Line Diagnostics Using Time-Spaced Stimuli for Cable Fault Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional time domain reflectometry (TDR) approaches require complex hardware and algorithms, making them unsuitable for certain settings, and fail to accurately locate cable issues in electrical communication systems, such as those in vehicles, where thick cables are common.

Innovation Solution

The system employs multiple time-spaced stimuli to detect signal reflection times at different threshold levels, building a 'fingerprint' of the cable state to determine characteristics like shorts or opens, and approximates the location of issues using less complex hardware and algorithms, suitable for implementation in communication systems or other electrical systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional time domain reflectometry (TDR) approaches are used to detect cable issues, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable fault detection accuracyVSAvoidhardware and algorithm complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cable diagnosis process into discrete time intervals by sending multiple time-spaced stimuli and measuring reflection times at different threshold levels. This segmentation allows the system to build a fingerprint of cable state through multiple discrete measurements rather than requiring complex continuous analysis, thereby reducing hardware and algorithm complexity while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by sending multiple time-spaced stimuli before the actual fault detection occurs. These preliminary stimuli build up a fingerprint of the cable state in advance, allowing the system to identify cable characteristics such as shorts, opens, or correct terminations without requiring complex real-time analysis during the measurement phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If conventional TDR approaches are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable fault detection accuracyVSAvoidimplementation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the measurement into multiple time-spaced stimuli with discrete threshold level comparisons, the system simplifies the operational implementation. Each stimulus-threshold combination produces a discrete measurement that can be processed independently, making the overall system easier to implement while maintaining the precision needed for accurate cable fault detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If multiple time-spaced stimuli are used to build cable fingerprint, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable state characterization accuracyVSAvoiddiagnosis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic action by sending multiple time-spaced stimuli at regular intervals. This periodic stimulation allows the system to efficiently build a complete fingerprint of the cable state through a series of rapid, periodic measurements. The time-spaced nature of the stimuli enables parallel processing of multiple measurement channels, reducing the overall diagnosis time while maintaining high measurement precision for cable characteristic identification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 approach allows for efficient diagnostics and rapid identification of cable issues, reducing the complexity of hardware and algorithms needed, and facilitates quicker correction of problems in electrical communication systems.

Implementation Method 1

systems and techniques for line diagnostics using time domain reflectometry

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime domain reflectometry:

Implementation Method 2

sense a state of an electrical cable by using multiple, time-spaced stimuli and detecting their signal reflection time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20230375610A1Systems and techniques for line diagnostics

Publication Date: 2023.11.23 ANALOG DEVICES INT UNLTD CO

AI summary

Systems and techniques for line diagnostics. In particular, disclosed herein are systems and techniques for line diagnostics that sense a state of an electrical cable by using multiple, time-spaced stimuli and detecting their signal reflection time at different threshold levels. Information derived from multiple reflections may be used to determine cable characteristics (e.g., “wire short,”“wire open,”“correctly terminated,” etc.). The systems and techniques disclosed herein may advantageously require less complex hardware and implementation algorithms than conventional time domain reflectometry (TDR) approaches, and thus may be implemented in settings in which TDR was previously unsuitable. Further, if a cable issue is detected, the systems and techniques disclosed herein may determine the approximate location of the cable issue along the cable, accelerating correction of the issue.