Remote Intelligence for AS-I Actuator Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical control systems require local intelligence in each device, increasing manufacturing costs and complexity, especially when monitoring and controlling multiple control elements like electromagnetic contactors.
Innovation Solution
A centralized remote intelligence device, known as the master device, communicates with slave devices via an AS-I communication bus to monitor and control AS-I compatible devices, such as electromagnetic contactors, reducing the need for local intelligence in each device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each local device is equipped with intelligence to determine operating state, then monitoring capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intelligence for determining operating state is extracted from individual local devices and consolidated into a single remote master device. The slave devices become simple actuators that execute commands without embedded intelligence, while the master device performs all monitoring and state determination functions centrally.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple monitoring functions that would otherwise require separate intelligent components in each device are merged into a single remote master device. This consolidation eliminates redundant intelligence across multiple devices, reducing overall system cost while maintaining monitoring capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each local device is equipped with intelligence, then device autonomy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two distinct functional layers: simple slave devices that handle local actuation, and a remote master device that handles intelligence and decision-making. This segmentation allows slave devices to remain simple while the system as a whole maintains autonomy through the master device.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication bus acts as an intermediary between the remote master device and local slave devices, enabling the master to send commands and receive status information without requiring complex local processing at each device. This mediator approach maintains system autonomy while keeping individual devices simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication network that includes a master device, an actuator-sensor-interface (AS-I) communication bus, a device configured to be monitored and controlled, and a slave device in communication with the master device via the AS-I communication bus. The device that is configured to be monitored and controlled, is operatively connectable to the slave device, and the slave device is configured to receive commands from the master device via the AS-I communication bus, and to execute the commands to control the device.