Detection device
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Solution Overview
Problem
In air-conditioning systems with bus-connected cordless extension units, identifying the communication device near the terminal end of a communication line is challenging, especially when the number of units changes or the communication line is modified, leading to signal reflection and waveform disturbances.
Innovation Solution
A detection device connected to multiple communication devices via a communication line, equipped with a reception unit, measurement unit, and detection unit, which transmits signals with prescribed pulse widths to identify the device near the terminal end by measuring pulse widths and setting appropriate terminating resistors to minimize signal reflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of cordless extension units is changed or communication line is modified, then the system needs to adapt to new configuration, but manually finding and reconfiguring terminating resistors becomes increasingly difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects terminal-end communication devices and configures terminating resistors without requiring manual intervention. The base device performs automatic detection by transmitting test signals and measuring pulse widths to identify which communication devices are located at the terminal ends of the communication line, then automatically sets the terminating resistor settings for those devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of physically locating and configuring terminating resistors with an automated electronic detection system. The base device uses signal transmission and pulse width measurement to electronically identify terminal-end devices and automatically configure their terminating resistor settings, eliminating the need for manual intervention.
2Reliability
If terminating resistors are manually configured, then signal reflection can be minimized, but the process becomes complex and error-prone when system configuration changes
Solution Approach 1:
The base device transmits test signals with specific pulse widths through the communication line and measures the pulse widths of the received signals. By analyzing the pulse width variations, the system receives feedback about which communication devices are located at terminal ends, and uses this feedback to automatically configure the appropriate terminating resistor settings to minimize signal reflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an automatic detection mechanism as an intermediary between the system configuration and the terminating resistor settings. This intermediary process automatically identifies terminal-end devices and configures their terminating resistors, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing errors while maintaining signal transmission reliability.
3Speed
If high communication speed is used with long wiring, then data transmission efficiency improves, but signal reflection and waveform disturbance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base device automatically detects terminal-end communication devices and configures terminating resistors before normal high-speed communication begins. By performing this configuration in advance, the system ensures that signal reflection is minimized when high-speed data transmission starts, allowing efficient communication over long wiring without waveform disturbance.
Data Source
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AI summary
A detection device is connected to a plurality of communication devices by a communication line. The detection device has a reception unit, a measurement unit, and a detection unit. The reception unit receives signals with prescribed pulse widths transmitted from the plurality of communication devices, respectively. The measurement unit measures the pulse widths of the signals received by the reception unit. The detection unit is configured to detect the communication device disposed near a terminal end of the communication line as a terminal-end communication device on the basis of the plurality of pulse widths measured by the measurement unit.