Universal Protocol Gateway for Remote Machine Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing training systems for remotely operated machines face challenges in easily interfacing different manufacturers' instrumentation with simulation models, requiring time-consuming and effort-intensive creation of new protocol gateways for each type of remotely operated machine, limiting efficient training across various types.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a network stream definition language file to process and translate simulated remotely operated machine data between simulation computing devices and stations, allowing a single protocol gateway to handle multiple protocols defined by various Interface Control Documents, enabling seamless data exchange and reducing the need for multiple protocol gateways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a new protocol gateway is created for each type of remotely operated machine, then the simulation can be accurately configured for that specific machine type, but the time and effort required for integration increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal protocol gateway that can handle multiple types of remotely operated machines through a single interface. The gateway uses a configuration system that allows it to adapt to different machine types (aerial, terrestrial, marine robots) without requiring physical reconfiguration or creation of new gateways. This universal gateway maintains simulation accuracy for each machine type while eliminating the time-consuming process of creating separate protocol gateways for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The protocol gateway utilizes parameter changes through configuration files to adapt its behavior for different machine types. Instead of hardcoding specific machine protocols, the gateway reads configuration parameters that define the specific communication protocols for each machine type. This allows the same physical gateway to accurately simulate different machine types by simply changing software parameters, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing integration time.
2Reliability
If multiple protocol gateways are used for different machine types, then each machine type can be optimized for its specific protocol, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple protocol gateways into a single universal protocol gateway that can handle communications for different machine types. The gateway maintains protocol compatibility for various systems (aerial, terrestrial, marine) by using a unified architecture with configuration-based adaptation. This reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate gateway hardware units while preserving the reliability of protocol-specific communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functionality of multiple protocol gateways into a single integrated gateway unit. Instead of having separate dedicated gateways for each machine type, the system combines them into one multi-functional gateway that handles all protocol requirements through software configuration. This merging approach reduces the overall device complexity while maintaining the protocol compatibility needed for reliable operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If instrumentation from different manufacturers is interfaced with simulation models, then training versatility is improved, but the ease of interface creation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The universal protocol gateway acts as an intermediary between the simulation model and instrumentation from different manufacturers. Instead of requiring direct integration between each manufacturer's instrumentation and the simulation model, the gateway serves as a standardizing intermediate layer. It receives data from various manufacturer-specific instruments and translates them into a unified protocol that the simulation model can process. This intermediary approach improves training versatility by supporting multiple manufacturers while making interface creation easier through standardized protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes through configuration files to adapt the gateway's interface behavior for different manufacturers' instrumentation. Rather than requiring custom coding for each manufacturer, the interface creation process involves simply loading the appropriate configuration parameters that define the specific manufacturer's protocol. This makes interface creation much easier while maintaining the ability to support multiple manufacturers and improve training versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes systems and methods for training a user to control one or more simulated remotely operated machines. A network stream definition language file is used to identify and process simulated remotely operated machine data exchanged between a simulation computing device and a plurality of simulation stations, possibly being defined by many different Interface Control Documents (ICDs). Any exchange of simulated remotely operated machine data between the simulation computing device and a simulation station passes through a protocol gateway that implements the network stream definition language file. The protocol gateway is located at any point of the communication between the simulation computing device and the simulation station. Because the network stream definition language file configures the protocol gateway to process data between the simulation computing device and the plurality of simulation stations, each potentially having respective proprietary ICDs, only a single protocol gateway is necessary within the system.