Mission Critical Communication Link Hub Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems between wired and wireless devices in industrial settings experience significant latency and signal uncertainties due to the use of converters, which hinder the efficient delivery of feedback information and operating instructions.
Innovation Solution
A hub system that synchronizes the communication cycles between wireless and wired devices, allowing for the alignment of start times to minimize latency and predictability in data transfer, using a mission critical communication link (MCCL) protocol to facilitate seamless communication between primary and secondary devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If converters are used to enable communication between wired and wireless devices, then inter-communication capability is improved, but latency and timing uncertainty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the converter component from the communication path between wired and wireless devices. By directly coupling the wired secondary device to the wireless primary device through a shared bus interface, the conversion function is eliminated, thereby removing the latency and timing uncertainty that converters introduce while maintaining inter-communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an asymmetric communication architecture where the wired secondary device communicates directly with the wireless primary device without requiring symmetric conversion processes. This asymmetric direct coupling allows the wired device to interface natively with the wireless system, eliminating the need for protocol conversion and associated delays.
2Adaptability or versatility
If converters are used to interface wired and wireless devices, then communication compatibility is improved, but signal timing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the converter component that causes timing jitter and uncertainty. By eliminating the conversion stage, the system achieves direct wired-to-wireless communication where timing signals maintain their precision without being subjected to conversion-induced variations, thereby improving signal timing precision while maintaining compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a predetermined direct coupling architecture between wired and wireless devices that is configured in advance to eliminate timing uncertainties. The communication interface is pre-configured to handle wired and wireless protocols directly without conversion, ensuring timing precision is maintained from the outset.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols are implemented in wired and wireless devices, then system versatility is improved, but communication latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication interface that natively supports both wired and wireless protocols without requiring separate conversion stages. The shared bus interface is designed to handle multiple protocol types directly, allowing the system to communicate with diverse devices using different protocols while maintaining low latency through direct protocol-to-protocol interfacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the intermediate conversion layer that would be required to translate between multiple communication protocols. By establishing direct coupling between wired and wireless devices with native protocol support, the system eliminates the protocol conversion step that introduces latency, while still achieving versatility through direct multi-protocol capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing communication between a wireless mission critical communication link (MCCL) and a wired MCCL, comprising: determining a wireless communication cycle of a primary device coupled to the wireless MCCL; determining a wired communication cycle of a secondary device, wherein the secondary device is coupled via the wired MCCL; receiving a feedback signal from the secondary device over the wired MCCL; synchronizing a start time of the wireless communication cycle to a start of the wired communication cycle; and transmitting the feedback signal over the wireless MCCL to the primary device at an aligned start time of the wired communication cycle.