Serial Communication Feedback Path for Unconnected Slave Chains
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Solution Overview
Problem
In some serial communication systems, the output port of the last slave device may not be connected to the master device, preventing feedback or information transmission back to the master device.
Innovation Solution
A feedback mechanism is introduced where each slave device can operate in two modes: a first mode for receiving and forwarding instructions, and a second mode for determining the presence of specific information and configuring its output to a feedback signal level, allowing the master device to receive feedback signals indicating the presence or absence of information across the communication link.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If slave devices are connected in series to the master device, then the connection structure is simplified and ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to transmit feedback information from slave devices to the master device deteriorates when the output port of the last slave device is not connected to the master device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary feedback mechanism where slave devices use their input ports to receive feedback information from the master device and their output ports to transmit this information back. The feedback information acts as an intermediary carrier that enables bidirectional communication in a unidirectional physical connection structure, resolving the contradiction between simplified series connection and feedback capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional communication direction by having slave devices transmit feedback information through their input ports rather than requiring a separate bidirectional connection. The feedback information flows from master to slave through the normal series connection, and slaves respond by utilizing their input/output port functionality in reverse of the typical data transmission direction.
2Reliability
If a feedback mechanism is introduced for each slave device, then the ability to detect information presence is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple operation modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the slave devices universal by enabling them to perform multiple functions: normal data reception and forwarding in the first mode, and feedback information processing in the second mode. The same input and output ports serve both unidirectional and bidirectional communication needs, reducing the need for separate dedicated feedback hardware and thereby managing complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic mode switching in slave devices, allowing them to adapt their operation based on the type of information being processed. The slave devices can dynamically transition between first mode (normal operation) and second mode (feedback operation), providing the flexibility needed for reliable information detection without requiring permanently complex multi-mode hardware architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An information feedback method can include: transmitting, by a master device, an instruction to acquire specific information, where each of a plurality of slave devices when receiving the instruction serves as the current slave device; configuring the current slave device in the communication link in the first mode to receive the instruction from the master device or a previous slave device, and forwarding the instruction to a next slave device; connecting input port SDI and output port SDO of the current slave device by controlling the current slave device in the second mode to form a first pathway; determining, by the current slave device, whether the specific information is present in the current slave device to obtain a corresponding determination result; and then selectively configuring, by the current slave device, a potential of the first pathway of the current slave device to be at a first level.