DC-to-DC Converter Slave Circuit Communication Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DC-to-DC converters face challenges in efficiently communicating information, such as status and fault information, between slave circuits and a master controller, often requiring multiple communication lines and complex signal processing.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a communication module in each slave circuit that generates both analog and digital signals using a single communication line, allowing for the representation of information and fault data through voltage levels or pulse modulation, enabling effective communication with a master controller using a combiner to combine signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple communication lines are used to transmit slave circuit information to the master controller, then the communication reliability is improved, but the device complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication functions (analog signal transmission and digital fault information transmission) into a single communication line. The slave circuit transmits both types of information sequentially on the same physical channel, eliminating the need for separate communication lines while maintaining communication reliability through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The single communication line is designed to serve multiple purposes: transmitting analog signals during normal operation and transmitting digital fault information when events occur. This multi-functional approach allows the same hardware resource to handle different communication modes, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Measurement precision
If separate communication lines are used for analog and digital signals, then the signal integrity is improved, but the quantity of communication lines and hardware components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slave circuit periodically switches between analog signal transmission mode and digital fault information transmission mode based on operational conditions. During normal operation, analog signals are transmitted; when a fault event occurs, the circuit switches to digital transmission mode. This time-division multiplexing approach maintains signal integrity by dedicating the communication line to one signal type at a time while reducing the total quantity of communication lines required.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication line's function is made dynamic rather than static. The slave circuit adaptively changes the transmission mode (analog or digital) based on the operational state and detected events. This dynamic switching capability allows a single communication line to replace multiple dedicated lines while preserving signal integrity through context-appropriate transmission modes.
3Device complexity
If a single communication line is used for both analog and digital transmission, then the device complexity is reduced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring signal types increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs distinct signal characteristics (analog continuous waveforms versus digital pulse sequences) that are easily distinguishable by the master controller. The slave circuit generates analog signals with specific voltage ranges during normal operation and switches to digital signals with distinct voltage levels and timing patterns when transmitting fault information. These clearly differentiated signal characteristics simplify detection and measurement at the receiving end, despite using a single communication line.
Solution Approach 2:
The slave circuit uses periodic switching between transmission modes with clear temporal boundaries. The master controller can detect the signal type by monitoring the signal characteristics during each transmission period. This periodic structure with distinct phases makes it easier to identify and process different signal types sequentially, reducing the difficulty of detection compared to simultaneous mixed-signal transmission.
4Productivity
If multiple communication lines are implemented, then the communication bandwidth is improved, but the manufacturing cost and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple communication channels into a single physical line, reducing the bill of materials and assembly requirements. By combining analog and digital transmission functions on one line, the patent reduces the number of connectors, traces, and isolation components needed, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining adequate communication bandwidth through time-division multiplexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The single communication line is designed with universal capability to handle both analog and digital signals. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated lines for each signal type, reducing overall hardware quantity and manufacturing complexity. The slave circuit and master controller are designed to accommodate this universal interface, simplifying the manufacturing process while preserving sufficient communication bandwidth for both signal modes.
Data Source
AI summary
A slave circuit for a DC-to-DC converter includes a switching circuit adapted to repeatedly switch a switching node between two different voltage levels, a slave control adapted to control switching of the switching circuit based at least in part on control signals from a master controller, a communication port, and a communication module. The communication module is adapted to (a) generate an analog slave communication signal at the communication port, where the analog slave communication signal represents information associated with the slave circuit, and (b) generate a digital slave communication signal at the communication port in response to occurrence of an event, where the digital slave communication signal represents additional information associated with the slave circuit.