Data transmission system, test system and test method

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a data transmission system, a test system and a test method, and relates to the technical field of communication. The data transmission system comprises a backboard and a plurality of electrical modules arranged on the backboard, wherein at least one electrical module is a specified connector; the specified connector assembly comprises two EtherCAT ports, at least one EtherCAT port is connected to one electrical module on the backboard through an EtherCAT signal line, and the specified connector assembly is used for being detachably connected with the electronic device; at least one designated connector on the backboard is provided with a corresponding on-off control part, two EtherCAT ports in the designated connector are connected to the corresponding on-off control parts respectively, and the on-off control parts are used for being disconnected with the at least one EtherCAT port in the first state and enabling the two EtherCAT ports to be in short circuit in the second state. According to the invention, the EtherCAT communication is allowed to be kept under the condition that only part of the specified connectors are connected with the electronic devices using the EtherCAT communication, so that a user can conveniently build a plurality of data transmission paths.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a data transmission system, a test system and a test method. Background Art

[0002] EtherCAT network (Ethernet) is more widely used in automobile, factory automation, and robot control fields than traditional bus systems due to its significant advantages in speed and efficiency. While EtherCAT has many advantages such as guaranteed communication speed and bandwidth, it can only communicate in a single order step by step. The message is sent from the master station and transmitted to the slave station. Each slave station receives and processes the message and sends it to the next slave station. The backplane solution is a circuit board or frame solution that supports the interconnection between devices and provides power and data signals to the connected devices. At present, in the data transmission system based on the backplane solution, in order to support the use of EtherCAT communication between electronic devices, multiple connectors are generally specified. These connectors are connected through EtherCAT signal lines to form a network topology. Multiple electronic devices that support the EtherCAT communication protocol are connected to these connectors, so that EtherCAT communication can be carried out between multiple electronic devices connected to the data transmission system.

[0003] When an electronic device is inserted into a connector, the EtherCAT signal line connected to the electronic device and the connector is turned on. However, for a link composed of multiple connectors connected in sequence through EtherCAT signal lines, the connector that is not connected to the electronic device is equivalent to a disconnected switch. Therefore, the connector located between two connectors connected to the electronic device in the link cannot be idle, otherwise, the two electronic devices connected to the two connectors upstream and downstream of the idle connector cannot be connected through the EtherCAT signal line, that is, EtherCAT communication cannot be performed. Therefore, when the user uses the data transmission system, it is limited by the network topology of the connectors on the data transmission system and cannot flexibly adjust the connection and installation position of the electronic device, which brings great inconvenience to the user. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a data transmission system, a test system and a test method. Regardless of whether an electronic device is connected to a designated connector in the data transmission system, the connection between the two EtherCAT ports inside the designated connector can be maintained through an on-off control component. Therefore, there is no need to ensure that each designated connector is connected to an electronic device using EtherCAT communication. Users can more flexibly adjust the number and position of electronic devices connected to the data transmission system, making it convenient for users to build multiple data transmission paths.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a data transmission system, comprising: a backplane and a plurality of electrical modules arranged on the backplane, at least one electrical module is a designated connector; the designated connector comprises: two EtherCAT ports, at least one of the EtherCAT ports is connected to an electrical module on the backplane via an EtherCAT signal line, and the designated connector is used to be detachably connected to an electronic device; at least one of the designated connectors on the backplane has a corresponding on-off control component, the two EtherCAT ports in the designated connector are respectively connected to the corresponding on-off control components, and the on-off control component is used to disconnect from at least one EtherCAT port in a first state, and to short-circuit the two EtherCAT ports in a second state.

[0006] The present invention provides a test system, comprising an electronic device and the above-mentioned data transmission system, at least one electrical module is a processor, the processor is connected to at least one designated connector via an EtherCAT signal line, and the processor communicates with the electronic device via the EtherCAT signal line and the designated connector.

[0007] The present invention provides a testing method, based on the above-mentioned data transmission system, comprising: performing at least one of the following operations: a sending operation, causing the processor to send data to the electronic device via the EtherCAT signal line; a receiving operation, causing the processor to receive data from the electronic device via the EtherCAT signal line.

[0008] In one embodiment, the designated connector is a first designated connector, and the on-off control component corresponding to the first designated connector includes a switching circuit; the data transmission system also includes: a processing unit, which is connected to each of the on-off control components; the processing unit is used to: when the electronic device connected to the first designated connector is a first type of electronic device, control the on-off control component to be in a first state so that the on-off control component is disconnected from at least one EtherCAT port, wherein the first type of electronic device is an electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication and is configured to use EtherCAT communication, and when the first type of electronic device is connected to the first designated connector, the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector are connected to the first type of electronic device.

[0009] In one embodiment, the designated connector is a first designated connector, and the on-off control component corresponding to the first designated connector includes a switch circuit; the data transmission system also includes: a processing unit, which is connected to each of the on-off control components; the processing unit is used to: when the electronic device connected to the first designated connector is a second type of electronic device, control the on-off control component to be in a second state so as to short-circuit two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector, wherein the second type of electronic device is an electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication and is configured not to use EtherCAT communication, and when the second type of electronic device is connected to the first designated connector, the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector are connected to the second type of electronic device.

[0010] In one embodiment, the designated connector is a first designated connector, and the on-off control component corresponding to the first designated connector includes a switching circuit; the data transmission system also includes: a processing unit, which is connected to each of the on-off control components; the processing unit is used to: when the electronic device connected to the first designated connector is a third-category electronic device, control the on-off control component to be in a first state so that the on-off control component is disconnected from at least one EtherCAT port, wherein the third-category electronic device is an electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication and is configured to directly forward the EtherCAT signal received through the EtherCAT port, and when the third-category electronic device is connected to the first designated connector, the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector are connected to the third-category electronic device.

[0011] In one embodiment, the designated connector is a first designated connector, and the on-off control component corresponding to the first designated connector includes a switch circuit; the data transmission system also includes: a processing unit, which is connected to each of the on-off control components; the processing unit is used to: when the first designated connector is not connected to a fourth-category electronic device and there is an EtherCAT message transmission requirement on the EtherCAT signal line connected to the two EtherCAT ports of the first designated connector, control the on-off control component to be in a second state to short-circuit the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector, wherein the fourth-category electronic device is an electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication, and when the fourth-category electronic device is connected to the first designated connector, the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector are connected to the fourth-category electronic device.

[0012] In one embodiment, the backplane is also provided with at least one non-designated connector, and the non-designated connector includes a plurality of communication connection ports based on non-EtherCAT communication, and at least one communication connection port is connected to an electrical module on the backplane via a communication line.

[0013] In one embodiment, the designated connector further includes a plurality of communication connection ports based on non-EtherCAT communication, and at least one communication connection port is connected to an electrical module on the backplane via a communication line.

[0014] In one embodiment, the electronic device supports one or more of the following communication protocols: PCIE communication, EtherCAT communication, Ethernet communication, and I2C communication. The electronic device is used to obtain and execute configuration commands, and the configuration commands are used to indicate whether the electronic device uses a communication protocol and the type of communication protocol used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a data transmission system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a data transmission system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a data transmission system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the connection between a designated connector and an on / off control member according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a data transmission system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of connection between a second designated connector and an on / off control member according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a data transmission system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of connections between connectors on a backplane in a test system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of connections between connectors on a backplane in a test system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide a clearer understanding of the purpose, features and advantages of the present invention. It should be understood that the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are only intended to illustrate the essential spirit of the technical solution of the present invention.

[0025] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth for the purpose of illustrating various disclosed embodiments to provide a thorough understanding of the various disclosed embodiments. However, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other cases, well-known devices, structures, and techniques associated with the present application may not be shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

[0026] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims, the word "comprise" and variations such as "include" and "have" should be construed in an open, inclusive sense, ie, should be interpreted as "including, but not limited to."

[0027] References throughout the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any manner in one or more embodiments.

