Surface Acoustic Wave Bus Isolation for Compact Field Interfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing field devices require multiple isolators for galvanic isolation, increasing manufacturing costs and space requirements, which limits miniaturization due to the need for individual mounting and wiring of signal and power transformers.
Innovation Solution
A field device utilizing a surface acoustic wave transceiver to provide electrical isolation between the device electronic and the bus driver and receiver, implemented as a single monolithic integrated circuit, reducing the number of components and space required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple isolators (signal transformers and power transformers) are used for galvanic isolation, then safety and ground loop breaking are improved, but device complexity, manufacturing cost, and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple isolators (signal transformers and power transformers) into a single integrated isolator that provides both signal transmission and power supply functions. This merging reduces the number of components from multiple separate isolators to one unified device, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining galvanic isolation for safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated isolator performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides galvanic isolation for safety, transmits communication signals, and supplies power to the field device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate signal transformers and power transformers, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining all necessary isolation functions.
2Reliability
If multiple isolators are used for galvanic isolation, then safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to additional components and wiring
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple isolators into one integrated component, the patent reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, sourced, and assembled. This consolidation directly reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining the safety benefits of galvanic isolation through the integrated design.
3Reliability
If multiple isolators are used for galvanic isolation, then safety is improved, but space requirements increase limiting miniaturization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple isolators into a single integrated isolator, significantly reducing the total space required for isolation components. This consolidation enables miniaturization of the field device while maintaining the safety benefits of galvanic isolation through the compact integrated design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces manufacturing costs and space by using a single surface acoustic wave transceiver for isolation, enabling more compact and cost-effective field devices while maintaining safety through effective galvanic isolation.
Implementation Method 1
a surface acoustic wave transceiver: transmitting the digital transmission signals provided to the surface acoustic wave transceiver by the device electronic to the bus driver by converting the respective digital transmission signal into a surface acoustic transmission wave, reconverting the surface acoustic transmission wave back into the digital transmission signal
Implementation Method 2
transmitting the digital reception signals provided to the surface acoustic wave transceiver by the bus receiver to the device electronic by converting the respective digital reception signal into a surface acoustic reception wave, reconverting the surface acoustic reception wave back into the respective digital reception signal
Data Source
AI summary
A field device comprising: a device electronic; a bus interface embodied to connect the field device to a field bus and a surface acoustic wave connecting the device electronic to the bus interface is disclosed. The bus interface includes a bus driver transmitting communication signals corresponding to digital transmission signal provided by the device electronic onto the field bus and a bus receiver receiving communication signals from the bus and providing corresponding digital reception signals to the device electronic. The surface acoustic wave transceiver transmits the digital transmission signals provided by the device electronic to the bus driver and transmits the digital reception signals provided by the bus receiver to the device electronic. Thereby, the surface acoustic wave transceiver galvanically isolates the device electronic from the bus driver and the bus receiver.