Serial Bus Address Auto-Discovery for Flexible Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing serial communication systems, such as those using the I2C bus, face limitations in flexibility and ease of system configuration change due to address restrictions and the need for complex settings when adding or removing controlled modules, leading to reduced user convenience and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A serial communication system employing first and second serial buses, where the control unit transmits a command to the first bus, and devices respond with acknowledgments, allowing for address searching and notification via the second bus, enabling flexible system reconfiguration without requiring extensive user intervention or pre-defined address tables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If controlled modules are made detachable from the serial bus, then system flexibility and ease of reconfiguration are improved, but address assignment complexity and user intervention requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controlled module automatically performs address search and acquisition without user intervention. The module independently transmits commands to the serial bus, searches for available addresses, and configures itself when detached or added to the system, eliminating the need for manual address assignment by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The controlled module performs address search and acquisition actions automatically upon detachment or addition to the serial bus. The system prepares and executes address configuration before the module fully integrates into the system, ensuring ready-to-use functionality without requiring subsequent manual setup.
2Ease of manufacture
If a predetermined table of models and addresses is stored beforehand, then address assignment is simplified, but system adaptability to new or custom modules is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The address assignment system transitions from a static predetermined table to a dynamic automatic search mechanism. The controlled module actively searches for available addresses in real-time when detached or added to the serial bus, allowing the system to adapt to new modules without requiring pre-defined address tables or manual configuration.
3Device complexity
If the number of controlled modules is limited by address space, then communication complexity is reduced, but system scalability and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The controlled module uses feedback from the serial bus communication to automatically determine available addresses. By transmitting commands and receiving responses (or lack thereof) from the bus, the module dynamically identifies suitable addresses without requiring complex manual configuration or being limited by predetermined address space constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a serial communication system that can flexibly or easily change a system configuration. For example, when coupled to first and second serial buses, a motor module transmits a first signal to the second serial bus. Subsequently, the motor module transmits a first command containing a candidate address to the first serial bus; meanwhile, the motor module searches for an address where an acknowledgement is not received in response to the first command. The motor module transmits the search result address to the second serial bus. A control unit at the reception of the first signal changes to a sleep state that stops communications with the first serial bus and receives an address as a search result from the second serial bus.