Drive-Sense Coil Circuit for Single-Line Wireless Power and Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless power transfer and communication systems face challenges in efficiently integrating sensor data collection and processing, particularly in environments where sensors and actuators require complex power and signal management, leading to increased power consumption and interference.
Innovation Solution
A unified drive-sense circuit system is introduced that combines power transfer and data communication, using a single line to drive and sense both sensors and actuators, reducing power requirements and interference by coordinating power signals and signal interpretation through a centralized control module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate power and communication circuits are used for sensors and actuators, then reliability of signal transmission is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate power and communication circuits into a unified drive-sense circuit that operates over a single wire. The drive-sense circuit integrates both driving functionality (for actuators) and sensing functionality (for sensors) into one consolidated circuit block, eliminating the need for separate power and communication infrastructure while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single wire communication interface is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power delivery, data communication, and sensor actuation capabilities. The drive-sense circuit can dynamically switch between driving mode (for actuators) and sensing mode (for sensors) over the same physical medium, making the system universally applicable to different device types without requiring separate dedicated circuits.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple separate lines are used for power and communication, then interference between signals is reduced, but power consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power delivery and data communication into a single integrated circuit interface. The drive-sense circuit processes both power and signal operations through one unified pathway, eliminating the need for multiple separate lines that would consume additional power and create more interference opportunities.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive-sense circuit acts as an intermediary that mediates between the microcontroller and external devices (sensors/actuators). It handles signal conditioning, impedance matching, and protocol management, thereby reducing interference in the main communication path while maintaining reliable data transmission over the single wire.
3Device complexity
If a unified drive-sense circuit is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and signal detection accuracy may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The drive-sense circuit internally segments its operation into distinct driving and sensing modes. During sensing operations, the circuit isolates the measurement path from actuation signals, allowing precise detection of sensor signals even though the overall circuit is unified. This temporal and functional segmentation maintains measurement precision while benefiting from the simplified unified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive-sense circuit implements local quality optimization by providing dedicated sensing pathways and signal conditioning circuits specifically for measurement functions. While the overall system is unified, the local sensing architecture maintains high precision through specialized components and signal processing tailored to detection requirements, separate from the actuation pathways.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient, low-power operation with reduced line interference, allowing for concurrent sensing and actuation functions, enhancing the performance of wireless power transfer and communication systems in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
Based on the first coil being in a proximity to a second coil associated with another device that facilitates electromagnetic coupling between the first coil the second coil
Data Source
AI summary
A device operative to transfer power and communicate wirelessly includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC), memory that stores operational instructions, and processing module(s). The DSC generates a drive signal based on a reference signal and provides the drive signal to a first coil via a single line and via a resonating capacitor, and simultaneously senses the drive signal via the single line, to facilitate electromagnetic coupling to a second coil to transfer power wirelessly to another device. The DSC also detects electrical characteristic(s) of the drive signal including whether a communication signal is transmitted from another device and generates a digital signal representative thereof. The processing module(s) generates the reference signal, processes the digital signal including to determine whether the communication signal is transmitted from the other device to the device and appropriately processes the digital signal to interpret control information of the communication signal to adapt the reference signal.