Methods used to run the network

Abstract

A method for operating a network having a plurality of participants in the network is proposed. For this purpose, a network having at least one switch (20, 21), at least two terminals (10, 11, 12), and a controller (30) is provided. According to the invention, one of the participants sends data to another participant via an application protocol, wherein the data is sent and / or received as a TSN data stream. In order to also integrate participants without TSN functionality into the network, it is proposed that the TSN data stream be divided into at least two sub-data streams (1, 2, 3, 4). Such sub-data streams (1, 2, 3, 4) can be configured to bypass participants without TSN functionality or between such participants.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a network, in particular an automation network. Background Art

[0002] The method is intended to be suitable for integrating components of an automation network into an existing multifunctional network, for example into an Ethernet network, in particular into a fieldbus network designed as an Ethernet bus.

[0003] In existing automation networks such as SERCOS III, there is usually a limitation that the devices in the automation network are the only users of the network. And although the automation network is also implemented as an Ethernet network, it is not easy to integrate such an automation network into the existing network.

[0004] These difficulties include limitations, for example, related to the network topology, which in turn make integration into other networks difficult or even impossible.

[0005] It should also be possible to integrate automation networks into TSN networks. TSN was developed to enable time-intensive data transmission within the network. TSN functions also enable predictable transmission times. TSN networks are standardized under IEEE 802.1.

[0006] For example, SERCOS III automation networks are based on sum frame telegrams in the form of Ethernet broadcasts without VLAN tags. Therefore, these SERCOS III automation networks require a defined network topology with a stable participant sequence, such as a ring or line topology.

[0007] Since there is no guarantee that this order will be maintained when integrating such participants into an existing Ethernet network according to the IEEE specification, such integration becomes difficult or impossible. It is also difficult to integrate non-TSN-capable participants into a TSN network.

[0008] For example, WO 2018 / 215209 A1 discloses corresponding communication in automation networks, wherein the devices are primarily connected in a line topology and can communicate via data telegrams.

[0009] In order to also set up data nodes in an automation network, for example to make the order of participants more variable, a method for transmitting telegrams in an automation network is known from DE 10 2018 129 809 A1. However, here too, the topology by which the devices are connected to the automation network is fixedly predetermined.

[0010] WO 2017 / 093014 A1 also discloses a method for industrial communication via TSN, which discloses basic communication and protocols in a TSN-enabled network.

[0011] Finally, EP 3 697 034 A1 discloses a method for transmitting data using nodes in a TSN-enabled network. Different TSN streams can be implemented in the various branches of the network via the individual nodes. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The object of the present invention is therefore to integrate an automation network into an existing network and to enable the use of TSN functionality even when network participants are not TSN-capable.

[0013] This object is achieved by a method for operating a network according to the present invention. In the method for operating a network according to the present invention, the network has a plurality of participants in the network, the network comprising at least one switch, at least two terminal devices, and a controller, wherein one of the participants sends data to and / or receives data from another participant via an application protocol, the data being sent and / or received as a TSN data stream, the TSN data stream being divided into at least two sub-data streams, wherein at least one of the participants is not TSN-capable, the starting point and the destination of each sub-data stream are TSN-capable, and the switch is not TSN-capable, so that the sub-data streams are configured to bypass the non-TSN-capable participants.

[0014] A method for operating a network having at least one switch is therefore proposed. The switch acts as a node in the network and can send and receive data in all directions. The switch also includes a programmable logic device that can store and use relationships with other participants in the network.

[0015] Likewise, the network also includes at least two terminal devices and a controller. The controller is also called a master station in the automation network.

[0016] According to the present invention, the controller can send data to a specific terminal device via an application protocol to control the terminal device. Here, the application protocol is implemented via the application layer of the OSI network model. This means that the communication is implemented via the application protocol in OSI layer 7.

[0017] The data sent in this way is divided into data packets according to the Internet network specifications and sent via the network's data link layer. This means that each data packet is transmitted within the data link layer (i.e., layer 2 of the OSI model). Therefore, data packets are transmitted as frames in layer 2.

[0018] According to the present invention, the data is transmitted as a TSN data stream, which means that the data stream of the transmitted and / or received data is provided with a time-intensive feature according to IEEE 802.1.

[0019] According to the present invention, the TSN data stream is now divided into at least two sub-data streams, which can also be TSN-capable. The purpose of this division is to eliminate the presence of non-TSN-capable participants in the network between or within the individual sub-data streams. The sub-data streams should also enable TSN functionality to be configured by non-TSN-capable participants. This can be achieved, for example, by generating a sub-data stream to the non-TSN-capable participant and then passing it to its destination after the non-TSN-capable participant.

[0020] Likewise, TSN sub-data flows can be configured across non-TSN-capable participants, as long as these are not the destination of the communication.

[0021] The sub-data streams ensure that they combine to form a coherent TSN data stream. This makes it possible to implement TSN data streams in a network that includes both TSN-capable and non-TSN-capable participants. This makes it possible to integrate any automation network into existing, conventional networks.

[0022] For this purpose, the sub-data streams can be related to one another. This means that, if there are, for example, two sub-data streams, the second sub-data stream is only created when the first sub-data stream has been processed.

[0023] Likewise, each sub-data stream can be dependent on the preceding participant, so that a sub-data stream can only be created when the preceding participant in the data stream is accordingly ready.

[0024] As already explained, the individual sub-data streams can be designed as TSN sub-data streams or as conventional data streams. However, the data stream composed of the individual sub-data streams is then implemented as a TSN data stream.

[0025] The switches are to be arranged at nodes of the network, preferably between the controller and the terminal, so that different topologies can be interconnected in the network starting from these nodes.

