Serial Port Auto-Identification for MCU System Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The instability of computer systems due to resource conflicts between software and hardware, limiting the development of real-time application programs, especially with micro-control units (MCUs), and the inconvenience of expanding hardware circuits for new ICs, which increases manufacturing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A communication system with multiple serial ports that automatically identifies device types and communication protocols, using a control unit to initialize interface devices and establish a mapping relationship table, allowing application programs to communicate without prior knowledge of device types or protocols, thus reducing development and manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard expanding interfaces (ISA, PCI, USB) are provided in PC to support multiple application functions, then the adaptability and versatility of the system is improved, but resource conflicts between software and hardware occur causing system instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the computer system into distinct functional modules: PC host, MCU system, and serial port interface. This segmentation isolates resource conflicts by giving each module its own address space and control mechanisms, preventing software-hardware conflicts that cause instability while maintaining adaptability through the modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The serial port interface acts as an intermediary between the PC and MCU systems. It translates and mediates communication between different protocols and architectures, enabling diverse device connections without causing resource conflicts in either system, thus maintaining stability while improving adaptability.
2Reliability
If Microsoft changes the operation mode to prevent resource conflicts and improve system stability, then reliability is improved, but real-time control application programs cannot be performed by general software engineers, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The MCU system operates autonomously with its own operating system and application execution capabilities. It can independently perform real-time control tasks without requiring special privileges or complex configurations on the PC side, making it accessible to general software engineers while maintaining system stability through architectural isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The MCU system provides universal functionality for real-time control applications through standard programming interfaces and a comprehensive library of control algorithms. This multi-functionality allows general software engineers to develop real-time applications using familiar tools and languages without needing specialized access or permissions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If new ICs are added to MCU to expand operation capability, then the adaptability is improved, but hardware circuits expanding becomes complex and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical hardware expansion with software-based solutions. The MCU system uses a file system and program loading mechanisms to add new functions through software updates rather than hardware modifications. This substitution dramatically reduces hardware complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining high adaptability through flexible software configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves adaptability by changing software parameters and configuration files rather than modifying hardware circuits. New ICs or functions are integrated through parameter configuration and program loading, allowing the system to adapt to new requirements without increasing hardware complexity or manufacturing complexity.
4Measurement precision
If application programs directly control interface devices with knowledge of device types and communication protocols, then communication precision is improved, but device complexity and development costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The serial port interface and driver software act as intermediaries between application programs and interface devices. They automatically identify device types and select appropriate communication protocols, eliminating the need for application programmers to have detailed knowledge of hardware specifics. This intermediary layer maintains communication precision while reducing perceived device complexity for developers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic device identification and protocol selection through self-service mechanisms. When a device is connected, the system automatically detects its type, loads the appropriate driver, and configures communication parameters without user intervention. This self-service approach maintains precise communication while simplifying the development process by abstracting hardware complexity away from application programmers.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system with serial ports for automatically identifying device types and communication protocols and method thereof are described. The communication system and method are capable of automatically identifying the device types and communication protocols of interface devices with different serial device numbers which are disposed in the serial port architecture. Furthermore, the drivers are capable of performing a serial communication based on the serial port architecture for matching the device types and communication protocols correspondingly, thereby reducing the development and manufacturing costs of communication system. Moreover, the user of an application program module only needs to provide the device numbers and data control information without the cooperation of hardware circuits and manufacturing technique of the interface devices to complete the automatic control and monitoring tasks of the interface devices to increase the utilization convenience.