Communication system

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of communication, and discloses a communication system, which comprises a first-class switch set comprising a plurality of first-class switches connected in sequence and used for connecting a time-sensitive network, and a second-class switch set comprising a plurality of second-class switches connected in sequence and used for connecting a time-sensitive network, the second-class switch unit comprises a plurality of second-class switches which are connected in sequence and is used for being connected with a non-time sensitive network; the processor is respectively connected with the first-class switching unit and the second-class switching unit and is used for respectively configuring and managing the first-class switching unit and the second-class switching unit; and a plurality of data stream devices which are respectively connected with the first type switch group and the second type switch group and are used for transmitting different types of data streams. According to the utility model, transmission links between different types of switches and different types of data streams are arranged to construct different application scenes, so that the test of common transmission of different application scenes and different types of data streams is realized, and the reliability and stability of common transmission between different data streams are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a communication system. Background Art

[0002] In industrial control networks, there are generally two types of data: one is based on real-time transmission scenarios, high reliability, and a certain message delay data flow; the other is based on large capacity, differentiated services, and delay-insensitive data flows. Traditional Ethernet uses best-effort forwarding and QoS (Quality of Service) mechanisms to transmit data that is not sensitive to real-time requirements. Although traditional Ethernet networks have high bandwidth, when transmitting real-time data and the network is congested, the bandwidth of real-time data cannot be guaranteed, which will cause delay uncertainty or packet loss. Different types of networks are used to carry the communication of time-sensitive data (i.e., real-time data) and non-time-sensitive data (i.e., non-real-time data).

[0003] However, the industrial control network communication currently uses many network communication technologies, each of which provides dedicated and vendor-specific solutions, which leads to high deployment and maintenance costs, long cycles, poor scalability, and difficulty in intercommunication between the field operation network and the management information network. These problems affect the joint transmission effect of multiple data streams in actual scenarios. Therefore, it is necessary to build a system structure that tests the joint transmission process of different application scenarios and different types of data streams to ensure the reliability of the joint transmission of multiple data streams in actual applications. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, in order to solve the problems existing in the prior art, the utility model provides a communication system.

[0005] In a first aspect, the utility model provides a communication system, comprising:

[0006] A first type switch group, including a plurality of first type switches connected in sequence, for connecting a time sensitive network;

[0007] The second type switch group includes a plurality of second type switches connected in sequence and is used to connect a non-time-sensitive network;

[0008] a processor, connected to the first type switch group and the second type switch group, respectively, and configured to configure and manage the first type switch group and the second type switch group, respectively;

[0009] A plurality of data flow devices are respectively connected to the first type switch group and the second type switch group for transmitting different types of data flows.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, each of the data stream devices includes a background stream sub-device, an industrial control stream sub-device, and a video stream sub-device;

[0011] The first type of switch group is respectively connected to the background flow sub-device, the industrial control flow sub-device and the video flow sub-device;

[0012] The second type switch group is connected to the background flow sub-device, the industrial control flow sub-device and the video flow sub-device respectively.

[0013] In an optional embodiment, the industrial control flow sub-device includes a first programmable logic controller, a second programmable logic controller, a first servo drive, and a second servo drive;

[0014] The first programmable logic controller and the first servo drive are respectively connected to different first-type switches;

[0015] The second programmable logic controller and the second servo drive are respectively connected to different second-type switches.

[0016] In an optional implementation, the first servo driver and the second servo driver are respectively connected to corresponding servo motors.

[0017] In an optional embodiment, the industrial control flow sub-device includes a first programmable logic controller, a second programmable logic controller, a first mechanical arm, and a second mechanical arm;

[0018] The first programmable logic controller and the first mechanical arm are respectively connected to different first-type switches;

[0019] The second programmable logic controller and the second robotic arm are respectively connected to different second-type switches.

[0020] In an optional embodiment, the background flow sub-device includes a first background flow generator and a second background flow generator;

[0021] The first background flow generator is connected to the first type switch group, and the second background flow generator is connected to the second type switch group.

[0022] In an optional implementation, the first background flow generator or the second background flow generator includes a network comprehensive tester.

