A plc network communication system and an automatic network configuration method of communication equipment thereof

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of communication, and discloses a PLC network communication system and an automatic network configuration method of communication equipment thereof. The method comprises the following steps: in the automatic network configuration mode, a CCO periodically polls all sub-devices in the PLC network to identify current to-be-networked devices therefrom, and queries a network configuration flag bit of the to-be-networked devices; if the network configuration flag bit is currently configured as valid, the to-be-networked devices are added to a list of all devices in the network stored by the CCO itself, and a network entry success command is sent to the to-be-networked devices; when the network entry success command is received, the to-be-networked devices configure the network configuration flag bit as invalid, and switch from the network configuration state to a normal working state. The embodiment of the application can effectively simplify the network entry and network configuration process, so that the user does not need to perform complex operations and settings, and does not need to understand professional technical terms, thereby reducing the use threshold, improving the user experience, improving the network configuration efficiency, and facilitating the management and use of the equipment.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of PLC network, and particularly relates to a PLC network communication system and an automatic network configuration method of communication equipment thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the rapid development of communication technology, various communication equipment needs to access the communication network through different network access protocols. The communication technology based on power line carrier has the characteristics of stability and reliability, and is widely used in the fields of Internet of Things and smart home. The network model is a tree topology, each PLC network contains a root node, also called a central coordination node (CCO), and other child nodes are directly or indirectly connected to the CCO. In order to safely and reliably manage the child devices, the child devices generally need to be configured, that is, to search and allow the child devices to join the network of a certain CCO to realize control. At present, this process is often complex, and the user configuration process is complex and has many steps, and the user also needs to face many professional terms, which leads to a high use threshold and poor experience. SUMMARY

[0003] The present application relates to the technical field of PLC network, and particularly relates to a PLC network communication system and an automatic network configuration method of communication equipment thereof.

[0004] To achieve this purpose, the technical scheme adopted by the present application is as follows:

[0005] A PLC network communication system, comprising a central coordination node (CCO) and a plurality of child devices in the same PLC network.

[0006] The CCO is configured to poll the child devices in the entire PLC network in an automatic network configuration mode to identify the current device to be networked, and query the network configuration flag bit of the device to be networked. If the network configuration flag bit is currently configured as valid, the device to be networked is added to the list of all devices in the network stored by the CCO itself, and a network access success command is sent to the device to be networked.

[0007] The device to be networked is configured to configure its network configuration flag bit as valid when entering a network configuration state, and to configure the network configuration flag bit as invalid and switch from the network configuration state to a normal working state when receiving the network access success command.

[0008] Optionally, when polling the child devices in the entire PLC network, the CCO specifically identifies the current device to be networked by querying the list of all devices in the network.

[0009] Optionally, the device to be networked is further configured to automatically configure the network configuration flag as invalid and switch from the network configuration state to a normal working state when the network configuration flag remains valid for a time period exceeding a preset network configuration time threshold and the network entry success command is still not received.

[0010] Optionally, the device to be networked is further configured to save the address information of the CCO and give a network configuration success prompt through sound and light information when the network entry success command is received.

[0011] Optionally, the CCO is further configured to automatically enter the automatic network configuration mode when a preset network configuration key / command is received.

[0012] The device to be networked is further configured to automatically enter the network configuration state when it is started or a preset network entry key / command is received.

[0013] A communication device automatic network configuration method of a PLC network communication system as described above, comprising:

[0014] In the automatic network configuration mode, the CCO periodically polls the sub-devices in the entire PLC network to identify the current device to be networked therefrom, and queries the network configuration flag of the device to be networked. If the network configuration flag is currently configured as valid, the device to be networked is added to the list of all devices in the network stored by the CCO itself, and a network entry success command is sent to the device to be networked.

[0015] Upon receipt of the network entry success command, the device to be networked configures the network configuration flag as invalid and switches from the network configuration state to a normal working state.

[0016] Optionally, the method for the CCO to identify the current device to be networked comprises:

[0017] In polling the sub-devices in the entire PLC network, the current device to be networked is identified by querying the list of all devices in the network.

[0018] Optionally, the communication device automatic network configuration method further comprises:

[0019] The device to be networked configures the network configuration flag as invalid and switches from the network configuration state to a normal working state when the network configuration flag remains valid for a time period exceeding a preset network configuration time threshold and the network entry success command is still not received.

[0020] Optionally, the communication device automatic network configuration method further comprises:

[0021] The device to be networked saves the address information of the CCO and gives a network configuration success prompt through sound and light information when the network entry success command is received.

