Apparatus and communication device for connecting a communication device to a two-wire or eight-core ethernet communication system

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for connecting a communication device (100) to a two-wire or eight-core Ethernet communication system, having an interface element (102) for connecting to a connection socket (101) comprising eight contacts for a plug (C8, C4, C2) for connecting to a communication line. In order to generate at least one signal (S1, S2) for switching the operating mode of the communication device, a control element (103) is provided, which is connected to the interface element (102) and can be connected to the communication device (100). The control element (103) is designed to determine the occupancy state of the contacts of the connection socket (101) by the plug (C8, C4, C2) inserted into the connection socket (101). Furthermore, the control element (103) is designed to generate a first signal (S1) for an Ethernet operating mode of the communication device (100) with a plurality of wire pairs (801-804, 401-402) at least when the first contact (1) and the second contact (2) and the third contact (3) and the sixth contact (6) are occupied. Furthermore, the control element (103) is designed to generate a second signal (S2) for a two-wire operating mode of the communication device (100) when only the third contact (3) and the sixth contact (6) are occupied.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an apparatus for connecting communication devices, particularly switches or field devices within industrial automation systems, to a two-wire Ethernet communication system or an eight-core Ethernet communication system, and to a communication device for connecting to a two-wire Ethernet communication system or an eight-core Ethernet communication system. Here, the communication device includes the aforementioned apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Industrial automation systems typically comprise a large number of automated devices interconnected via industrial communication networks, used in manufacturing or process automation to control or regulate facilities, machines, or equipment. Due to the time-critical nature of industrial automation systems, communication between automated devices primarily employs real-time communication protocols such as PROFINET, PROFIBUS, Real-Time Ethernet, or Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN). Specifically, control services or applications can be automatically and load-wise distributed to currently available servers or virtual machines within the industrial automation system.

[0003] Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (Ethernet APL) is an OSI Layer 1 extension specifically designed for the requirements of the process industry. It places particular emphasis on high-speed communication over long distances, the use of two-core cables, and protective measures for safe operation in explosive atmospheres. As a barrier to achieve intrinsic safety, electronic circuitry is installed at the output or input terminals of switches and field devices. This circuitry prevents ignition-prone electrical energy from entering the connection. In particular, equipment operating in explosive atmospheres must be protected according to the IEC 60079 series of standards. This ensures that even under multiple fault conditions, the explosive atmosphere will not be ignited by hot surfaces or sparks. This is achieved by safely limiting voltage and / or current in intrinsically safe circuitry.

[0004] To enable the use of Ethernet technology in industrial automation systems, DE 100 53 843 C1 proposes an RJ45-based plug-in connection capable of powering connected sensors or actuators. For this purpose, additional contacts for feeding the power supply voltage are integrated as part of the plug-in connection. On the receptacle side, the RJ45 standard receptacle is extended with an insulator having two contact surfaces. On the plug side, two corresponding contact elements are provided, which contact the plug-in connection elements on the receptacle side. In this way, RJ45-based plug-in connections can be used in industrial automation systems, especially while retaining existing crimp connection techniques and impedance matching methods.

[0005] EP 2 784 977 A1 describes a coupling unit for power and data transmission via Ethernet lines in explosively hazardous environments. The coupling unit has a supply-side interface for at least a four-core Ethernet line for combined power and data transmission. The supply-side interface connects to a splitter unit for frequency-selectively coupling out data signals and supply current transmitted via the supply-side Ethernet line. On the load side, an interface for the Ethernet line is provided for combined power and data transmission via two core wires. The load-side interface connects to a hybrid unit for frequency-selectively coupling data signals to be transmitted via the load-side Ethernet line and regulated supply current into a common pair. This coupling unit is capable of adapting non-intrinsically safe Power over Ethernet (PoE) to intrinsically safe PoE provided via a two-core line.

[0006] As known from EP 4 113 910 A1, to provide electrical isolation for at least one device capable of connecting to a two-wire Ethernet bus system, an uplink PHY interface device and a downlink PHY interface device are provided, each comprising a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. Each receiving unit has two output terminals for providing the received ternary coded signal as a differential signal. Furthermore, an uplink signal splitting device and a downlink signal splitting device are provided, each connected to the output terminals of the corresponding receiving unit, and configured to split the ternary coded signal provided as a differential signal into two binary coded signals. Additionally, an uplink optical coupler device and a downlink optical coupler device are provided, each connected to the corresponding signal splitting device, and configured to transmit the two received binary coded signals to the transmitting unit of the corresponding PHY interface device.

