Multi-protocol data unvarnished transmission gateway device and method for coal mine scene

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of communication, and particularly discloses a multi-protocol data unvarnished transmission gateway device and method for a coal mine scene. The method is realized by taking a multi-protocol data transparent transmission gateway device deployed in an underground coal mine as a TCP server and a computer of a far-end monitoring center as a TCP client. The gateway is directly accessed to various underground sensors and equipment through a plurality of integrated multi-protocol interfaces, and a traditional multi-converter stacking mode is replaced, so that the system structure is remarkably simplified, and the cost and the failure rate are reduced; connection with a TCP client is established through a mine industrial Ethernet, remote, bidirectional and transparent transmission of data of underground heterogeneous equipment is realized through integrated data acquisition and forwarding, transmission reliability and data collaboration are improved, support is provided for applications such as remote liquid supply, remote tunneling, data acquisition and remote control, and the system has a wide application prospect. And a solid foundation is laid for precise control and intelligent linkage of equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of communication technology, specifically relating to a multi-protocol data transparent transmission gateway and method for coal mine scenarios. Background Technology

[0002] Coal is a vital basic energy source in my country, and its safe production and efficient mining are of paramount importance. With the advancement of the "smart mine" strategy, achieving automated, intelligent, and minimally manned operation in coal mines, especially at the mining faces, has become a core development direction. In this process, remote data acquisition and precise control of underground coal mine equipment are fundamental.

[0003] There is a serious problem of protocol heterogeneity at the field equipment level. Large-scale fully mechanized mining equipment (such as coal mining machines, tunneling machines, and electro-hydraulic control systems for hydraulic supports) typically uses CAN bus (such as the CANopen protocol) for control; while a large number of sensors (such as gas, wind speed, temperature, and pressure sensors) and actuators generally use RS485 interfaces (such as the Modbus RTU protocol); in addition, some specialized equipment may use simple UART serial communication. These devices using different communication protocols form "information silos," making it difficult to perform unified data acquisition and system-level linkage control.

[0004] The existing solution employs a "distributed protocol converter combination" architecture. The core of this solution is to deploy dedicated protocol conversion modules for devices using different communication protocols underground in the coal mine. Specifically, CAN bus devices are configured with intrinsically safe CAN-to-Ethernet converters, RS485 devices with intrinsically safe serial port servers, and UART devices also require separate conversion modules. These converters are connected to the ground monitoring system via industrial Ethernet switches to achieve remote data transmission. Each converter requires independent power supply, IP address allocation, and individual configuration, forming a communication network composed of multiple independent nodes. While this solution theoretically enables network access for multiple protocol devices, its essence is to distribute the complex protocol conversion task across multiple hardware devices, achieving complete functionality through device stacking. This results in low system integration, requiring independent hardware deployment for different protocols, leading to numerous devices, complex wiring, and high costs; each converter constitutes an independent point of failure, resulting in poor system reliability and difficult maintenance; and the dispersed data sources lead to poor coordination, with time asynchrony and latency issues, failing to meet the real-time requirements of precise remote control underground. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings and problems of current multi-protocol data pass-through gateway devices and methods for achieving network access for multi-protocol devices in the harsh industrial environment of coal mines, which require the deployment of different independent hardware, resulting in numerous devices, poor system reliability, and difficult maintenance, this invention provides a multi-protocol data pass-through gateway device and method for coal mine scenarios.

[0006] The present invention provides a multi-protocol data transparent transmission gateway device for coal mine scenarios, including a core processing unit. The core processing unit is communicatively connected to a multi-protocol access module, a protocol transparent processing module, a channel mapping module, a gigabit network switching module, and a data reliable transmission module. It is used to send corresponding instructions to the above modules, start tasks, and control the execution order and process of each module. The multi-protocol access module provides multiple intrinsically safe protocols for direct connection to underground industrial equipment based on different communication protocols, and adapts and converts the physical signals of the access devices. The protocol transparency processing module is used to strictly follow the transparent transmission principle to perform integrity judgment and buffering on the raw data frames received from the physical interface; The channel mapping module is used to dynamically create an independent TCP server instance for each physical channel and bind it with a unique port number to achieve precise data routing. The gigabit network switching module is used to provide sufficient internal bandwidth for high-speed data generated in parallel by multiple physical channels within the gateway; The reliable data transmission module is used to manage network connections established via the gigabit network switching module and to achieve reliable end-to-end transmission.