[0026] Depending on the topology, the terminal devices of an automation network can be connected in series, either in a ring or in a line. This also corresponds to the normal functioning of an automation network. In principle, multiple automation networks can thus be interconnected in a common network via switches, allowing participants that are not part of an automation network to participate in the same network.

[0027] The method according to the present invention includes the ability for the terminal device to also respond according to the automation network and application protocols, so that the response can be sent from the terminal device to the corresponding controller. By using TSN data streams, the times at which data will be sent and / or received can be predicted, and data streams in the network can also be prioritized. This allows for planning communications within the network.

[0028] It is preferably provided that the controllers and terminals are participants in an automation bus. The bus is then operated as an automation network with Ethernet specifications. The number of controllers and terminals in the network is not limited.

[0029] As a special embodiment, the switch can be replaced by a router, since the router also contains the functionality of a switch. Other participants, such as PCs, servers and / or hubs, can also be present.

[0030] It is preferably provided that the controllers and / or switches (or routers) are configured by a network management system, which is preferably implemented as software, in order to be able to implement the desired routing of data from the network participants to the terminals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Other features can be seen from the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 A network according to the invention is shown with two switches. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figure 1 A network according to the invention is shown, which has three terminals 10 , 11 , 12 , two switches 20 , 31 and a controller 30 .

[0034] Here, the automation network includes a controller 30 and terminals 10, 11, 12. However, the terminals 10, 11 are accommodated in a different network branch than the terminal 12. In this case, the terminals 10, 11 are arranged in a linear topology, while the terminal 12 is arranged in a ring topology.

[0035] Additional network participants may be located on branches of the network, but Figure 1 The further network participants are not shown.

[0036] The branches or different topologies are connected via two switches 20, 21. Accordingly, the switches 20, 21 represent nodes in the network that connect the different branches or topologies.

[0037] If the controller 30 now wishes to send data for controlling the terminal, for example to the terminal 11 , the corresponding data is sent to the network via an application protocol that is implemented in the application layer of the OSI network model.

[0038] According to the specifications of Ethernet networks, these data are now divided into data packets and, according to the invention, are sent as frames via the data link layer (OSI model layer 2).

[0039] For this purpose, the functionality of the TSN network is used and the communication as a TSN data stream is used between the controller 30 and the terminal 11. According to the invention, the data stream is now divided into partial data streams 2, 3. These partial data streams 2, 3 can also be implemented as TSN partial data streams.

[0040] In the present example, the data flow is implemented via two switches 20 , 21 and is initially implemented as a partial data flow 3 . This partial data flow 3 is routed from the controller 30 via the switch 20 to the switch 21 . Subsequently, the partial data flow 3 is routed to the terminal 12 .

[0041] Thereafter, partial data stream 2 begins, which is routed from terminal 12 via switches 21, 20 to terminal 11. Thus, a TSN data stream is divided into two partial data streams 2, 3.

[0042] The response from the terminal 11 to the controller 30 is also implemented as a TSN data stream. Here, the data stream can be divided into partial data streams 1 and 2. The partial data stream is first directed back to the terminal 11 via the terminal 10. Then partial data stream 2 begins, which is directed to the controller 30 via the switch 20.

[0043] The time values ​​of the network participants determine which path a TSN data flow and thus a sub-data flow takes. The TSN function can predetermine a path in the network by prioritization or plannability, which is, for example, the fastest path to the desired destination.

[0044] In the present example, the switches 20, 21 may not be TSN-capable, so that the division into sub-data flows occurs. Thus, the starting point and the destination of each sub-data flow are TSN-capable.

[0045] The individual sub-data streams are related to one another so that the sub-data stream 2 can only be created when the sub-data stream 3 has at least partially arrived at the terminal 12 .

[0046] Likewise, the partial data stream 2 can be dependent on the terminal 12 and only created when the terminal 12 is ready for this purpose.

[0047] The arrangement and topology of the individual branches at the switches 20, 21 are examples and can be designed arbitrarily. The number of terminals 10, 11, 12, switches 20, 21 and controllers 30 is also not specified.

[0048] By using partial data streams in a TSN network, it is now possible to integrate automation networks into conventional Ethernet networks, also into TSN-capable Ethernet networks.

[0049] The present application is not limited to the aforementioned features. Rather, other implementations are contemplated. Thus, a router or server may be used in place of at least one switch. Similarly, other participants, such as a PC or a hub, may be used.

Claims

1. A method for operating a network having a plurality of participants in the network, the network comprising at least one switch (20, 21), at least two terminals (10, 11, 12) and a controller (30), It is characterized by: One of the participants sends data to the other participant and / or receives data from the other participant via the application protocol, The data is sent and / or received as a TSN data stream, Divide the TSN data stream into at least two sub-data streams (1, 2, 3, 4), At least one of the participants is not TSN-capable, a starting point and a destination of each sub-data flow are TSN-capable, and the switches (20, 21) are not TSN-capable, so that the sub-data flows (1, 2, 3, 4) are configured to pass through the non-TSN-capable participants.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The sub-data streams (1, 2, 4) depend on the preceding sub-data stream (3) in the stream direction.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The sub-data streams (1, 2, 4) depend on the previous participants (21) along the stream direction.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The partial data streams ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) are likewise implemented as TSN data streams.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The participants are connected to switches (20, 21) in a ring topology or a line topology.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A plurality of terminal devices (10, 11) are connected in series.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The data streams and sub-data streams are divided into data packets and transmitted and received within the data link layer.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The switches (20, 21) are implemented as routers or servers.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of controllers (30) are present in the network as participants.

10. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that Controllers and terminal devices are participants in the automation bus.

11. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The configuration of the controller and / or the switch is implemented through a network management system.

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