Sensor Terminal Universal Interface Circuit Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote monitoring systems face challenges with the standard industry-specific interfaces, leading to increased size, cost, and power consumption in sensor terminals, limiting their application to high-frequency communication scenarios and making it difficult to construct low-cost sensor networks.
Innovation Solution
A sensor terminal with a communication interface unit connected to a Network Control Unit (NCU), featuring a control unit that converts current signals from clamp-type alternating current sensors into voltage signals, manages power efficiently, and transmits data through various communication schemes, allowing for wider applicability and reduced maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple standard interfaces are implemented in the NCU to connect various sensors, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the device complexity and size increase due to increased circuit scale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal interface circuit that can handle multiple sensor types (current, voltage, power, energy, frequency) through a single standardized interface. The interface circuit is designed to accept various sensor inputs and process them uniformly, eliminating the need for multiple specialized interfaces while maintaining system adaptability to different sensor types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple standard interfaces are implemented in the NCU, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the power consumption increases due to interface circuit activity
Solution Approach 1:
The NCU operates in periodic cycles, alternating between sleep mode (low power consumption) and active measurement mode. The microcontroller unit enters sleep mode when no measurement is required and wakes up periodically to perform measurements and communicate with the sensor terminal, significantly reducing overall power consumption while maintaining interface adaptability.
3Speed
If the NCU communicates frequently with the center device, then the real-time monitoring capability is improved, but the battery life decreases due to increased communication frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic communication cycles where the NCU sleeps for extended periods and only wakes up to perform measurements and transmit data to the center device. This periodic operation reduces communication frequency and power consumption while still providing timely monitoring updates, balancing real-time capability with battery life extension.
4Ease of operation
If the NCU is driven by a battery to enable remote installation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability decreases due to power supply instability
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operating parameters based on power availability. When battery power is detected, the NCU operates in low-power mode with extended sleep cycles. When AC power is available, the system increases its activity level and communication frequency. This adaptive parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain reliability across different power supply conditions while preserving ease of remote installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor terminal which processes a sensor signal output from at least one sensor and transmits the sensor signal being processed to a center device through a network control unit and a communication line, includes a communication interface unit capable of being connected to the network control unit, a sensor input interface unit being connected to the sensor and inputting the sensor signal, and a control unit generating sensor data from the sensor signal input through the sensor input interface unit and transmitting sensor data corresponding to a request signal of the center device which is input through the communication interface unit from the network control unit or active sensor data to the center device through the network control unit from the communication interface unit.