisition card and a method thereof are disclosed. The method includes: a card address is preset for each data acquisition card, a channel address is preset for each data channel in the data acquisition card; the data acquisition card generates a corresponding card address signal after receiving a card beat signal from a user circuit, and judges whether the data acquisition card is selected; if the data acquisition card is selected, it generates a corresponding channel address signal after receiving a channel beat signal from the user circuit, and selects the data channel corresponding to the channel address signal. The data acquisition card, the expansion control system for the data acquisition card and the method thereof have powerful expansibility and high stability.