Ethernet Controller Interface for Embedded Device Host Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication interfaces between embedded devices and hosts require proprietary register-based protocols and special host-side software, leading to increased development costs and compatibility issues across different operating systems and hardware configurations.
Innovation Solution
An embedded device with an Ethernet controller and a power supply, capable of operating independently of the host, uses a second Ethernet controller and an electrical isolation medium to establish communication without requiring special host-side software, enabling electrical isolation and compatibility with existing OSs and host architectures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a register-based proprietary PCI bridge interface is used for communication between embedded device and host, then device control capability is improved, but device complexity and development cost increase due to requiring special host-side software and documentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Ethernet controller as an intermediary communication interface between the embedded device and host. Instead of using complex proprietary register-based PCI bridge interfaces, the system uses standard Ethernet communication protocols with pre-existing device drivers, thereby reducing software complexity while maintaining adaptability through standardized networking interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal Ethernet communication protocols and standard device drivers that can work across different operating systems and host configurations. This universal approach eliminates the need for proprietary software and documentation, reducing development complexity while maintaining broad adaptability through a widely-supported communication standard
2Adaptability or versatility
If different device drivers are required for different Operating Systems, then OS-specific compatibility is improved, but development cost increases due to incompatibility issues across different hardware configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses universal Ethernet communication protocols with pre-existing device drivers that are compatible across multiple operating systems. This approach provides OS-specific compatibility through standardized drivers rather than proprietary ones, significantly reducing development costs while maintaining broad compatibility across different hardware configurations
3Adaptability or versatility
If the embedded device is electrically connected to the host, then communication capability is improved, but accessibility is reduced when the host is switched off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrical isolation medium as an intermediary between the embedded device and host. This isolation medium allows the embedded device to maintain its own power supply and operate independently when the host is switched off, while still enabling communication through the isolated interface, thereby improving device accessibility without sacrificing communication capability
Data Source
AI summary
A system, providing a communication interface, is provided. The system includes an embedded device and a host. The embedded device includes an Ethernet controller that is connected to a communication bus on the host. The host includes device drivers of the Ethernet controller. Therefore, no special host-side software is required to establish the communication between the embedded device and the host.