[0007] For copper-connected Ethernet communication, RJ45 connectors conforming to IEC 60603-7 are frequently used in combination with two-pair or four-pair cables conforming to IEC 61156-5. Two-pair connections are also widely used, especially in existing installations. For single-pair cables conforming to ISO / IEC 11801, the original specification called for an IEC 61171-compliant plug as the interface, but this plug is incompatible with the widely used IEC 60603-7 connectors. To date, there are no communication devices that can simultaneously use two-pair or four-pair cables and single-pair cables or Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) on a unified interface. Therefore, Single Pair Ethernet can only be integrated into networks with existing two-pair or four-pair cabling at a significant additional cost. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a solution that enables the simple use of two-pair or four-pair cables and single-pair cables or single-pair Ethernet (SPE) on a unified interface, and avoids the additional investment required for this to date.

[0009] According to the invention, this objective is achieved by an apparatus having the features of claim 1 and a communication device having the features of claim 12. Advantageous improvements of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

[0010] The apparatus according to the invention for connecting a communication device to a two-wire Ethernet communication system or an eight-core Ethernet communication system includes an interface element for connecting to a connection socket comprising eight contacts, the connection socket for accommodating a plug for connection to a communication line. Furthermore, a control element is provided, connected to the interface element and capable of connecting to the communication device, for generating at least one signal to switch the operating mode of the communication device. The interface element and the control element can, for example, be configured as components integrated into the communication device.

[0011] Advantageously, the interface element includes electrical isolation relative to the connection socket. Furthermore, the interface element can be configured to connect to multiplexed power and communication lines configured for simultaneous power and data transmission. Preferably, the interface element and control element are also configured for the Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer.

[0012] According to the present invention, a control element is designed to determine the occupancy state of the contacts of a plug inserted into a connector socket. Furthermore, the control element is designed to generate a first signal for an Ethernet operating mode with multiple wire pairs for a communication device when at least the first and second contacts, and the third and sixth contacts, are occupied. Specifically, the control element can be designed to generate the first signal when the first and second contacts, the third and sixth contacts, the fourth and fifth contacts, and the seventh and eighth contacts are occupied.

[0013] Preferably, the connector is an RJ45 plug-in connector, wherein the contact numbers of the connector correspond to the RJ45 pin positions. Furthermore, the connector is advantageously configured to accommodate plugs conforming to IEC 60603-7.

[0014] According to the present invention, the control element is designed to generate a second signal for a two-wire operating mode of the communication device when only the third and sixth contacts are occupied. Preferably, the control element is also designed to send the generated first or second signal to the communication device. With this invention, this standard communication interface, widely used globally and typically for two-pair or four-pair copper cables, can also be used for single-pair Ethernet communication. In particular, this standard communication interface can be converted to a single-pair Ethernet interface using an adapter cable. Therefore, for single-pair Ethernet, it is not necessary to integrate a dedicated interface that can only be used for single-pair Ethernet communication into the network components.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in an Ethernet operating mode with multiple wire pairs, data transmission is performed according to the Ethernet standard for copper cables with at least four cores, while in a two-wire operating mode, data transmission is performed according to the single-pair Ethernet standard.

[0016] Advantageously, by switching operating modes, it supports communication for single-pair, double-pair, and quad-pair copper connections in accordance with ISO / IEC 11801.

