Shared Communication Node for Sensor Data Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vehicle systems, synchronizing sensor output data transmission across multiple sensors to ensure that the newest data is available for the controller is challenging, especially as controllers operate at faster speeds, and existing methods may lead to ambiguities in data age and increased electromagnetic interference due to multiple connections.

Innovation Solution

A network slave device with a transceiver and communication circuit that communicates over a point-to-point network protocol, using a shared communication node to synchronize sensor data transmission, where sensors respond to a trigger signal to store and transmit data, reducing the need for multiple connections and minimizing electromagnetic interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple sensors are connected to the controller using conventional polling methods, then each sensor can be individually addressed and read, but electromagnetic interference increases and data synchronization becomes ambiguous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata synchronizationVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sensor connections are merged into a single shared communication node. Instead of having separate wired connections for each sensor, all sensors share one physical connection point to the controller, thereby reducing the number of connections and minimizing electromagnetic interference while maintaining reliable data synchronization through the shared node architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If sensors transmit data asynchronously, then each sensor can operate independently, but data age ambiguities arise and synchronization becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoiddata age ambiguity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Sensors are configured to transmit data at periodic intervals rather than asynchronously. This periodic transmission approach ensures that all sensors update their data at known time intervals, eliminating data age ambiguities while maintaining efficient productivity through regular, predictable data flows from each sensor to the controller.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If multiple separate connections are used for each sensor, then individual sensor access is simplified, but the number of connections and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor accessVSAvoidnumber of connections
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shared communication node serves as a universal interface for multiple sensors. Instead of requiring separate dedicated connections for each sensor, the single shared node provides multi-functional access to all sensors, thereby reducing the number of physical connections and system complexity while maintaining ease of operation through standardized access protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces sensor output data latency, decreases the number of connections required, and eliminates ambiguities in data age by ensuring all sensors sample and transmit data synchronously, enhancing data synchronization and reducing electromagnetic interference.

Implementation Method 1

a transceiver for communicating over a communication bus in accordance with a point-to-point network protocol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical signal transmission: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

The network slave device may comprise a magnetic field sensor, as may in turn comprise magnetic field sensing elements such as Hall effect elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field sensing: Hall Effect

Implementation Method 3

a communication circuit configured to process a command received by the transceiver and generate a reply for transmission over the communication bus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical signal processing: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP3262796B1Signaling between master and slave components using a shared communication node of the master component
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 ALLEGRO MICROSYSTEMS LLC
  • EP3262796B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3262796B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3262796B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A network slave device includes a transceiver for communicating over a communication bus in accordance with a point-to-point network protocol. The network slave device may include an address to identify the network slave device on the network. It may also include a communication circuit configured to process a command received by the transceiver and generate a reply for transmission over the communication bus if an address included in the command matches the address of the slave device. A master device communicating on the network may send commands including the address of the slave device in accordance with the point-to-point network protocol. In an embodiment, the point-to-point protocol is the SENT protocol.