Weapon Smart Module Power Line Communication Protocol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for powering and controlling smart modules attached to weapons face challenges with scalability, physical space limitations, and data transmission efficiency as the number of modules increases, leading to potential data loss and delays, especially in critical situations.
Innovation Solution
A Power Line Communications (PLC)-based system that combines hardware and software features, utilizing interconnectable powered rails and a priority-based half-duplex communication protocol to efficiently manage data transfer among smart modules, prioritizing high-priority messages and granting permission for low-priority data transfer only when no high-priority messages are being received.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of smart modules attached to a weapon increases, then the functionality and performance of the weapon system is enhanced, but the complexity of powering and controlling these modules becomes increasingly challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power delivery and data communication into a single integrated medium (the powered rail). Instead of using separate power cables and communication wires, the system transmits both electrical power and modulated data signals through the same rail, reducing the number of connections and simplifying the overall system architecture while supporting multiple smart modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The powered rail serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for attaching modules, delivers electrical power to the modules, and transmits bidirectional data communication signals. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated channels for each function, thereby reducing system complexity as the number of modules increases.
2Extent of automation
If external wired communication links are used between modules and central control, then control capability is provided, but communication wires are susceptible to physical damage and may hinder manual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The communication wires are merged with the existing powered rail structure. Data communication signals are modulated onto the power delivery conductors, eliminating the need for separate communication wires. This integration removes the physical obstacles that wires would create for manual operation while maintaining reliable electrical connections for both power and data.
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication links are used between modules and central control, then manual operation is facilitated, but links are susceptible to accidental or malicious interferences posing security threats
Solution Approach 1:
The powered rail acts as an intermediary physical medium for data transmission. Instead of using vulnerable wireless electromagnetic signals, the system modulates data onto electrical signals that travel through the controlled environment of the weapon's internal rail structure. This intermediate physical pathway provides natural shielding from external electromagnetic interference and malicious attacks while still enabling communication.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple smart modules share the same powered rail for communication, then the number of attachable devices is increased, but coordinating all messages becomes progressively difficult leading to data loss and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The communication protocol segments data transmission into structured frames with priority fields, addressing information, and control bits. The system divides the shared communication medium into time-multiplexed slots and implements message prioritization levels, allowing critical data to be transmitted with higher priority while less urgent data uses lower priority slots, thereby preventing data loss and delays even with multiple modules sharing the rail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements bidirectional communication with feedback mechanisms where the central control module can send acknowledgment signals and status information back to the smart modules. This feedback loop allows for error detection, retransmission requests, and coordination of message timing, ensuring reliable data transmission across the shared powered rail medium despite the presence of multiple transmitting modules.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient bidirectional data transfer among a high number of smart modules, preventing critical information delays or loss, and ensuring system scalability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a control module adapted to encode messages by means of modulation of the electric supply
Data Source
AI summary
Communication method and system for bidirectional data transfer among smart modules (101-111) attachable to a weapon (100), where messages are encoded by modulating an electric supply provided by at least one powered rail (200, 200′, 200″, 200′″). At least two priority levels are defined among smart modules supplied by the powered rail (200, 200′, 200″, 200′″). High-priority smart modules (600) are allowed to transmit high-priority data message (741) directly; whereas low-priority smart modules (500) are required to transmit a data transfer request message (723) and wait for a data transfer permission message (731), which is only sent when no high-priority data message (741) is being received.