[0028] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should be noted that the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "or / and" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0029] In the following description, in order to clearly show the structure and working mode of the present invention, many directional words will be used for description, but the words "front", "back", "left", "right", "outside", "inside", "outward", "inward", "up", "down", etc. should be understood as convenient terms and should not be understood as restrictive terms.

[0030] The first embodiment of the present invention relates to a data transmission system, please refer to Figures 1 to 4The data transmission system includes a backplane 100 and a plurality of electrical modules 200 disposed on the backplane 100, at least one of the electrical modules 200 being a designated connector 201; the designated connector 201 including: two EtherCAT ports, at least one of the EtherCAT ports of the designated connector 201 being connected to an electrical module 200 on the backplane 100 via an EtherCAT signal line, the designated connector 201 being used to be detachably connected to an electronic device; at least one designated connector 201 on the backplane 100 having a corresponding on-off control element 202, the two EtherCAT ports in the designated connector 201 being respectively connected to the corresponding on-off control element 202, the on-off control element 202 being used to disconnect from at least one EtherCAT port in a first state, and to short-circuit the two EtherCAT ports in a second state. The designated connector 201 is a connector on the backplane 100 that supports EtherCAT communication.

[0031] Wherein, at least one EtherCAT port of the designated connector is connected to an EtherCAT signal line, the EtherCAT signal line is connected to an electrical module, and the electrical module has an EtherCAT port for connecting the EtherCAT signal line. The electrical module to which the designated connector is connected via the EtherCAT signal line may be an independent device, such as a processor, a computer, a controller, an actuator, a sensor, etc.; the electrical module may be a circuit structure, such as a communication circuit, a data acquisition circuit, a data transmission circuit, a printed circuit board, etc., and the electrical module may also be another designated connector.

[0032] The present application provides a data transmission system with enhanced usability, in which a designated connector in the data transmission system is provided with an on-off control component, and the two EtherCAT ports of the designated connector can be turned on either by an electronic device or by an on-off control component. Therefore, when a user uses the data transmission system provided by the present application, the designated connector located between two electrical modules using EtherCAT communication can be connected without an electronic device, and even if the designated connector is idle, the two EtherCAT ports can be turned on by the on-off control component, so that the electrical modules upstream and downstream of the designated connector are turned on, and the EtherCAT message is transmitted sequentially step by step. The user can more flexibly adjust the number and connection positions of the electronic devices connected to the data transmission system, and a variety of data transmission paths can be constructed in the data transmission system, which is convenient for the user.

[0033] In addition, by turning on the two EtherCAT ports of the designated connector through the on-off control component, both the two EtherCAT ports of the designated connector that are not connected to the electronic device can be turned on, and both the two EtherCAT ports of the designated connector that are connected to the electronic device can be turned on. At this time, the electronic device connected to the designated connector is equivalent to being short-circuited, and cannot transmit EtherCAT messages to other electrical modules that use EtherCAT communication to form an EtherCAT link. That is, there is no need to plug in or unplug the electronic device, and the electronic device can be connected to and removed from the EtherCAT link.

[0034] For example, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a plurality of electrical modules 200 are arranged on the backplane 100, and all or part of the electrical modules 200 are connected through EtherCAT signal lines to form an EtherCAT network topology, and the EtherCAT network topology is, for example, linear, ring, star, etc. Among the plurality of electrical modules 200 constituting the EtherCAT network topology, at least one electrical module 200 is a designated connector 201, and the EtherCAT port of the designated connector 201 is connected to the EtherCAT signal line. Among them, the designated connector 201 can be connected to one electrical module 200, that is, one EtherCAT port is connected to one electrical module 200 on the backplane 100 through the EtherCAT signal line, and the designated connector 201 can be connected to two electrical modules 200, that is, two EtherCAT ports are respectively connected to two electrical modules 200 on the backplane 100 through the EtherCAT signal line.

[0035] For example, please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 4 , a plurality of designated connectors 201 are provided on the backplane 100, at least one designated connector 201 has a corresponding on-off control element 202, and two EtherCAT ports in the designated connector 201 are respectively connected to the corresponding on-off control elements 202. Specifically, the backplane 100 is provided with an on-off control element 202 corresponding to a non-edge designated connector 201, wherein the designated connector 201 whose two EtherCAT ports are connected to two electrical modules 200 through an EtherCAT signal line is a non-edge designated connector 201.

[0036] In the multiple electrical modules 200 constituting the EtherCAT network topology, each electrical module 200 is a node. If a node has only one connected node, the node is an edge node. For example, in a linear network topology, multiple nodes are connected in sequence, and the nodes at the head and tail are edge nodes.

[0037] The non-edge designated connector 201 is a designated connector 201 that does not belong to an edge node in the EtherCAT network topology. If the designated connector 201 is not an edge node in the EtherCAT network topology, that is, a non-edge designated connector 201, a corresponding on-off control element 202 can be set for it, so that the EtherCAT communication requirements of the two electrical modules 200 connected to the designated connector 201 can be met when the designated connector 201 is idle.

[0038] For example, the designated connector A is connected to the designated connector B and the designated connector C through the EtherCAT signal line respectively. If the designated connectors AC are connected to electronic devices and the connected electronic devices use EtherCAT communication, the three electronic devices can transmit EtherCAT messages through the EtherCAT signal line; if the designated connector BC is connected to an electronic device and the connected electronic device uses EtherCAT communication, the on-off control element corresponding to the designated connector A can be controlled to the second state, so that the designated connector BC transmits the EtherCAT message through the EtherCAT signal line.

[0039] Among them, only one designated connector 201 of an electrical module 200 connected to an EtherCAT port through an EtherCAT signal line is an edge designated connector 201, and the edge designated connector 201 is a designated connector 201 of an edge node in the EtherCAT network topology. If the designated connector 201 is an edge node of the EtherCAT network topology, since it will not be between two electrical modules 200 using EtherCAT communication, whether it is turned on or not will not affect the communication of other electrical modules 200, and a corresponding on-off control component 202 may be set for it, or it may not be set for it.

[0040] Exemplarily, the correspondence between the on-off control element 202 and the designated connector 201 may be one-to-one, that is, each on-off control element 202 corresponds to a designated connector 201, thereby disconnecting at least one EtherCAT port in a first state and short-circuiting two EtherCAT ports in a second state. For example, the on-off control element 202 is a switch, and the two ends of the switch are connected to the two EtherCAT ports of a corresponding designated connector 201.

[0041] Exemplarily, one on-off control element 202 may correspond to multiple designated connectors 201, that is, one on-off control element 202 corresponds to multiple designated connectors 201, and realizes synchronous control of multiple designated connectors 201, disconnects at least one EtherCAT port of each corresponding designated connector 201 in a first state, and short-circuits two EtherCAT ports of each corresponding designated connector 201 in a second state. For example, the on-off control element 202 is a switch, and both ends of the switch are simultaneously connected to two EtherCAT ports of the corresponding multiple designated connectors 201.

[0042] When a user uses the data transmission system, multiple electronic devices are connected to multiple designated connectors 201 on the back panel 100. The electronic devices can be inserted into or unplugged from the designated connectors 201. After the electronic devices are connected to the designated connectors 201, the state of the on-off control components 202 corresponding to the designated connectors 201 on the back panel 100 can be adjusted according to data transmission requirements.

[0043] The types of electronic devices include: electronic devices that only support EtherCAT communication, electronic devices that support both EtherCAT communication and non-EtherCAT communication, and electronic devices that only support non-EtherCAT communication. Among them, the electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication includes an EtherCAT signal connection part for connecting two EtherCAT ports. When the electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication is connected to the designated connector 201, the EtherCAT signal connection part is connected to the EtherCAT port. Among them, the electronic device that supports non-EtherCAT communication includes a communication connection part for non-EtherCAT communication, and non-EtherCAT communication is, for example, a commonly used communication protocol such as PCIE communication, Ethernet communication, and I2C communication. The designated connector 201 includes two EtherCAT ports, which can be used to connect an electronic device that only supports EtherCAT communication, an electronic device that supports both EtherCAT communication and non-EtherCAT communication; the designated connector 201 can also include a communication connection port for supporting one or more non-EtherCAT communications, and can further connect an electronic device that only supports non-EtherCAT communication.