[0007] The aforementioned multi-protocol data transparent transmission gateway device for coal mine scenarios includes multiple protocol interfaces for the multi-protocol access module, including a CAN bus interface, an RS485 interface, and a UART interface.

[0008] In the aforementioned multi-protocol data pass-through gateway device for coal mine scenarios, all interface circuits of the multi-protocol access module adopt electrical isolation and energy limitation design.

[0009] The aforementioned multi-protocol data pass-through gateway device for coal mine scenarios includes an industrial-grade switching chip with eight gigabit Ethernet ports integrated into the gigabit network switching module.

[0010] This invention also provides a multi-protocol data pass-through method for coal mine scenarios, which uses a multi-protocol data pass-through gateway device deployed underground in the coal mine as a TCP server and a remote monitoring center computer as a TCP client, including the following steps: (1) Install and position the multi-protocol data pass-through gateway device underground, and connect various industrial equipment to the physical channel corresponding to the gateway device; at the same time, the TCP client clearly records the specific equipment information connected to each physical channel, the communication protocol type used by the equipment and its data frame format definition, and establishes a complete channel-device-application protocol mapping table; (2) After the gateway is installed and deployed underground, it is powered on and started. The operator writes network parameters through the local configuration interface. The network parameters include IP address and subnet mask. The gateway device saves the above network parameters. (3) The gateway starts the embedded operating system, loads the CAN bus driver, RS485 driver and UART driver in sequence, and completes the initialization of each interface hardware; the gateway creates an independent TCP service instance for each physical channel and binds it to the preset port number; (4) After obtaining the network address and service port information of the gateway, the TCP client initiates connection requests to each service port of the gateway; the TCP service instance of the gateway accepts the connection and establishes a communication session; (5) The gateway device uses a real-time query mechanism to continuously detect the data status of each physical channel interface. When any physical channel detects a complete protocol data frame, the protocol transparent processing module is started to initiate the data transmission process. (6) The gateway device obtains the mapping relationship between the channel and the TCP service port through the channel mapping module based on the physical channel identifier of the data source, and automatically selects the TCP connection bound to the channel; then, through the established TCP Socket connection, it transmits the detected raw data frame completely and unchanged to the TCP client; (7) The TCP client accurately identifies the physical channel corresponding to each TCP connection and the application communication protocol used by the device on the channel based on the pre-recorded channel-device-application protocol mapping relationship, and parses the data through the application communication protocol used by the device on the channel when receiving data packets; (8) When the TCP client needs to send control commands, the TCP client constructs a control command frame that conforms to the data format of the target device according to the application protocol specification of the target device, and sends the command data frame to the gateway device through the corresponding TCP connection. After receiving the command data frame, the gateway device forwards the original command data to the specified physical channel directly according to the target channel mapping relationship without performing any protocol parsing or format conversion. (9) The reliable data transmission module runs continuously, the gateway continuously maintains the status of each TCP connection, periodically detects the link connectivity, and automatically performs connection recovery operation when a connection abnormality is detected.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention achieves unified access to multiple protocols through a highly integrated multi-protocol data pass-through gateway device, and achieves equal or even stronger multi-protocol access capabilities through resource reuse and channelization design, avoids hardware stacking, effectively saves equipment costs and cabinet space, significantly reduces the number of underground hardware, simplifies power supply and wiring, reduces installation and maintenance costs, and improves system reliability.