[0022] Optionally, the automatic network configuration method of the communication device further comprises:

[0023] The CCO automatically enters the automatic network configuration mode when receiving a preset network configuration key / command;

[0024] The device to be networked automatically enters the network configuration state when starting or receiving a preset network entry key / command.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following advantages:

[0026] The automatic network configuration protocol of the embodiment of the present application can effectively simplify the process of device network entry and network configuration, so that the user does not need to perform complex operations and settings, and does not need to understand professional technical terms, thereby greatly reducing the use threshold, improving the user experience, and improving the network configuration efficiency, facilitating the management and use of the device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art description. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 The automatic network configuration method flow chart of the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 2 The network configuration method flow chart of the device to be networked side provided by the embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to make the purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings of the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the following described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, not all. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0031] In order to solve the problem of complicated and inefficient device network configuration process in the existing PLC network communication system, the embodiment of the present application provides a PLC network communication system, which comprises a CCO and a plurality of sub-devices in the same PLC network;

[0032] The CCO is configured to poll all the sub-devices in the PLC network in the automatic network configuration mode to identify the current to-be-networked device therefrom, and to query a network configuration flag bit of the to-be-networked device, and if the network configuration flag bit is currently configured as valid, the to-be-networked device is added to a list of all the devices in the network stored by the CCO, and a network entry success command is sent to the to-be-networked device.

[0033] The to-be-networked device is configured to, when entering a network configuration state, configure a network configuration flag bit thereof as valid, and when receiving the network entry success command, configure the network configuration flag bit as invalid, and switch from the network configuration state to a normal working state.

[0034] Correspondingly, the application also provides an automatic network configuration method of a communication device applied to the PLC network communication system, and specifically includes the following steps.

[0035] S1. In the automatic network configuration mode, the CCO polls all the sub-devices in the PLC network to identify the current to-be-networked device therefrom, and queries a network configuration flag bit of the to-be-networked device, and if the network configuration flag bit is currently configured as valid, the to-be-networked device is added to a list of all the devices in the network stored by the CCO, and a network entry success command is sent to the to-be-networked device.

[0036] S2. When receiving the network entry success command, the to-be-networked device configures a network configuration flag bit thereof as invalid, and switches from a network configuration state to a normal working state.

[0037] In the PLC network communication system and the automatic network configuration method thereof, when needing network configuration, the to-be-networked device only needs to configure a network configuration flag bit thereof as valid, the CCO can identify the to-be-networked device in the polling process, and then add the to-be-networked device to a list of all the devices in the network, and complete network configuration. The whole network configuration process is simple and efficient, and does not need too much operation and professional knowledge of the user, reduces the use threshold, improves the user experience, and improves the network configuration efficiency, and facilitates the management and use of the device.

[0038] Further, the method for identifying the current to-be-networked device by the CCO includes: when polling all the sub-devices in the PLC network, the current to-be-networked device is identified by querying a list of all the devices in the network. It should be noted that the list of all the devices in the network records a plurality of sub-devices that have successfully completed network configuration, and if a sub-device is found not recorded in the list of all the devices in the network in the polling process, it is indicated that the sub-device is a new device, and the sub-device can be identified as the to-be-networked device.

[0039] In an alternative embodiment, the above-mentioned automatic network configuration method of the communication device further comprises: when the network configuration flag bit of the device to be networked remains valid for a duration exceeding a preset network configuration time threshold, and the network entry success command is still not received, the network configuration flag bit of the device to be networked is automatically configured as invalid, and the network configuration state is switched into a normal working state.

[0040] The preset network configuration time threshold can be flexibly set according to actual needs, such as 2 minutes. The setting can reasonably control the duration of the network configuration state of the communication device, so that the device to be networked can automatically return to the normal working state simply and quickly when it fails to successfully enter the network within the valid period, ensuring normal use of the device to be networked by the user and improving the user experience.

[0041] In addition, the automatic network configuration method of the communication device further comprises: when the network entry success command is received, the device to be networked saves the address information of the CCO and gives a network configuration success prompt through sound and light information. For example, the brightness and / or the number of times of flashing of the power supply lamp of the device to be networked are controlled (for example, the power supply lamp flashes 3 times).

[0042] By saving the address information of the CCO, the subsequent communication and instruction transmission between the device to be networked and the CCO can be facilitated. By giving a network configuration success prompt through sound and light information, the user can know the current network entry state of the device to be networked, which facilitates subsequent operation of the user.

[0043] In actual application, the CCO can automatically enter the automatic network configuration mode when a preset network configuration key / command is received. The device to be networked can automatically enter the network configuration state when it is started or a preset network entry key / command is received. In this way, the mode / state control of the two is relatively simple and diversified, which can meet different use needs and habits of various users.

[0044] For the convenience of understanding, a complete application example is provided below for introduction.

[0045] The network communication system based on power line carrier provided in this example includes a CCO and a plurality of sub-devices. Under normal circumstances, these devices are in a normal working state. The CCO regularly sends control instructions, and the sub-devices receive the instructions and perform corresponding operations.

[0046] When we need to add a new sub-device to the network, in combination with Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the following steps can be performed:

[0047] Step 1: First, let the CCO enter the automatic network configuration mode by pressing a button or giving a command. In the automatic network configuration mode, the CCO will poll the entire PLC network for sub-devices at regular intervals, and determine whether a new device (hereinafter referred to as a device to be added to the network for ease of distinction) has joined by querying the list of all devices in the network, and querying the network configuration flag of the device to be added to the network.

