WO2002097640A1

WO2002097640A1 - Device comprising electronic modules and a method for operating the same

Info

Publication number: WO2002097640A1
Application number: PCT/CH2001/000326
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan Baiker; Beat Schenk
Original assignee: Ascom Ag
Priority date: 2001-05-28
Filing date: 2001-05-28
Publication date: 2002-12-05

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) comprising at least two modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...), in particular a central module (20) provided with a processor (23) and at least one peripheral module (30a, 30b, ...). Data is transmitted between said modules during operation. According to the invention, communication between the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) and in a preferred embodiment the energy supply of the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) takes place without cables. An inventive device can thus be assembled in an extremely simple manner by pushing-in or inserting the designated modules. The configuration of the modules is carried out by the central module (20), based on the defined module specifications.

Description

Device with electronic modules and method for its operation

13. The invention relates to a device with at least two electronic modules, at least one of which is provided with a processor, and to a method for its operation according to the preamble of patent claims 1 and 13, respectively.

Electronic devices, for example devices in communication technology or computer technology, often consist of several central and peripheral modules or populated printed circuit boards, which are normally inserted into a chassis and connected to one another by means of plug contacts, cables, in particular ribbon cables.

Such a chassis for telecommunications systems is described, for example, in [1], laid-open specification EP 0 987 905 A2. Corresponding systems for mounting and contacting modules are also used in larger and smaller computer systems. In smaller electronic devices, for example in stationary or portable communication terminals, or in portable computers, electronic modules are normally built into a housing and connected to one another by means of plug contacts and cable systems. In consumer electronics devices, carrier boards with slide-in contacts are often provided, into which contact strips of the electronic modules are to be inserted.

The technologies described for installing and operating electronic modules in devices, in particular in communication and computer technology, have various disadvantages. On the one hand, this results in high material and manufacturing costs and a correspondingly high space requirement for the means for mounting and connecting the electronic modules. Farther there is a relatively high effort for the assembly and maintenance of the modules, which are to be correctly inserted into slide-in contacts.

During the maintenance and repair of a device, individual modules often have to be pulled out and plugged in several times, which can result in wear or damage to contacts. There is also the risk that highly integrated circuits within the modules can be damaged by electrostatic discharges via exposed contacts. A device fault is often also caused by defective contacts, for example caused by corrosion, which is why a quick repair of the device by replacing modules is not possible in this case.

When designing and realizing the electronic modules, the need to adapt them to peripheral contacts provides considerable restrictions on the design freedom of the development engineer. Relatively long conductor tracks are often necessary, which cause disturbing stray capacities and leakage inductances and can hinder the placement of components and the design of internal conductor tracks, which causes additional development effort and possibly a limitation in performance.

Furthermore, there are considerable restrictions on the usability of the electronic modules, which are hardware-related to the chosen connection means.

The object of the present invention is therefore to create an improved device with electronic modules and a method for its operation.

This object is achieved with a device and with a method according to claims 1 and 13, respectively. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in further claims. A device according to the invention has at least two modules, in particular a central module provided with a processor and a peripheral module, between which, during operation, data is transmitted optically, inductively or, outside the optical range, electromagnetically, preferably in the frequency range of 2, via a wireless communication channel. 4 GHz can be transmitted.

There are therefore no wired communication connections between the modules, which can cause the costs and problems described in the introduction. Plug connections and any resulting contacting problems are eliminated. Due to the lack of connections by means of contacts, devices constructed according to the invention are largely insensitive to mechanical influences, such as impacts and vibrations. The design of modules or printed circuit boards to be assembled is greatly simplified, as a result of which the modules can be produced more cost-effectively and with a higher packing density. In particular, tolerance problems are also reduced, since the position of the installed modules relative to one another may vary within a relatively large range. Aging processes caused by external influences on plastic parts of the housing are therefore not critical. Since no open contacts are provided, damage that could possibly result from static discharges is further reduced.

