Data Transmission Device Intermittent Channel Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

In building automation networks, devices struggle to simultaneously send and receive data on parallel channels with different data rates, leading to potential data loss due to the inability to monitor faster channels during transmission on slower channels.

Innovation Solution

A device is designed to intermittently check for data on a faster channel while transmitting on a slower channel, ensuring that incoming data on the faster channel is recognized by suspending transmission at regular intervals and resuming only after completing the reception of a block, thus minimizing data loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a device transmits data on a slower channel, then transmission reliability on that channel is maintained, but the device cannot monitor faster channels for incoming data during transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoiddata loss on faster channels
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitting device periodically interrupts its transmission on the first (slower) channel to switch to and monitor the second (faster) channel. These periodic interruptions allow the device to detect and receive telegrams on the faster channel while maintaining transmission on the slower channel, preventing data loss without completely abandoning the reliable slower channel transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The device dynamically switches between transmission mode on the first channel and reception mode on the second channel. By making the system dynamic and adaptable, the device can respond to incoming data on the faster channel while maintaining its transmission obligations on the slower channel, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable transmission and avoiding data loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If a device continuously monitors faster channels, then no data is lost on those channels, but transmission on slower channels is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata loss preventionVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous monitoring, the device uses periodic interruptions at regular intervals to check the faster channel. This periodic approach maintains transmission productivity on the slower channel while still providing opportunities to detect and receive data on the faster channel, preventing complete data loss without continuously interrupting transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs partial monitoring of the faster channel by checking at specific intervals rather than continuously. This partial action is sufficient to detect most incoming telegrams while minimizing the impact on transmission productivity, achieving an optimal balance between data loss prevention and transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Speed

If a device uses shorter preambles to achieve higher data rates, then transmission speed increases, but the ability to detect incoming telegrams decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidtelegram detection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The transmitting device periodically interrupts transmission to monitor the faster channel for incoming telegrams. During these interruption periods, the device can detect preambles of incoming telegrams even though they are transmitted with shorter durations. This periodic monitoring compensates for the reduced detection window created by shorter preambles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The device detects preambles of incoming telegrams during transmission interruptions before the actual data payload arrives. By performing preliminary detection of the preamble structure during interruption periods, the device can prepare for and properly receive the incoming telegram data even though the preambles are shorter and pass more quickly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3910886B1Device and method for data transmission on a plurality of data transmission channels
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 ISE INDIVIDUELLE SOFTWARE & ELEKTRONIK GMBH
  • EP3910886B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3910886B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3910886B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention relate to a device comprising: a transceiver configured to transmit a first bit sequence with a first transmission duration in a first mode on a first transmission channel and to receive one or more second bit sequences with a second transmission duration in a second mode on a second transmission channel; wherein the transceiver is further configured to interrupt the transmission of the first bit sequence in the first mode at regular intervals and to switch to the second mode and to check in the second mode whether a second bit sequence is being transmitted on the second transmission channel; and wherein the interval between two successive interruptions is less than the second transmission duration.