Telemetry Unit Mediator for Auxiliary Device Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marine survey systems face challenges in establishing effective communication between in-sea auxiliary devices and control components without prior knowledge of the auxiliary device's function, particularly when dealing with diverse manufacturers, communication protocols, and power sources, which complicates the control and data transmission processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a telemetry unit that can discover and communicate with auxiliary devices, translate commands, and relay messages between the controller and auxiliary devices, using a standardized communication interface, thereby facilitating control and data exchange without requiring detailed knowledge of each auxiliary device's protocol or function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the telemetry unit directly communicates with diverse auxiliary devices using their specific protocols, then communication capability is improved, but device complexity and computational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a message server as an intermediary component that receives messages from auxiliary devices through telemetry units and routes them to appropriate applications. This mediator architecture allows the telemetry unit to use a standardized communication interface without needing to understand diverse auxiliary device protocols, thereby reducing telemetry unit complexity while maintaining communication capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the telemetry unit handles multiple auxiliary device protocols, then versatility is improved, but processing resources and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The message server acts as a centralized intermediary that handles protocol translation and message routing for multiple auxiliary devices. Instead of each telemetry unit needing to support multiple protocols, the message server consolidates this functionality, reducing the processing resources required at each telemetry unit while maintaining support for diverse auxiliary devices.
3Measurement precision
If the telemetry unit has detailed knowledge of auxiliary device functions, then control precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into distinct functional components: telemetry units handle standardized communication, the message server handles message routing and protocol translation, and applications handle device-specific control logic. This segmentation allows each component to have specialized knowledge without increasing overall system complexity, as the complexity is distributed and managed through the standardized message-passing interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes a message server (104) and a telemetry unit (108) in communication with the message server. The telemetry unit (108) may be configured to discover an identification of an auxiliary device coupled thereto. The telemetry unit (108) may be configured to report the identification to the message server (104). The telemetry unit may be configured to request the message server to send messages associated with the identification to the telemetry unit. The telemetry unit may be configured to forward the messages to the auxiliary device.