Only the energy supply could be wired. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, at least some of the modules used have coils via which the energy supply can take place inductively, as a result of which wire-bound connections are completely avoided.

The central provided with a processor module also serves preference ^¬ as master to configure the other preferably with a processor provided modules. This is at least the first time the device is started up or after the exchange of modules by the central module determines which other modules are available. A transmission channel to the other modules is then set up, via which service information can be downloaded from the further modules, exchanged if necessary, after which the modules or the electronic device can be configured and then transferred to normal operation.

The central module is therefore able to determine itself which peripheral modules are provided and which services and capabilities these peripheral modules have. A so-called ad-hoc network is therefore set up within the device, which has a point-to-point connection or point-to-multipoint connections. In a further embodiment of the invention, data can also be exchanged between the peripheral modules. Operating methods that are specified for ad hoc networks, in particular Bluetooth systems, are preferably used.

The assembly of a device according to the invention can therefore be carried out in a very simple manner by inserting, inserting or mounting the modules provided. The configuration of the device depends on the module specifications found. Modifications to the device can also be made in a simple manner by inserting modules that have additional or changed performance features.

Of course, the corresponding specifications of the modules can also be predefined. In addition, data can not only be transmitted bidirectionally, but also unidirectionally from the central module to a peripheral module.

In one device, for example, only one module can be controlled wirelessly and, if necessary, also supplied with energy wirelessly. This can be particularly advantageous Display controlled, which has a low energy consumption.

The central module and the peripheral modules of a device according to the invention can be arranged in a single housing or in different housing parts which are connected to one another in a fixed manner or, for example, rotatably or pivotably by means of a hinge.

The invention can be used particularly advantageously in means of transport. For example, a housing part provided with a display unit can be in the driver's field of vision or one

Passenger attached and wirelessly supplied with energy and data.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. It shows:

1 shows a device 1 according to the invention with a cut-open housing 10 into which a central module 20 is inserted;

FIG. 2 shows the device 1 from FIG. 1, into which a peripheral module 30a, which is wirelessly connected to the central module 20 and is used to display data, is additionally inserted;

3 shows a device la according to the invention, the housing 10a of which is provided with coils 13 which serve to supply energy to the modules 30c used;

4 shows the device 1 from FIG. 2 equipped with a further module 30b;

5 shows the circuit diagram of the device 1 from FIG. 4, into which the modules 20, 30a, 30b are inserted;

6 shows a diagram of possible states which the central module 20 passes through when the device 1 is initialized; 7 shows the central and peripheral modules 20, 30a inserted in a mobile radio terminal 1b constructed according to the invention;

8 shows a camera 1c constructed in accordance with the invention with a pivotable display unit 32 and

9 shows a device 1d according to the invention with a peripheral module 30a which is mounted in a housing part 10d2 at a fixed distance from other device parts.

FIG. 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention with a housing 10 shown in section, into which a central module 20 is inserted, which has a circuit board equipped with a processor 23, a memory module 24, a communication module 25 and a coil 21. The central module 20, which is held within the device 1 by means of guide grooves 11, is supplied with power via contacts 26.

FIG. 2 shows the device 1 from FIG. 1, into which an additional peripheral module 30a, which is connected wirelessly to the central module 20, is inserted, which has an integrated module 33, 34, 35, 36 connected to a coil 31 and to a display unit 32, whose circuit structure is shown in Figure 5 and described below.

The coils 21 and 31 of the two modules 20, 30a, which are preferably printed on the printed circuit boards, are inductively coupled, so that data to be displayed can be transmitted inductively from the central to the peripheral module 20, 30a.

The inductive coupling of modules, at least one of which is mobile, is known to the person skilled in the art, for example, from [2], US Pat. No. 4,953,123 and [3], US Pat. No. 4,821,198 cited therein. In the devices described in [2] and [3], a memory module is attached to a pallet which carries a workpiece. The one Workpiece-associated data are read out of the memory module when a tool is reached and are transmitted wirelessly to the control unit of the tool via a read / write unit. In [3], FIG. 1, it is shown that data are transmitted by high-frequency signals by frequency shift keying (FSK).

