Communication Fault Diagnosis Using Slave Module Comparison Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication fault diagnosis methods between a master module and a slave module are inadequate in detecting faults, as they rely solely on the state of the receive buffer, which is insufficient to diagnose issues in communication lines or the slave module.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves the sequential transmission of data by multiple slave modules to the master module, allowing the master module to diagnose communication faults by comparing input signals with comparison signals transmitted by secondary slave modules, thereby improving fault diagnosis reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the master module determines communication normality solely based on the receive buffer state, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of communication fault diagnosis deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication diagnosis into multiple independent components: receive buffer state detection, input signal sampling, comparison signal generation, and fault determination. Each component operates independently and contributes to the overall diagnosis, allowing the system to maintain low complexity while achieving high diagnostic precision through modular functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary comparison signal generated by a secondary slave module that mediates between the actual communication state and the diagnosis result. This comparison signal serves as a reference benchmark, enabling precise fault detection without complicating the master module's diagnosis logic.
2Reliability
If multiple slave modules transmit data sequentially for comparison-based diagnosis, then the reliability of fault diagnosis is improved, but the loss of time in communication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having the master module sequentially select different slave modules at regular intervals to transmit comparison signals. This periodic selection pattern allows systematic diagnosis of multiple communication paths without requiring continuous transmission from all slave modules, thereby maintaining high reliability while minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple slave modules with comparison signal transmission capability before actual communication occurs. This preparation ensures that when diagnosis is needed, the comparison signals are already available for immediate transmission, reducing the time penalty of sequential diagnosis.
3Measurement precision
If a secondary slave module transmits comparison signals to enable fault detection, then the measurement precision of communication state assessment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the secondary slave module to perform multiple functions: normal data transmission and comparison signal transmission. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware resource to serve dual purposes, improving measurement precision through comparison-based diagnosis without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling slave modules to generate and transmit their own comparison signals independently. Each slave module uses its own resources to create the comparison signal, eliminating the need for additional dedicated comparison signal generation hardware in the master module and thus limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an apparatus and method for diagnosing a communication fault. The apparatus includes a first slave module, a second slave module and a master module. The first slave module receives a synchronization signal through the first communication line and a first output signal through the second communication line, and transmits an input signal through the third communication line. The second slave module receives synchronization signal through the first communication line, and transmits a comparison signal to the master module through the third communication line when the second slave module receives a second output signal through the second communication line. The master module transmits the synchronization signal, the first output signal and the second output signal, and diagnose a communication fault by comparing a value of the comparison signal with a predetermined reference value or a value of the input signal.