Flexible I/O and SPRe Circuitry for Low-Latency Dynamic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensing and control systems for dynamic environments face challenges in achieving low latency and flexibility in handling various signaling types, which affects their reflexive responsiveness and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The integration of signal-processing-resource (SPRe) circuitry, which is communicatively coupled to both flexible input/output circuitry and controllers, offloads signal-processing tasks and enhances the system's reflexive responsiveness by dynamically configuring multiple processing resources to perform various signal processing and generation functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If signal processing tasks are performed by the controller in existing sensing and control systems, then the controller can maintain system coordination, but the system latency increases and reflexive responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing function from the controller by introducing dedicated SPRe circuitry. The controller handles high-level coordination while the SPRe circuitry handles real-time signal processing tasks such as filtering, amplification, and analog-to-digital conversion. This segmentation reduces controller workload and enables parallel processing, thereby reducing system latency and improving reflexive responsiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The SPRe circuitry acts as an intermediary between the sensors/actuators and the controller. It processes signals in real-time before they reach the controller, providing a buffer that reduces the controller's processing burden and enables faster response times for time-critical operations without compromising system coordination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control system uses fixed signaling types, then the system architecture remains simple, but the adaptability to handle diverse signal types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal input/output circuitry within the SPRe circuitry that can handle multiple signaling types including differential and single-ended signals, various voltage levels, and different protocol formats. This multi-functional design allows the same circuitry to adapt to diverse signal types from different sensors and actuators, providing high versatility without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each signal type.
Solution Approach 2:
The input/output circuitry is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, allowing it to switch between different signaling modes and protocols based on the connected devices. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to handle diverse signal types flexibly while maintaining a relatively simple base architecture that can be configured as needed.
3Speed
If more signal processing resources are added to reduce latency, then the reflexive responsiveness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple signal processing functions (filtering, amplification, analog-to-digital conversion, protocol handling) into a single integrated SPRe circuitry block. This consolidation provides comprehensive signal processing capability for improved reflexive responsiveness while avoiding the complexity of having separate discrete circuits for each function. The integrated design shares resources and reduces interconnections.
Solution Approach 2:
The SPRe circuitry is designed to autonomously handle real-time signal processing tasks without requiring constant controller intervention. It independently performs filtering, signal conditioning, and preliminary processing, serving itself for time-critical operations and only communicating processed results or exceptions to the controller, thereby achieving fast response with controlled complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for controlling and communicating with a plurality of devices in a dynamic environment. A controller can issue commands to one or more of the devices in the dynamic environment and receive information based on signals from one or more of the devices in the dynamic environment. The commands from the controller and the signals from the devices can be transformed to different signaling types by flexible I/O circuitry connected between the controller and plurality of devices to establish compatible communications between the controller and the devices, thereby accommodating a wide variety of signaling types. Signal-processing-resource circuitry (SPRe circuitry) is additionally implemented between the controller and devices to offload signal-processing tasks from the controller to the SPRe circuitry. The offloading can provide low-latency responses by the controller to conditions arising in a complex dynamic environment and can further reduce processing time associated with the signal-processing tasks.