Distributed Smart Sensor Processing for Multi-Channel Condition Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional condition monitoring systems require complex and costly installations due to individual cabling for analog sensors, and existing smart sensing systems are limited by resource-intensive processing requirements and high costs associated with certification, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective distributed sensing processing solution.
Innovation Solution
A smart sensor system incorporating multiple analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) with channel modules for initial processing, a data control module for channel selection and external memory interfacing, and a batch processing module, including a programmable logic device (PLD) for further processing, allowing for resource-intensive calculations and efficient data handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual cabling is used for each analog sensor, then sensor data can be transmitted to the central host, but the system becomes heavy and installation becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the data acquisition function by providing each sensor with its own dedicated channel module containing ADC and processing resources. This allows each sensor channel to be independently configured and processed, eliminating the need for complex centralized cabling while maintaining reliable data transmission from multiple sensors simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Channel modules serve as intermediary devices between analog sensors and the host system. Each channel module contains an ADC that converts analog sensor signals to digital format locally, acting as a mediator that eliminates the need for complex analog cabling while ensuring reliable data transmission through digital interfaces
2Weight of moving object
If multiple digital sensors are connected on a single digital bus, then wire weight is reduced, but processing load on the host increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing function is segmented and distributed to individual channel modules, each containing processing resources that operate independently. This segmentation allows multiple sensors to share a common digital bus for data transmission while each channel module handles its own data processing locally, reducing the processing burden on the host system
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from centralized processing to distributed processing by adding a spatial dimension to the processing architecture. Channel modules are physically distributed near their respective sensors, performing processing operations locally before transmitting results through the shared digital bus, thereby reducing both wire weight and host processing load simultaneously
3Use of energy by moving object
If programmable logic devices are used in smart sensors, then system size and power consumption are reduced, but processing flexibility is limited by instantiated logical blocks
Solution Approach 1:
The channel modules are designed with dynamically reconfigurable logic that can be programmed through standard interfaces. This dynamic capability allows the same hardware platform to adapt to different processing requirements and sensor types without physical reconfiguration, maintaining processing flexibility while using power-efficient PLD implementations
Solution Approach 2:
The channel module architecture provides universal functionality by implementing a standardized processing platform that can handle multiple sensor types and processing algorithms through software configuration. This multi-functionality is achieved by designing the PLD-based logic to be reconfigurable, allowing a single hardware design to serve multiple applications without sacrificing processing flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
A smart sensor can include a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) configured to receive analog signals from a sensor module, and a plurality of channel modules. Each channel module can be connected to a respective ADC and each channel module can include a limited data processing module configured to provide initial processing. The sensor can include a data control module operatively connected to each of the plurality of channel modules and configured to select a selected channel of the plurality of channels to receive initially processed data from the limited data processing module of the selected channel. The data control module can be configured to interface with external memory to store data to the external memory and/or to read data from the external memory. The sensor can include a batch processing module operatively connected to the data control module and configured to receive the initially processed data of the selected channel from the data control module to provide further processing of the initially processed data.