Sensor Signal Transmission Error Detection via Comparison Signal Multiplexing

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sensor signal transmission systems in vehicles require redundant components to ensure reliability, which increases costs and space requirements due to the need for duplicated signal paths and microcontrollers, making it inefficient for safety-critical applications.

Innovation Solution

A transmitting device that generates a comparison signal with a predetermined form, which is combined with the sensor signal and transmitted, allowing the receiver to detect errors by verifying the correct transmission of the comparison signal, thus ensuring accurate processing and detection of malfunctions without duplicating components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If redundant components are used to ensure reliability, then the reliability of sensor signal transmission is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of sensor signal transmissionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sensor signal and comparison signal into a single transmission path using signal multiplexing. The transmitting device merges both signals onto one communication channel, and the receiving device separates them using correlation detection. This eliminates the need for physically separate redundant signal paths while maintaining the ability to detect transmission errors through the comparison signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The comparison signal acts as an intermediary that carries error detection information without requiring separate hardware paths. By embedding the comparison signal within the same transmission medium as the sensor signal, the system uses the transmission path itself as a carrier for both data and error detection information, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If redundant components are used to ensure reliability, then the reliability of sensor signal transmission is improved, but the space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of sensor signal transmissionVSAvoidspace requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sensor signal and comparison signal into a single transmission path using signal multiplexing. The transmitting device merges both signals onto one communication channel, and the receiving device separates them using correlation detection. This eliminates the need for physically separate redundant signal paths while maintaining the ability to detect transmission errors through the comparison signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If redundant components are used to ensure reliability, then the reliability of sensor signal transmission is improved, but the manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of sensor signal transmissionVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sensor signal and comparison signal into a single transmission path using signal multiplexing. The transmitting device merges both signals onto one communication channel, and the receiving device separates them using correlation detection. This eliminates the need for physically separate redundant signal paths while maintaining the ability to detect transmission errors through the comparison signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single transmission path serves multiple functions: it carries both the sensor signal and the comparison signal, and enables both normal operation and error detection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated hardware components for each function, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3201894B1Device for transmitting and receiving a sensor signal

Publication Date: 2018.09.12 KNORR BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHIZEUGE GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a transmission device (100) for transmitting a sensor signal (105) relating to a physical variable, comprising the following characteristics: an input interface (110) for entering the sensor signal (105); a signal generator (120) for generating a comparison signal (125); a data processing unit (130); and an output interface (140). The data processing unit (130) is designed to process the sensor signal (105) and the comparison signal (125), and to combine same to form a modified sensor signal (135). The output interface (140) couples to a signal path (150) in order to emit the modified sensor signal (135). The comparison signal (125) changes over time in a predetermined manner over a range of values, in order to permit a receiver to detect an erroneous sensor signal or an erroneous transmission by means of the comparison signal (125).