According to the invention, in addition to frequency shift keying, other modulation methods can also be used, by means of which data about carrier signals can be transmitted between the modules 20, 30a.

[3] also describes that when a tool is reached by rectifying the transmitted signal, an operating voltage can be obtained for the mobile memory module guided along a production line.

According to the invention, the required operating voltage, in a preferred embodiment, is also obtained in the permanently mounted peripheral module 30a by rectifying transmitted signals or a further AC voltage. The energy supply is preferably carried out wirelessly via the same coils 21, 31, via which data is transmitted inductively.

In the embodiment of the device from FIG. 2, an operating voltage is supplied to the central module 20 via contacts 26. The central module 20 induces an AC voltage in the coil 31 of the peripheral module 30a via its coil 21, which is converted into a DC voltage in the integrated module 33, 34, 35, 36. In addition to a carrier signal that is modulated in accordance with the data to be transmitted, an alternating voltage can be transmitted from the central module 20 to the peripheral module 30a, which is used exclusively for the energy supply and is preferably supplied to a rectifier circuit 36 (see FIG. 5) via a filter.

In the preferred embodiment of the device 1 a shown in FIG. 3, the housing 10 is preferably in series Switched coils 13 are provided, which are coupled to the coils 31 of the installed modules 30c, whereby a significant simplification of the energy supply system is achieved. The device la therefore only has to be supplied with an alternating voltage via an internally or externally arranged transformer, which is transmitted from the coils 13, which are preferably integrated in the housing 10a, to the coils 21, 31 provided on the modules 20, 30c. On the one hand, this reduces the costs for the power supply device or power supply. On the other hand, the construction and assembly of the central module 20, to which no supply voltage has to be supplied, for example via contacts 26, is significantly simplified. The coils 13 are preferably arranged on ribs 12 of the housing 10a, one of which is assigned to one, two or more insertable modules 20, 30a, 30b, ....

FIG. 4 shows the device 1 from FIGS. 1 and 2 equipped with a further module 30b, which serves, for example, as an interface module, via which data generated by the central module 20 can be transmitted wirelessly or by wire to other devices.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the modules 20, 30a, 30b are provided with light sources 5 and photodetectors 6, which form components of an optical data transmission system by means of which the communication between the modules 20, 30a, 30b takes place. Transmitters and receivers for optical data transmission systems are described, for example, in [4], Jerry D. Gibson, THE COMMUNICATIONS HANDBOOK, CRC PRESS, Boca Raton 1997, chapters 54, 57 and 58, pages 734, 774, 775, 789 and 790. The optical signals are preferably transmitted via a channel provided in the housing 10 and possibly reflecting on the inside. In this case, the coils 21, 31a, 31b provided on the modules 20, 30a, 30b are only required for the energy supply if this is done inductively. FIG. 5 shows the circuit diagram of the device 1 from FIG. 4, in which the central module 20 and the peripheral modules 30a and 30b are inserted.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, each of the modules 20, 30a, 30b is equipped with a processor 23; 33, with a memory chip 23; 34 and a communication module 25; 35 provided.

The circuit of a more simply designed peripheral module 30, in particular a module to or from which data is only transmitted in one direction, can also be constructed without a processor. Data of a module provided, for example, with sensors can be transmitted inductively in a simple manner. For example, the resonance frequency of an oscillating circuit is changed as a function of measured values that are to be transmitted to the central module 20. On the other hand, data can be transmitted to a peripheral module 30, which is obtained there by demodulating a carrier signal and, for example, fed to a display unit via a shift register and possibly an interface module. Units display and the wiring is, for example, in [10], Richard C. Dorf, THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING HANDBOOK, CRC PRESS, Boca Raton 1997, 2 ^nd Edition, Chapter 83, pages 1915- 1930 described.

