Sensor Signal Edge Timing for Higher-Rate Data Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sensor communication protocols, such as SENT and SPC, have limited data rates due to the time between falling edges being restricted to 12-27 clock ticks, necessitating a higher data communication rate between sensors and other entities.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a sensor device with an output driver that adjusts time intervals between signal edges based on reference and data values, allowing for increased data encoding in both low and high times of the output signal, thereby enhancing the data rate without requiring more complex physical implementations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the time between falling edges is restricted to 12-27 clock ticks according to SENT or SPC protocol, then the communication protocol remains compatible and simple, but the data rate is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time interval between signal edges into multiple sub-intervals, each capable of carrying independent data information. By dividing the communication cycle into distinct time segments with different encoding rules, the system achieves higher data throughput while maintaining compatibility with existing SENT/SPC protocols at the segment level
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional dimension for data encoding by utilizing both rising and falling edges for data transmission, whereas traditional protocols only use falling edges. This dimensional expansion allows doubling the data rate without increasing the basic clock frequency or time interval constraints
2Productivity
If the time interval between signal edges is extended to increase data encoding capacity, then the data rate increases, but the communication timing and synchronization become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by establishing regular time intervals between signal edges with consistent encoding patterns. Each communication cycle follows a periodic structure where reference values and data values are transmitted in alternating time intervals, enabling reliable synchronization and timing recovery at the receiver
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the time interval duration to encode different data values. The output driver adjusts the time interval between signal edges based on the data to be transmitted, creating a direct mapping between time parameter and data value that simplifies encoding while maintaining timing precision
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor device includes an output driver configured to: adjust a first time interval of the output signal between a first signal edge of a first type and a first signal edge of a second type based on a first reference value; adjust a second time interval of the output signal between the first signal edge of the second type and a second signal edge of the first type based on a second reference value; adjust a third time interval of the output signal between the second signal edge of the first type and a second signal edge of the second type based on a first data value; and adjust a fourth time interval of the output signal between the second signal edge of the second type and a third signal edge of the first type based on a second data value.