Inductive Isolated Switch Controller for Asynchronous Fault Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inductive coupling communication channels between galvanically isolated transmitters and receivers face challenges such as high costs for providing clock signals and asynchronous transmissions, leading to potential signal collisions and varying priorities for different signals.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a bidirectional inductive coupling communication channel that allows multiple transmitters and receivers to access the channel asynchronously, using signal transformers or coupled inductors to transmit command, fault, and data signals without synchronization, prioritizing fault signals over others in case of collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clock signals are provided for synchronous communication, then communication reliability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the clock signal requirement from the communication system. By using asynchronous communication without clock signals, the system eliminates the need for clock generation, distribution, and synchronization hardware, thereby reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining communication reliability through event-driven signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/synchronous timing system (clock signals) with an asynchronous event-driven system. Instead of using periodic clock signals to coordinate transmission, the system uses independent event-triggered communication where transmitters and receivers operate autonomously without temporal synchronization, eliminating the mechanical timing infrastructure.
2Device complexity
If asynchronous transmission is used to reduce hardware costs, then device complexity is reduced, but signal collisions and communication reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication channel into multiple independent transmitters and receivers that operate asynchronously. Each transmitter-receiver pair communicates independently without interfering with others, allowing the system to handle multiple signals simultaneously without collisions, thereby maintaining reliability while using simple asynchronous hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary inductive coupling mechanism (transformer) that electrically isolates different communication channels. This intermediary allows multiple asynchronous transmitters to share the same physical medium without their signals interfering with each other, preventing collisions while maintaining the simplicity of asynchronous operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transmitters share the same channel, then communication versatility is improved, but signal collisions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the dimension of electrical isolation through transformer coupling. By transitioning from direct electrical connection to magnetically coupled isolation, multiple transmitters can share the same physical channel without their electrical signals interfering with each other, enabling versatile multi-transmitter communication while preventing collisions through galvanic isolation.
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
Enables reliable communication of critical signals across galvanic isolation with reduced need for additional hardware, managing signal collisions and prioritizing fault signals, thus ensuring stable operation in high-power, noisy environments like power converters.
Implementation Method 1
One such communication system uses the windings of an inductive coupling to send information from a transmitter to a receiver
Implementation Method 2
signal transformers are designed to minimize leakage inductance and stray capacitance
Implementation Method 3
signal transformers are designed to minimize leakage inductance and stray capacitance
Data Source
AI summary
A controller comprising a driver interface referenced to a first reference potential, a drive circuit referenced to a second reference potential, and an inductive coupling. The driver interface comprises a first receiver configured to compare a portion of signals having a first polarity on the first terminal of the inductive coupling with a first threshold, and a second receiver configured to compare a portion of signals having a second polarity on the second terminal of the inductive coupling with a third threshold. The drive circuit comprises a first transmitter configured to drive current in a first direction in the second winding to transmit first signals, and a second transmitter configured to drive current in a second direction in the second winding to transmit second signals, the second direction opposite the first direction.