Method and arrangement for determining sequence of communicable modules arranged next to one another

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining a sequence in which at least three communicable modules arranged next to one another are arranged. The method comprises the following steps: outputting a magnetic signal with a preset intensity by a first module of the modules; -boosting the strength of the signal until the signal is detected by one of the modules directly adjacent to the transmitting module, but not by one of the modules not directly adjacent to the transmitting module; -outputting the identification data to the recording unit via the communication channel by means of that module among the modules that detected the magnetic signal; and recording the order of modules according to the identification data. The invention also relates to an arrangement comprising: at least three communicable modules which can be arranged next to one another and each have a coil for outputting and / or receiving a magnetic signal; and a recording unit, which is designed to carry out the method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for determining a sequence in which at least three modules arranged next to one another and capable of communicating are arranged. The invention also relates to an arrangement comprising at least three modules arranged next to one another and capable of communicating, by means of which such a method can be performed. Background Art

[0002] In electrical installation and automation technology, arrangements of communicating modules arranged next to each other are often used. One example in automation technology is the so-called "remote I / O" system, i.e. a system for inputting and outputting signals and / or data, which is arranged remotely from a control device, for example in a switch cabinet. These systems usually include a head module (also called a head station) connected to the control system structure and a plurality of I / O (input / output, i.e. input and output) modules arranged and installed next to the head module. For this purpose, the modules each have a push-on rail receptacle and usually additionally have a latching device for mechanical connection to an adjacent module.

[0003] By means of the mechanical arrangement, electrical connections can also be established between the modules, which are used, for example, to form an energy supply bus and / or a data bus between the modules and the head station. Even if this is not absolutely necessary for the functioning of the bus system, obtaining information about the sequence in which the modules are arranged next to one another can be interesting for additional services. For example, this information can simplify fault finding at the I / O system, since the physical position of the faulty module can be visualized if the sequence is known.

[0004] The same problem may also arise in modules arranged next to each other, which do not form a wired data bus when arranged next to each other, but which communicate wirelessly, for example, independently of each other with a distributor, such as a switch or a gateway. Here, the order in which these modules that communicate independently of each other are arranged next to each other may also be of interest. Summary of the invention

[0005] The object of the invention is to describe a method by means of which the sequence of adjacently arranged modules capable of communicating can be determined within an arrangement. Another object is to describe an arrangement of adjacently arranged modules capable of communicating which is suitable for carrying out the method.

[0006] The object is achieved by a method or an arrangement having the features of the respective independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and refinements are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] The method according to the invention of the type mentioned at the outset is characterized by the following steps: a magnetic signal with a preset strength is emitted by a first module among the modules. The strength of the signal is then increased, for example continuously or stepwise, until the signal is detected by the modules directly adjacent to the emitting module, but not by the modules not directly adjacent. After the signal has been detected, the module that has detected the signal outputs data for identifying it via a communication channel to a recording unit, which records the sequence of the modules using the identification data.

[0008] Therefore, according to the invention, a magnetic signal is outputted by the first module independently of the communication channel, which magnetic signal is increased in terms of its strength. By increasing the strength, the range within which the magnetic signal can be detected by another module at a given detection sensitivity is increased. The increase in signal strength ensures that the signal is first detected by the directly adjacent module. This module is then indicated as a directly adjacent component by means of its identification data transmitted via the communication channel.

[0009] The method thus uses the increased range of the magnetic signal to detect the module and then uses the communication channel to transmit the identification data. In addition, the communication channel can also be used to coordinate the method between the different participating units, ie the module and the recording unit.

[0010] The determination of the sequence is independent of the type of communication channel and can be used both in wired and in wireless communication modules. The communication can also take place via a bus system or via a network.

[0011] The arrangement according to the invention comprises at least three modules, each of which has a communication unit and a coil for emitting and / or receiving magnetic signals. The arrangement also comprises a recording unit and is set up to carry out the above-mentioned method.

[0012] Preferably, a module which is excellent in this respect is used as the first module, which is located at the outer edge of the arrangement. This eliminates the contradictions caused by the possible presence of the nearest neighbor on each side. Arrangements of the type described above usually have modules at the outer edge which also serve as bus masters for the data bus built under the module. Such modules which form bus masters in the arrangement are the preferred choice for the first module of the method according to the invention.

[0013] In an advantageous development of the method, it is provided that after the identification data of the receiving module have been output, the strength of the signal is further increased until the magnetic signal is detected by a further module. The further module also outputs its identification data. For example, the list of arranged modules can be further guided by means of the identification data. The method can be repeated in the same way until all modules of the arrangement have been recorded.

