One-Wire Interface Eliminates Pull-Up Resistor for Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bidirectional serial communication interfaces using a single signal line and a return line connected to a reference potential suffer from low energy efficiency and slow communication speeds due to the need for a large pull-up resistor, which results in significant power loss and limited voltage and current supply, especially in battery-powered field devices.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional serial communication interface that eliminates the pull-up resistor by using a master switch and a rechargeable energy storage in the slave, allowing the slave to transmit data frames independently and reducing energy consumption by avoiding current flow through a resistor, enabling faster communication through short voltage level changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pull-up resistor is used in conventional one-wire communication interfaces, then the interface can achieve bidirectional communication on a single signal line, but the energy efficiency deteriorates due to significant power loss and limited voltage and current supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pull-up resistor from the communication interface, extracting the problematic energy-dissipating component while maintaining bidirectional communication functionality through an alternative switching mechanism controlled by a microcontroller
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using active switching control instead of passive resistor-based level restoration, dynamically managing voltage levels on the signal line to eliminate continuous power dissipation while enabling full-duplex communication
2Reliability
If a pull-up resistor is used to enable voltage level restoration on the signal line, then communication can be maintained, but the communication speed deteriorates due to slow voltage level changes
Solution Approach 1:
The pull-up resistor is removed from the circuit, eliminating the RC time constant limitation that governs voltage rise time and thereby removing the fundamental bottleneck on communication speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static resistor-based voltage restoration mechanism to a dynamic switching mechanism that can rapidly change voltage levels on demand, enabling faster signal transitions and higher communication rates
3Ease of manufacture
If a pull-up resistor is used in the communication interface, then the circuit can operate with simple components, but the power consumption increases due to current flow through the resistor
Solution Approach 1:
The dissipative pull-up resistor is extracted from the circuit and replaced with an active switching mechanism that consumes power only during state transitions rather than continuously during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The microcontroller serves dual functions by both generating communication signals and restoring voltage levels on the signal line through its switching capability, eliminating the need for separate passive components and reducing overall system power consumption
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
The solution significantly enhances energy efficiency and communication speed, allowing for higher data transmission rates and reducing power consumption, making it suitable for battery-powered field devices.
Implementation Method 1
a rechargeable energy storage (15) connected to the signal line (5) such, that it is charged via the signal line (5) whilst the master switch (9) is closed
Implementation Method 2
a transceiver (13) embodied to transmit binary signals to the slave (3) by driving a voltage on the signal line (5) by opening and closing the master switch (9) according to the binary signals to be transmitted
Implementation Method 3
a transceiver (31) embodied, upon a request of the master (1), to transmit binary signals to the master (1) by driving the voltage on the signal line (5) by opening and closing the switches (23, 27) according to the binary signals to be transmitted
Data Source
AI summary
A bidirectional serial communication interface comprising a slave powered by a master connected to the slave via a signal line and a return line is disclosed. The master includes a master switch inserted in a line connecting a supply voltage to the signal line and a transceiver transmitting binary signals by opening and closing the master switch and receiving binary signals whilst the master switch is open. The slave includes an energy storage charged via the signal line and providing an internal power supply; a pull-up switch inserted in a line connecting the signal line to the internal power supply; a pull-down switch inserted in a line connecting the signal line to the return line; and a transceiver transmitting binary signals by opening and closing the pull-up and the pull-down switch whilst the master switch is open and receiving binary signals whilst the pull-up and the pull-down switch are open.