JTAG Interface Single-Wire Bus Automotive LED Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling automotive LED light strips require multiple lines for data transmission, including a supply voltage line, ground line, clock line, signaling line, and data line, leading to increased costs and weight, and lack a return channel for error detection and self-testing, making them inefficient for automotive applications.

Innovation Solution

A single-wire data bus system using a JTAG interface with time-multiplexed signals and multiple voltage ranges allows bidirectional data transmission between a bus master and multiple bus nodes, reducing the number of physical connections needed and enabling error detection and self-testing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple lines (supply voltage, ground, clock, signaling, data) are used for controlling LED light strips, then reliable control and power supply are achieved, but the number of connections increases leading to higher costs and weight

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol reliabilityVSAvoidwiring weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (data transmission, clock signaling, and bidirectional communication) into a single data bus line. The JTAG interface enables the single wire to carry both control signals from the bus master to bus nodes and feedback signals from bus nodes to the master, eliminating the need for separate supply voltage, ground, clock, and signaling lines while maintaining reliable control through protocol-level error detection and acknowledgment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single data bus line serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits data from master to slaves, carries clock signals, provides feedback channels for error detection, and enables bidirectional communication for self-testing. The JTAG protocol allows the same physical medium to perform what previously required five separate lines, reducing wiring complexity while preserving control reliability through multi-functional signal encoding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Weight of stationary object

If a single data line is used for bidirectional transmission, then the number of connections is reduced, but the complexity of signal multiplexing and voltage range management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring weightVSAvoidsignal multiplexing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes multiple voltage ranges (first voltage range for logic low, second voltage range for logic high, third voltage range for intermediate states) to encode different signal states and control directions. By changing voltage parameters dynamically, the system achieves bidirectional communication and signal multiplexing on a single wire without requiring complex mechanical switches or additional control lines, managing the complexity through electrical parameter variation rather than structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional control methods are used, then simple implementation is achieved, but no feedback channel exists for error detection and self-testing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoiderror detection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The JTAG interface implements a feedback mechanism where bus nodes send acknowledgment signals and error status information back to the bus master through the same data bus. The master can detect transmission errors, verify node functionality, and initiate self-testing procedures by sending test patterns and analyzing returned data, providing a complete feedback loop for error detection and system reliability without adding separate feedback wiring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3405804B1Jtag interfaces for controlling the actuation device of lighting means or a lighting chain
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 ELMOS SEMICON AG
  • EP3405804B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3405804B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3405804B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The JTAG interface of a bus node (BS1, BS2, BS3) for controlling at least one actuation device of at least one lighting means using a bus node (BS1, BS2, BS3) of a lighting chain comprises at least one illumination register (ILR) as a data register (DR) of the JTAG interface, wherein the actuation of the lighting means using the bus nodes (BS1, BS2, BS3) depends at least temporarily on the at least temporary content of the illumination register. The JTAG interface is characterized in that the test controller (TAPC) comprises a state diagram according to the IEEE 1149 standard and in particular one or more of the sub-standards IEEE 1149.1 to IEEE 1149.8 and the developments thereof.