Bidirectional Wireless Serial Data Transmission via Electromagnetic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for bidirectional wireless transmission of serial data signals between energy meters and external devices, such as optical, capacitive, and inductive coupling, require additional components or compromise the sealing and cost of energy meters, especially when serial signals need to be reconstructed from signal variations.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional wireless transmission system using electromagnetic coupling, either inductive or capacitive, with a high-voltage pulse generator and signal amplification in the master device to transmit and receive serial data signals as pulses, allowing reconstruction of serial signals through software routines in the microcontroller, reducing the need for expensive components and maintaining the meter's sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If optical coupling is used for bidirectional wireless transmission, then serial data signals can be transmitted without electrical connection, but the housing requires a transparent wall which compromises sealing and increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical coupling (requiring transparent housing) with electromagnetic coupling using magnetic fields. The master device uses a magnetic field generator to create magnetic fields that penetrate the opaque housing, enabling wireless serial data transmission without compromising housing sealing or requiring transparent walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the master device and slave device. The magnetic field generator in the master device creates magnetic fields that pass through the housing to induce currents in the coil on the slave device, enabling communication through the housing material without requiring transparency.
2Ease of operation
If optical coupling is used for bidirectional wireless transmission, then serial data signals can be transmitted without electrical connection, but light emitters and receivers must be included which increases production cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive optical components (light emitters and receivers) with simpler electromagnetic coupling components. The master device uses a magnetic field generator and the slave device uses a coil, which are less costly and do not require transparent housing, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining wireless communication capability.
3Ease of operation
If capacitive or inductive coupling is used, then wireless transmission is achieved, but signal variations must be reconstructed which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the slave device transmits acknowledgment signals and the master device adjusts its transmission based on received feedback. This enables reliable wireless communication with serial data signals, managing the complexity through structured interaction protocols between the devices.
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 solution enables cost-effective bidirectional serial data transmission without damaging the meter's sealing, using electromagnetic coupling to transmit only signal fronts, which are then reconstructed by the microcontroller, maintaining the meter's integrity and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
A bidirectional wireless transmission system using electromagnetic coupling, either inductive or capacitive
Implementation Method 2
a high-voltage pulse generator receiving the serial format data signals sent by the send/receive means and outputting a high-voltage pulse on each rising or falling front in the received serial format data signals
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a bidirectional wireless transmission system for serial format data signals between a “master” electronic device (3) and a “slave” energy meter (2) including a microcontroller (20) having a serial input port (RX). According to the invention, the serial format data signals are exchanged at short range via bidirectional electromagnetic coupling means (4) outputting a pulse on each rising or falling front in said serial format data signals. To transmit data signals from the “master” device (3) to the “slave” meter (2), the pulses at the output of the electromagnetic coupling means (4) are delivered to said serial input port (RX). The microcontroller (20) is programmed so that each pulse received on the input port (RX) generates an interrupt, so as to synchronize the microcontroller on the first received pulse and so as to act at the serial data transmission speed to generate a succession of bits, the value of each generated bit being equal either to the value of the preceding bit if no interrupt has been received in the meanwhile, or else being equal to the inverse of the value of the preceding bit if an interrupt has been received in the meanwhile.