Single Conductor Communication Using Ping Pulses for Clock Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication protocols relying on multi-conductor buses often have idle conductors that are not utilized efficiently, leading to opportunities for improved communication without compromising performance.
Innovation Solution
A single conductor communication method where a master device initiates communication with a slave device using a single conductor, employing ping pulses to synchronize clocks and indicate data transmission, with the ability to switch to another conductor when necessary to maintain communication without interrupting primary functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single conductor is used for communication, then conductor utilization is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to signal interference and timing conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic ping intervals where the master device sends calibration pulses at fixed time intervals to synchronize clocks and establish communication windows. This periodic action creates predictable timing patterns that prevent signal interference while maintaining reliable communication on the shared single conductor.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary calibration pulses sent before actual data transmission to synchronize clocks and establish communication parameters. This preliminary action ensures that both master and slave devices are properly synchronized before data exchange begins, preventing timing conflicts and signal interference.
2Reliability
If ping intervals are extended to allow slave response time, then communication reliability is improved, but data transmission speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments communication into distinct phases: a relatively long ping interval for reliable slave response, followed by shorter data transmission intervals. This segmentation allows the system to prioritize reliability during synchronization while maximizing speed during actual data transfer, resolving the contradiction between response time and transmission speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic communication cycles where extended ping intervals alternate with shorter data transmission windows. This periodic structure ensures reliable slave response during ping phases while maintaining high data transmission speed during dedicated data phases, preventing the system from being bottlenecked by the longer ping intervals.
3Productivity
If pulse width is reduced below one half unit interval for data packets, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but clock synchronization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different pulse width characteristics to different communication functions: calibration pulses use wider widths for reliable clock synchronization, while data packets use narrower widths (less than one half unit interval) for efficient transmission. This local differentiation of pulse characteristics allows the system to optimize each function independently, resolving the contradiction between synchronization accuracy and transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent periodically sends calibration pulses with sufficient width for clock synchronization, interspersed with shorter data packets for efficient transmission. This periodic alternation between synchronization pulses and data packets ensures that clock synchronization is maintained at regular intervals while maximizing data transmission efficiency during dedicated data windows.
Data Source
AI summary
This application discusses, among other things, communication apparatus and methods, and more particularly, a single conductor or single wire communication scheme. In an example, a method for communicating between a master device and a slave device using a first single conductor can include transmitting a first ping on the first single conductor using a master device, the first single conductor configured to couple the master device to a slave device, receiving a slave ping on the first single conductor at the master device during a ping interval, toggling a logic level of the first single conductor prior to sending a first data packet using pulses having a duration of less than one half of a unit interval, such as a unit interval associated with a bit interval.