The peripheral module 30a of FIG. 5 has, in addition to the components mentioned, a display unit 32. The peripheral module 30b, on the other hand, is provided with an interface module 32b, via which wireless or wired communication with other devices can take place.

The communication between the modules 20, 30a and 30b of the device 1 in the circuit arrangement shown in FIG. 5 takes place wirelessly, inductively via the mutually coupled ones

Coils 21, 31a, 32a, by means of transmission of optical signals or, outside the optical range, by means of transmission of electromagnetic signals. The inductive and optical transmission of data has been described above. In the case of inductive transmission, a coil 21, 31a, 31b or 21x, 31x can be provided for each transmission direction. FIG. 5 also shows rectifier circuits 36, by means of which an operating voltage U1 is generated in the peripheral modules 30a, 30b. Data and energy are preferably transmitted via the same coils 21, 31a.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, data is transmitted by means of electromagnetic waves via antennas 28, 38 of the modules 20, 30a and 30b using the technology of wireless local networks, as described in [5], Jerry D. Gibson, THE MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS HANDBOOK, CRC PRESS, Boca Raton 1999, page 15-15, Table 15.3 or using Bluetooth technology for ad hoc networks that are in

[6], J. Bray, F. Sturman, Bluetooth: Connect Without Cables,

Prentice Hall Inc., New York 2001, introduction and described in [7], Specification of the Bluetooth System, Volume 1, Core, Version 1.0 B, issued by the Special Interest Group (SIG) on December 1, 1999. Ad-hoc networks are also described in [9], Bernhard Walke, mobile radio networks and their protocols, Volume 2, Teubner Verlag, Stuttgart 2000, pages 330-344.

The methods of these technologies can be greatly simplified in applications according to the invention, since various factors are extremely advantageous when connecting the modules 20, 30a and 30b provided in a housing 10 to form a network. On the one hand, minimal transmission powers are sufficient, since the modules 20, 30a and 30b are arranged directly next to one another. On the other hand, the housing 10 can have a shield 15

(see Figure 2) are provided so that disruptive exterior

Effects are largely excluded. The single

Modules 20, 30a and 30b prefer transmission channels Statically or optionally dynamically allocated according to the frequency or time division multiplex method, collisions with third parties on the transmission medium or the physical transmission layer being practically impossible due to the shield 15 installed in the housing 10. It is therefore also possible to use a simple multiple access protocol, for example the pure ALOHA protocol, in which data packets are transmitted at arbitrary times.

The wireless transmission of data via the physical layer as well as the static and dynamic channel allocation in networks and multiple access protocols are described in [8], Andrew S. Tanenbaum, Computer Networks, Prentice-Hall Inc., Munich 1998, on pages 114-119 and 269, respectively -275.

The transmission of data can take place in different frequency ranges. For example, the transmission of signals in the range from 2,400 GHz to 2,484 GHz, which is freely permitted worldwide, is advantageous.

Components of the described inductive, optical or electromagnetic transmission systems are integrated in the communication module 35.

The modules 20, 30a, 30b used in the device 1 can be permanently preconfigured, which makes initializing and starting up a newly produced device 1 very simple. However, it would be desirable to be able to insert various modules 20, 30a, 30b, ... put together according to customer requirements into the device without the manufacturer or the user subsequently having to reconfigure the system.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the configuration of the system consisting of different modules is therefore carried out by the central module 20, which also takes on a master function. Figure 6 shows a diagram of possible States which the central module 20 passes through when the device 1 is initialized after the modules 20, 30a, 30b, ... have been installed or inserted. For comparison, reference is made to the status diagram of the Bluetooth Link Controller, which is shown in [7], page 98.

If there is no predefined system configuration, the central module 20 does not know which further modules 30a, 30b, ... are inserted in the device 1 and which services these further modules 30a, 30b, ... are used for before the device 1 is initialized Make available.