[0044] As an example, the designated connector 201 is a pin-type or slot-type connector, and the EtherCAT port is composed of a plurality of connection terminals for EtherCAT communication, wherein the EtherCAT signal line uses a four-twisted wire, and each EtherCAT port includes 4 connection terminals. The EtherCAT signal connection part of the electronic device is adapted to the EtherCAT port.

[0045] As an example, the electronic device may obtain and execute a configuration command, and determine whether to use a communication protocol and the type of communication protocol used according to the configuration command, wherein the configuration command is used to indicate whether the electronic device uses a communication protocol and the type of communication protocol used.

[0046] As an example, the configuration command also includes time periods for using various communication protocols. For example, electronic device A only supports EtherCAT communication, and the configuration command instructs electronic device A to use EtherCAT communication in the first time period and not to use EtherCAT communication in the second time period; for example, electronic device B is an electronic device that supports both EtherCAT communication and non-EtherCAT communication, and the configuration command instructs electronic device B to use EtherCAT communication in the first time period, non-EtherCAT communication in the second time period, and not to use the communication protocol in the third time period. Among them, the first time period, the second time period, and the third time period are, for example, time periods of different time, such as time periods for data transmission devices used in different application scenarios.

[0047] As an example, a configuration command may be given by a user, for example, a configuration command is input to the electronic device before the electronic device operates to configure whether it uses a communication protocol and the type of communication protocol to be used. For example, the electronic device provides a control button or a control interface, and the user can use the control button or the control interface to configure whether the electronic device uses a communication protocol and the type of communication protocol to be used according to data transmission requirements. As an example, a configuration command may be generated by an internal control unit of the electronic device, for example, a control program is running in the internal control unit of the electronic device, and the control program can determine whether the electronic device uses a communication protocol and the type of communication protocol to be used based on the current state parameters of the electronic device and preset judgment conditions, and generate a configuration command.

[0048] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 5 The designated connector is a first designated connector 203, and the on-off control component corresponding to the first designated connector 203 includes a switch circuit 204; the data transmission system also includes: a processing unit 205, and the processing unit 205 is connected to each on-off control component.

[0049] As an example, the processing unit 205 is a control module with a control function, the on-off control element is the switch circuit 204, and the processing unit 205 controls the state of each on-off control element through a control signal, that is, the control module controls the on-off of the switch circuit 204. For example, the on-off control element corresponding to the first designated connector 203 is a relay, and the relay can be arranged inside or outside the first designated connector 203. The switch circuit 204 is connected to the connection terminals of the first designated connector 203, and a short circuit between the connection terminals can be realized. The processing unit 205 is connected to the switch circuit 204 and can control the on-off of the switch circuit 204.

[0050] As an example, the processing unit 205 is used to: when the electronic device connected to the first designated connector 203 is a first type of electronic device, control the on-off control component to be in a first state so that the on-off control component is disconnected from at least one EtherCAT port of the first designated connector 203, wherein the first type of electronic device is an electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication and is configured to use EtherCAT communication, and when the first type of electronic device is connected to the first designated connector 203, the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector 203 are connected to the first type of electronic device.

[0051] The first type of electronic device is, for example, an electronic device that only supports EtherCAT communication, an electronic device that supports both EtherCAT communication and non-EtherCAT communication, and is configured to use EtherCAT communication. When the first designated connector 203 is connected to the first type of electronic device, the processing unit 205 controls the on-off control element to be in the first state, the on-off control element is disconnected from at least one EtherCAT port, and the two EtherCAT ports cannot be directly connected through the on-off control element, but are connected through the EtherCAT signal connection part of the electronic device, so that the electronic device is connected to the EtherCAT signal line, and then the electronic device can send and receive EtherCAT messages through the EtherCAT signal line.

[0052] As an example, the processing unit 205 is used to: when the electronic device connected to the first designated connector 203 is a second type electronic device, control the on-off control component to be in a second state to short-circuit the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector 203, wherein the second type electronic device is an electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication and is configured not to use EtherCAT communication, and when the second type electronic device is connected to the first designated connector 203, the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector 203 are connected to the second type electronic device.

[0053] The second type of electronic device is, for example, an electronic device that only supports EtherCAT communication, an electronic device that supports both EtherCAT communication and non-EtherCAT communication, and is configured not to use EtherCAT communication. When the electronic device is connected to the designated connector, the EtherCAT signal connection part is connected to the two EtherCAT ports. Since it is configured not to use EtherCAT communication, the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector 203 can be short-circuited through the processing unit 205 and the on-off control component, and the two EtherCAT ports are directly connected through the on-off control component, thereby short-circuiting the electronic device, and the electronic device will not send or receive signals through the EtherCAT signal line. In this way, the electronic device does not need to be unplugged from the first designated connector 203, and the electronic device can also be disconnected from the data transmission path.

[0054] In the above two examples, for an electronic device supporting EtherCAT communication, when it is connected to the first designated connector 203, the EtherCAT signal connection part is connected to the two EtherCAT ports. When it uses EtherCAT communication, the processing unit 205 can be used to control the on-off control part to disconnect from at least one EtherCAT port, and the two EtherCAT ports of the first designated connector 203 are connected through the EtherCAT signal connection part of the electronic device, and the electronic device is connected to the EtherCAT communication link; when it does not use EtherCAT communication, the processing unit 205 can be used to control the on-off control part to short-circuit the two EtherCAT ports, and the electronic device will not be connected to the EtherCAT communication link, and the EtherCAT signal lines connected to the two EtherCAT ports of the first designated connector 203 can be connected. Therefore, the processing unit 205 can control the on-off control part to meet the requirements of whether the electronic device supporting EtherCAT communication uses EtherCAT communication.

[0055] As an example, the processing unit 205 is used to: when the electronic device connected to the first designated connector 203 is a third-category electronic device, control the on-off control component to be in a first state so that the on-off control component is disconnected from at least one EtherCAT port, the first designated connector 203 wherein the third-category electronic device is an electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication and is configured to directly forward the EtherCAT signal received through the EtherCAT port, and when the third-category electronic device is connected to the first designated connector 203, the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector 203 are connected to the third-category electronic device.

[0056] The third type of electronic device is, for example, an electronic device that only supports EtherCAT communication, or an electronic device that supports both EtherCAT communication and non-EtherCAT communication, and the third type of electronic device is configured to directly forward the received EtherCAT signal.

[0057] In the above example, the on-off control element is in the first state, that is, the EtherCAT signal connection part is connected to the EtherCAT port. When the electronic device does not use EtherCAT communication, the on-off control element is not controlled by the processing unit 205 to short-circuit the two EtherCAT ports, but is controlled inside the electronic device to directly forward the received EtherCAT signal without identification and modification. Therefore, the requirement of whether the electronic device supporting EtherCAT communication uses EtherCAT communication can be met by setting control logic inside the electronic device.

[0058] Therefore, for an electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication but does not use EtherCAT communication, when it is connected to the first designated connector 203, the processing unit 205 can control the on / off control component to short-circuit the two EtherCAT ports, or the received EtherCAT signal can be directly forwarded inside the electronic device, providing more diverse options.

[0059] As an example, the processing unit 205 is used to: when the first designated connector 203 is not connected to the fourth category electronic device, and there is a demand for EtherCAT message transmission on the EtherCAT signal lines connected to the two EtherCAT ports of the first designated connector 203, control the on-off control component to be in the second state to short-circuit the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector 203, and the first designated connector 203, wherein the fourth category electronic device is an electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication, and when the fourth category electronic device is connected to the first designated connector 203, the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector 203 are connected to the fourth category electronic device.