[0012] This invention establishes a fixed mapping mechanism between physical channels and TCP ports. By creating an independent TCP service instance for each physical channel, the gateway layer is only responsible for forwarding data as is, completely shielding the differences in underlying protocols. This ensures isolated transmission of data from devices using different protocols and significantly reduces gateway complexity by moving protocol parsing functionality to the client. Simultaneously, the channel mapping module dynamically creates an independent TCP server instance for each physical channel and binds it to a unique port number. Based on the port number, it automatically identifies the protocol type, achieving precise data routing and automatic distribution, and enabling isolated transmission of multi-protocol data. Furthermore, the end-to-end transparent transmission path from device to gateway to client reduces intermediate conversion steps, lowering transmission latency and further ensuring data transmission reliability through integrated flow control and retransmission mechanisms.

[0013] This invention relates to a multi-protocol adaptive processing method based on a channel-protocol mapping table. By pre-setting complete protocol configuration information on the client, the system can automatically identify and parse data frames of different protocol formats. This configuration-based implementation gives the system good scalability. When adding a new device type, only the mapping table configuration needs to be updated, without modifying the gateway hardware or basic software, which greatly improves the system's flexibility and adaptability. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the multi-protocol data transparent transmission method of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0016] Example: This example provides a multi-protocol data transparent transmission gateway device for a coal mine scenario. The device includes a core processing unit, which is communicatively connected to a multi-protocol access module, a protocol transparent processing module, a channel mapping module, a gigabit network switching module, and a data reliable transmission module. The core processing unit is used to send corresponding instructions to the above modules, start tasks, and control the execution order and process of each module. Among them, the multi-protocol access module provides multiple intrinsically safe CAN bus, RS485 and UART interfaces for direct connection to underground industrial equipment based on different communication protocols, and adapts and converts the physical signals of the access equipment; in order to comply with the intrinsic safety standards for mining, all interface circuits in this module adopt electrical isolation and energy limiting design, adding double safety protection to the interface, ensuring both signal stability and personal and equipment safety.

[0017] The protocol transparency processing module is used to strictly follow the transparent transmission principle to perform integrity judgment and buffering on the raw data frames received from the physical interface. It does not parse or modify the data content, but only completes the identification and buffering of data frames.

[0018] The channel mapping module is used to establish and maintain a one-to-one correspondence between physical channels and network logical channels. It achieves precise data routing by dynamically creating an independent TCP server instance for each physical channel and binding it with a unique port number.

[0019] The gigabit network switching module is the core component that ensures the gateway's high-speed data throughput and reliable networking. Specifically, it integrates an industrial-grade switching chip with eight gigabit Ethernet ports, providing sufficient internal bandwidth for high-speed data generated in parallel by multiple physical channels within the gateway, avoiding data congestion, and ensuring the real-time performance of acquisition and control commands.

[0020] The reliable data transmission module manages network connections established via the gigabit network switching module and enables reliable end-to-end data transmission. Building upon mechanisms such as heartbeat detection and timeout retransmission, this module, especially benefiting from the high bandwidth and redundancy provided by the gigabit network switching module, ensures timely and conflict-free transmission of massive amounts of collected data and critical control commands.

[0021] This gateway device employs a fixed mapping mechanism between physical channels and TCP ports. By establishing an independent TCP service instance for each physical channel, it achieves isolated transmission of multi-protocol data. The gateway strictly adheres to the principle of transparent transmission, only forwarding data as is, while delegating protocol parsing to the client. This architecture ensures compatible access for devices using different protocols while significantly reducing gateway complexity and improving system reliability. Simultaneously, the channel mapping module dynamically creates an independent TCP server instance for each physical channel and binds it to a unique port number. Based on the port number, it automatically identifies the protocol type, achieving accurate data routing and automatic distribution. Integrating mechanisms such as heartbeat detection and timeout retransmission, combined with the high bandwidth of gigabit networks, it ensures real-time and reliable data transmission. The system possesses connection self-recovery capabilities, effectively responding to network fluctuations and ensuring continuous availability of communication links.

