Two-Wire Interface Protocol Converter for Multi-Protocol Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional two-wire interface protocols require complex hardware and processing to switch between different protocols, increasing complexity and resource usage when communicating with multiple components.
Innovation Solution
A two-wire interface module that includes a first component configured to receive communications following a first protocol and a second component to generate communications following a second protocol, where data fields from the payload of the first communication are used in the header of the second communication, reducing processing and hardware requirements by transplanting information between protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional two-wire interface protocols are used to communicate with multiple components, then communication functionality is achieved, but hardware complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal two-wire interface module that can communicate with multiple components using different two-wire interface protocols (e.g., I2C, SPI) through a single integrated design. The module includes a protocol converter that translates between different protocols, allowing one hardware interface to serve multiple communication purposes without requiring separate dedicated interfaces for each protocol, thereby reducing overall hardware complexity while maintaining versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protocol converter as an intermediary component between the host and different slave devices. This converter sits in the data path and translates messages between different two-wire protocols, enabling the host to communicate with various protocols through a unified interface. The intermediary handles the complexity of protocol translation, shielding the host from protocol-specific details and reducing the need for multiple dedicated interfaces
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional two-wire interface protocols are used to communicate with multiple components, then communication functionality is achieved, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the protocol converter with protocol-specific state machines and translation tables that are loaded during system initialization. This allows the converter to handle protocol translation efficiently during operation without requiring complex real-time processing, as the translation logic is prepared in advance. The state machines are pre-loaded with the necessary transition rules for each protocol, reducing processing burden during actual communication
3Device complexity
If two-wire interface protocols are used, then fewer wires are required, but communication speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by implementing dynamic clock rate adjustment in the protocol converter. The converter can change the operating speed parameter based on the active protocol and communication requirements. For protocols that support higher speeds, the converter adjusts the clock rate accordingly, allowing the system to optimize between wire count simplicity and communication speed by selecting appropriate protocol parameters rather than being fixed to a single speed
Data Source
AI summary
A telecommunications system and constituent two-wire interface module. The two-wire interface module includes a first two-wire interface component configured to receive a first two-wire interface communication following a first two-wire interface protocol, and a second two-wire interface component configured to generate a second two-wire interface communication following a second two-wire interface protocol. The first and second two-wire interface communications each include a header portion and a payload portion. The second two-wire interface component is further configured to use one or more of the data fields from the payload portion of the first two-wire interface communication in the header portion of the second two-wire interface communication.