SENT Multi-Transmission Mode ECU Port Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing Single Edge Nibble Transmission (SENT) protocol requires additional hardware and space for each additional sensor connected to an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), as it is limited to a unidirectional point-to-point connection, necessitating multiple ports and hardware units for multiple sensors.

Innovation Solution

Encoding a device identifier in the synchronization nibble of the SENT signal allows multiple sensors to share a single port by enabling the receiver to decode and identify the transmitting sensor, facilitating multi-transmission mode without the need for additional hardware or ports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the traditional SENT protocol is used with point-to-point connection, then each sensor can be reliably identified and communicated with, but additional sensors require additional ports and hardware units which increase device complexity and space occupancy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor identification reliabilityVSAvoidECU hardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The SENT receiver is designed to handle multiple sensors through a single port by universally processing SENT signals from different sensors. The receiver can decode sensor identifiers and route data from multiple sources through one hardware interface, making the receiver multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single sensor-port pairing.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple sensor connections are merged into a single ECU port. The patent combines the functionality of multiple point-to-point connections into one shared communication interface, where sensors share the physical port but are logically distinguished through encoded identifiers in the SENT protocol data stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the traditional SENT protocol is used with point-to-point connection, then each sensor can be reliably identified and communicated with, but additional sensors require additional ports and hardware units which occupy additional space in the ECU

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor identification reliabilityVSAvoidECU space occupancy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The SENT receiver is designed to handle multiple sensors through a single port by universally processing SENT signals from different sensors. The receiver can decode sensor identifiers and route data from multiple sources through one hardware interface, making the receiver multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single sensor-port pairing.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple sensor connections are merged into a single ECU port. The patent combines the functionality of multiple point-to-point connections into one shared communication interface, where sensors share the physical port but are logically distinguished through encoded identifiers in the SENT protocol data stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional SENT ports and hardware units are added to support more sensors, then more sensors can be connected, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor connection capacityVSAvoidECU manufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The SENT receiver is designed to handle multiple sensors through a single port by universally processing SENT signals from different sensors. The receiver can decode sensor identifiers and route data from multiple sources through one hardware interface, making the receiver multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single sensor-port pairing.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple sensor connections are merged into a single ECU port. The patent combines the functionality of multiple point-to-point connections into one shared communication interface, where sensors share the physical port but are logically distinguished through encoded identifiers in the SENT protocol data stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If the SENT protocol uses dedicated hardware units per sensor, then each sensor transmission can be decoded accurately, but the quantity of hardware units increases with additional sensors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata decoding accuracyVSAvoidnumber of hardware units
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The SENT receiver is designed to handle multiple sensors through a single port by universally processing SENT signals from different sensors. The receiver can decode sensor identifiers and route data from multiple sources through one hardware interface, making the receiver multi-functional rather than dedicated to a single sensor-port pairing.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple sensor connections are merged into a single ECU port. The patent combines the functionality of multiple point-to-point connections into one shared communication interface, where sensors share the physical port but are logically distinguished through encoded identifiers in the SENT protocol data stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11770194B2Apparatus for a single edge nibble transmission (SENT) multi transmission mode
Publication Date: 2023.09.26 RENESAS ELECTRONICS AMERICA INC
  • US11770194B2 patent drawing
  • US11770194B2 patent drawing
  • US11770194B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for a single edge nibble transmission (SENT) multi-transmission mode are described. In an example, a system can include a transmitter and a receiver connected to one another. The transmitter may encode an identifier of a device in a synchronization nibble of a SENT signal. The transmitter may transmit the SENT signal with the encoded identifier to the receiver. The receiver may receive the SENT signal from the transmitter. The receiver may decode the identifier of the device from the synchronization nibble of the SENT signal to identify the device.