[0017] The communication device according to the present invention for connecting to a two-wire Ethernet communication system or an eight-wire Ethernet communication system includes the means according to the foregoing embodiments, and therefore includes an interface element and a control element. Furthermore, the communication device includes at least one connection socket with eight contacts and at least one data link layer functional unit. The connection socket is used to receive a plug for connection to a communication line. The data link layer functional unit can be, for example, a MAC circuit (Medium Access Control). The connection socket of the communication device is connected to the interface element, while the data link layer functional unit is connected to both the interface element and the control element. Furthermore, the data link layer functional unit is designed to set an Ethernet operating mode with multiple wire pairs when a first signal is received from the control element, and to set a two-wire operating mode when a second signal is received from the control element. The communication device can be, in particular, a switch with multiple connection sockets, or a field device in an industrial automation system. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and an embodiment. In the drawings: Figure 1 The existing contact assignments for plug connections of two-pair or four-pair Ethernet copper cables are shown. Figure 2 The proposed contact assignment for a single pair of Ethernet plug connections is shown; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a communication device capable of selectively connecting to a two-wire Ethernet communication system or a four-core / eight-core Ethernet communication system is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates RJ45 connector C8 and RJ45 connector C4 for mating connections in two-pair or four-pair Ethernet copper cables. The contacts of RJ45 connector C8 are occupied by four wire pairs 801-804, and the contacts of RJ4 connector C4 are occupied by two wire pairs 401-402. Connectors C8 and C4 each include eight contacts P1-P8, whose numbering corresponds to the standard RJ45 pin positions. Wire pairs 801-804 and 401-402 can, for example, have color coding conforming to standards EIA / TIA-568A or EIA / TIA-568B.

[0020] For the C8 connector, which is preferably constructed according to the IEC 60603-7 standard for four-pair Ethernet copper cables: - The fourth contact P4 and the fifth contact P5 are occupied by the first connecting line pair 801; - The third contact P3 and the sixth contact P6 are occupied by the second connecting line pair 802; - The first contact P1 and the second contact P2 are occupied by the third connecting line pair 803; and - The seventh contact P7 and the eighth contact P8 are occupied by the fourth connection pair 804.

[0021] In contrast, for the preferred connector C4 for dual-pair Ethernet copper cables, which is also constructed according to the IEC 60603-7 standard: - The third contact P3 and the sixth contact P6 are occupied by the first connecting line pair 401; and - The first contact P1 and the second contact P2 are occupied by the second connecting line pair 402.

[0022] To enable the use of dual-pair or quad-pair Ethernet copper cables, as well as single-pair Ethernet copper cables, at a unified interface or unified connector, specific requirements are proposed for single-pair Ethernet copper cables or single-pair Ethernet... Figure 2 The contact assignment in the plug-in connection is shown. Figure 2 The diagram shows an RJ45 connector C2 with contacts occupied by a single wire pair 201. This connector also includes eight contacts P1-P8, numbered according to standard RJ45 pin locations. For a connector C2 preferably constructed according to IEC 60603-7 for a single pair of Ethernet copper cables, the third contact P3 and the sixth contact P6 are occupied by the first and only connecting wire pair 201.

[0023] All plugs C8, C4, and C2 are compatible. Figure 3 The communication device 100 is shown. The communication device 100 supports communication for single-pair, double-pair, and four-pair copper connections according to ISO / IEC 11801 through operating mode switching as described below. For this purpose, the communication device 100 has an integrated device for connecting the communication device 100 to a two-wire Ethernet communication system or a four-core / eight-core Ethernet communication system. This integrated device further includes an interface element 102 for connecting to a connection socket 101 of the communication device 100, and a control element 103 for connecting to the interface element 102. The interface element 102 preferably includes electrical isolation relative to the connection socket 101. The communication device 100 can be, for example, a switch with multiple connection sockets, or a field device in an industrial automation system.

[0024] The connection socket 101 of the communication device 100 is an RJ45 plug-in connector and includes eight contacts 1-8 for accommodating plugs C8, C4, and C2 as described in the foregoing embodiments for connection to the communication line. Therefore, the contacts of the connection socket 101 are numbered the same as the contacts P1-P8 of the plugs C8, C4, and C2. Preferably, the connection socket 101 is configured to accommodate plugs conforming to the IEC 60603-7 standard.

[0025] The control element 103 is connected to the data link layer functional unit 104 of the communication device 100 and is used to generate signals S1 and S2 to switch the operating mode of the communication device 100. The data link layer functional unit 104 is also connected to the interface element 102 and can be, for example, a MAC circuit (Medium Access Control).

[0026] Control element 103 is designed to determine the occupancy status of the contacts of plugs C8, C4, and C2 inserted into connector 101. Control element 103 generates a first signal S1 for an Ethernet operating mode with multiple wire pairs for communication device 100 when at least the first contact 1 and the second contact 2, and the third contact 3 and the sixth contact 6 of connector 101 are occupied. Specifically, the first signal S1 is also generated when the first contact 1 and the second contact 3, the third contact 3 and the sixth contact 6, the fourth contact 4 and the fifth contact 5, and the seventh contact 7 and the eighth contact 8 are occupied. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first signal S1 is generated when plug C8 or C4 is inserted into connector 101.

