Modular CAN Controller Architecture for Replaceable Load Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) have dedicated controllers that are difficult to modify or replace, leading to high costs and waste when individual components fail.
Innovation Solution
A configurable modular controller architecture that includes a modular controller card with a microprocessor and a modular driver board, which can connect and disconnect, allowing for the use of different driver software to control various loads, and enabling easy replacement of failed components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated controllers are used for each load, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase when modifications or replacements are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is divided into separate modular components: a universal controller card that can be shared and multiple dedicated driver boards for different loads. This segmentation allows the controller card to remain reliable while individual driver boards can be replaced or modified independently, reducing overall system complexity when changes are needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller card is designed as a universal component that can work with multiple different types of driver boards through standardized interfaces. This multi-functionality allows a single controller card to control various loads (motors, valves, heaters) by simply changing the driver board, eliminating the need for dedicated controller cards for each load type.
2Manufacturing precision
If dedicated controllers are used for each load, then control precision is improved, but waste increases when components fail
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the controller into a reusable controller card and replaceable driver boards, the system maintains dedicated control precision for each load type while minimizing waste. When a driver board fails, only that specific board needs replacement rather than the entire dedicated controller, reducing material waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular architecture enables selective discarding and recovery of components. When a driver board fails, it can be discarded and replaced, while the expensive controller card is recovered and reused with a different driver board, significantly reducing overall waste.
3Ease of repair
If modular components are used, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is segmented into clearly defined modular components with standardized interfaces. This segmentation makes repair easy by allowing individual driver boards to be replaced without affecting the controller card, while the standardized interfaces keep the overall system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized interface between the controller card and driver boards acts as an intermediary that simplifies connections. This standardized mediator layer abstracts the complexity of different driver board types, making replacement and integration straightforward despite the modular architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An environmental control system includes a broadcast-type controller area network (CAN) bus and a plurality of configurable modular controllers coupled to the CAN bus. Each of the plurality of configurable modular controllers includes a modular controller card with a microprocessor and a modular driver board configured to connect and disconnect to and from the controller card. The environmental control system further includes one or more sensors and a primary controller. The sensors are configured to sense one or more parameter values and to provide the one or more parameter values on the CAN bus. The primary controller is configured to communicate with each of the configurable modular controllers via the CAN bus.