HVAC Wireless Communication with Phase-Shifted Signal Error Checking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems face challenges with reliable communication between thermostat and other devices, as hardwired connections are difficult to relocate and wireless connections are susceptible to interference.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a wireless HVAC system using a primary and secondary radio signal with error detection techniques and a look-up table to validate and determine temperature and humidity values, allowing for secure, robust, and relocatable communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardwired connections are used for communication between thermostat and HVAC devices, then reliability is improved, but ease of relocation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardwired connection system with a wireless communication system using radio transmitters and receivers. This substitution maintains communication reliability through robust wireless protocols while eliminating the physical constraints that prevented easy relocation of thermostats.
2Ease of operation
If wireless connections are used for communication between thermostat and HVAC devices, then ease of relocation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to jamming and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into multiple independent radio transmitters and receivers operating on different frequencies or channels. This segmentation allows the system to switch between multiple communication paths, maintaining reliability even when one path experiences interference or jamming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic parameter changes including frequency hopping, variable transmission power, and adjustable modulation schemes. These parameter changes allow the wireless communication system to adapt to interference conditions, maintaining reliability while preserving ease of relocation.
3Reliability
If error detection and validation techniques are implemented in wireless communication, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses secondary signals as copies of primary signals for error detection and validation. By comparing the primary signal with its secondary copy, the system can detect errors without requiring complex error correction algorithms, thus improving reliability while limiting complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service error detection where the communication system validates its own transmissions using built-in checksum verification and signal comparison. This self-validation mechanism improves reliability without requiring external verification systems, keeping device complexity manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) communication method comprising generating, at a transmitter device, a primary signal and a secondary signal. Each of the signals comprise digital temperature data and digital humidity data. The secondary signal is a phase shifted representation of the primary signal. The HVAC communication method further comprises transmitting the primary signal and the secondary signal to a receiver device via a wireless link. The method continues by storing a look-up table that maps bit streams to temperature values and humidity values. The method continues by performing, at the receiver device, a comparison using the primary signal to execute error checking, and determining, at the receiver device, a temperature value and a humidity value using the look-up table based on the comparison.