UPS Controller Firmware Updating Over a Shared Serial Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing uninterruptible power supply systems face challenges in efficiently updating software programs across multiple slave controllers due to the need for direct cable connections, which increases complexity and labor for large-scale systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a main controller with a serial communications line that allows for the updating of both the main and slave controllers via a shared communication line, enabling program updates without the need for direct computer connections, using selectors to manage communication paths during normal and update modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If serial communications are used for data exchange between master controller and slave controllers, then the number of lines connected between controllers is reduced, but the complexity of arranging control board and performing update process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The serial communication line is designed to serve dual purposes: normal operational data exchange between master and slave controllers, and software update transmission. The slave controller includes a programmable device that can function both as a runtime processor and as a target for program loading, allowing the same communication infrastructure to support both operational and maintenance functions without requiring separate update cables or connections.
2Reliability
If a computer is connected to each slave controller via cable for programming, then software updates can be performed, but the time and labor required for updates increases tremendously with the number of power supplies
Solution Approach 1:
The master controller acts as an intermediary device that receives update programs from an external computer and distributes them to multiple slave controllers through the existing serial communication network. This eliminates the need for direct cable connections between the computer and each slave controller, allowing a single computer connection to the master controller to update numerous slave controllers sequentially through the communication line, dramatically reducing the time and labor required.
3Ease of operation
If direct cable connection is used for each slave controller update, then program updates can be performed, but the configuration becomes complex for large scale systems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the update operation for multiple slave controllers into a single centralized process managed by the master controller. Instead of requiring separate cable connections and individual update operations for each slave controller, the system combines all update functions through the existing serial communication network, allowing a single configuration and a single computer connection to manage updates across the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
A main controller includes a first programmable device, a device, and a first selector. Each controller includes a second programmable device and a second selector. The second programmable device includes a memory and a processor. The first selector connects the first programmable device to a serial communications line when the uninterruptible power supply is in operation. In response to the device receiving an instruction to perform an update process, the first selector connects the device to the serial communications line. The second selector connects the processor to the serial communications line when the uninterruptible power supply is in operation. In response to the processor receiving the instruction to perform the update process from the first programmable device while the uninterruptible power supply is in operation, the second selector connects the memory to the serial communications line.