Wireless Address Allocation for Electronic Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for allocating addresses to electronic units in bus systems without separate address lines are inefficient, particularly for large numbers of units, and often require processors, which can complicate implementation and increase complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving wireless signal detection and conversion of transmission times or values into addresses, using either ADCs or Schmitt trigger circuits, allowing for address allocation without processors and enabling robust address allocation across dozens to thousands of units, even in systems with no separate address lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If processors are used in electronic units for address allocation, then address allocation can be performed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the address allocation function from the electronic units themselves and performs it externally by a control unit. The electronic units only need to detect signal values or transmission times and convert them to addresses, without requiring processors. This removes the complexity of in-unit processing while maintaining automated address allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary that generates wireless signals and receives detection results from electronic units. This intermediary handles the complex signal generation and coordinate transformation, allowing simple electronic units to achieve address allocation without processors.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual programming methods (DIL switches) are used for address allocation, then implementation is simple, but productivity decreases for large numbers of units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables electronic units to automatically determine their own addresses by detecting signal values or transmission times and converting them to addresses locally. This self-service approach eliminates manual programming while maintaining simplicity in the units themselves, and dramatically increases productivity for systems with dozens to thousands of units.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs preliminary actions by generating wireless signals with specific patterns or timing that encode address information. The electronic units then automatically convert these pre-encoded signals into addresses, eliminating the need for manual programming and enabling rapid deployment of large numbers of units.
3Device complexity
If wireless signal detection is used for address allocation, then processor requirement is eliminated, but measurement precision may be affected by noise and interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the control unit receives detection results from electronic units and can adjust signal parameters or retransmit signals if detection fails. This feedback loop ensures accurate address allocation even in noisy environments, while keeping the electronic units simple without processors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses detection mechanisms (such as Schmitt trigger circuits or ADCs) that are designed to be resilient to noise and interference before the actual address allocation occurs. This prior cushioning ensures that even if wireless signals are affected by environmental factors, the address detection remains accurate enough for successful allocation.
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 method enables efficient and robust address allocation for numerous electronic units, reducing complexity and cost by eliminating the need for processors, while being resilient to noise and interference, and suitable for various applications including automotive and building installations.
Implementation Method 1
generating a wirelessly transmitted signal for detecting or generating one signal or several signals for detection on a chain of electronic elements
Implementation Method 2
within or for the first unit, detecting a first value or the transmission time of the wirelessly transmitted signal
Implementation Method 3
converting the first value or the transmission time detected within or for the first unit to a first address for the first unit
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes providing a first and second electronic unit unit, generating a wirelessly transmitted signal for detecting or generating one signal or several signals for detection on a chain of electronic elements, for the first unit, detecting a transmission time of the wirelessly transmitted signal for detection or detecting a first transmission time on a first of the chain, for the second unit, detecting a second value or the transmission time of the wirelessly transmitted signal for detection or detecting a second value or a second transmission time on a second position of the chain that is different from the first position, converting the first value or the transmission time detected for the first unit to a first address for the first unit, and converting the second value or the transmission time detected within or for the second unit to a second address for the second unit.