Multipurpose Bus System With Segmented Signal Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industry standard buses, such as GPIB and USB, are not adaptable for applications requiring asynchronous communication and robustness in manufacturing test environments, where multiple devices with different communication needs are interfaced, and they lack the flexibility and noise robustness needed for such settings.
Innovation Solution
A multipurpose bus system with separate signal paths for command and status information, enabling full duplex communication using RS-422 transceivers, and incorporating error checking features to ensure reliable data transmission, allowing for flexible configuration and integration of various devices without complex encoding or timing protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If industry standard buses (GPIB, USB) are used for communication, then communication capability is provided, but adaptability for asynchronous communication and manufacturing test environments is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bus system is segmented into separate dedicated signal paths for different communication functions: a first signal path for commands from host to device, a second signal path for status from device to host, a third signal path for data transmission, and a fourth signal path for data reception. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific function, enabling asynchronous communication without complex protocol coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The multipurpose bus system is designed to be universally applicable to various manufacturing test environments and communication scenarios. By providing dedicated signal paths that can handle different types of data (commands, status, data) simultaneously in both directions, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring complex protocol switching or reconfiguration.
2Device complexity
If simpler buses (I2C) are used for communication, then protocol complexity is reduced, but communication richness is insufficient for applications requiring more than basic command set
Solution Approach 1:
The communication capability is segmented across four independent signal paths, each dedicated to a specific function. This allows the system to provide rich communication capabilities (commands, status, bidirectional data) without requiring complex protocol logic, as each path operates independently with its own dedicated signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimensional communication model (one shared bus for all communication) to a multi-dimensional model with separate signal paths for different communication types. This dimensional expansion allows rich communication capabilities to coexist with simple, independent signal paths without requiring complex protocol coordination.
3Productivity
If proprietary buses are used for specific device communication, then communication efficiency is improved, but flexibility for other purposes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bus system is designed as a universal multipurpose interface that can efficiently handle multiple communication functions simultaneously. The dedicated signal paths for commands, status, and bidirectional data transmission provide efficient communication for specific functions while the overall system remains flexible and adaptable to different device types and communication needs through configuration rather than hardware changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides dynamic configurability where the same physical bus infrastructure can be configured for different communication patterns and device types. The dedicated signal paths remain fixed, but their usage and interpretation can be dynamically adjusted to serve different purposes, maintaining both efficiency and flexibility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex communication protocols are used, then communication capability is enhanced, but configuration cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting communication into dedicated signal paths for different functions (commands, status, data), the system eliminates the need for complex protocol interpretation and configuration. Each path is purpose-built and requires minimal configuration, reducing both cost and time while maintaining enhanced communication capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and configurations are disclosed herein for communication between devices. In some embodiments, a bus for communication between first and second devices may include a transmit buffer and one or more processing devices. The one or more processing devices may be configured to receive first asynchronous data from an operating system, running on a central processing unit of the first device, on an operating system signal path; transmit the first asynchronous data from the first device to the second device on a command signal path; transmit first data from the transmit buffer to the second device at a first fixed packet frequency on a transmit signal path; and receive data from the second device at a second fixed packet frequency on a receive signal path different from the transmit signal path. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.