Smart Sensor Bus Event Capture With Distributed Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed processing sensor systems, event detection and data collection become complex due to the lack of centralized control over data buffering and digitization, leading to increased system complexity and wire weight from individual analog sensor cabling.
Innovation Solution
A system with a plurality of sensing nodes connected via an arbitrating data bus, where nodes enter a listening mode to continuously digitize and monitor data, output event messages upon detection, and record additional data upon host instruction, allowing for efficient event-based monitoring and data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If individual cabling is used for each analog sensor, then data collection is simple and centralized, but wire weight and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple digital sensors are connected on a single digital bus, merging multiple individual connections into one shared communication medium. This reduces wire weight and system complexity while maintaining data collection capabilities through digital arbitration protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/analog cabling system with a digital communication bus. Instead of individual analog wires for each sensor, digital signals are transmitted over a shared bus with arbitration, substituting the physical cabling complexity with electronic digital communication.
2Power
If distributed processing is implemented, then host load is reduced and processing capability is improved, but event detection and data collection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Processing functionality is segmented and distributed to individual sensor nodes. Each node has its own processing capability to detect events locally, while the host handles higher-level analysis. This segmentation enables distributed processing that reduces host load while maintaining coordinated event detection through the arbitration bus.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensor nodes autonomously detect events and manage their own data collection without requiring centralized control for every operation. Each node can independently monitor its sensors, detect events, and request data buffering, reducing the complexity of centralized control while maintaining system coordination.
3Ease of operation
If centralized host control is used for data buffering, then event detection is simple, but system scalability and distributed processing capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The arbitration bus serves multiple functions: it transmits sensor data, carries event detection signals, coordinates data buffering requests, and enables node identification. This multi-functional communication medium supports both centralized and distributed operations, allowing the system to maintain event detection simplicity while gaining distributed processing capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method includes an arbitrating data bus and a plurality of sensing nodes connected to communicate on the arbitrating data bus. The plurality of sensing nodes are configured to digitize and monitor a first amount of data during a listening mode of an event monitoring mode and detect an event based upon the first amount of data. The plurality of sensing nodes are further configured to output an event message to the arbitrating data bus upon detection of the event. The plurality of sensing nodes are further configured to digitize and retain a second amount of data following detection of the event message on the arbitrating data bus.