[0014] In a further advantageous embodiment of the method, it is provided that after the signal is detected, the output of the signal from the first module is terminated and a further magnetic identification signal is output by the module whose identification data have been output. In this way, the method can also be carried out in an arrangement with a large number of modules if the magnetic identification signal starting from the first module at the edge of the arrangement does not extend to the last module at the opposite edge of the arrangement. Preferably, the first module mentioned then no longer participates in the method and in particular no longer reacts to the magnetic field still emitted within the scope of this identification cycle.

[0015] In one design, a coil is arranged in each module for outputting and / or receiving magnetic signals, wherein the axial direction of the coil is oriented along the arrangement and installation direction of the modules. Preferably, the coil is positioned in the module so that when the modules are arranged next to each other, all coils are arranged on a common axis. Preferably, the coil is arranged on a coil core, which also extends along the arrangement and installation direction of the modules. Particularly preferably, the core is a rod-shaped core open on both sides, in particular a ferrite core.

[0016] Further preferably, the magnetic identification signal is generated by connecting an electrical pulse with a variable length to the coil. In particular, the pulse is a rectangular voltage pulse. Due to the inductance of the coil, when a rectangular voltage pulse is applied to the coil, the magnetic field strength increases monotonically over time, in a first approximation linearly, thereby generating a signal with a magnetic field strength amplitude that is related to the length of the voltage pulse. Therefore, the range of action of the magnetic signal can be easily changed by changing the pulse length. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will be explained in more detail below based on an embodiment with the aid of the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show:

[0018] Figure 1 A spatial representation showing an arrangement of a plurality of modules arranged next to one another and capable of communicating;

[0019] Figure 2 Show according to Figure 1 A side view of the arrangement structure;

[0020] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 and Figure 2A partially cutaway spatial illustration of the head module of the arrangement structure;

[0021] Figure 4 Show Figure 1 and Figure 2 A spatial representation of another module of the arrangement structure; and

[0022] Figure 5 A flow chart showing an embodiment of a method for determining an order of modules arranged next to each other is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1 First, a spatial representation of an arrangement 1 of modules 2, 2' arranged next to each other and capable of communicating is shown. The modules 2, 2' of the arrangement 1 here form, by way of example, a so-called "remote I / O" system, i.e. an input or output station for analog and / or digital signals, which is connected to a control system and can be located remotely therefrom. Figure 2 Show according to Figure 1 A side view of the arrangement 1 is shown.

[0024] In the arrangement 1 shown, the module 2 is a so-called head module (head station) and is also referred to below as head module 2. The further modules 2' are input and output modules and are also referred to below as I / O modules 2' for simpler explanation.

[0025] All modules 2, 2' each have a housing 3, which is located in the Figure 1 A supporting rail receptacle 4 is provided in the lower region of the housing for latching onto a supporting rail, for example in a switch cabinet. Figure 1 The side shown at the bottom faces away from the user when the arrangement 1 is assembled, while Figure 1 The side shown at the top in FIG. 1 is usually the front side of the arrangement 1 and faces the user in the switch cabinet.

[0026] The head module 2 comprises a connection 5 for connecting a fieldbus, by means of which the head module 2 communicates with a control device (not shown here). For example, a CAN bus or an Ethernet-based fieldbus, such as an EtherCAT bus, can be used as a fieldbus connection.

[0027] The connection 5 is fixedly mounted in the housing 3. In addition, the head station 2 has a further connection 6, which is used, for example, for the current supply and which can alternatively be designed in the form of a connection block which can be inserted into a corresponding recess on the upper side of the housing 3.

[0028] The I / O module 2' is also placed on the carrier rail and is clipped onto the head module 2 or the adjacent I / O module 2', so that Figure 1The arrangement 1 shown in FIG. is produced modularly. The number of four I / O modules 2' is purely exemplary here. The I / O modules 2' also have replaceable connections 6 on one side of their front in the installed state in the switch cabinet. These connections are used to connect to sensors and / or actuators, for example sensors and / or actuators of industrial plants or building automation systems.

[0029] When modules 2 , 2 ′ are arranged next to each other, invisible contacts on the sides of modules 2 , 2 ′ facing each other form an energy supply bus and a data bus which connects head module 2 and I / O module 2 ′ to each other with regard to power supply and data exchange.

