Serial Daisy-Chained Bus Power to Cut Voltage Drop and EMI
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems in daisy-chained networks face inefficiencies due to voltage drop and increased complexity with parallel powering of nodes, leading to high power consumption and electromagnetic compatibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A serial daisy-chained bus power system where the negative power supply of one node is connected to the positive supply of the next, using Zener diodes to prevent voltage run-away, and high-pass and low-pass filtering for communication, allowing efficient power distribution and reduced electromagnetic interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If parallel powering of nodes is used in daisy-chained networks, then each node can be powered independently, but voltage drop and power inefficiency increase with more nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional parallel power distribution approach by implementing serial daisy-chained power distribution. Instead of each node drawing power independently from a common source (parallel), power flows sequentially from one node to the next (serial). The V+ of one node connects to V- of the next node, creating a daisy-chained power path that reduces overall voltage drop and improves power efficiency across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power distribution topology parameter from parallel to serial configuration. This fundamental parameter change transforms how power flows through the network, allowing each node to contribute to power distribution while maintaining stable voltage levels and reducing cumulative voltage drop across multiple nodes.
2Ease of manufacture
If parallel powering with separate V+ and V- connections is used, then power distribution is straightforward, but electromagnetic interference and compatibility issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power distribution function with the communication function by using the same signal paths for both purposes. The V+ and V- connections serve dual roles: they distribute power serially through the daisy-chained nodes while also functioning as communication channels. This consolidation reduces the number of separate conductors needed and minimizes electromagnetic interference by reducing cable bundle complexity.
3Reliability
If Zener diodes are added to each node to prevent voltage run-away, then voltage stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Zener diodes as intermediary protective components at each node. These diodes act as voltage clamps that prevent voltage run-away conditions by shunting excess voltage to ground when it exceeds the Zener breakdown voltage. While they do add a component to each node, they significantly improve voltage stability and protect against overvoltage conditions in the serial daisy-chained configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A network includes nodes. The nodes include a main node (MN) and a plurality of sub nodes (SNi=SN0, . . . SNX). Each node includes a node transceiver that is operable to perform data communication in accordance with a first network protocol. Each node transceiver includes and a positive power contact (V+) and a negative power contact (V−) operable to power the node transceiver to perform the data communication. The data communication network includes a two conductor combined power and data physical layer/medium. The physical layer connects the SN0 V+ to a bus power source positive power contact (VS+) in a first conductive path. The physical layer connects the MN V− and SNX V− to the bus power source negative power contact (VS−) in a second conductive path. The physical layer connects each SNi V−, for i=0 to X−1, to the SNi+1 V+ in the first conductive path.