Serial Port Supporting Multiple Framing Protocols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current distributed I/O devices are limited to supporting only a single protocol with a specific framing convention, requiring user configuration and not allowing for the use of various protocols with different framing conventions without prior setup.
Innovation Solution
A method that automatically determines and handles multiple protocols, including time-based and delimiter-based protocols, allowing for dynamic protocol selection without user input, enabling 'plug and play' functionality in serial communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a distributed I/O device supports only a single protocol with a specific framing convention, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to different protocols is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The serial port is designed to support multiple framing conventions (time-based, delimiter-based, and no framing) within a single device, allowing it to communicate with different protocols without requiring multiple specialized devices. This multi-functionality enables one device to replace several protocol-specific devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects the framing convention used in incoming serial data and handles it accordingly without requiring user configuration. The detection and handling of different framing conventions occurs automatically, eliminating the need for manual setup while managing protocol diversity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a distributed I/O device requires user configuration to support different protocols, then the ease of operation is reduced, but the adaptability to various protocols is improved
Solution Approach 1:
The serial port automatically detects the framing convention (time-based, delimiter-based, or none) and handles the data accordingly without requiring user input or configuration. This self-service approach allows the system to adapt to different protocols automatically, maintaining ease of operation while improving protocol support.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters dynamically based on the detected framing convention. By automatically adjusting its behavior according to the detected protocol characteristics (time-based pauses, delimiter sequences, or absence of framing), the system maintains ease of operation while supporting multiple protocols.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices with different protocol support are offered, then the adaptability to various protocols is improved, but the manufacturing efficiency is reduced and engineering costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single serial port design incorporates the ability to handle multiple framing conventions (time-based, delimiter-based, and none), eliminating the need to manufacture separate devices for different protocols. This universality improves manufacturing efficiency by reducing product variety while maintaining broad protocol support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple protocol handling capabilities into a single serial port implementation. By merging time-based framing, delimiter-based framing, and no-framing capabilities into one unified device, the system reduces manufacturing complexity and engineering costs while maintaining adaptability to various protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for performing distributed input/output (I/O). A distributed I/O device (the device) coupled to a controller may read data from a serial port, may determine if the data are framed by time, and if so, may handle the data according to a time-based protocol. If the data are not framed by time, the device may determine if the data are framed by delimiters, and if so, may determine an appropriate delimiter-based protocol for the data from a plurality of delimiter-based protocols, and handle the data according to the appropriate delimiter-based protocol. This process may be repeated in an iterative manner to read a stream of data from the serial port. The device may include or be coupled to one or more I/O modules (e.g., for DAQ, motion control, etc.), which themselves may be coupled to a unit under test or other external device or phenomenon via additional devices.