Semiconductor Deterioration Detector for DALI Network Quality Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illumination control systems, particularly those adhering to DALI standards, face challenges in diagnosing and maintaining communication network quality, which affects the reliability and longevity of the network.

Innovation Solution

A light source control system comprising a server and semiconductor devices with deterioration detectors that analyze data waveforms to diagnose communication network quality, using score tables to identify and address deteriorating components, thereby extending network lifetime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If DALI standard communication is used for illumination control, then light adjustment control functionality is improved, but communication network quality diagnosis capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight adjustment control functionalityVSAvoidcommunication network quality diagnosis capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The semiconductor device is divided into functional modules: a communication interface module for DALI standard communication and a separate deterioration detector for monitoring communication quality. This segmentation allows the device to simultaneously perform light control functions and communication quality diagnosis without interference between functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A deterioration detector is introduced as an intermediary component that monitors the communication interface module's performance. This detector analyzes communication data waveforms and generates deterioration information, enabling indirect assessment of communication network quality without disrupting the primary control functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If communication network quality diagnosis is implemented, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication network quality diagnosis capabilityVSAvoidsemiconductor device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deterioration detector is designed with multi-functionality: it detects communication quality, generates deterioration information, and can trigger maintenance alerts. By consolidating these related functions into a single component, the device achieves comprehensive monitoring capability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication interface module and deterioration detector work together in a self-monitoring system where the device automatically assesses its own communication quality and generates diagnostic information without requiring external monitoring equipment, thereby improving reliability while minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3214905B1Semiconductor device, light source control device, and light source control system
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORP
  • EP3214905B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3214905B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3214905B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a semiconductor device capable of diagnosing communication network quality. Disclosed is a semiconductor device that is coupled to a light source, the semiconductor device including a signal processing unit that is coupled to an interface module and transmits and receives a command signal to increase or decrease illumination intensity of the light source and a deterioration detector that detects deterioration of the interface module, based on whether or not change timing of a signal representing data of a command signal received by the interface module falls within a predetermined interval.