Serial Port Multiplexing for GPS and Modem Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Companies and governmental entities face challenges in locating mobile units during operations like wildfires, as existing systems require expensive custom interfaces or complex software to connect GPS and wireless modem systems to a single serial port, making it difficult to track assets and communicate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that interfaces a wireless modem and a GPS receiver through a single serial port using a microcontroller, allowing for temporary storage and recovery of signals to prevent data loss and eliminate the need for expensive custom circuitry, enabling two-way communication between base stations and mobile units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an extra serial port is provided to connect both GPS and wireless modem systems, then device functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines GPS receiver and wireless modem connections through a single serial port by implementing time-division multiplexing. The microcontroller alternates between receiving data from the GPS receiver and transmitting data to the wireless modem, effectively merging two separate communication channels into one physical interface, thereby eliminating the need for an extra serial port and reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The serial port is designed to serve multiple functions by dynamically switching between GPS data reception and modem data transmission. The microcontroller manages the serial port as a universal interface that can handle different communication protocols and data types at different time intervals, making the single serial port versatile enough to replace what would traditionally require two separate ports.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the parallel port is used for one of the devices, then device connectivity is improved, but system complexity increases due to custom interface requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication timeline into distinct time slots, allocating specific intervals for GPS receiver communication and wireless modem communication. This temporal segmentation allows the single serial port to handle multiple devices without requiring complex hardware interfaces, as each device gets dedicated time windows for data exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic switching of the serial port's communication mode and protocol based on which device needs to communicate at any given moment. The microcontroller dynamically adjusts baud rates, data formats, and communication protocols to match the requirements of the currently active device, eliminating the need for static custom interfaces.
3Productivity
If signals from the first receiving device are interrupted to accommodate the second receiving device, then single port utilization is improved, but data loss may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller performs preliminary actions by buffering incoming GPS data in memory before the serial port needs to switch to modem communication. This advance storage ensures that no GPS data is lost during the transition to modem transmission mode, and buffered data can be transmitted afterward, maintaining both high port utilization and data integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The microcontroller acts as an intermediary between the GPS receiver and the serial port, managing data flow and timing. It intercepts GPS data, stores it temporarily in its memory, and releases it to the serial port at appropriate times, preventing data loss during mode switching while maintaining efficient single-port utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
An interface system for interfacing to a first receiving device receiving a first plurality of signals and a second receiving device receives a second signal includes a microcontroller coupled to the first receiving device and the second receiving device. The interface has an output. The microcontroller couples a first portion of the first plurality of signals from the first receiving device and receives the second signal after the first portion. The second signal is coupled to the output. Thereafter, the second portion of the first plurality of signals is coupled to the output.