Dual Voltage Communication Bus for Harsh Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication buses, such as the CAN bus, often require expensive components and complex protocols, and may not function well in harsh environments like those found in automobiles, where they need to operate reliably under varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional bus system that uses differential voltage ranges to differentiate between idle and active communication states, allowing for a low-cost, reliable communication solution that can operate in harsh environments by employing a two-wire bidirectional bus with a bus master and slaves that interpret signals differently based on voltage ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional communication buses (e.g., CAN bus) are used, then reliable communication can be achieved, but component cost increases and protocol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter of the communication signal by using two distinct voltage ranges (first voltage range for idle state, second voltage range for active communication) to encode communication states. This parameter-based encoding simplifies the protocol while maintaining reliable communication, as the receiver can easily distinguish between idle and active states by detecting which voltage range the signal falls into.
2Reliability
If conventional communication buses are used, then communication functionality is achieved, but component cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses voltage range parameter changes to encode communication states, which can be implemented with simple voltage detection circuitry rather than expensive dedicated communication bus components. This approach allows reliable communication to be achieved with lower-cost components by leveraging basic voltage threshold detection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If dual voltage ranges are used to differentiate idle and active states, then noise immunity improves, but signal interpretation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses well-separated voltage ranges to encode communication states, creating large noise margins between the first voltage range (idle) and second voltage range (active). This parameter separation provides noise immunity while keeping signal interpretation simple, as the receiver only needs to determine which voltage range the signal falls into without complex decoding logic.
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
The bidirectional bus system provides a low-cost, reliable, and noise-immune communication solution that can operate in harsh environments, supporting high-frequency communication and maintaining stability even with multiple bus slaves, while minimizing processing overhead and noise interference.
Implementation Method 1
The bus master has a first differential output circuit configured to couple to a bidirectional bus and to express differential voltages in a first voltage range on the bidirectional bus during master transmission
Implementation Method 2
The first differential input amplifier is configured to receive the differential voltages in the first voltage range as showing a single logic value
Data Source
AI summary
A bidirectional bus system that includes a bus master having a first transmitter coupled to a bidirectional bus. The first transmitter transmits a signal in a first voltage range onto the bus. The bus master has a first receiver coupled to the bus. A bus slave having a second transmitter coupled to the bus is included. The second transmitter transmits a signal in a second voltage range onto the bus, where the bus slave having a second receiver is coupled to the bus. The first receiver is configured to interpret the signal in the first voltage range to indicate an idle state while the second receiver interprets the signal in the first voltage range as indicating data. The second receiver interprets the signal in the second voltage range as indicative of an idle state while the first receiver interprets the signal in the second voltage range as indicating data.