To initialize the device 1, the central module 20 therefore changes from the status READY or STAND BY 100 to a status SEARCH or INQUIRY 101, in which it is determined which other modules 30a, 30b, ... are present in the device 1. The central module 20 then changes to a status ASSEMBLY or PAGE 102, in which connections to the further modules 30a, 30b, ... are established sequentially or in parallel. After the status CONNECTION or CONNECTION 105 has been reached, the status changes to REQUEST or DISCOVERY 103, in which the services of the further modules 30a, 30b, ... are queried. After the data of the other modules 30a, 30b, ... are available, the configuration of the entire system of all modules 20, 30a, 30b, .... takes place in the CONFIGURATION or SETUP status.

After the configuration process is complete, the central module 20 changes to the normal operating state, which is designated as ACTIVE in FIG. 6.

Preferably, the central module 20 periodically changes from the ACTIVE status to the SEARCH 101 status to determine whether a module 30a; 30b; ... was removed, exchanged or added. If a change is found, the system is reconfigured. Individual preferred configurations of the device 1 according to the invention have been described above. The housing 10, the method for communication between the modules 20, 30a, 30b, ..., the type of power supply, the operating method and, of course, the arrangement of the components on the modules 20, 30a, 30b, ... can be done using a professional Knowledge can be adapted to the existing needs.

In particular, a wide variety of configurations of the housing 10 are possible, in particular for accommodating and fastening the modules 20, 30a, 30b, ... The modules 20, 30a, 30b, ... of a device 1 can be arranged in a housing 10 consisting of one or more parts.

FIG. 7 shows a mobile radio terminal 1b constructed according to the invention in a sectional view with two separate housing shells 10b2, 10b2, in which a central module 20 or a peripheral module 30a provided with a display unit 32 are inserted. Spacer elements 29 made of an elastic material are preferably provided on the peripheral module 30a inserted into the housing shell 10b2, by means of which the two modules 20, 30a are kept at a distance from one another after the assembly of the device 1b and are pressed elastically against the housing shells 10b2, 10b2. The display unit 32 is inserted into a continuous opening 17 provided in the housing shell 10b2. The coils 21, 31 are vapor-deposited on the opposite sides of the modules 20, 30a as tracks on the circuit board, which results in a good coupling.

The mobile radio terminal 1b shown in FIG. 7 can therefore be assembled with minimal effort, by inserting the modules 20, 30a and assembling the housing shells 10b2, 10b2, which are preferably provided with a snap lock. FIG. 8 shows a camera 1c constructed according to the invention with a first housing part 10c, into which at least the central module 20 is inserted, and with a second housing part 10c2, into which a peripheral module 30a provided with a display unit 32 is inserted. The two housing parts 10cl and 10c2 are connected to one another by means of a hinge 10c3, so that the housing part 10c2 with the display unit 32 can be opened to start up the camera 1c. According to the invention, the transmission of data and energy to the peripheral module 30a takes place wirelessly, so that the connection of the modules 20, 30a can be avoided, for example by means of ribbon cables. Peripheral modules 30a with various display units 32 can also be provided for the camera 1c, which are automatically correctly configured by means of the measures described above.

FIG. 9 shows a device 1d according to the invention with a peripheral module 30a which is mounted in a housing part 10d2 at a fixed distance from a further housing part 10dl in which the central module 20 is arranged. This embodiment of the invention can advantageously be used in means of transport. For example, a housing part 10d2 provided with a display unit 32 can be installed in the field of vision of the driver or a passenger of a device 10d that serves, for example, to monitor the operating state or the location of the vehicle, the other parts of the device, in particular the central module 20, at a more suitable location, where it does not appear disruptive, can be mounted. bibliography

[1] laid-open specification EP 0 987 905 A2

[2] U.S. Patent 4,953,123

[3] U.S. Patent 4,821,198

[4] Jerry D. Gibson, THE COMMUNICATIONS HANDBOOK, CRC PRESS, Boca Raton 1997

[5] Jerry D. Gibson, THE MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS HANDBOOK, CRC PRESS, Boca Raton 1999, 2 ^nd Edition