[0030] The internal structure of the head module 2 is also Figure 3 The internal structure of one of the I / O modules 2' is described in the partially cutaway diagram in FIG. Figure 4 , in which side parts of the housing are removed. It can be seen in these figures that both the head module 2 and the I / O module 2' each have at least one circuit board 7, which is oriented perpendicularly to the support rails in the housing 3. The head module 2 has a further circuit board 8, which is arranged in the housing 3 in a different orientation than the circuit board 7. In the I / O module 2', Figure 4 The data bus contacts 10 can also be seen in the illustration of FIG.

[0031] In each of the modules 2, 2', a coil 9 is arranged at a corresponding, comparable position on the circuit board 7. By way of example, the coil 9 is designed as a rod-shaped coil on a magnetic core that is open on both sides. The magnetic core can be a ferrite core, for example. When the modules 2, 2' are arranged next to each other in an arrangement 1, the longitudinal axes of all coils 9 are essentially located on an axis that runs parallel to the carrier rail. For the sake of simplicity of presentation, the circuit boards 7, 8 are shown without other electrical or electronic components.

[0032] As follows Figure 5 As explained in the flowchart in , according to the present application, the coils 9 are used to detect the respective next adjacent module 2 ′ starting from the head module 2 and thereby determine the arrangement sequence of the modules 2 , 2 ′ by means of a recording unit.

[0033] The method for determining the order of arranging and installing modules 2, 2' according to the present application Figure 5 The embodiments shown in the Figure 1 and Figure 2 However, it is self-evident that the method can also be implemented in other arrangements of modules 2, 2' arranged next to each other. In particular, in order to carry out the method, the modules 2, 2' do not need to be connected to each other via a wired data bus (as in Figure 1 and Figure 2 The method can also be performed with the aid of modules which are independently part of a wireless communication network. The term "communication channel" used in the following explanation is to be understood in this sense as non-restrictive and can be formed by a data bus or a communication network.

[0034] For the following method it is assumed that the mentioned recording unit which coordinates the described method and records the sequence of the modules 2, 2' is arranged in the head module 2. This is not necessary: ​​the method can also be coordinated by a recording unit arranged outside the head station 2, as long as the head station 2 and the I / O modules 2' are able to communicate with this recording unit.

[0035] Figure 5 The first step S1 in the flow chart of is an optional step in which the subsequent recording process is notified to the I / O module 2' or, if applicable, also to the head module 2. After this notification, the module 2, 2' activates the detection circuit for the signal induced in the corresponding coil 9. If step S1 is not provided, the corresponding detection circuit is permanently activated.

[0036] In a subsequent step S2 , a counting variable n for the module number is set to an initial value, for example to the value zero: n=0.

[0037] In the subsequent step S3 , the variable T for the pulse length is also set to an initial value, for example, to a value Tmin: T=Tmin.

[0038] In the next step S4 , the first module among modules 2 , 2 ′ assigned to the module number of the initial value applies a voltage pulse of pulse length T to coil 9 , which results in the output of a magnetic signal of a specific amplitude. For example, it is assumed that the module with the initial value (n=0) is head module 2 .

[0039] If the coil 9 is acted upon with a substantially rectangular voltage pulse, the current in the coil 9 increases linearly to a first approximation within the pulse length T, wherein the magnetic field strength of the magnetic field created also increases linearly. Thus, the longer the pulse duration, the greater the field strength of the magnetic field created by the coil 9.

[0040] In a subsequent step S5, it is determined whether one of the I / O modules 2' detects a magnetic pulse output by the coil 9 of the head module 2. To this end, the I / O module 2' monitors the voltage induced in its coil 9. If the induced voltage exceeds a threshold value, the corresponding module 2' transmits a message to the recording unit via the communication channel that a magnetic field has been detected. Figure 1 and Figure 2In the arrangement 1 of FIG. 1 , the communication channel is a data bus constructed between the head module 2 and the I / O module 2 ′.

[0041] If a response from one of the I / O modules 2' is received within a preset time period (the time period is, for example, in the range of one to several milliseconds), the method branches to the next step S6. If no message is received within the preset time period, the method continues in step S8.

[0042] In step S6 , the identification data of the module 2 ′ transmitted together with the message of the I / O module 2 ′, for example its bus address, are entered in the logging unit in a list, in which the sequence of the modules 2 , 2 ′ is then reflected.

[0043] Furthermore, it can be provided that configuration data, for example the module number assigned to the I / O module, is sent by the logging unit to the I / O module 2' which has transmitted the message. Advantageously, the value (n+1) is assigned as the module number.