[0027] Furthermore, the control element 103 is designed to generate a second signal S2 for the two-wire operation mode of the communication device 100 when only the third contact 3 and the sixth contact 6 are occupied. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second signal S2 is generated when the plug C2 is inserted into the connector socket 101. Additionally, the control element 103 is designed to send either the generated first signal S1 or the second signal S2 to the data link layer functional unit 104 of the communication device 100. The data link layer functional unit 104 is designed to set an Ethernet operation mode with multiple wire pairs 401-402 and 801-804 when it receives the first signal S1 from the control element 103; and to set a two-wire operation mode when it receives the second signal S2 from the control element 103. Specifically, in the Ethernet operation mode with multiple wire pairs 401-402 and 801-804, data transmission is performed according to the Ethernet standard for copper cables with at least four cores, while in the two-wire operation mode, data transmission is performed according to the single-pair Ethernet standard.

[0028] According to an advantageous configuration, interface element 102 is configured to connect to multiplexed power and communication lines, which are configured to simultaneously perform power and data transmission. Furthermore, interface element 102 and control element 103 can also be advantageously configured for Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (Ethernet APL).

Claims

1. An apparatus for connecting a communication device (100) to a two-wire or eight-core Ethernet communication system, the apparatus comprising: - Interface element (102), the interface element is used to connect to a connection socket (101) including 8 contacts, the connection socket is used to connect to a plug (C8, C4, C2) for communication line connection. - A control element (103) for generating at least one signal (S1, S2) for switching the operating mode of the communication device, the control element being connected to the interface element (102) and capable of being connected to the communication device (100). -The control element (103) is designed to determine the occupancy status of the contacts of the connection socket (101) by means of the plugs (C8, C4, C2) inserted into the connection socket; -The control element (103) is designed to generate a first signal (S1) for the communication device (100) having an Ethernet operating mode with multiple line pairs (801-804, 401-402) when at least the first contact (1) and the second contact (2) and the third contact (3) and the sixth contact (6) are occupied. -The control element (103) is designed to generate a second signal (S2) for the two-line operation mode of the communication device (100) when only the third contact (3) and the sixth contact (6) are occupied.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The control element (103) is designed to generate the first signal (S1) when the first contact (1) and the second contact (2), the third contact (3) and the sixth contact (6), the fourth contact (4) and the fifth contact (5), and the seventh contact (7) and the eighth contact (8) are occupied.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The control element (103) is designed to send the generated first signal (S1) or second signal (S2) to the communication device (100).

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The interface element (102) has electrical isolation relative to the connection socket (101).

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The connector (101) is an RJ45 plug-in connector, and wherein the contacts (1-8) of the connector correspond to the RJ45 pin positions in terms of the contact numbering of the connector.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The connector (101) is configured to accommodate a plug conforming to IEC 60603-7.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, In Ethernet operating mode with multiple wire pairs, data transmission is performed according to the Ethernet standard for copper cables with at least 4 cores, and in two-wire operating mode, data transmission is performed according to the single-pair Ethernet standard.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein, By switching the operating mode, communication is supported for single-pair, double-pair, and four-pair copper connections (801-804, 401-402, 201) according to ISO / IEC 11801.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, The interface element (102) is configured to connect to a multiplexed power supply and communication line configured to simultaneously transmit power and data.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, The interface element (102) and the control element (103) are configured for the Ethernet advanced physical layer.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The interface element (102) and the control element (103) are configured as components integrated into the communication device (100).

12. A communication device comprising an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11 having an interface element (102) and a control element (103), the communication device being configured to connect to a two-wire or eight-core Ethernet communication system, and the communication device having: - At least one connection socket (101) including 8 contacts (1-8), the connection socket being used for a plug (C8, C4, C2) to be connected to a communication line. - At least one data link layer functional unit (104); -in, The connection socket (101) is connected to the interface element (102); -The data link layer functional unit (104) is connected to the interface element (102) and the control element (103); -The data link layer functional unit (104) is designed to set an Ethernet operating mode with multiple wire pairs when receiving a first signal (S1) from the control element, and to set a two-wire operating mode when receiving a second signal (S2) from the control element.

13. The communication device according to claim 12, wherein, The communication device is a switch with multiple connection sockets or a field device in an industrial automation system.

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