Shared Communication Node for Sensor Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle systems, synchronizing sensor output data transmission across multiple sensors is challenging, leading to latency and ambiguity in data age, as existing methods require separate connections for synchronization and are prone to electromagnetic interference.
Innovation Solution
A communication node is shared among sensors, using a trigger signal to synchronize data storage and transmission, allowing multiple sensors to respond in turn and communicate data using a point-to-point serial protocol like SENT, reducing the need for external synchronization signals and minimizing connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate connections are used for synchronization and data transmission, then synchronization reliability is improved, but device complexity and electromagnetic interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the synchronization function and data transmission function into a single communication bus. The master device sends both synchronization signals and data commands through the same bus, eliminating the need for separate synchronization connections. This reduces the number of wires and connection complexity while maintaining synchronization capability through protocol-based coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication bus is designed to serve multiple functions: it carries both synchronization signals and data transmission commands. The same physical medium (communication bus) is used for different purposes at different times, reducing the overall number of connections required in the system.
2Productivity
If multiple sensors transmit data simultaneously on separate connections, then data transmission speed is improved, but electromagnetic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensors share a single communication bus for data transmission instead of using separate connections. This reduces the number of parallel signal paths and minimizes electromagnetic interference between adjacent wires. The master device coordinates access to the bus to prevent signal conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic synchronization signals sent by the master device to coordinate data transmission from multiple sensors. Sensors transmit data in organized intervals rather than continuously, reducing signal conflicts and electromagnetic interference on the shared bus while maintaining efficient data flow.
3Use of energy by moving object
If sensors update data periodically, then power consumption is reduced, but data latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors prepare and store measurement data in their internal buffers before the master device requests it. This preliminary data preparation allows sensors to respond immediately when queried, reducing latency without requiring continuous transmission or updating mechanisms that would increase power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors autonomously manage their own data buffering and preparation without requiring continuous polling or active transmission mechanisms. The sensors self-service by maintaining ready-state data in memory, enabling rapid response to master device requests while consuming power only when necessary for measurement and data storage.
Data Source
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 have an address to identify the network slave device on the network. It may also have a communication circuit configured to process a series of commands received by the transceiver and respond to a command if a position of the command in the series of commands corresponds to the address of the network slave device. A master device communicating on the network may send the series of command in accordance with the point-to-point network protocol. In an embodiment, the point-to-point protocol is the SENT protocol.