Serial Fan Control Device Reducing Hardware Cost and Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fan control systems require multiple ICs and numerous signal wires to manage multiple fan sets, leading to increased hardware costs, circuit board space requirements, and issues with ground bounce and noise.
Innovation Solution
A serial transmission fan control system where a single IC acts as the master controller, using a serial structure of fan controllers to transmit control signals and feedback, reducing the need for additional signal wires and minimizing hardware costs and circuit board space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple ICs are used to control multiple fan sets, then the control capability is improved, but the hardware cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master IC is designed to control multiple fan sets through serial transmission, making a single IC perform the function of multiple ICs. The master controller can sequentially communicate with multiple slave controllers, each managing fan sets, thereby achieving multi-functionality without increasing IC quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple fan control functions are merged into a single master IC system. Instead of using separate ICs for each fan set, the invention combines all control functions into one master controller that communicates with multiple slave controllers in a serial daisy-chain configuration.
2Reliability
If multiple signal wires are used for each fan set, then the control reliability is improved, but the circuit board area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a parallel wiring structure (multiple wires for each fan set) to a serial daisy-chain structure. By organizing controllers in a sequential chain where each controller connects to the next, the system reduces the dimensional spread of wiring across the circuit board while maintaining control reliability through the serial communication protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into a master controller and multiple slave controllers in a daisy-chain configuration. Each slave controller manages specific fan sets and communicates only with adjacent controllers, segmenting the signal paths and reducing the overall wiring complexity and board area requirements compared to direct connections from a central controller to all fans.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more signal wires are installed, then the control coverage is improved, but the ground bounce and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system segments the signal transmission into serial communication between master and slave controllers. Instead of multiple parallel signal wires carrying control signals simultaneously, the segmented serial chain transmits signals sequentially, reducing electromagnetic interference, ground bounce, and noise that would occur with numerous parallel wires.
Solution Approach 2:
Slave controllers act as intermediaries in the daisy-chain configuration. Each slave controller receives signals from the previous controller and transmits to the next, mediating the signal transmission and reducing the need for long direct signal paths that would be susceptible to noise and ground bounce issues.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A
AI summary
A serial transmission fan control device (10) comprises a master controller (MC), a first fan controller (CI), and a second fan controller (C2). The master controller (MC) generates a serial control data, wherein the serial control data comprises a plurality of packets concatenated in an order and each of the plurality of packets comprises a control parameter set of a fan. The first fan controller (C1) electrically connects to the master controller (MC), receives the serial control data, extracts a packet from the plurality of packets of the serial control data, and sends a first downlink serial data, wherein the first downlink data comprises all of the plurality of packets of the serial control data except for the extracted packet. The second fan controller (C2) electrically connects to the first fan controller (C1), receives the first downlink serial data, and extracts a packet from the packets of the first downlink serial data.