[0060] Among them, the first designated connector 203 is not connected to the fourth category electronic device, which means that the first designated connector 203 is not connected to any electronic device, or the electronic device connected to the first designated connector 203 is not an electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication, for example, it is connected to an electronic device that only supports non-EtherCAT communication. For the first designated connector 203 that is not connected to the electronic device, the two EtherCAT ports cannot be connected through the electronic device; for the first designated connector 203 that is connected to the electronic device that does not support EtherCAT communication, since the electronic device that does not support EtherCAT communication does not include an EtherCAT signal connection part, the two EtherCAT ports cannot be connected through the electronic device that does not support EtherCAT communication; therefore, when the first designated connector 203 is not connected to the fourth category electronic device and the EtherCAT signal lines connected to the two EtherCAT ports of the first designated connector 203 have EtherCAT message transmission requirements, it is necessary to short-circuit the two EtherCAT ports through the on-off control component to meet the conduction requirements of the EtherCAT signal lines connected to the two EtherCAT ports.

[0061] For example, for the first designated connector 203 that is not connected to the fourth category electronic device, only one EtherCAT port is connected to the electrical module. Whether the two EtherCAT ports of the first designated connector 203 are turned on through the on-off control component does not affect the EtherCAT communication of the electrical module connected to it, and the on-off control component can be in the first state or the second state.

[0062] For example, for the first designated connector 203 that is not connected to the fourth category electronic device, the two EtherCAT ports are respectively connected to electrical modules, the two electrical modules do not need to use EtherCAT communication, and need to be isolated from each other, and the on-off control component can be controlled to be in the first state. For example, the first designated connector 203A is respectively connected to the first electrical module and the second electrical module, the first electronic module and other electrical modules on the backplane form a first EtherCAT network and use EtherCAT communication, the second electronic module and other electrical modules on the backplane form a second EtherCAT network and use EtherCAT communication, the first EtherCAT network and the second EtherCAT network do not transmit EtherCAT messages, and the on-off control component can be controlled to be in the first state.

[0063] For example, for the first designated connector 203 that is not connected to the fourth category electronic device, the two EtherCAT ports are respectively connected to electrical modules, the two electrical modules do not need to use EtherCAT communication, and do not need to be isolated from each other, and the on-off control component can be controlled to be in the first state or the second state. For example, the first designated connector 203A is respectively connected to the first electrical module and the second electrical module, the first electrical module and other electrical modules on the backplane form a first EtherCAT network and use EtherCAT communication, the second electrical module is an idle first designated connector 203 and the second electronic module is only connected to the first designated connector 203A through the EtherCAT signal line, and the on-off control component can be controlled to be in the first state or the second state.

[0064] For example, for the first designated connector 203 that is not connected to the fourth category electronic device, for the first designated connector 203 that is connected to the electronic device that only supports non-EtherCAT communication, the two EtherCAT ports are respectively connected to electrical modules, and EtherCAT communication is required between the two electrical modules, that is, the EtherCAT signal lines connected to the two EtherCAT ports of the first designated connector 203 have EtherCAT message transmission requirements, and the on-off control component can be controlled to be in the second state to make the EtherCAT signal lines connected to the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector 203 conductive, thereby meeting the communication requirements of the electrical modules on both sides.

[0065] Exemplarily, the processing unit may automatically control the states of the on / off control components of some of the first designated connectors.

[0066] For example, the processing unit obtains a configuration file, which records whether each first designated connector is to be connected to an electronic device and the type of the electronic device to which the first designated connector is connected, and the type of the electronic device is determined by whether the electronic device supports EtherCAT communication and whether EtherCAT communication is used. The processing unit parses the configuration file, determines the first designated connector connected to the first type of electronic device, the first designated connector connected to the third type of electronic device, controls the on / off control element thereof to the first state, determines the first designated connector connected to the second type of electronic device, and controls the on / off control element thereof to the second state.

[0067] For example, the processing unit provides a graphical interface, and displays all first designated connectors in the data transmission system and the electrical modules connected to the first designated connectors through the EtherCAT signal line on the graphical interface. The graphical interface provides a connection line tool and a device frame. The user can add the device frame on the graphical interface and establish a connection between the first designated connector and the device frame through the connection line tool. The device frame includes a first-class electronic device frame, a second-class electronic device frame, and a third-class electronic device frame. It can also include an electronic device frame that only supports EtherCAT communication, an electronic device frame that supports both EtherCAT communication and non-EtherCAT communication, and an electronic device frame that only supports non-EtherCAT communication. The user can configure whether the electronic devices supporting different communications use a communication protocol and the type of communication protocol used. The processing unit determines whether each first designated connector is to be connected to an electronic device and the type of electronic device connected to the first designated connector based on the connection between the first designated connector and the device frame. For the first designated connector connected to the first-class electronic device and the third-class electronic device, the on-off control component is controlled to be in the first state, and for the first designated connector connected to the second-class electronic device, the on-off control component is controlled to be in the second state.

[0068] For example, the first designated connector is also provided with a first communication terminal, the processing unit is connected to the first communication terminal on each first designated connector, each electronic device includes a conductive contact for connecting the first communication terminal, and the processing unit communicates with the electronic device through the first communication terminal after the electronic device is connected to the first designated connector. For example, the first communication terminal is a PCIE communication terminal, the processing unit is connected to each first designated connector through a PCIE signal line, the processing unit scans and finds the device connected through the PCIE signal line, when the first designated connector is connected to the electronic device, the processing unit senses the electronic device, determines the position of the first designated connector connected to the electronic device according to the bus number, and communicates with the electronic device through the PCIE signal line, so as to obtain the type of the electronic device, that is, whether EtherCAT communication is supported and whether EtherCAT communication is used. After the processing unit scans and determines all electronic devices connected to the first designated connector, it determines whether each first designated connector on the backplane is connected to an electronic device and the type of the electronic device connected to the first designated connector. For the first designated connector connected to the first type of electronic device and the third type of electronic device, the on-off control element is controlled to be in the first state, and for the first designated connector connected to the second type of electronic device, the on-off control element is controlled to be in the second state.

[0069] For example, for a first designated connector that is not connected to a fourth-category electronic device and whose two EtherCAT ports are both connected to an EtherCAT signal line, a user may determine whether the EtherCAT signal lines connected to the two EtherCAT ports of the first designated connector have an EtherCAT message transmission requirement, thereby controlling the processing unit. For example, the processing unit receives a switch control command, which may be given by a user, for example, to indicate the status of each on / off control component.

[0070] Exemplarily, the processing unit may automatically determine and control the on / off control status of a first designated connector to which the fourth type of electronic device is not connected and to which both EtherCAT ports are connected to the EtherCAT signal line.

[0071] For example, the processing unit can obtain a configuration file, which also records whether the electronic devices connected to each first connector need to transmit EtherCAT messages to other electrical modules and to which electrical modules the EtherCAT messages are transmitted. If an electronic device needs to transmit EtherCAT messages to other electrical modules and there is a first designated connector between the two that is not connected to a fourth-category electronic device, then the EtherCAT signal lines connected to the two EtherCAT ports of the first designated connector that is not connected to the fourth-category electronic device have a need to be turned on, and its on-off control component is controlled to be in the first state.

[0072] For example, the processing unit provides a graphical interface, and the user can also establish a data transmission connection between the device frame and the electrical module through the connection line tool. If there is a first designated connector between the device frame and the device frame / electrical module that is not connected to a fourth-category electronic device, the EtherCAT signal line connected to the two EtherCAT ports of the first designated connector has a conduction requirement, and its on-off control component is controlled to be in the first state.

[0073] As described above, in the data transmission system, the on-off control component can be used as a control object, and the on-off state of the specified connector can be controlled according to whether the specified connector is connected to an electronic device, whether the connected electronic device supports EtherCAT communication, and whether the connected electronic device uses EtherCAT communication. The data transmission system has higher availability, users can use a wider variety of electronic devices and control the protocols used by the electronic devices, providing the possibility of establishing more data links.

[0074] In some embodiments, the electronic device supports one or more of the following communication protocols: PCIE communication, EtherCAT communication, Ethernet communication, I2C communication, the electronic device is used to obtain and execute configuration commands, the configuration commands are used to indicate whether the electronic device uses a communication protocol and the type of communication protocol used; the designated connector is a first designated connector, and the on-off control element corresponding to the first designated connector includes a switch circuit; the data transmission system also includes: a processing unit, the processing unit is connected to each on-off control element;

[0075] The processing unit is used to control the on / off control element of the first designated connector connected to the electronic device to be in the first state or the second state according to whether the electronic device uses a communication protocol and the type of the communication protocol used.

