To begin this discussion, here's a single source that appears to be well positioned to take the entire industry by storm:http://www.edd-inc.com/ Otherwise known as AIRPAX-ED&D. They claim: The integration of all electronic systems into a common shell with the ability to distribute the information simultaneously to strategically located control / monitoring stations is becoming the standard rather than the exception... But, frankly dear, this ain't all 'plug-n-play.' In researching my ideas for a patent application, I am increasingly convinced that all sorts of wonderful technology exists, which, (if applied,) will completely revolutionize all the electronica aboard all vehicles. The problems stem from inefficient power management, via wiring that is both too complex and therefore too difficult to install and troubleshoot, vis-a-vie,-deadweight! We know Why Edison, JP Morgan, et. al. had hi-jacked the work of Tesla, and you and I will probably pay the price until our dying days. Although I don't expect much personal compensation, I am confronting the entire frequency, voltage/amperage range, where I see a plethora of new seemingly unrelated, case-specific and often radical departures from our ancient analog past. The bottom line? -(to be revealed after my patent filing!) Suffice it to say, two wires aren't enough, neither is 'Cat 5.' In the meantime, yacht builders are facing an entirely new frontier. And, as an owner, 'smart-wiring' means facing some very tough, and literally unanswerable questions. Ideally, each separate sub-system is to be wired directly, and often redundantly, so you will suffer no losses if the 'brain' or any networked 'controller-switcher' goes down. Just hit a breaker, and away you go. Seen from the standpoint of the manufacturers and the builders, a lot of emphasis will suddenly rest on the backs of their yet to be recruited staff 'IT' support team, and the level of satisfaction their customers are likely to receive. Knowing today's schools, I remain 'bearish' in this department!
Complex Interesting post There have been fully integrated systems around for some while (for large yachts) however in my experience the crew are not always keen to have fully integrated systems onboard -often with good reason. Is it good practice to have the engine control on the same bus as the AV system? If there was a failure the whole system could be lost fault finding and repair would take specialist knowledge. Some owners could tolerate loss of engines - but no TV that is serious! The final part of your post also is very relevant In recent years I have found we are having to also have onboard an `IT guy´ along with the regular engineers.
Multiplexed control systems always look good on paper. In some applications they have worked fairly well, but reliability ain't what it ought to be. Remember what happened to some vehicle systems when the original "brick" cellular transceivers were installed too close to certain wire bundles.. With all the interference around these days even in low intensity areas Cat5 is pretty limited. Even as short run jumpers I was happily suprised at the reduction in error rate that we got when every last piece was done in Cat6. I'd pay that bill again without any hesitation now. Whatever comes up in terms of control system/comm architectures will have to be non-proprietary to become a broadly used standard otherwise it will only gain acceptance in a small sector. There's the rub. Tesla was a really interesting man. One of our guys built a couple of caduceus coils just for the fun of it. Very odd. Tesla may have been "out there" but I've looked through a number of his patents and am convinced that we lost someone that could have broadened the horizons of research in many areas for some time. Sad.
old school best school Technology is great but for those of us who sail besides build yachts know that when the blk water hits the fan making a switch fr 2 crimp lugs and a bolt is alot easier than pulling a plc controller out your locker.
this is no news for me... I'm working with high-end computing centers, so I know a lot of this problems. Water near computers for direct cooling is similar water around the boat ;-) If you plan new systems, bus systems etc... look around in IT industry. 1) separate power and information 2) separate high available systems from high traffic systems (ship control <-> tv) 3) duplicate systems to reduce risks (duplicate power lines, duplicate IT lines) etc.. look around in the next good book shop about it and ask a computing center professional ... there are a lot of risks you never thought about it ! Gerhard
