Light Strip Current Modulation for Trailer Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light strip systems do not effectively utilize power and ground circuits for data transmission without affecting the lighting performance, limiting their functionality in applications requiring both illumination and data communication.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that uses the power and ground circuits of a light strip as a data bus, enabling data transfer by encoding status information from trailer components into time-varying current changes, which is decoded by a data hub for further processing and display or relay to a monitoring system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If power and ground circuits are used for data transmission, then data communication capability is improved, but lighting performance may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic modulation of the power circuit current to encode data. The sensor node modulates the current flowing through the light strip at specific frequencies (e.g., 100Hz, 1kHz, or higher) to represent binary data states. This periodic action allows data transmission without permanently altering the lighting function, as the modulation can be performed at frequencies imperceptible to humans or during periods when lighting is not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the current level in the power circuit based on data requirements. During data transmission, the current is modulated within a range that maintains sufficient lighting performance while enabling detectable variations for data encoding. The data hub dynamically detects these variations and decodes the transmitted information, allowing both lighting and communication functions to coexist through dynamic current management.
2Device complexity
If existing light strip circuits are used for data bus, then device complexity is reduced, but data transmission reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the data hub continuously monitors the power and ground circuits for modulated signals. The sensor node transmits data by modulating current, and the data hub detects these modulations and sends acknowledgment or request-for-retransmission signals back to the sensor node. This feedback loop ensures reliable data transmission even in the presence of electrical noise or interference on the shared power circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary modulation scheme that encodes data through subtle current variations on the power circuits. Instead of directly transmitting raw data signals that could be corrupted by electrical interference, the system uses an intermediary representation (modulated current waves) that is more resilient to noise. The data hub acts as an intermediary that detects and decodes these modulated signals, converting them back into reliable digital data.
3Loss of information
If current modulation is used for data encoding, then data transmission is enabled, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses partial modulation of the power circuit current rather than full-scale variations. Only small percentage variations (e.g., 1-5% modulation depth) are applied to the already-present current required for lighting operation. This partial action approach enables data encoding while minimizing additional power consumption, as the modulation rides on top of the existing lighting current rather than requiring separate full-power transmission cycles.
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 efficient data transmission through existing light strips without affecting illumination, providing real-time status information and fault detection for trailer components, enhancing operational monitoring and control.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor node may be configured to use the power circuit or the ground circuit to broadcast trailer component data that corresponds to the status of the trailer component
Implementation Method 2
The data hub may be configured to measure changes in current flowing through the power circuit and to optionally generate the data hub output accordingly
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system that utilizes a light strip to carry data using the power and ground connections of the light strip. When used in the context of a truck and trailer, the system may include a sensor node configured to obtain status information about trailer components, and a data hub for collecting the information. The data about the trailer components may be transferred from the sensor node to the data hub using the power and/or ground connections of the light strip. The sensor node may communicate using the light strip by changing the current level of the light strip power connection, and these changes in the current level may be used by the data hub as a signal by which the data may be received.