An alternative channel communication device

Abstract

The application discloses a communication device of optional communication channel, comprising one or more UART receiving ports, one or more UART sending ports, a port gating module; the port gating module comprises an input end and an output end, wherein the number of the input end of the port gating module is the same as the number of the UART receiving ports, and the number of the output end of the port gating module is the same as the number of the UART sending ports; the UART receiving ports are connected with the input end of the port gating module in one-to-one correspondence, and the UART sending port module is connected with the output end of the port gating module in one-to-one correspondence; the port gating module is used for connecting one or more target input ends with one or more target output ends in response to a channel gating instruction. The configurable gating, switching and expansion among multiple channels are realized, and the flexible and complex bus data transmission requirement is met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of general asynchronous transceiver technology, and more specifically to a communication device with selectable communication channels. Background Technology

[0002] Universal Asynchronous Receiver / Transmitter (UART) is a commonly used data transmission interface. Its simple structure and ease of use enable point-to-point data transmission, making it widely used in industrial control applications where data transmission rates are not critical. However, as industrial control requirements become increasingly demanding, point-to-point data transmission is no longer sufficient; a bus-based control architecture is preferred. For example, some control devices are divided into multiple slave devices. Sometimes the host computer needs to send data to multiple slave devices simultaneously; sometimes it needs to receive data from multiple slave devices in time-series configurations; and sometimes it needs to select a specific slave device for data transmission and reception during a specific time period and switch to another slave device in the next. The situation becomes more complex when there are multiple host computers and multiple slave devices in the system. Traditional single-channel UART communication devices suffer from limitations in flexibility and cannot meet these requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a communication device with selectable communication channels. By flexibly selecting multiple UART receive and transmit ports, it is possible to achieve: one channel input, multiple channel outputs; multiple channel inputs, one selected channel output; multiple channel inputs, multiple channel outputs; and selecting a specific channel input for a specific channel output. This meets the flexible and complex bus-based data transmission requirements of industrial control applications.

[0004] The present invention provides a communication device with selectable communication channels, including one or more UART receiving ports, one or more UART transmitting ports, and a port selection module; the total number of UART receiving ports and the total number of UART transmitting ports is not less than 3; the port selection module includes an input terminal and an output terminal.

[0005] The number of input terminals of the port selection module is the same as the number of UART receive ports, and the number of output terminals of the port selection module is the same as the number of UART transmit ports. Each UART receive port is connected to one of the input terminals of the port selection module, and each UART transmit port module is connected to one of the output terminals of the port selection module. The port selection module is used to respond to channel selection commands by connecting one or more target input terminals to one or more target input terminals, thereby achieving a channel matching the selection command. The target input terminal is the input terminal of the port selection module connected to the target UART receive port indicated by the channel selection command; the target output terminal is the output terminal of the port selection module connected to the target UART transmit port indicated by the channel selection command.

[0006] Furthermore, the communication device for the optional communication channel also includes: a processor; the processor is located inside the port selection module; it is connected to each UART receiving port and is used to process the acquired data. The UART receiving port includes a first parsing circuit and a first data buffer; the input of the first parsing circuit is used to connect to an external device, the output of the first parsing circuit is connected in parallel to the write end of the first data buffer, and the read end of the first data buffer is connected in parallel to the processor through the corresponding input in the port selection module; the first parsing circuit is used to convert the received serial data into parallel data and write it into the first data buffer; the processor is used to acquire parallel data from the first data buffer.

[0007] The UART transmit port includes a second parsing circuit and a second data buffer. The processor is connected in parallel to the write end of the second data buffer via the corresponding output of the port selection module. The read end of the second data buffer is connected in parallel to the input end of the second parsing circuit. The output of the second parsing circuit is used to connect to an external device. The second parsing circuit reads parallel data from the second data buffer, converts the read parallel data into serial data, and sends it to the external device. The processor writes parallel data to the second data buffer. The parallel connection is implemented through parallel data lines and a data valid signal line. Both the first and second data buffers are First-In-First-Out (FIFO) memories. The UART receive port is directly connected to the corresponding input end of the port selection module via a serial data line; the UART transmit port is directly connected to the corresponding output end of the port selection module via a serial data line.

