Separated Controllers via High-Speed Serial Links

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power conversion systems face limitations due to close coupling between controllers and power converter circuitry, restricting component reuse, causing electrical noise issues, safety hazards, and constraining enhancements.

Innovation Solution

Implementing high-speed serial links (HSSL) for communication between controllers and power conversion electronics, allowing for separated control architectures, enabling flexible, redundant, and distributed control configurations while reducing component coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If controllers are closely coupled with power converter circuitry, then control and protection are achieved, but component reuse is restricted and electrical noise issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol and protectionVSAvoidcomponent reuse

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the controller into separate functional modules (control circuitry, communication interface, I/O connections) that can be independently reused across different power conversion systems. This segmentation allows the controller to maintain reliable control functions while becoming adaptable to various applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed with universal I/O connections and communication interfaces that can interface with multiple types of power converter circuitry. This multi-functionality enables the same controller to be reused across different system architectures while maintaining reliable control and protection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If controllers are closely coupled with power converter circuitry, then control functions are maintained, but electrical noise and safety hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionsVSAvoidelectrical noise and safety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The controller is physically extracted and separated from the power converter circuitry, placing it in a separate location away from electrical noise and safety hazards. The controller maintains control functions through communication interfaces and I/O connections that transmit control signals without requiring direct physical coupling, thereby eliminating exposure to harmful electrical factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2362534B1Systems and Methods for Controlling Electronic Circuitry with Separated Controllers

Publication Date: 2021.03.31 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

Embodiments provide systems and methods for controlling electronic circuitry. A system can include at least a first controller and a second controller and at least one power electronic circuitry module. The first controller can be in electrical communication with the power electronic circuitry module via a first high-speed serial link (HSSL). The second controller can be in electrical communication with the power electronic circuitry module via a second HSSL.