[0076] Exemplarily, the processing unit can connect to each electronic device to determine whether it uses a communication protocol and the type of communication protocol used, that is, the processing unit can communicate with the electronic device through wired or wireless communication to obtain whether the electronic device uses a communication protocol and the type of communication protocol used. Exemplarily, each electronic device receives a configuration command sent by a control device, and the control device also serves as a processing unit for controlling an on-off control component, so that the processing unit can directly control the on-off control component corresponding to the first designated connector connected to the electronic device to be in the first state or the second state based on the configuration command sent to each electronic device.

[0077] Exemplarily, multiple communication protocols of the electronic device have priorities, and the electronic device selects the communication protocol to be used according to the priority. For example, the priority of the PCIE communication protocol is higher than the priority of the EtherCAT communication protocol. The electronic device gives priority to PCIE communication. After the configuration command indicates not to use the PCIE communication protocol, the EtherCAT communication protocol is selected according to the priority.

[0078] Exemplarily, when the electronic device communicates with different electrical modules, the priority of the communication protocol is different. For example, when communicating with the processor, the PCIE communication protocol has the highest priority, and when communicating with other electronic devices, the EtherCAT communication protocol has the highest priority.

[0079] Exemplarily, the priorities of the communication protocol are different in different time periods. Exemplarily, the priorities of the communication protocol are different when transmitting different types of data. For example, the priorities of the communication protocol are different when transmitting image data and transmitting audio data.

[0080] By setting priorities for the communication protocols of the electronic devices, the communication protocols used by the electronic devices can be controlled by the priorities, and the order in which the communication protocols are used can be controlled, providing more customization and flexibility.

[0081] In addition to electronic devices that only support EtherCAT communication, the data transmission system can also connect electronic devices that use more types of communication protocols. Electronic devices can use different communication protocols to communicate with other electrical modules. In addition to building EtherCAT links, PCIE links, Ethernet links, I2C links, etc. can also be built. The system has higher availability and is more convenient for users.

[0082] In some embodiments, the designated connector is a second designated connector, and the on-off control member corresponding to the second designated connector includes a moving part, a restoring member, and a conductive component, the moving part is used to drive the conductive component to move to the first position or the second position, the restoring member is used to provide a restoring force for the moving part to return to the second position when the conductive component leaves the second position, the on-off control member is in a first state when the conductive component is in the first position, and the on-off control member is in a second state when the conductive component is in the second position;

[0083] The moving part is configured to drive the conductive component to be located at the first position when the second designated connector is connected to the fifth category electronic device, and to drive the conductive component to be located at the second position when the second designated connector is not connected to the fifth category electronic device, wherein the fifth category electronic device is an electronic device supporting EtherCAT communication and has an EtherCAT signal connection part that is compatible with the shape and position of the moving part.

[0084] That is, when the second designated connector is not connected to the fifth category electronic device, or when the connected electronic device is not the fifth category electronic device, the conductive component is located in the second position, the on-off control component is in the second state, and the two EtherCAT ports of the second designated connector are turned on by the conductive component; the conductive component is located in the first position, the on-off control component is in the first state, and the two EtherCAT ports of the second designated connector cannot be turned on by the conductive component, but are turned on by the EtherCAT signal connection part of the fifth category electronic device.

[0085] Among them, the EtherCAT signal line uses four twisted wires, each EtherCAT port includes 4 connection terminals, the conductive component includes 4 conductive sheets, and the movement of the conductive component driven by the moving part includes but is not limited to linear motion, rotation, flipping, and irregular motion, thereby driving the conductive component to move to the first position or the second position. Only when the electronic device connected to the second designated connector has an EtherCAT signal connection part that matches the shape and position of the moving part, the conductive component is located in the first position, and when the second designated connector is not connected to the electronic device, or the electronic device connected to the second designated connector does not have an EtherCAT signal connection part that matches the shape and position of the moving part, the conductive component is located in the second position. Of course, it is understandable that if an electronic device has an EtherCAT signal connection part, but the shape and position of its EtherCAT signal connection part are not compatible with the moving part of the second designated connector, the electronic device will not be able to be connected to the second designated connector, or the moving part will not reach the conductive component to move to the first position after the electronic device is connected to the second designated connector.

[0086] As an example, the fifth type of electronic device is an electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication, and has an EtherCAT signal connection part that matches the shape and position of the moving part. For example, a connection block is provided on the fifth type of electronic device as the EtherCAT signal connection part. When the fifth type of electronic device is connected to the second designated connector, the connection block will press against the moving part, and the moving part moves under the thrust transmitted through the connection block. The thrust can be the gravity of the fifth type of electronic device, and / or the pressure applied to the connection block by an external mechanism. Specifically, the EtherCAT signal connection part of the fifth type of electronic device includes a conductive contact for EtherCAT communication. The EtherCAT signal connection part can be in the form of a gold finger, and there are 4 exposed copper contacts, i.e., 4 PIN pins, on the gold finger. The front and back sides of the 4 PIN pins form 8 conductive contacts, which are respectively used to connect with the 4 conductive contacts of the two EtherCAT ports.

[0087] Please refer to Figure 6, the on-off control member corresponding to the second designated connector includes a moving part 208, a restoring member 209 and a conductive component 207. The moving part 208 includes a head end and a limit column connected to the head end; the conductive component 207 is connected to the head end; and the restoring member 209 is a spring sleeved on the limit column. The second designated connector also includes an external support structure, and the connecting terminal 206 in the EtherCAT port is fixed by the external support structure and connected to the EtherCAT signal line. The moving part 208 and the conductive component 207 are arranged inside the external support structure, and a guiding structure for guiding the moving part 208 is also arranged on the external support structure. Among them, the conductive component 207 includes a pair of connected conductive extensions, each conductive extension corresponds to a connecting terminal 206, and the conductive extension has a first conductive end protruding toward the direction of its corresponding connecting terminal 206, and each connecting terminal 206 has a second conductive end protruding toward the direction of its corresponding conductive extension. When the conductive component 207 connects the two conductive ports, the conductive extension abuts against the connecting terminal 206. A pair of conductive extensions of the conductive component 207 are connected via a clamping connection portion. When the conductive component 207 connects two conductive ports, the first conductive end of the conductive extension is pressed toward the clamping connection portion by the second conductive end.

[0088] Please refer to Figure 6 When the fifth electronic device is not connected to the second designated connector, the conductive component 207 is located at the second position; when the fifth electronic device is connected to the second designated connector, the EtherCAT signal connection part of the fifth electronic device abuts against the moving part 208, and the gravity of the fifth electronic device is transmitted to the moving part 208 as a thrust, or the pressure applied to the fifth electronic device is transmitted to the moving part 208 as a thrust, and the moving part 208 drives the conductive component 207 to move linearly, and pushes the moving part 208 to drive the conductive component 207 to move to the first position; when the fifth electronic device is separated from the second designated connector, the restoring force provided by the restoring member 209 causes the conductive component 207 to return to the second position. The restoring member 209 is, for example, an elastic member such as a spring, and is, for example, an electric drive mechanism. The illustrated d is the total stroke of the electronic device after it is inserted into the second designated connector, a is the guide dimension, b is the clutch slip dimension, c is the effective disconnection dimension, d is the total insertion stroke, d=a+b+c, wherein, after the fifth type of electronic device is connected to the second type of designated connector and moves a distance, the electronic device contacts the moving part 208 and continues to move a distance b. At this stage, the conductive component 207 is still connected to the two EtherCAT ports, and continues to move a distance c, and the conductive component 207 is separated from the two EtherCAT ports.

[0089] Furthermore, the fifth category of electronic devices is configured to directly forward EtherCAT signals received through the EtherCAT port when EtherCAT communication is not used, and to process and forward EtherCAT signals received through the EtherCAT port when EtherCAT communication is used.