[0008] Furthermore, the communication device with selectable communication channels also includes: a gating mode setting module; the gating mode setting module is electrically connected to the port gating module and is used to respond to trigger operations, generate and output binary gating commands to the port gating module. The gating mode setting module includes buttons or DIP switches.

[0009] Furthermore, in the optional communication channel communication device, the port selection module, UART receive port, and UART transmit port are composed of logic circuits. The optional communication channel communication device also includes a clock generation circuit connected to the port selection module, UART receive port, and UART transmit port for clock synchronization of the logic circuits; the optional communication channel communication device also includes a reset circuit connected to the port selection module, UART receive port, and UART transmit port for resetting the logic circuits; and the optional communication channel communication device also includes a power supply unit connected to the port selection module, UART receive port, and UART transmit port for powering the logic circuits.

[0010] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages and positive effects of this invention are: This invention enables convenient and flexible selection, switching, and expansion of data channels in scenarios with multiple UART inputs and multiple UART outputs. While meeting the data transmission requirements of bus-based systems, it reduces the number of hardware interfaces and lowers costs. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device with an optional communication channel according to a first embodiment of this application is shown;

[0012] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device with an optional communication channel according to a second embodiment of this application is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0013] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0014] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the embodiments of this invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the protection scope of this invention.

[0015] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0016] This invention includes one or more UART receive ports and one or more UART transmit ports, the specific number of which can be set arbitrarily as needed. However, the minimum number of ports is three, including two input ports and one output port, or one input port and two output ports; it cannot be less than three. If there is only one input port and one output port, the connection relationship is unique, and there is no need for configuration.

[0017] Example 1: This example illustrates a technical solution that includes a processor. See also... Figure 1 As shown,

[0018] The communication device with optional communication channels includes two UART receiving ports U1 and U2; two UART transmitting ports U3 and U4; and a port selection module U5. The UART receiving port U1 includes a first parsing circuit U11 and a first data buffer U12; the UART receiving port U2 includes a first parsing circuit U21 and a first data buffer U22; the UART transmitting port U3 includes a second data buffer U32 and a second parsing circuit U31; the UART transmitting port U4 includes a second data buffer U42 and a second parsing circuit U41; and the port selection module U5 includes a processor U51, and includes two input terminals 51 and 52 and two output terminals 53 and 54.

[0019] Its working principle is as follows: Externally input UART receives serial data 11, which is connected to the first parsing circuit U11. The first parsing circuit U11 converts the received serial data into parallel data and writes it into the first data buffer U12. Externally input UART receives serial data 21, which is connected to the first parsing circuit U21. The first parsing circuit U21 converts the received serial data into parallel data and writes it into the first data buffer U22. Parallel data read from the first data buffer U12 is sent to the processor U51 through the input terminal 51 of the port selection module U5; parallel data read from the first data buffer U22 is sent to the processor U51 through the input terminal 52 of the port selection module U5. The processor U51 writes the parallel data into the second data buffer U31 through the output terminal 53 of the port selection module U5, and writes the parallel data into the second data buffer U41 through the output terminal 54 of the port selection module U5. The second parsing circuit U32 reads parallel data from the second data buffer U31 and converts it into serial data 31, which is then sent to the external circuit. The second parsing circuit U42 reads parallel data from the second data buffer U41 and converts it into serial data 41, which is then sent to the external circuit.

[0020] An external source generates a channel selection command 61, which is sent to the processor U51. The processor U51 writes the data input from input terminals 51 and 52 to output terminals 53 and 54. Based on the channel selection command, the processor U51 can select the channel connection mode: it can simultaneously send the data from input terminal 51 to output terminals 53 and 54, achieving one-channel input and multiple-channel output; it can send the data from input terminals 51 and 52 to output terminal 53 in a time-division manner, achieving multiple-channel input and one-channel selected output; it can send the data from input terminal 51 to output terminal 53 and the data from input terminal 52 to output terminal 54, achieving multiple-channel input and multiple-channel output; or it can send the data from input terminal 51 to output terminal 54, achieving specific-channel input and specific-channel output.

