Optical-Fiber Ring Network for Continuous CAN Communication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing CAN bus systems face challenges such as electromagnetic compatibility issues, cable failures leading to complete communication breakdown, and high setup and maintenance costs due to the need for multiple copper cables and complex configurations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a data transmission system using optical fiber sections with a ring topology and interface devices that support the CAN protocol, allowing end-to-end communication without modifying client devices, and incorporating a master interface device to manage data flow and detect failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If copper cables are used for CAN bus physical layer, then simple implementation and low cost are achieved, but electromagnetic compatibility constraints and cable failure risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the copper cable-based physical layer with an optical fiber-based physical layer. This substitution eliminates electromagnetic compatibility issues inherent to copper cables while maintaining the bus topology structure. The optical fiber medium provides immunity to electromagnetic interference and lightning constraints, thereby improving reliability without sacrificing implementation simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If copper cables are used for CAN bus physical layer, then low implementation cost is achieved, but electromagnetic compatibility constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes copper cables with optical fibers for the physical layer transmission medium. This replacement eliminates the electromagnetic compatibility constraints that affect copper-based systems, including susceptibility to electromagnetic interference and lightning-induced damage. The optical fiber medium is inherently immune to these harmful electromagnetic factors.
3Ease of operation
If traditional CAN bus topology is used, then simple cable connection is achieved, but cable breakage causes complete communication failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic failure detection and recovery mechanisms into the bus system. The master device continuously monitors communication status and can dynamically reconfigure the system upon detecting a cable breakage or device failure. This dynamic response enables the system to maintain communication continuity through alternative paths or error handling, transforming the static vulnerable topology into a resilient system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the master device monitors the bus for error conditions such as cable breakages or device failures. Based on this feedback, the master can detect failures and initiate appropriate error handling procedures, allowing the system to respond to and recover from localized failures rather than suffering complete communication breakdown.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional CAN buses are added to existing system, then expanded functionality is achieved, but installation cost and complexity increase due to multiple cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal optical fiber-based physical layer that can accommodate multiple CAN buses and client devices within a single network infrastructure. Instead of requiring separate copper cable installations for each additional CAN bus, the system uses the shared optical fiber medium with interface devices that can handle multiple protocol instances, thereby reducing installation complexity and cost while maintaining expandability.
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 1b~2a
Figure 3~4c
AI summary
The invention relates to a system (100) for transmitting data between client devices. Such a system comprises: a data transmission medium (120) comprising a plurality of optical fibre sections and a plurality of interface devices (110a, 110b, 110c, 110d), each of the interface devices configured to allow at least one client device (ll0cl) to communicatively connect to the system by means of a CAN protocol. The interface devices are communicatively connected to one another via the data transmission medium by implementing another data transmission protocol and defining a ring-shaped data transmission topology. The interface devices are configured such that at least one client device is able to transmit data to at least one other client device by implementing the end-to-end CAN protocol.