[0090] Due to the coordination of the conductive components, the moving parts and the return parts, when the fifth category electronic device is connected to the second designated connector, the two EtherCAT ports of the second designated connector will be connected through the EtherCAT signal connection part of the fifth category electronic device. Considering that the fifth category electronic device may have application scenarios using EtherCAT communication and not using EtherCAT communication, a control program can be set inside the fifth category electronic device, so that when the fifth category electronic device does not use EtherCAT communication, the EtherCAT signal received through the EtherCAT port is directly forwarded; when the fifth category electronic device uses EtherCAT communication, as a node in the EtherCAT network, the EtherCAT signal received through the EtherCAT port is processed and forwarded, for example, the message data corresponding to the node is identified from the received EtherCAT signal, and the message data is added or modified to the EtherCAT signal.

[0091] For the second designated connector, its on-off control component is a mechanical structure. The on-off control component is separated from the EtherCAT port only when it is connected to an electronic device having an EtherCAT signal connection part that cooperates with the moving part. In other cases, the two EtherCAT ports are turned on. Compared with the switching circuit, it has higher stability and reliability, and does not require additional control of the on-off control component, so it is easier to use.

[0092] In some embodiments, at least one first designated connector and / or second designated connector is provided on the backplane. For example, only the first designated connector is provided on the backplane, for example, only the second designated connector is provided on the backplane, for example, both the first designated connector and the second designated connector are provided on the backplane, and both the first designated connector and the second designated connector are designated connectors supporting EtherCAT communication.

[0093] In some embodiments, the designated connector includes two EtherCAT ports, and only connects to electronic devices that support EtherCAT communication, such as electronic devices that only support EtherCAT communication, or electronic devices that support both EtherCAT communication and non-EtherCAT communication.

[0094] As an example, at least one non-designated connector is also provided on the backplane, and the non-designated connector includes a plurality of communication connection ports based on non-EtherCAT communication, and at least one communication connection port is connected to a communication line. Thus, the data transmission system can be connected to both electronic devices supporting EtherCAT communication and electronic devices supporting non-EtherCAT communication. Among them, non-EtherCAT communication is, for example, one or more communication modes such as PCIE, Ethernet, IIC, and HARD PIN.

[0095] As an example, a non-designated connector and a designated connector are arranged side by side, so that an electronic device that supports both EtherCAT communication and non-EtherCAT communication can be connected to a non-designated connector and a designated connector at the same time, and can use both EtherCAT communication and non-EtherCAT communication.

[0096] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 7 , the designated connector includes two EtherCAT ports and multiple communication connection ports based on non-EtherCAT communication, which can connect electronic devices that support EtherCAT communication and electronic devices that support non-EtherCAT communication. Thus, the data transmission system can be connected to both electronic devices that support EtherCAT communication and electronic devices that support non-EtherCAT communication. In this embodiment, at least one non-designated connector 210 can also be provided on the backplane, and the non-designated connector 210 includes multiple communication connection ports based on non-EtherCAT communication, and at least one communication connection port is connected to the communication line.

[0097] In the data transmission system, multiple types of designated connectors can be used. Designated connectors can only connect electronic devices that support EtherCAT communication. Designated connectors can also connect electronic devices that support EtherCAT communication and electronic devices that support non-EtherCAT communication. Non-designated connectors can also be set up. As a result, the data transmission system has more customization and flexibility.

[0098] In some embodiments, a backplane is provided with a plurality of connectors including designated connectors, and the connectors can be used for connecting electronic devices involved in data transmission, and the electronic devices include but are not limited to: processors (which can be industrial computers RTPC), boards, etc., and board types include: power boards, bus boards, video boards, I / O boards, and the I / O boards can be the following boards: ADPWM-IN board, DAC board, FIU board, PWM-OUT board, RELAY-IO board, RC board, PSI5&DSI3&SENT board, multi-bus board (Flexray / CANFD / LIN), vehicle-mounted Ethernet board, etc.; the I / O board can also be the following special boards: current output board, thermocouple board, battery simulator, temperature simulator, motor board, IO_HUB board, and the type of data received or sent by the electronic device is, for example, an analog signal or a digital signal, and can be CAN bus data, LIN bus data, flexray bus data, Ethernet data, vehicle-mounted Ethernet data, etc.

[0099] The processor can be directly arranged on the backplane, or can be used as an electronic device and detachably arranged on the backplane through a connector. The number of processors can be one or more. The processor supports multiple communication protocols so as to communicate with electronic devices supporting different communication protocols.

[0100] In some embodiments, the electronic device is used to connect to one or more of a sensor, an actuator, and a controller to receive or send data.

[0101] In some embodiments, the backplane is a printed circuit board.

[0102] In some implementations, EtherCAT signal lines and communication lines may be arranged on the surface or inside of the backplane.

[0103] In some embodiments, the back panel is also provided with a power line, which connects the power interface and the connector to supply power to the electronic device connected to the connector.

[0104] In some embodiments, the data transmission system further includes a rack, the backplane is mounted on the rack, and a limiter is provided on the rack, and the limiter is used to limit the electronic device. For example, the limiter is a locking mechanism, and when an electronic device is inserted into the connector, the locking mechanism fixes the position of the electronic device to ensure the stability of the contact between the EtherCAT signal connection part and / or the communication connection part at the front end of the electronic device and the connector. In particular, for the second designated connector, the locking mechanism is required to provide pressure to the fifth type of electronic device so that the fifth type of electronic device can be stably contacted and connected with the second designated connector.

[0105] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 7, an electrical module on the backplane is a processor, which is, for example, a real-time machine or an industrial computer RTPC. The processor can be directly set on the backplane, or it can be detachably set on the backplane through a processor connector. The processor is connected to each designated connector in series with a ring network topology, the electronic device connected to the designated connector acts as an EtherCAT slave, and the processor acts as an EtherCAT master. The processor and some connectors on the backplane can also be connected through a communication line, that is, the electronic device connected to the connector can communicate directly with the processor through non-EtherCAT communication, for example, the processor can be connected to each connector on the backplane through a PCIE signal line.

[0106] Exemplarily, a first designated connector is provided on the backplane. For the first designated connector on the backplane, the processing unit may be a controller independent of the processor, such as trigger buttons corresponding to different on-off control components provided on the backplane. The controller is connected to each trigger button, so that the on-off of the circuit formed between the two EtherCAT ports in the corresponding designated connector of each on-off control component can be controlled by the trigger button. If the processor is connected to each designated connector on the backplane through a communication line, that is, the processor can directly communicate with the electronic device on the designated connector in a non-EtherCAT manner, then for the first designated connector, the processor can serve as a processing unit for controlling the on-off control component corresponding to the first designated connector.

[0107] Exemplarily, in addition to the EtherCAT signal line and the communication line, the processor and the connector may also be connected via other signal lines to transmit heartbeat signals, clock signals, reset signals, trigger signals, and the like.

[0108] Exemplarily, the above data transmission system can be used for data collection. The processor is connected to a host computer or a storage device, and the electronic device is connected to a designated connector and a non-designated connector. The electronic device is also connected to a vehicle bus and a vehicle sensor to collect vehicle data. The data collected by each electronic device can be transmitted sequentially through the EtherCAT signal line and finally reach the processor, or can be directly sent to the processor through a communication line. The processor receives the data and sends it to the host computer or a storage device for storage. The processor and the host computer can be connected via Ethernet, USB, etc.

[0109] Exemplarily, the above data transmission system can be used for testing, connecting the electronic device to the connector, and the electronic device is also connected to the device to be tested to send data to the device to be tested. The data sent by the processor is transmitted to each electronic device in turn through the EtherCAT signal line, and can also be directly transmitted to the electronic device through the communication line. The electronic device sends data to the device to be tested based on the received data to achieve the test of the device to be tested. For example, the device to be tested is a vehicle ECU, and the electronic device is a video board, a bus board, a temperature simulation card, etc. The processor injects data into the vehicle ECU through the electronic device to simulate different vehicle data input into the vehicle ECU, thereby testing the performance of the control algorithm of the vehicle ECU. In addition, the processor can also be connected to the host computer to perform the test according to the command of the host computer.