[0021] In this embodiment, the gating mode setting module is not included. The gating command is directly input from the outside. The gating command may come from the control signal of other systems, which improves the compatibility of this device with other systems.

[0022] This embodiment is applied to a scenario where the system contains a processor. The processor is included as part of this invention, making full use of the processor's powerful computing and processing capabilities. This makes the data transmitted through each channel visible to the processor, which facilitates system debugging and control, without affecting the processor's ability to perform other functions through other interfaces and external devices unrelated to this invention.

[0023] In the scenario described in this embodiment, the present invention can be part of a complete system that achieves a certain function.

[0024] Example 2: See Figure 2 As shown,

[0025] The communication device with optional communication channels includes two UART receive ports U1 and U2; two UART transmit ports U3 and U4; a port gating module U5; and a gating mode setting module U6. The port gating module U5 includes two input terminals 51 and 52 and two output terminals 53 and 54.

[0026] Its working principle is as follows: the externally input UART receive serial data 11 is connected to the input terminal 51 of the port gating module U5 through the UART receive port U1; the externally input UART receive serial data 21 is connected to the input terminal 52 of the port gating module U5 through the UART receive port U2; the output terminal 53 of the port gating module U5 is connected to the UART transmit serial data 31 through the UART transmit port U3, which is connected to the external circuit; the output terminal 54 of the port gating module U5 is connected to the UART transmit serial data 41 through the UART transmit port U4, which is connected to the external circuit.

[0027] The gating mode setting module U6 generates a channel gating command and sends it to the port gating module U5. The port gating module U5 connects the serial data input from input terminals 51 and 52 to output terminals 53 and 54. Based on the channel gating command, the port gating module U5 can select the channel connection method: it can simultaneously connect the data from input terminal 51 to output terminals 53 and 54, achieving one-channel input and multiple-channel output; it can connect the data from input terminals 51 and 52 to output terminal 53 in a time-division manner, achieving multiple-channel input and one-channel gating output; it can connect the data from input terminal 51 to output terminal 53 and the data from input terminal 52 to output terminal 54, achieving multiple-channel input and multiple-channel output; or it can connect the data from input terminal 51 to output terminal 54, achieving specific-channel input and specific-channel output.

[0028] This embodiment includes a gating mode setting module U6, which does not rely on external input. The gating mode setting module U6 is a button or a DIP switch, and the number of bits in the button or DIP switch determines the number of gating modes. For example, a 1-bit button or DIP switch can select 2 gating modes; a 2-bit button or DIP switch can select 4 gating modes; a 3-bit button or DIP switch can select 8 gating modes; and so on.

[0029] This embodiment is applied in a scenario where the present invention is used as an independent functional module.

[0030] Preferably, the present invention is implemented within a digital logic circuit chip, such as a field-programmable array (FPGA) or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip. This fully utilizes the high integration and powerful logic functions of the digital logic chip, simplifying circuit board design complexity and reducing material costs while implementing complex multi-channel selection functions.

[0031] When implemented within a digital logic chip, embodiments of the present invention further include a clock generator module. This clock generator module includes an off-chip crystal that generates the raw clock, and a phase-locked loop circuit that generates a clock at the frequency required by the system, providing clock synchronization for all registers on the chip.

[0032] When implemented within a digital logic chip, embodiments of the present invention also include a power-on reset module. This circuit is constructed from a separate TCM811 TERCTR chip. When the system is powered on or the reset button is pressed, all registers of the chip are reset.

[0033] When implemented inside a digital logic chip, embodiments of the present invention also include a power supply module, where an external 5V input is converted to 3.3V via a TLV62130RGT to power the entire chip.

[0034] It should be understood that the aforementioned clock generator module, power-on reset module, and power supply module, while providing support for the circuit of the present invention, also provide support for other functional circuits within the entire digital logic circuit chip.

[0035] When implemented inside a digital logic chip, this invention uses a hardware description language (VILOG) to write programs, which are then synthesized into a hardware netlist and embedded inside the digital logic chip.

