Power-over-Communication Approach for Integrating Remote Sensors to Motor Drives | Consortium for Embedded Systems | SIU

Power-over-Communication Approach for Integrating Remote Sensors to Motor Drives

Abstract: In many industrial applications involving motor drives, the physical sensors are located away from the motor controller. As a result, lengthy multi-conductor cables must be used to transmit the power necessary to supply the sensor electronics and the analogue signals from the sensor output to the controller location. This project proposes to eliminate this heavy wiring between sensors and controller by using an approach equivalent to Power over Ethernet (PoE) to transmit sensor output signals as well as to power sensor devices. First, the sensor outputs are filtered and integrated into an SoC. The SoC provides functions for each sensor for additional signal conditioning. Second, the digital representations of the sensor outputs are combined and transmitted to the controller site using techniques based on PoE and suitable communication protocols. The main challenges of the project are to provide the appropriate communication arrangement so that the motor stability is not affected and, also, provide suitable design of the sensor conditioning system under the restriction of a limited space. The proposed project is expected to be of a particular benefit to the aviation industry by reducing weight and EMI.

Problem: The project proposes to eliminate heavy wiring between sensors and controller typically necessary in drive applications by using Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) or equivalent approach to transmit sensor output signals as well as to power sensor devices.

Rationale / Approach: In many industrial applications involving motor drives, the physical sensors are located away from the motor controller. As a result, lengthy multi conductor cables must be used to transmit (a) the power necessary to supply the sensor electronics and (b) the analogue signals from the sensor output to the controller location. However, in certain environments, such as in airplanes, the additional cables contribute in the overall weight. In addition, EMI and other noise interference become an issue. It will be, therefore, beneficial to, particularly, the aviation industry, if the problem can be addressed by reducing sensor conditioning size and combining power and communication signals.

Novelty: The proposed project will use PoE or an equivalent approach to replacing the complex long wiring between sensors and controller. In addition, it will significantly reduce the sensor conditioning size using the SoC technology which represents a significant gain in aerospace applications.

Potential Member Company Benefits: The proposed project is expected to be of a particular benefit to the aviation industry by reducing sensor conditioning size, cable weight and EMI.

Deliverables for the proposed year: The deliverables will include:
(a) integration of sensors into SoC: sensor models, SoC programing.
(b) algorithms for the communication between sensors and controller.

Milestones for the proposed year: August-December: literature review and development of suitable models and algorithms.
Jan-May: Developing SoC program.