[0110] Exemplarily, the above data transmission system can be used for testing, where an electronic device is connected to a connector, the electronic device is connected to the device under test and sends data to the device under test, and is also connected to the device under test and collects feedback information from the device under test, and the collected feedback information is sent to a processor for analysis by the processor. The electronic device that sends data to the device under test and the electronic device that collects feedback information from the device under test can be the same electronic device or different electronic devices. In addition, the processor can also be connected to a host computer to perform the test according to the command of the host computer.

[0111] A second embodiment of the present invention relates to a test system, comprising an electronic device and the data transmission system described in the first embodiment, wherein at least one electrical module is a processor, the processor is connected to at least one designated connector via an EtherCAT signal line, and the processor communicates with the electronic device via the EtherCAT signal line and the designated connector.

[0112] The test system provided in the embodiment of the present application can be used for testing. A plurality of designated connectors are provided on the backplane. The designated connectors are connected to the processor via an EtherCAT signal line to form a network topology. Each designated connector has a corresponding on-off control component. A plurality of electronic devices are connected to the designated connector. Each on-off control component is controlled to be in a first state or a second state, thereby connecting a plurality of electronic devices using EtherCAT communication to the processor.

[0113] Therefore, regardless of whether there are electronic devices connected to the designated connector, the EtherCAT communication of the entire system can be kept unimpeded; even if only some of the designated connectors are connected to electronic devices using EtherCAT communication, the connected electronic devices using EtherCAT communication can still transmit EtherCAT messages step by step to meet the requirements of EtherCAT communication; therefore, there is no need to ensure that each designated connector is connected to an electronic device using EtherCAT communication, and the number and position of electronic devices using EtherCAT communication connected to the designated connector on the backplane can be selected as needed, which is convenient for building a variety of test environments; the electronic devices used in the test can also be flexibly adjusted during the test.

[0114] The test system can be used to test vehicle-mounted devices, which can be developed or undeveloped, mounted on the vehicle or not, or a test bench equipped with a simulation model for simulating real vehicle-mounted devices. The electronic device can be connected to the vehicle bus, the vehicle ECU, the actuator in the vehicle, etc.

[0115] Exemplarily, the electronic device may be a device under test, or may be connected to the device under test. For example, the electronic device is used to connect to one or more of a sensor, an actuator, and a controller to receive or send data.

[0116] Specifically, taking the connection of an electronic device to a device under test as an example, the electronic device can be connected to a vehicle bus, such as a CAN bus, a LIN bus, a flexray bus, or an Ethernet bus, and can send and receive data on the vehicle bus. The device under test can also be connected to the vehicle bus and send and receive data on the vehicle bus, so that the electronic device can receive messages sent by the device under test and / or send messages to the device under test. For example, the electronic device is connected to a vehicle ECU, sends data to the vehicle ECU, and / or receives data sent by the vehicle ECU, and sends video to the vehicle ECU to test the performance of the ECU's built-in control algorithm; for example, the electronic device can be connected to actuators in the vehicle, such as engines, motors, etc., to test their response time, etc.

[0117] HIL (Hardware-In-the Loop) testing is a testing method widely used in the field of automotive electronic control systems. The hardware platform of the HIL test system generally includes a processor and a variety of boards, etc. The processor runs a real-time simulation model, and various boards are connected to the processor and real hardware devices (such as ECU, sensors, actuators, etc.) to simulate the actual operating environment and test and evaluate the hardware devices. When using the test system provided by the present application for HIL testing, the processor and the board are connected to the connector on the backplane as electronic devices. The processor can also be connected to the host computer and exchange data with the host computer so that users can manage and view the test status. A board can be connected to one or more devices under test, and different boards can be connected to the same device under test or different devices under test. The board can collect data from the device under test and send data to the device under test.

[0118] In one embodiment, the connector on the backplane includes a designated connector that only supports EtherCAT communication. Figure 8 As shown, there are 15 connectors on the back panel. Figure 8 The wiring diagram of EtherCAT between 15 connectors on the backplane is shown in the figure. The 15 connectors are respectively recorded as X1 to X15, where connectors X1 to X3 are required for processor connection, connector X4 is a connector for the power board, and connectors X5 to X15 are used to connect boards. Among them, X5-X15 are designated connectors, and electronic devices using EtherCAT communication can be connected to designated connectors. The processor communicates with the boards connected to connectors X5 to X15 through EtherCAT through connector X1.

[0119] In addition, a non-designated connector (not shown in the figure) can be set on the backplane, and a communication line can be laid between the processor and the non-designated connector. Electronic devices that do not use EtherCAT communication can be connected to the non-designated connector. The communication line is, for example, one or more of a PCIE signal line, an Ethernet signal line, an IIC signal line, etc.

[0120] In one embodiment, the connectors on the backplane include designated connectors for EtherCAT communication and non-EtherCAT communication. Fig. 9 As shown, there are 15 connectors on the back panel. Fig. 9The wiring diagram of the power line and the signal line, wherein the 15 connectors are respectively recorded as X1 to X15, wherein the connectors X1 to X3 are the connectors required for the processor connection, the connector X4 is the connector of the power board, and the connectors X5 to X15 are used to connect the board. Among them, X5-X15 are designated connectors, the processor communicates with the board connected to the connectors X5 to X15 through EtherCAT, the processor can communicate with the board connected to the connectors X5 to X15 through the SGMII interface connection through the connector X2, the processor can communicate with the board connected to the connectors X5 to X15 through the PCIe bus connection through the connector X3, and the power board supplies power to the processor and the board through the connector X4.

[0121] In addition, a non-designated connector (not shown in the figure) can be set on the backplane, and a communication line can be laid between the processor and the non-designated connector. Electronic devices that do not use EtherCAT communication can be connected to the designated connector or the non-designated connector. The communication line is, for example, one or more of a PCIE signal line, an Ethernet signal line, an IIC signal line, etc.

[0122] Therefore, the test system can be connected to multiple types of electronic devices, and the electronic devices connected to the test system can be adjusted more flexibly, making it convenient for users to build different test environments.

[0123] In one embodiment, the test system further includes: a plurality of management controllers respectively connected to the processor in communication; the backplane includes a plurality of sub-backplanes, the plurality of sub-backplanes correspond to the plurality of management controllers one by one, the sub-backplanes are provided with a plurality of connectors including designated connectors, the management controllers are connected to the designated connectors on the corresponding sub-backplanes; the management controllers are connected to the connectors on the corresponding sub-backplanes in communication. Thus, the management controllers on each sub-backplane can communicate with the electronic devices on the sub-backplane that need to use EtherCAT communication by EtherCAT, and each sub-backplane is equivalent to a HIL data transmission system, and then the processor (industrial computer) is connected to the management controllers on all sub-backplanes to realize clustered HIL testing.

[0124] In one embodiment, the processor is used to run a simulation model, and the simulation model is used to simulate a real vehicle-mounted device to communicate with the device under test. According to the test requirements, the content of the message to be sent by each simulation model and the message sending conditions of each simulation model can be edited, and the simulation model is controlled to send the message after the message sending conditions are met. The message sending conditions are, for example, the arrival of the sending time, the receipt of the sending instruction, and can also be feedback control, using the actions of the device under test or other simulation models as the message sending conditions, for example: starting to send the message after receiving the message returned by the device under test, and starting to send the message after another simulation model sends the message.

[0125] In order to better achieve the mutual independence of simulation model message sending, in one example, the message sending condition judgment and sending execution of the message of each simulation model are independent of each other and then executed in parallel. The processor can construct a processing unit for each simulation model, and each processing unit can execute its own message sending in parallel (including judging whether the message sending condition is met, and sending the message after it is met). Further, the processing resources (such as processor resources and memory resources, and interface resources) that can be allocated for use by each processing unit and the priority of the processing unit to use the processing resources can be pre-configured or dynamically adjusted. In addition, if a simulation model is newly created during the target processing process, a corresponding processing unit can also be newly created, and the resources of each created processing unit can be reallocated. In another example, the corresponding relationship between the simulation model and the constructed processing unit can also be non-one-to-one, for example, multiple simulation models may correspond to one processing unit, and the corresponding relationship can be established according to the model complexity of the simulation model, and the model complexity is, for example, the total number of messages to be sent.

