Passive Backplane Monitoring Network for Scalable Data Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial monitoring systems lack flexibility and scalability, and the costs and complexity of installation create barriers for monitoring low-cost and low-priority components, limiting their effectiveness in maintaining machinery and preventing equipment failures.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring system with a passive backplane and detachable functional circuits that share resources, allowing for adjustable performance and scalability by coupling additional circuits, and a communication schedule management system that prevents data collisions through beacon packets and time slicing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a centralized monitoring system is used, then monitoring coverage can be extended, but installation costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into independent modular units (master circuit, slave circuits, coupling elements) that can be individually installed and configured. Each module handles specific monitoring functions locally, eliminating the need for complex centralized installation while extending monitoring coverage across multiple machines and locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling elements and data lanes are designed with universal interfaces that can connect different types of monitoring circuits and machines. The system uses standardized communication protocols allowing the same infrastructure to monitor diverse equipment, reducing installation complexity while expanding adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more monitoring circuits are added, then monitoring capability increases, but installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple monitoring functions are combined into shared infrastructure components such as common data lanes, power distribution networks, and communication bus systems. By merging circuits to share these resources, the system achieves expanded monitoring capability without proportionally increasing installation costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic configuration where monitoring circuits can be selectively activated or deactivated based on operational needs. This enables the system to scale monitoring capability flexibly, installing only the necessary circuits rather than over-provisioning the entire system.
3Productivity
If data transmission from multiple circuits is allowed simultaneously, then data collection efficiency improves, but data collisions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic time-sliced data transmission where each circuit is allocated specific time windows for data transmission. This structured periodic approach allows multiple circuits to transmit data efficiently without collisions, as each circuit knows when to transmit based on its assigned time slot.
Solution Approach 2:
The master circuit receives feedback from slave circuits about their data transmission status and queue conditions. Based on this feedback, the master dynamically adjusts the timing and allocation of transmission slots, optimizing data collection efficiency while preventing collisions through coordinated access control.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices for monitoring operation of industrial equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a monitoring system is provided that includes a passive backplane and one more functional circuits that can couple to the backplane. Each of the functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane can have access to all data that is delivered to the backplane. Therefore, resources (e.g., computing power, or other functionality) from each functional circuits can be shared by all active functional circuits that are coupled to the backplane. Because resources from each of the functional circuits can be shared, and because the functional circuits can be detachably coupled to the backplane, performance of the monitoring systems can be tailored to specific applications. For example, processing power can be increased by coupling additional processing circuits to the backplane.