Low Power Sensor Communication Using Two Wires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sensors remotely connected to processors face challenges in minimizing power consumption and reducing the number of electrical wires, which are costly and difficult to implement effectively.
Innovation Solution
A sensor module that communicates data to a processor using two or fewer electrical wires by controlling current consumption through a transistor, alternating between two current magnitudes to represent data values, allowing for low-power data transmission via a single power wire or a power and ground wire configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are located remotely from the processor, then sensing coverage is improved, but power consumption increases and wire cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power delivery and data communication into a single wire interface. The sensor module uses the same physical connection to receive power from the processor and to communicate sensed data back to the processor, eliminating the need for separate power and data wires. This merging reduces wire count and complexity while maintaining remote sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single wire connection serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power delivery from the processor to the remote sensor, and it carries bidirectional data communication for both commands from the processor and sensed data from the sensor. This multi-functional use of a single interface reduces the number of wires needed while enabling remote operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are located remotely from the processor, then sensing coverage is improved, but wire cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power delivery and data communication functions into a single wire connection, reducing the total wire count from multiple separate connections to just one. This directly reduces material costs and assembly complexity for remote sensor installations.
3Device complexity
If the number of electrical wires is reduced to two or fewer, then wire cost and complexity are reduced, but implementing reliable data communication becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module employs periodic communication cycles with distinct phases: a power-up phase where the sensor initializes and a communication phase where data is transmitted. The transistor switches between these phases periodically, ensuring that data communication occurs only when the sensor is fully powered and ready, thereby maintaining reliability despite the reduced wire count.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a transistor as an intermediary switching element to mediate between the single wire connection and the sensor's internal circuitry. The transistor controls the flow of current and data signals through the wire, enabling reliable bidirectional communication by acting as a gatekeeper that ensures proper signal timing and levels despite the simplified single-wire interface.
4Use of energy by moving object
If current consumption is minimized to 1 mA for communication, then power consumption is reduced, but data transmission capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module dynamically adjusts its current consumption based on operational mode: it draws higher current (3 mA) during data capture and processing operations, and reduces to minimal current (1 mA) during data communication. This dynamic power management allows the sensor to maintain full data transmission capability when needed while minimizing power consumption during transmission, resolving the contradiction between low power and adequate transmission capability.
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 communication from sensors to processors with reduced power consumption and wire count, achieving current magnitudes of 3 mA for data capture and 1 mA for communication, thereby minimizing costs and power usage.
Implementation Method 1
a transistor coupled to the current consumption configuration component and configured to control the current consumption configuration component to output the processed data
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a first control element which transitions a sensor module between an active and an inactive mode. A second control element is configured to adjust currents drawn by the sensor module during the inactive mode—such currents corresponding to sensor readings. A processor is coupled by a power signal to a sensor module, which operates over an active sensor, a transition, and a data transfer state. Currents drawn during the active sensor state are substantially constant. During transition, currents decrease from the substantially constant current to a minimum current. During data transfer, currents vary between the substantially constant current and the minimum current. A logical element is configured to monitor the current drawn by the sensor module and, based on variations therein, determine the operating state of the sensor module. A method for using the processor is also disclosed.