[0044] In a subsequent step S7 , the counter variable n is then incremented by the value 1, and the method branches back to step S3 , in which the pulse width T is again set to the initial value Tmin.

[0045] The method then proceeds to step S4 again, in which the magnetic pulse is output, but now the magnetic pulse is no longer output by the head station 2, but by the I / O module 2' which just detected the magnetic field before. This can be done based on a corresponding instruction, which the recording unit sends to the I / O module 2' via the communication channel.

[0046] In the subsequent step S5 which is again executed, a response from one of the I / O modules 2' which has not yet been identified is awaited. The identified I / O modules 2' and in particular also the I / O module 2' which currently emits a magnetic pulse have deactivated their detection circuits.

[0047] If in step S5 no further I / O module 2 ′ reports via the communication bus that it has detected a magnetic signal within a preset period of time, the method continues in step S8 in which the variable T for the pulse width is increased by a preset value ΔT.

[0048] In the next step S9, a check is made as to whether a predefined maximum pulse length Tmax has been reached. If the maximum pulse length Tmax has been reached, the method ends. If the maximum pulse length Tmax has not been reached, the method branches back to step S4, in which a magnetic pulse is again output by the same I / O module 2' as before, but this time with a pulse length T extended by the value ΔT and thus with a greater magnetic field amplitude.

[0049] Steps S4 to S9 are repeated, if necessary, until one of the I / O modules 2' which has not been registered until now detects a magnetic signal or until the maximum pulse length Tmax is reached. By increasing the magnetic field amplitude step by step, the range of action of the magnetic pulse is increased (given a given detection sensitivity). In this way, it is achieved that the closest adjacent I / O module 2 is detected as the next module 2, 2'. In this method, all the I / O modules 2' installed in a row are thus gradually registered starting from one side of the arrangement 1, specifically starting from the head module 2 here, in terms of their arrangement order.

[0050] Reference numerals list

[0051] 1. Layout structure

[0052] 2 modules (head module)

[0053] 2' Additional modules (I / O modules)

[0054] 3 Shell

[0055] 4 Carrying rail receiving part

[0056] 5Connection (fixed)

[0057] 6 Connecting part (replaceable)

[0058] 7 Circuit Board

[0059] 8 Additional circuit boards

[0060] 9 coils

[0061] 10 Data bus contact

Claims

1. A method for determining an order in which at least three modules (2, 2') arranged next to each other and capable of communicating are arranged, the method comprising the following steps: - a first module among the modules (2, 2') outputs a magnetic signal with a preset strength; - increasing the strength of the signal until the signal is detected by a module among the modules (2, 2') that is directly adjacent to the transmitting module (2, 2'), but is not detected by a module among the modules (2, 2') that is not directly adjacent to the transmitting module (2, 2'); - outputting the identification data to a recording unit via a communication channel by the module (2, 2') that detects the magnetic signal; and - recording the sequence of the modules (2, 2') according to the identification data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: After the identification data is output by the module (2, 2') that detects the magnetic signal, the intensity of the magnetic signal emitted by the first module (2, 2') is further increased until the magnetic signal is detected by another module (2, 2'), and then the other module transmits the identification data to the recording unit via the communication channel.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: After outputting the identification data, the module (2, 2') that detects the magnetic signal outputs a magnetic signal that increases from a preset intensity until the magnetic signal is detected by another module (2, 2'), and then the other module transmits the identification data to the recording unit via a communication channel.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The steps of outputting the magnetic signal, detecting the magnetic signal by another one of the modules (2, 2') and transmitting the identification data are repeated until all modules (2, 2') of the arrangement (1) are recorded.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: After receiving the identification data, the recording unit transmits the configuration data to the module (2, 2') which has emitted the identification data.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The magnetic signal is generated and / or detected by a coil (9) arranged accordingly in each module (2, 2').

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The magnetic signal is a magnetic pulse which is generated by applying a rectangular voltage signal of a predeterminable pulse width (T) to the coil (9).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The strength of the magnetic signal is increased by increasing the pulse width (T).

9. An arrangement structure (1), comprising: At least three modules (2, 2') which can communicate and can be arranged next to one another, each of which has a coil (9) for outputting and / or receiving magnetic signals; and a recording unit, wherein the arrangement (1) is designed to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The arrangement (1) according to claim 9, wherein: All coils (9) are arranged along a common axis.

11. Arrangement (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein: The coil (9) is a rod-shaped coil.

12. The arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein: The coil (9) has a ferrite core.

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