Serially Chained Device Forwarding for Automotive Infotainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic systems in mobile platforms, such as automotive infotainment systems, face space and mechanical constraints due to the convergence of multiple connectors and cables, which increases complexity, cost, and reduces accessibility for testing and repair, especially in confined areas like vehicle dashboards.
Innovation Solution
A system that employs a multistream generator to encode video data into a packet format with identifiers for destination displays, allowing for serially chained devices to forward transmissions efficiently, reducing the need for multiple connectors and cables by using a serial chain topology instead of a star topology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connectors and cables are used to connect various components in an electronic system, then the functionality and connectivity between components are improved, but the system complexity, cost, and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate connector and cable connections into a single integrated serial chain connection. Instead of requiring separate physical connections between each component (head unit, display, audio device), the system uses one serial connection that carries multiple data streams, thereby reducing the number of connectors and cables while maintaining full connectivity among all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The serial connection in the patent serves multiple functions simultaneously - it carries video data, audio data, and control signals between different components. This multi-functional approach allows a single connector and cable to replace what would traditionally require multiple dedicated connections, reducing system complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connectors and cables converge at a single location, then connectivity between components is achieved, but the space required and mechanical constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data streams (video, audio, control) into a single serial connection, eliminating the need for multiple separate cables and connectors to converge at the head unit location. This merging reduces the physical space required for connector installation and cable management in confined areas like vehicle dashboards.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connectors and cables are used, then component connectivity is improved, but accessibility for testing and repair decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of multiple connectors and cables from the system architecture, replacing them with a simplified serial chain topology. This extraction makes the system easier to access, test, and repair by reducing the number of connection points and eliminating the need to navigate through dense cable assemblies in confined spaces.
Data Source
AI summary
In described examples, a receiver includes a receiver input adapted to receive input data. A selector is coupled to an output of the receiver and is configured to generate a destination indication at an output of the selector. A switch is coupled to the receiver input. The switch is adapted to generate a first transmission at a switch local output in response to an indication of the selector output and the input data. The switch is further adapted to generate a second transmission at a switch system output in response to the input data. The switch local output is adapted to be coupled to a first destination node, and the switch system output is adapted to be coupled to a second destination node.