Synchronous Measurement Circuits Using Serial Bus Sync Pulses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing synchronous serial communication protocols like SPI and I2C allow only one electronic circuit device to be accessed at a time, preventing simultaneous measurement of analog signals by multiple slaves, which is necessary for applications such as 3-phase systems or redundant rotor position sensing.
Innovation Solution
Electronic circuit devices equipped with detection means to recognize synchronization pulses on existing control lines or data lines, allowing simultaneous triggering and storage of digital measurement results without additional control lines, synchronized by a controller-imposed pulse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If synchronous serial communication protocol (SPI/I2C) is used to connect multiple electronic circuit devices to a master, then communication between devices and master is enabled, but measurements by multiple slaves cannot be synchronized as they are accessed sequentially through chip select pins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the chip select control by introducing separate trigger inputs for each slave device. Each slave can be independently triggered by its dedicated trigger input while sharing the common data bus. This segmentation allows simultaneous activation of multiple slaves without sequential chip select constraints, resolving the contradiction between ease of communication and measurement synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the data bus universal by enabling multiple slave devices to share the same data input/output lines simultaneously. Instead of requiring separate dedicated lines for each slave, the system allows multiple slaves to communicate through a shared data bus when triggered, achieving both ease of operation and measurement synchronization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If chip select pins are used to address each slave sequentially, then individual device access is enabled, but additional control lines and wiring complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the data bus universal by enabling multiple slave devices to share the same data input/output lines simultaneously. Instead of requiring separate dedicated lines for each slave, the system allows multiple slaves to communicate through a shared data bus when triggered, achieving both ease of operation and measurement synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension of control by introducing trigger inputs that operate independently from the traditional chip select mechanism. This additional control dimension allows simultaneous activation of multiple slaves along the data bus, transforming the sequential access model into a parallel access model without increasing wiring complexity.
3Ease of operation
If trigger commands are sent sequentially through SPI protocol, then device access is maintained, but measurement timing is spread out with fixed delays preventing simultaneous acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the trigger control by providing separate trigger inputs for each slave device. This segmentation allows each slave to be triggered independently and simultaneously without waiting for sequential SPI commands, eliminating the fixed delays inherent in sequential protocols while maintaining ease of device access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by enabling slave devices to be triggered in advance through dedicated trigger inputs before data transmission begins. This allows measurements to be initiated simultaneously across multiple devices without the sequential delays of traditional SPI commanding, improving measurement timing synchronization.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic circuit device (100) for acquiring an analog signal. The device (100) comprising: - a data line (110), one or more control lines (120) of which at least a clock line (120a), and configured for transmitting a stored digital measurement result using the data line (110) and the one or more control lines (120), in accordance with a synchronous serial communication protocol; - a detection means (130) for recognizing a synchronization pulse on one of the one or more control lines (110) or on the data line (110); wherein the device (100) is configured for - repetitively measuring the analog signal or for measuring the analog signal triggered by the synchronization pulse; and for - storing one or more digital measurement results or combinations thereof when triggered by the synchronization pulse.