Fault-Tolerant Daisy Chain Bus for Agricultural Sensor Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural monitoring systems face challenges with complex communications, single-point wiring faults, and cumbersome sensor configuration, leading to reduced functionality and increased installation time.
Innovation Solution
A fault-tolerant communication system with a daisy chain bus configuration that allows self-configuration of sensor addressing, dual power supply, and real-time diagnostics, enabling simplified installation and operation even with single-faults, and reducing the number of wires and connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a multi-drop communications bus structure is used with single point wiring, then the system can be simplified, but single-point wiring faults cause the system to fail or partially fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication bus into multiple independent segments or channels. Instead of a single multi-drop bus where one fault affects the entire system, the architecture creates separate communication paths that can operate independently. This segmentation ensures that a fault in one segment does not propagate to other segments, maintaining system reliability while preserving wiring simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements fault tolerance mechanisms in advance by designing the communication architecture to anticipate and accommodate wiring faults. The system incorporates redundant communication paths and fault detection capabilities before faults occur, allowing it to maintain operation even when wiring issues arise. This proactive approach cushions against the harmful effects of single-point wiring faults.
2Loss of information
If a unique ID code is assigned to each sensor, then sensor identification is possible, but the configuration process becomes burdensome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables sensors to automatically generate and assign their own unique ID codes without requiring manual configuration. Each sensor identifies itself and receives an appropriate address through self-service mechanisms such as automatic address assignment protocols or hierarchical addressing based on physical connection order. This eliminates the time-consuming manual ID assignment process while ensuring each sensor is properly identified and configured.
3Ease of operation
If sequential sensor installation and configuration is required, then each sensor can be individually configured, but the installation process becomes slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic configuration protocols that perform sensor identification and addressing in advance during system initialization or power-up sequences. Rather than requiring manual sequential configuration, the system automatically detects connected sensors, assigns addresses, and configures communication parameters before normal operation begins. This preliminary automatic configuration dramatically speeds up installation while maintaining proper sensor configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
An agricultural communication system is provided that enables sensor-to-sensor link communications of peripheral farming devices (planters, fertilizer or pesticide applicators, etc.) so as to enhance diagnostics for locating system faults and blockages. The system also provides a means to operate with single-faults present with real-time diagnostics to the operator. The point-to-point communications also facilitates simplified installation by automatically determining the sensor addressing based on the physical connection of the sensors. Since the sensor-to-sensor daisy chain bus system is self-configuring there is no dependency on the sensor manufacturing data or sequential installation procedure to define the sensor address as required in other prior art systems. A dual power supply from each end of the looped bus with independent switching provides operation in the presence of single-faults, and a diagnostic mode combined with sensor power supply voltage measurements provides fault location.