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, taking a sensor as an example, the specific content of the multi-protocol data pass-through method based on the multi-protocol data pass-through gateway device of the present invention is described. This method is implemented by using a multi-protocol data pass-through gateway device deployed in a coal mine as a TCP server and a remote monitoring center computer as a TCP client. The specific steps are as follows: (1) After the gateway completes the downhole installation and positioning, connect various sensors and other devices to the corresponding physical channels. The remote TCP client needs to pre-record a complete channel-device-application protocol mapping table, clearly recording the specific device information connected to each physical channel, the communication protocol type used by the device (such as CAN 2.0B, Modbus RTU, etc.), and its data frame format definition. This configuration provides the foundation for accurate data parsing by the remote TCP client.

[0023] (2) After the gateway is installed and deployed underground, it is powered on and started. The operator writes network parameters, including IP address, subnet mask, etc., through the local configuration interface. The gateway saves the parameters inside the device.

[0024] (3) The gateway starts the embedded operating system and loads the CAN bus driver, RS485 driver and UART driver in sequence to complete the initialization of each interface hardware. The gateway creates an independent TCP service instance for each physical channel and binds it to the preset port number.

[0025] (4) After obtaining the network address and service port information of the gateway, the remote TCP client initiates connection requests to each service port of the gateway. The TCP service instance of the gateway accepts the connection and establishes a stable communication session.

[0026] (5) The gateway continuously monitors the data status of each physical channel interface through a real-time query mechanism. The gateway starts the protocol transparency processing module. When a complete protocol data frame is detected on any physical channel (including CAN bus, RS485 interface or UART interface), the gateway starts the data transmission process. During this process, the gateway strictly follows the principle of transparent transmission and does not perform any form of parsing, modification or encapsulation operation on the data frame, so as to maintain the originality and integrity of the data.

[0027] (6) Based on the physical channel identifier of the data source, the gateway obtains the mapping relationship between the channel and the TCP service port from the channel mapping module, and automatically selects the TCP connection bound to the channel. Through the established TCP Socket connection, the detected raw data frames are sent completely and exactly as is to the remote TCP client.

[0028] (7) The remote TCP client accurately identifies the physical channel corresponding to each TCP connection and the application communication protocol used by the device on that channel based on the pre-recorded channel-device-application protocol mapping relationship. When the TCP client receives a data packet, it can parse the data itself through the application communication protocol used by the device on that channel.

[0029] (8) When a remote TCP client needs to send control commands, the TCP client constructs a control command frame conforming to the data format of the target device's application protocol specification and sends the command data frame to the gateway through the corresponding TCP connection. After receiving the command data frame, the gateway directly forwards the original command data to the designated physical channel according to the target channel mapping relationship, without performing any protocol parsing or format conversion. This end-to-end transparent transmission mechanism ensures both the real-time performance of data transmission and the communication compatibility between devices with different protocols.

[0030] (9) The reliable data transmission module runs continuously, and the gateway continuously maintains the status of each TCP connection and periodically checks the link connectivity. When a connection abnormality is detected, the connection recovery operation is automatically performed to ensure the continuous availability of the communication link.

[0031] This method achieves unified access to multiple protocols through highly integrated gateway devices. By reusing resources and using channelized design, it achieves equal or even stronger multi-protocol access capabilities, avoids hardware stacking, significantly reduces the number of downhole hardware devices, simplifies power supply and cabling, effectively saves equipment costs and rack space, reduces installation and maintenance costs, and improves system reliability. Through an end-to-end transparent transmission path from the device to the gateway and then to the client, intermediate conversion links are reduced, which not only reduces transmission latency but also further ensures the reliability of data transmission through integrated flow control and retransmission mechanisms.

