Retrofitted PCBA Emulates EM Fields for Locator Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for training field technicians to detect and identify buried assets are time-consuming, costly, and inefficient, as they require extensive training and the use of either fully simulated or permanently modified electromagnetic locator devices, which are not practical for real-world applications.
Innovation Solution
A printed circuit card assembly (PCBA) is retrofitted onto conventional electromagnetic locator devices to create a dual-use system that can perform both conventional buried asset location and simulated training scenarios, allowing for efficient and precise measurement of technician performance without the need for a new or fully simulated device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fully simulated ELD is developed for training purposes, then training effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and development cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simulated training scenario by copying the interface and operational characteristics of a conventional ELD into a software application on a mobile device. Instead of building a fully simulated hardware ELD, the system replicates the user interface, display elements, and interaction patterns of real ELDs in a software environment, allowing trainees to practice without needing actual specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables a mobile device to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a conventional communication device and a simulated ELD training tool. The software application transforms the mobile device into a multi-functional platform that can perform both standard mobile operations and specialized ELD training scenarios, eliminating the need for dedicated training equipment.
2Reliability
If real-life training scenarios with actual buried assets are used, then training realism is improved, but cost and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of real-world training scenarios within the software application. Instead of physically burying assets and transporting trainees to field locations, the system replicates various burial scenarios, asset types, and environmental conditions in a digital environment that can be instantly accessed and modified.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares multiple training scenarios in advance within the software, allowing trainees to access pre-configured training environments without needing to set up physical scenarios. The software includes pre-programmed asset locations, burial depths, and scenario parameters that are ready for immediate training use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ELDs are permanently modified for training use, then training functionality is improved, but operational availability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of permanently modifying conventional ELDs, the patent creates a software copy of the ELD interface and functionality that runs on mobile devices. This virtual replication provides all necessary training functions without altering the original equipment, allowing modified and unmodified devices to coexist in the operational fleet.
Solution Approach 2:
The software application acts as an intermediary layer between the trainee and the training objectives. It provides the ELD interface and simulation environment through the mobile device without requiring physical modification of actual ELDs, thus serving as a mediating solution that preserves operational equipment while enabling training functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A printed circuit card assembly (PCBA) configured for retrofitting a conventional electromagnetic locator device (ELD) for a simulator system includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having data connectors connected via a switch to the ELD, a low-power radio frequency (RF) receiver for receiving emulated electromagnetic (EM) field data, a processor for reading the emulated EM field data that includes constituent parts, wherein each constituent part corresponds to EM field data for a specific one of the digital signal processor on the conventional ELD, disassembling the emulated EM field data into its constituent parts, and transmitting to the digital signal processors, via the data connectors, the constituent part of the emulated EM field data that corresponds to said digital signal processor, thereby emulating an EM field on the conventional ELD.