GPIB to ZigBee Interface Conversion for Lab Instrument Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB) communication link in laboratory test equipment faces limitations in physical interconnect distance and the number of interconnected devices, leading to deteriorated data signal quality and restricted mobility due to heavy load, parasitic capacitances, resistances, and inductances.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a conversion device with a GPIB module and a ZigBee module, which converts data between GPIB and ZigBee formats, enabling wireless interconnection without altering existing equipment, thereby expanding the range and number of interconnected devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If GPIB wired connection is used to interconnect test instruments, then data transmission reliability is maintained, but physical interconnect distance is limited to 20m and number of devices is limited to 15

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidphysical interconnect distance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wireless communication module as an intermediary between GPIB devices, converting wired GPIB signals to wireless transmissions. This mediator extends the physical connection beyond cable length limitations while maintaining protocol compatibility through signal conversion and retransmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired GPIB connection system with a wireless communication system. By substituting physical cables and connectors with wireless transmission mechanisms, the system eliminates distance and device count limitations inherent in wired connections while maintaining data transmission functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If GPIB wired connection is used to interconnect test instruments, then data transmission stability is ensured, but mobility of test instruments is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission stabilityVSAvoidmobility of test instruments

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with wireless communication, enabling mobile test instruments to maintain stable data transmission. The wireless system eliminates physical constraints on instrument movement while protocol conversion ensures transmission stability comparable to wired connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If more test instruments are connected to GPIB bus, then system functionality is enhanced, but data signal quality deteriorates due to heavy load and parasitic effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoiddata signal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the GPIB bus into multiple wireless communication channels, each handling connections to subsets of instruments. This segmentation reduces the load on any single communication path, minimizing parasitic effects and signal degradation while maintaining support for a larger total number of connected instruments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9727509B2GPIB bus to ZigBee interconnection

Publication Date: 2017.08.08 SEMICON MFG INT (SHANGHAI) CORP

AI summary

An interface conversion device and a wireless communication system including the interface conversion device are disclosed. The interface conversion device is connected to GPIB-equipped devices in a GPIB network to convert data in the GPIB format to the ZigBee format and vice versa, thereby transforming a cable network to a wireless network to increase the mobility, range, and number of devices in the network.