Interleaved Transducer Subsets Frequency Diversity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in maintaining precise alignment of transducers, especially in environments like oil rigs where transducers are submerged in fluid and move relative to each other, leading to interference and difficulties in signal strength.
Innovation Solution
A communication system with interleaved subsets of transducers operating on different frequencies, using COFDM modulation and error correction metrics to select the best channel for data transmission, allowing for robust communication even in environments with significant movement and fluid interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If paired transducers are positioned with significant precision to achieve suitable interference-free signal strength, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase in environments where precise positioning is not feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer array is divided into multiple subsets (first subset, second subset, etc.), where each subset transmits on a different frequency channel. This segmentation allows the system to process signals from multiple transducers simultaneously without requiring precise alignment, as each subset operates independently on its own frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the frequency parameter by assigning different frequencies to different transducer subsets. This allows multiple transducers to operate simultaneously without interference, and the receiving system can select the best signal based on frequency-specific processing, thereby improving reliability without requiring precise positioning.
2Reliability
If multiple transducers are used to maintain signal strength in moving environments, then communication reliability is improved, but signal interference increases without frequency differentiation
Solution Approach 1:
Different frequency channels are assigned to different transducer subsets to eliminate signal interference. The first subset transmits on a first frequency while the second subset transmits on a second frequency, allowing simultaneous operation without mutual interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer array is segmented into frequency-specific subsets, with each subset handling a specific frequency channel. This segmentation prevents interference between transducers by ensuring that signals on different frequencies do not conflict with each other.
3Device complexity
If transducers are arranged in non-interleaved configuration, then system complexity is reduced, but alignment precision requirements increase to maintain signal strength
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer array is divided into interleaved subsets positioned at different spatial locations, with each subset assigned to a specific frequency. This interleaved arrangement allows the system to tolerate larger positioning tolerances because each frequency channel has dedicated transducers spaced throughout the array.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables reliable and interference-free communication by using interleaved transducer subsets on different frequencies, effectively addressing the challenge of maintaining signal strength in dynamic and submerged environments.
Implementation Method 1
a first set of transducers; a second set of transducers; a first signal processing device configured to produce a signal for transmission by at least some of the transducers in the first set to at least some of the transducers in the second set
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A communication system 100) comprises a first set (204, 206) of transducers and a second set (210, 212) of transducers. The system further comprises a first signal processing device (106) configured to produce a signal for transmission by at least some of the transducers in the first set to at least some of the transducers in the second set, and a second signal processing device (110) configured to process signals received from at least some of the transducers in the second set in order to select a best said signal that is used for further processing. The first set of transducers comprises a first subset (204) comprising at least one said transducer, and a second subset (206) comprising at least one said transducer. Transducers in the first subset transmit on a first channel and transducers in the second subset transmit on a second channel having a different frequency.