Single-Wire Serial Protocol Pulse Width Encoding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-wire serial communication protocols are inefficient due to pulse counting and pulse width modulation methods, which require complex circuitry and are not optimized for space-constrained applications.
Innovation Solution
A single-wire serial protocol that defines short pulses as data and long pulses as data separators, allowing for efficient data transmission with minimal circuitry, using a predetermined pulse width to differentiate between valid and ignored bits, and optional termination with two consecutive long pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pulse counting method is used to convey data polarity and clock in single-wire serial protocol, then data transmission is achieved, but circuit complexity increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter being measured from pulse count to pulse width. By using predetermined pulse widths (short pulse for logic 0, long pulse for logic 1), the system eliminates the need for complex pulse counting circuitry while maintaining data transmission capability. This parameter change directly reduces circuit complexity and improves transmission efficiency.
2Device complexity
If pulse width modulation is used to differentiate high and low bits, then data encoding is achieved, but measurement precision requirements increase and circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the measurement requirement by changing from duty cycle measurement to simple pulse width comparison. The receiver only needs to measure whether a pulse is shorter or longer than a predetermined width, eliminating the need for precise duty cycle measurement and reducing circuit complexity significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pulse width range into two distinct categories: short pulses (less than predetermined width) for logic 0 and long pulses (greater than predetermined width) for logic 1. This segmentation simplifies the measurement process by providing clear thresholds, reducing the precision requirements compared to continuous duty cycle measurement.
3Speed
If entire period measurement is used for duty cycle estimation, then high and low bit differentiation is achieved, but transmission speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement approach from measuring the entire period for duty cycle estimation to measuring only the pulse width against a predetermined threshold. This parameter change allows for faster processing since the receiver doesn't need to wait for and measure the complete period, thereby increasing transmission speed while maintaining sufficient precision for bit differentiation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for a single-wire serial communication system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes defining a predetermined short pulse as data to be transmitted and a predetermined long pulse as a data separator for the data to provide serial communication for a data stream.