[0126] In addition, when allocating resources for each processing unit, allocation can be made based on at least one of the following factors of the simulation model corresponding to each processing unit: model complexity and priority; based on model complexity, it helps to give more resources to the processing work of the simulation model with a larger data processing demand; the priority can be the priority of the real vehicle-mounted device corresponding to the simulation model, which can be set manually. For example, the first simulation model corresponds to ECU1, and the second simulation model corresponds to ECU2. The first simulation model has a higher priority, which can help to give more resources to more important objects; the priority can also be the preset priority of the bus type corresponding to the vehicle-mounted device simulated by the simulation model. For example, the priority of the vehicle-mounted Ethernet bus can be higher than the CAN bus. The priority can be determined based on the bandwidth capacity of each bus. For example, the higher the bandwidth capacity, the larger the data volume may be, so more resources can be given to the simulation model of the corresponding type of bus.

[0127] In addition, the model complexity, the priority of the real vehicle equipment corresponding to the simulation model, and the preset priority of the bus type corresponding to the vehicle equipment simulated by the simulation model can be comprehensively considered to jointly determine the processing resources allocated to the processing unit and the priority of the processing unit in using the processing resources. For example, the model complexity, the priority of the corresponding real vehicle equipment, and the preset priority of the bus type corresponding to the vehicle equipment are scored, and the quality score of the simulation model is obtained by weighted summation. According to the model complexity score of each simulation model, the number of processing resources allocated to the corresponding processing unit is determined, and according to the quality score of each simulation model, the priority of the corresponding processing unit in using the processing resources is determined. When preempting processing resources, the processing resources will be allocated to the processing unit with a higher priority. If the processing unit is a process and the processor uses the Linux operating system, different priorities can be configured for processes of different gears by calling the nice command or the renice command.

[0128] The third embodiment of the present invention relates to a testing method, which is based on the testing system described in the above-mentioned second embodiment, and a designated connector is provided on the backplane of the testing system, including: performing at least one of the following operations: a sending operation, causing the processor to send data to the electronic device via the EtherCAT signal line; a receiving operation, causing the processor to receive data from the electronic device via the EtherCAT signal line.

[0129] When using the test system to perform tests, the electronic device is connected to the designated plug-in on the backplane, and the electronic device can be connected to the device under test, thereby sending data to the device under test and / or receiving data from the device under test. The processor is connected to the electronic device, and the processor sends data to the device under test and / or receives data from the device under test through the electronic device.

[0130] In one embodiment, a non-designated connector is further provided on the backplane of the test system, and / or the designated connector is further connected to the processor via a communication line, and the test method includes: performing at least one of the following operations: a sending operation, causing the processor to send data to the electronic device via the EtherCAT signal line and / or the communication line; a receiving operation, causing the processor to receive data from the electronic device via the EtherCAT signal line and / or the communication line. The communication line is, for example, one or more of a PCIE signal line, an Ethernet signal line, an IIC signal line, etc. The electronic device may use different communication protocols when transmitting different types of data, and / or use different communication protocols at different time periods.

[0131] The electronic device is the device under test, or the electronic device is connected to the device under test. By controlling the processor to send data to the electronic device, open-loop testing can be achieved, such as injecting video data into the ECU. By controlling the processor to send data to the electronic device and receive data from the electronic device, closed-loop testing can be achieved, such as giving signals to the ECU and receiving feedback signals from the ECU. Therefore, different testing requirements can be met.

[0132] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, but it should be understood that aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary, to employ aspects, features and concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide further embodiments.

[0133] These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above detailed description.In general, in the claims, the terms used should not be considered limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which these claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A data transmission system, characterized in that: include: A backplane and a plurality of electrical modules disposed on the backplane, at least one of the electrical modules being a designated connector; The designated connector includes: two EtherCAT ports, at least one of the EtherCAT ports is connected to an electrical module on the backplane via an EtherCAT signal line, and the designated connector is used to detachably connect to the electronic device; At least one of the designated connectors on the backplane has a corresponding on-off control component, and the two EtherCAT ports in the designated connector are respectively connected to the corresponding on-off control components, and the on-off control components are used to disconnect at least one EtherCAT port in a first state and short-circuit the two EtherCAT ports in a second state.

2. The data transmission system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The designated connector is a first designated connector, and the on-off control element corresponding to the first designated connector includes a switch circuit; the data transmission system further includes: a processing unit, the processing unit is connected to each of the on-off control elements; the processing unit is used to: When the electronic device connected to the first designated connector is a first type of electronic device, the on-off control component is controlled to be in a first state so that the on-off control component is disconnected from at least one EtherCAT port, wherein the first type of electronic device is an electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication and is configured to use EtherCAT communication, and when the first type of electronic device is connected to the first designated connector, the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector are connected to the first type of electronic device.

3. The data transmission system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The designated connector is a first designated connector, and the on-off control element corresponding to the first designated connector includes a switch circuit; the data transmission system further includes: a processing unit, the processing unit is connected to each of the on-off control elements; the processing unit is used to: When the electronic device connected to the first designated connector is a second type electronic device, the on-off control component is controlled to be in a second state to short-circuit the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector, wherein the second type electronic device is an electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication and is configured not to use EtherCAT communication, and when the second type electronic device is connected to the first designated connector, the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector are connected to the second type electronic device.

4. The data transmission system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The designated connector is a first designated connector, and the on-off control element corresponding to the first designated connector includes a switch circuit; the data transmission system further includes: a processing unit, the processing unit is connected to each of the on-off control elements; the processing unit is used to: When the electronic device connected to the first designated connector is a third-category electronic device, the on-off control component is controlled to be in a first state so that the on-off control component is disconnected from at least one EtherCAT port, wherein the third-category electronic device is an electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication and is configured to directly forward the EtherCAT signal received through the EtherCAT port, and when the third-category electronic device is connected to the first designated connector, the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector are connected to the third-category electronic device.

5. The data transmission system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The designated connector is a first designated connector, and the on-off control element corresponding to the first designated connector includes a switch circuit; the data transmission system further includes: a processing unit, the processing unit is connected to each of the on-off control elements; the processing unit is used to: When the first designated connector is not connected to the fourth type of electronic device and there is a demand for EtherCAT message transmission on the EtherCAT signal lines connected to the two EtherCAT ports of the first designated connector, the on-off control component is controlled to be in the second state to short-circuit the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector, wherein the fourth type of electronic device is an electronic device that supports EtherCAT communication, and when the fourth type of electronic device is connected to the first designated connector, the two EtherCAT ports in the first designated connector are connected to the fourth type of electronic device.

6. The data transmission system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The backplane is also provided with at least one non-designated connector, which includes a plurality of communication connection ports based on non-EtherCAT communication, and at least one communication connection port is connected to an electrical module on the backplane via a communication line.

7. The data transmission system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The designated connector also includes a plurality of communication connection ports based on non-EtherCAT communication, and at least one communication connection port is connected to an electrical module on the backplane via a communication line.

8. The data transmission system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The electronic device supports one or more of the following communication protocols: PCIE communication, EtherCAT communication, Ethernet communication, and I2C communication. The electronic device is used to obtain and execute configuration commands, and the configuration commands are used to indicate whether the electronic device uses a communication protocol and the type of communication protocol used.

9. A testing system, characterized in that: It comprises an electronic device and a data transmission system as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one electrical module is a processor, the processor is connected to at least one designated connector via an EtherCAT signal line, and the processor communicates with the electronic device via the EtherCAT signal line and the designated connector.

10. A testing method, characterized in that: Based on the test system according to claim 9, comprising: performing at least one of the following operations: A sending operation causes the processor to send data to the electronic device via the EtherCAT signal line; The receiving operation enables the processor to receive data from the electronic device via the EtherCAT signal line.

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