[6] J. Bray, F. Sturman, Bluetooth: Connect Without Cables, Prentice Hall Inc., New York 2001

[7] Specification of the Bluetooth System, Volume 1, Core, Version 1.0 B, issued by the Special Interest Group (SIG) on December 1, 1999

[8] Andrew S. Tanenbaum, Computer Networks, Prentice-Hall Inc., Munich 1998, 3rd edition

[9] Bernhard Walke, cellular networks and their protocols, Volume 2, Teubner Verlag, Stuttgart 2000

[10] Richard C. Dorf, THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING HANDBOOK, CRC PRESS, Boca Raton 1997, 2 ^nd Edition

Claims

claims

1. Device (1) with a housing (10) consisting of one or more parts, in or in which at least two modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...), in particular a central module (20) provided with a processor and at least one peripheral module (30a, 30b, ...) are installed, between which data is transmitted during operation, characterized in that the communication between the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) takes place wirelessly.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) are arranged together in a housing (10; 10a; 10b) or that at least the central module (20) in a first housing part (10cl; 10dl) and at least one peripheral module (30a) is arranged in a second housing part (10c2; 10d2), the housing parts (10cl; 10dl and 10c2; 10d2) being connected to one another in a fixed, rotatable or pivotable manner.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) are equipped with means by means of which an optical, inductive or electromagnetic transmission of data can take place.

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the central module (20) and the peripheral modules (30a, 30b, ...) with a processor (23, 33), a memory chip (24, 34 ) and a communication module (25, 26).

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) are designed for the operation of methods such as are used in ad hoc networks which may work according to Bluetooth specifications.

6. Device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the central module (20) serves as a master for configuring the further modules (30a, 30b, ...).

7. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) with coils

(21, 31) are provided, via which they are supplied with energy inductively, via the coil (21) of one of the modules (20) or via at least one coil (13) connected to the housing (10).

8. Device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the coils (21, 31) on printed circuit boards of the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) are printed or evaporated.

9. Device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the energy supply of the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) and the communication between the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) inductively the same coils (21, 31) takes place.

10. The device (1) according to claim 7, 8 or 9, characterized in that the coils (21, 31) are arranged in such a way and the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) can be mounted in such a way that after the installation of the Modules there is a good coupling between the coils (21, 31) which are preferably arranged coaxially to one another.

11. Device (1) according to one of claims 3-10, characterized in that the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) for optical data transmission are equipped with light-emitting and light-sensitive elements (5, 6), wherein optical signals are exchanged via an open, possibly reflecting channel (7) within the device (1).

12. Device (1) according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that the peripheral modules (30a, 30b, ...) serve to display data, as interface modules or as data storage.

13. Method for operating a device (1) which has at least two modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) suitable for exchanging data, in particular a central module (20) provided with a processor (23) and a peripheral module (30a, 30b, ...), according to one of claims 1-10, characterized in that data between the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) are transmitted wirelessly.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the data between the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) are transmitted optically, inductively or, outside the optical range, preferably in the range of 2.4 GHz, electromagnetically.

15. The method according to any one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the central module (20) configures the further modules (30a, 30b, ...) as a master, at least when the device (1) is started up for the first time or after the exchange of modules (30a, 30b, ...) the central module (20)

a) determines which other modules (30a, 30b, ...) are available,

b) a transmission channel to the other modules (30a, 30b, ...) is established,

c) downloads service information from the other modules (30a, 30b, ...) and

d) if necessary, itself and the further modules (30a, 30b) configured.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) work according to methods as specified in ad-hoc networks, in particular Bluetooth systems.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13-16, characterized in that the energy supply to the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) and the communication between the modules (20, 30a, 30b, ...) inductively via the same Coils (21, 31) takes place.