Variable Pulse Encoding for Faster Single-Channel Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device-to-device communication protocols like SPI and I2C face challenges in increasing transmission speed due to large overheads for clock and handshake signals, and inefficiencies in dividing data into transmission groups, leading to reduced data transfer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The Variable Pulse Encoding (VPE) protocol, which uses a single pulse to represent multiple bits by varying the pulse width and idle time, allowing for embedded timing information within the data stream, reducing the need for multiple channels and enabling faster data transfer with dynamic adaptability to varying network conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If traditional protocols like SPI and I2C are used for device-to-device communication, then reliable communication is achieved, but transmission speed is limited due to large overheads for clock and handshake signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions (clock signaling, data transmission, frame synchronization) into a single integrated pulse encoding scheme. The variable pulse width simultaneously carries multiple bits of data and timing information, eliminating the need for separate clock and data lines used in traditional SPI/I2C protocols, thereby reducing protocol overhead and increasing transmission speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation from fixed-width binary encoding to variable pulse width encoding. By varying the pulse width parameter to represent different data values (e.g., pulse widths of 1, 2, 3, or 4 units representing different bit patterns), the system achieves more efficient data transmission without requiring separate clock signals for synchronization.
2Ease of operation
If data is divided into transmission groups for processing, then data organization is improved, but transmission efficiency decreases due to overhead and non-information portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data into variable-length frames rather than fixed-size groups. Each frame is structured with a start marker and contains a variable number of data elements based on the actual information content. This segmentation approach maintains ease of operation through clear frame boundaries while improving productivity by eliminating the need to transmit fixed-size groups when less data is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by transmitting only the necessary number of data elements within each frame rather than always transmitting complete fixed-size groups. The frame structure allows for variable-length data payloads, so only the required portion of data is transmitted, reducing overhead and improving transfer efficiency without compromising data organization through clear delimiters.
3Loss of time
If fixed pulse width modulation is used as in Miwa's patent, then transmission period is shortened, but the protocol requires inversion flags and complex pause interval calculations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using pause intervals between fixed-width pulses as in Miwa's patent, this patent inverts the approach by using variable pulse widths themselves to encode the data. The data is represented directly in the pulse width duration rather than in the pause between pulses, eliminating the need for inversion flags and complex pause interval calculations while maintaining short transmission periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transmitting information using a pulse may comprise transmitting, via a channel between a first device and a second device, an idle state for an idle time; and transmitting, via the channel, a pulse state for a pulse time, wherein the idle time and the pulse time define a value for a data word being transmitted, and wherein the duration of one or more of the idle time and the pulse time vary depending upon the value of the data word.