Relay Device FPGA Interface Timing Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical devices require a special first device with multiple communication interfaces to connect with various second devices, limiting device selection freedom and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A relay device with a programmable logic device that includes interface units corresponding to different communication schemes, allowing for flexible communication timing and temporary storage of control signals to prevent timing conflicts and ensure reliable communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a special first device with multiple communication interfaces is used to connect with various second devices, then communication compatibility is improved, but device selection freedom is restricted and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A relay device is introduced as an intermediary between the first device and multiple second devices. The relay device includes a first interface unit that communicates with the first device and multiple second interface units that communicate with different second devices. This mediator handles protocol conversion and timing coordination, allowing the first device to communicate with various second devices without requiring multiple communication interfaces itself, thus improving adaptability while reducing configuration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is segmented into three functional parts: the first device, the relay device with multiple interface units, and the second devices. Each interface unit in the relay device is independently configured to handle specific communication protocols. This segmentation allows the first device to maintain a simple single-interface configuration while the relay device provides the necessary multi-protocol support, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
2Reliability
If communication timing is fixed for all interface units, then communication stability is improved, but timing flexibility for different communication schemes is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device is equipped with timing signal generation units that can dynamically adjust communication timing for each second interface unit based on the specific communication protocol requirements. The timing can be changed according to the type of second device being communicated with, while maintaining stable and reliable communication through proper synchronization. This dynamic timing adjustment resolves the contradiction between stability and flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
An interface module 61 relays control signal communication between a main CPU 621 and a light source control CPU 651 and between the main CPU 621 and a camera head CPU 242. The interface module 61 includes an FPGA 610 having CPU I/Fs 611 to 613 that correspond to communication schemes of CPUs 621, 651, and 242, respectively, and first and second storage units 615 (617) and 616 (618). The FPGA 610 relays a control signal between the main CPU 621 and the light source control CPU 651 and between the main CPU 621 and the camera head CPU 242, while temporarily storing the control signal in the first and the second storage units 615 (617) and 616 (618). Moreover, a first communication timing and second and third communication timings are set at timings shifted from one another.