[0032] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-protocol data transparent transmission gateway device for coal mine scenarios, characterized in that: It includes a core processing unit, which is communicatively connected to a multi-protocol access module, a protocol transparent processing module, a channel mapping module, a gigabit network switching module, and a reliable data transmission module. The core processing unit is used to send corresponding instructions to the above modules, start tasks, and control the execution order and process of each module. The multi-protocol access module provides multiple intrinsically safe interfaces for direct connection to industrial equipment based on different communication protocols in the well, and adapts and converts the physical signals of the access devices. The protocol transparency processing module is used to strictly follow the transparent transmission principle to perform integrity judgment and buffering on the raw data frames received from the physical interface; The channel mapping module is used to dynamically create an independent TCP server instance for each physical channel and bind it to a unique port number; The gigabit network switching module is used to provide sufficient internal bandwidth for high-speed data generated in parallel by multiple physical channels within the gateway; The reliable data transmission module is used to manage network connections established via the gigabit network switching module and to achieve reliable end-to-end transmission.

2. The multi-protocol data transparent transmission gateway device for coal mine scenarios according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interfaces of the multi-protocol access module include a CAN bus interface, an RS485 interface, and a UART interface.

3. The multi-protocol data transparent transmission gateway device for coal mine scenarios according to claim 1, characterized in that: All interface circuits of the multi-protocol access module are designed with electrical isolation and energy limitation.

4. The multi-protocol data transparent transmission gateway device for coal mine scenarios according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gigabit network switching module integrates an industrial-grade switching chip with eight gigabit Ethernet ports.

5. A multi-protocol data pass-through method for coal mine scenarios, characterized in that: This is achieved by using a multi-protocol data pass-through gateway device deployed underground in a coal mine as a TCP server and a remote monitoring center computer as a TCP client, including the following steps: (1) Install and position the multi-protocol data pass-through gateway device underground, and connect various industrial equipment to the physical channel corresponding to the gateway device; at the same time, the TCP client clearly records the specific equipment information connected to each physical channel, the communication protocol type used by the equipment and its data frame format definition, and establishes a complete channel-device-application protocol mapping table; (2) After the gateway is installed and deployed underground, it is powered on and started. The operator writes network parameters through the local configuration interface. The network parameters include IP address and subnet mask. The gateway device saves the above network parameters. (3) The gateway starts the embedded operating system, loads the CAN bus driver, RS485 driver and UART driver in sequence, and completes the initialization of each interface hardware; the gateway creates an independent TCP service instance for each physical channel and binds it to the preset port number; (4) After obtaining the network address and service port information of the gateway, the TCP client initiates connection requests to each service port of the gateway; the TCP service instance of the gateway accepts the connection and establishes a communication session; (5) The gateway device uses a real-time query mechanism to continuously detect the data status of each physical channel interface. When any physical channel detects a complete protocol data frame, the protocol transparent processing module is started to initiate the data transmission process. (6) The gateway device obtains the mapping relationship between the channel and the TCP service port through the channel mapping module based on the physical channel identifier of the data source, and automatically selects the TCP connection bound to the channel; then, through the established TCP Socket connection, it transmits the detected raw data frame completely and unchanged to the TCP client; (7) The TCP client accurately identifies the physical channel corresponding to each TCP connection and the application communication protocol used by the device on the channel based on the pre-recorded channel-device-application protocol mapping relationship, and parses the data through the application communication protocol used by the device on the channel when receiving data packets; (8) When the TCP client needs to send control commands, the TCP client constructs a control command frame that conforms to the data format of the target device according to the application protocol specification of the target device, and sends the command data frame to the gateway device through the corresponding TCP connection. After receiving the command data frame, the gateway device forwards the original command data to the specified physical channel directly according to the target channel mapping relationship without performing any protocol parsing or format conversion. (9) The reliable data transmission module runs continuously, the gateway continuously maintains the status of each TCP connection, periodically detects the link connectivity, and automatically performs connection recovery operation when a connection abnormality is detected.

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