[0048] Step 2: For the device to be added to the network, it can be made to enter the network configuration state by power-on restart or button or command, etc. At this time, the device to be added to the network that enters the network configuration state will automatically set its network configuration flag to valid (for example, set to 1), and keep it for a period of time (for example, 2 minutes). If the CCO does not add it to the network or the whitelist within this period of time, the device to be added to the network will automatically clear the flag to invalid (for example, set to 0) after this period of time, and enter the normal working state from the network configuration state.

[0049] Step 3: In the process of cyclic polling of sub-devices, if the network configuration flag of a device to be added to the network is valid, the CCO will add it to the list of all devices in the network, and send a command to the device to be added to the network that the network addition is successful.

[0050] Step 4: After receiving the command that the network addition is successful, the device to be added to the network will save the address information of the CCO, then clear the network addition flag, enter the normal working state, and wait for subsequent instructions sent by the CCO.

[0051] Step 5: The CCO will repeat the above steps until timeout or no new sub-device is queried. At this time, the CCO will return to the normal working state from the automatic network configuration mode.

[0052] Step 6: After the sub-device is added to the network, the CCO will continue to monitor the changes of the device and the network environment to ensure the stability of the network and the normal operation of the device.

[0053] Through the above implementation, the automatic network configuration protocol of the embodiment of the application can effectively simplify the process of device network addition and network configuration, so that the user does not need to perform complex operations and settings, and does not need to understand professional technical terms, thereby greatly reducing the use threshold, improving the user experience, and improving the network configuration efficiency, facilitating the management and use of the device.

[0054] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, but not limit it; although the foregoing embodiments of the present application have been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they can modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacement for part of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A PLC network communication system, characterized by, The central coordination node (CCO) and a plurality of sub-devices in the same PLC network are included. The CCO is configured to, in an automatic network configuration mode, periodically poll sub-devices in the entire PLC network at a preset time interval, identify a device to be configured into the network by comparing a current network device list, and query a network configuration flag of the device to be configured into the network; if the network configuration flag is currently configured as valid, the device to be configured into the network is added to a list of all devices in the network stored by the CCO, and a network configuration success command is sent to the device to be configured into the network. The device to be configured into the network is configured to, when entering a network configuration state, configure a network configuration flag thereof as valid; and when receiving the network configuration success command, configure the network configuration flag as invalid, and switch from the network configuration state to a normal working state.

2. The PLC network communication system according to claim 1, wherein The CCO identifies the device to be configured into the network by querying the current list of all devices in the network when polling the sub-devices in the entire PLC network.

3. The PLC network communication system of claim 1, wherein, The device to be configured into the network is further configured to, when a duration for which the network configuration flag remains valid exceeds a preset network configuration time threshold and the network configuration success command is still not received, automatically configure the network configuration flag as invalid, and switch from the network configuration state to the normal working state.

4. The PLC network communication system of claim 1, wherein, The device to be configured into the network is further configured to, when receiving the network configuration success command, save address information of the CCO, and perform network configuration success prompting through sound and light information.

5. The PLC network communication system of claim 1, wherein, The CCO is further configured to automatically enter the automatic network configuration mode when receiving a preset network configuration key / command. The device to be configured into the network is further configured to automatically enter the network configuration state when starting or receiving a preset network configuration key / command.

6. A method for automatically configuring a communication device of a PLC network communication system according to claim 1, wherein The CCO is configured to, in an automatic network configuration mode, periodically poll sub-devices in the entire PLC network to identify a current device to be configured into the network, and query a network configuration flag of the device to be configured into the network; if the network configuration flag is currently configured as valid, the device to be configured into the network is added to a list of all devices in the network stored by the CCO, and a network configuration success command is sent to the device to be configured into the network. The device to be configured into the network is configured to, when receiving the network configuration success command, configure a network configuration flag thereof as invalid, and switch from a network configuration state to a normal working state. The method for the CCO to identify the current device to be configured into the network includes:

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The CCO identifies the current device to be configured into the network by querying the current list of all devices in the network when polling the sub-devices in the entire PLC network. The method for the communication device to automatically configure a network further includes:

8. The method of claim 6, wherein, The device to be configured into the network is further configured to, when a duration for which the network configuration flag remains valid exceeds a preset network configuration time threshold and the network configuration success command is still not received, automatically configure the network configuration flag as invalid, and switch from the network configuration state to the normal working state. The method for the communication device to automatically configure a network further includes:

9. The method of claim 6, wherein, The device to be configured into the network is further configured to, when receiving the network configuration success command, save address information of the CCO, and perform network configuration success prompting through sound and light information. The method for the communication device to automatically configure a network further includes:

10. The method of claim 6, wherein, The CCO is further configured to automatically enter the automatic network configuration mode when receiving a preset network configuration key / command. ​ The to-be-networked device automatically enters the network configuration state when it is started or receives a preset network entry key / command. The to-be-networked device automatically enters the network configuration state when it is started or receives a preset network entry key / command.

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