Synchronized Communication Units for Battery Pack Line Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication systems in battery packs face synchronization issues when a failure occurs in a communication line, leading to disrupted data transmission and reception, especially in battery management systems where voltage measurement and self-diagnosis are affected by desynchronization.
Innovation Solution
A communication system where slave units are synchronized using a signal line, with a master unit outputting ADSYNC cycles composed of data transmission preparation and data transmission sections, and switching to free-run ADSYNC mode when the master unit fails, allowing synchronization among slave units based on the smallest cycle widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SPI communication protocol with two communication lines is used for data transmission, then data transmission capability is improved, but system reliability deteriorates when a line failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges data transmission and synchronization functions into a single communication line, eliminating the need for separate clock lines. This reduces the number of communication lines from two (SPI) to one, thereby improving reliability by removing potential failure points while maintaining full communication capability through the integrated ADSYNC protocol that combines clock signals and data transmission.
2Measurement precision
If master unit continuously outputs ADSYNC for synchronization, then synchronization precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic ADSYNC output by the master unit, where synchronization signals are transmitted at regular intervals rather than continuously. This periodic transmission maintains synchronization precision by providing regular timing references to slave units while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous signal transmission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If slave units operate in free-run mode without master ADSYNC, then system adaptability is improved, but synchronization accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary synchronization actions where slave units generate their own free-run ADSYNC signals in advance, maintaining synchronization capability even when the master unit is unavailable. This preliminary action ensures that slave units can continue operating with accurate timing references stored in their local memory, preserving both adaptability and synchronization accuracy during master unit failures or transitions.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are a communication system and a synchronization method for enabling synchronization of units included in the communication system in case of a communication line failure. In the communication system according to the present invention, all units are synchronized with the period of an ADSYNC outputted from a master unit when the ADSYNC, in which a data transmission preparation period and a data transmission period make a single cycle, is outputted from the master unit; slave units output a free-run ADSYNC when an ADSYNC is not outputted from the master unit; and, when a plurality of the slave units output free-run ADSYNCs, the slave units are synchronized with any one free-run ADSYNC from among the outputted free-run ADSYNCs.