[0036] In summary, this invention enables convenient and flexible selection, switching, and expansion of data channels in scenarios with multiple UART inputs and multiple UART outputs. While meeting the data transmission requirements of a bus-based system, it reduces the number of hardware interfaces and lowers costs.

[0037] The above description is merely an example of specific embodiments of this application. Under the guidance of the above teachings of this application, those skilled in the art can make other improvements or modifications based on the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that the above specific description is only to better explain the purpose of this application, and the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication device with selectable communication channels, characterized in that, It includes one or more UART receive ports, one or more UART transmit ports, and a port selection module; the total number of the UART receive ports and the total number of the UART transmit ports is not less than 3. The port selection module includes an input terminal and an output terminal, wherein the number of input terminals of the port selection module is the same as the number of UART receive ports, and the number of output terminals of the port selection module is the same as the number of UART transmit ports; The UART receiving port is connected to the input terminal of the port selection module in a one-to-one correspondence, and the UART transmitting port module is connected to the output terminal of the port selection module in a one-to-one correspondence. The port selection module is used to respond to the channel selection command and connect one or more target input terminals with one or more target output terminals, thereby realizing a channel that matches the selection command; The target input terminal is: the input terminal in the port selection module that is connected to the target UART receiving port indicated by the channel selection command; The target output terminal is the output terminal in the port selection module that is connected to the target UART transmission port indicated by the channel selection command.

2. The communication device with optional communication channels as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The processor is located inside the port selection module; The processor is connected to each of the UART receiving ports and is used to process the acquired data.

3. The communication device with optional communication channels as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The UART receiving port includes a first parsing circuit and a first data buffer; The input terminal of the first parsing circuit is used to connect to an external device, the output terminal of the first parsing circuit is connected in parallel with the write terminal of the first data cache, and the read terminal of the first data cache is connected in parallel with the processor through the corresponding input terminal in the port selection module. The first parsing circuit is used to convert the received serial data into parallel data and write it into the first data buffer; The processor is used to retrieve parallel data from the first data cache.

4. The communication device with optional communication channels as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The UART transmitting port includes a second parsing circuit and a second data buffer; The processor is connected in parallel to the write end of the second data cache through the corresponding output end of the port selection module, the read end of the second data cache is connected in parallel to the input end of the second parsing circuit, and the output end of the second parsing circuit is used to connect to external devices. The second parsing circuit is used to read parallel data from the second data buffer, convert the read parallel data into serial data, and send it to an external device. The processor is used to write parallel data into the second data cache.

5. The communication device with an optional communication channel as described in any one of claims 3-4, characterized in that, The parallel connection is achieved through parallel data lines and data valid signal lines.

6. The communication device with an optional communication channel as described in any one of claims 3-4, characterized in that, Both the first data cache and the second data cache are first-in-first-out (FIFO) memory.

7. The communication device with optional communication channels as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The UART receiving port is directly connected to the corresponding input terminal of the port selection module via a serial data line; The UART transmit port is directly connected to the corresponding output terminal of the port selection module via a serial data line.

8. The communication device with optional communication channels as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: strobe mode setting module; The gating mode setting module is electrically connected to the port gating module and is used to respond to trigger operations, generate gating instructions in binary mode, and output them to the port gating module.

9. The communication device with optional communication channels as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The strobe mode setting module includes buttons or DIP switches.

10. The communication device with optional communication channels as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The port selection module, UART receive port, and UART transmit port are composed of logic circuits.

11. The communication device with optional communication channels as described in claim 10, characterized in that, Also includes: The clock generation circuit, connected to the port selection module, the UART receiving port, and the UART transmitting port, is used to synchronize the logic circuit.

12. The communication device with optional communication channels as described in claim 10, characterized in that, Also includes: A reset circuit connected to the port selection module, the UART receive port, and the UART transmit port is used to reset the logic circuit.

13. The communication device with optional communication channels as described in claim 10, characterized in that, Also includes: The power supply unit, which is connected to the port selection module, the UART receiving port, and the UART transmitting port, is used to supply power to the logic circuit.

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