Multisensor Measurement Transmitter With Dedicated Sensor Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
In process automation technology, existing measurement transmitters face challenges in connecting multiple sensors with different principles of operation and protocols, leading to data transmission errors due to shared bus systems and limited communication capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a measurement transmitter with dedicated function modules for each sensor, connected via separate transmission lines, allowing simultaneous communication with the processor and supporting various protocols and transmission rates, utilizing a reconfigurable logic chip (FPGA) for flexible configuration and error-free data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a shared bus system is used to connect multiple sensors to the processor, then device complexity is reduced, but data transmission errors occur due to overlapping communications from multiple sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the shared bus system into separate dedicated transmission lines for each sensor. Each sensor connects to the processor through its own independent transmission line, eliminating communication conflicts. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining low system complexity while ensuring reliable data transmission without overlapping.
2Device complexity
If a single bus channel is used for sensor communication, then device complexity is minimized, but the processor can only communicate with sensors sequentially, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single bus channel into multiple parallel transmission lines, each dedicated to a specific sensor. This allows the processor to communicate with multiple sensors simultaneously rather than sequentially, significantly improving data acquisition speed while keeping the communication architecture relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional sequential communication approach (single bus channel) to a multi-dimensional parallel communication approach (multiple simultaneous transmission lines). This dimensional change enables the processor to access multiple sensors at the same time, boosting productivity without substantially increasing system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensors with different protocols and transmission rates are connected to a single bus, then adaptability is improved, but data transmission errors occur due to rate mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by customizing each transmission line according to the specific requirements of each sensor. Each sensor gets a dedicated transmission line configured with the appropriate protocol and transmission rate matched to that sensor's capabilities. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high adaptability to different sensor types while ensuring reliable transmission by eliminating protocol and rate mismatches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic configuration capabilities where the system can adapt transmission parameters for each sensor individually. The dedicated transmission lines allow each sensor to operate at its optimal transmission rate and protocol, with the system dynamically managing multiple different communication standards simultaneously without interference, thus maintaining both adaptability and reliability.
4Manufacturing precision
If the software is modified during manufacture to match predetermined sensor types, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different sensor configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic reconfigurability in the software architecture, allowing the system to adapt to different sensor configurations after manufacture. The dedicated transmission lines are designed to support multiple protocol types, and the software can be reconfigured to match different sensor types without requiring hardware changes. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining manufacturing precision through proper initial configuration while enabling post-manufacturing adaptability through software flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement transmitter for a multisensor system for process automation technology, wherein the measurement transmitter, for processing in- and output signals, has a processor, which is connected with an interface, to which a sensor is connected for transmission of data via a transmission line. In communication between the processor and the interface, or the sensor and the interface, different transmission rates of data occur. In order to be able to connect to the measurement transmitter a plurality of sensors working with different principles of operation, and, in spite of the plurality of sensors, largely avoid errors in the data transmission, at least two sensors are present, wherein a function module is present in the interface for each sensor and the function module for each sensor is connected with such sensor via a dedicated transmission line.