[0023] In an optional implementation, the video stream sub-device includes a first camera, a second camera, a first video processor, and a second video processor;

[0024] The first camera and the first video processor are respectively connected to different first-type switches;

[0025] The second camera and the second video processor are respectively connected to different second-type switches.

[0026] In an optional implementation, the first video processor or the second video processor includes a processor or an industrial computer.

[0027] In an optional implementation, the processor includes an industrial computer or a human-machine interface processor.

[0028] The embodiments of the present utility model have the following beneficial effects:

[0029] The embodiment of the utility model provides a communication system, which includes: a first type switch group, including a plurality of first type switches connected in sequence, for connecting a time-sensitive network; a second type switch group, including a plurality of second type switches connected in sequence, for connecting a non-time-sensitive network; a processor, connected to the first type switch group and the second type switch group, respectively, for configuring and managing the first type switch group and the second type switch group, respectively; and a plurality of data stream devices, connected to the first type switch group and the second type switch group, respectively, for transmitting different types of data streams. The utility model constructs different application scenarios by setting transmission links between different types of switches and different types of data streams, and implements testing of different application scenarios and the common transmission of different types of data streams, so as to determine the reliability and stability of the common transmission between different types of data streams through the test results, thereby providing support for communication scenarios of the common transmission between different types of data streams in actual applications, and improving the reliability and stability of the common transmission between different types of data streams. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the utility model, the following is a brief introduction to the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only illustrate certain embodiments of the utility model and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection of the utility model. In each of the drawings, similar components are numbered similarly.

[0031] Figure 1 A first structural schematic diagram of a communication system in an embodiment of the utility model is shown;

[0032] Figure 2 A second structural schematic diagram of the communication system in an embodiment of the utility model is shown;

[0033] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the connection relationship of industrial control flow sub-devices in the communication system in an embodiment of the utility model is shown;

[0034] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the connection relationship of the first type of switch group in the communication system in the embodiment of the utility model is shown;

[0035] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the connection relationship of the second type of switch group in the communication system in an embodiment of the utility model is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the embodiments of the utility model clearer, the technical scheme in the embodiments of the utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the utility model, not all of the embodiments. Generally, the components of the embodiments of the utility model described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0037] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to be protected, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0038] It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings, and therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, further definition and explanation thereof is not required in subsequent drawings.

[0039] In the description of the present utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "up", "down", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc. indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, or are the orientations or positional relationships in which the utility model product is conventionally placed when in use, or are the orientations or positional relationships conventionally understood by those skilled in the art. They are only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present utility model.

[0040] Furthermore, the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. are merely used for distinguishing descriptions and are not to be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0041] In the description of the present invention, it is also necessary to explain that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "set", "install", "connect", and "connect" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0042] TSN (Time Sensitive Networking) can provide deterministic and large data traffic network services, while carrying data with different characteristics and realizing mixed transmission of various traffic.

[0043] The network comprehensive tester is an electronic measuring instrument used in the field of mechanical engineering. It can test end-to-end performance, delay and packet loss rate of roaming switching delay to simulate real network transmission flow, provide information about frame-to-frame relationship and frame timing, and determine the forwarding performance of the tested device and the frame loss, frame rate and throughput of the device; it supports full mesh, partial mesh and non-mesh transmission flow modes, etc.

[0044] In practical applications, TSN networks were first used in the field of high-definition video. This is because high-definition video has a significantly increased bandwidth requirement on the one hand, and audio and video must be transmitted in high definition and in real time on the other. TSN networks provide a unified and standardized solution for the integration of real-time data and non-real-time data. They can integrate the two types of data streams in industrial control networks into one network system for transmission, thereby reducing communication costs and solving the network isolation problem of field operation networks and management information networks in actual scenarios. However, for different application scenarios and the common transmission of different types of data streams, in order to ensure the reliability of the corresponding communication system, it is also necessary to construct different application scenarios for testing and conduct corresponding data stream transmission tests on the system.

[0045] Based on this, the utility model provides a communication system, which tests the common transmission process of different application scenarios and different types of data streams by setting up transmission links between switch groups of different network types and different data stream devices 400, so as to ensure the reliability and stability of the common transmission of multiple data streams.

[0046] like Figure 1As shown, the system includes a first type switch group 100, a second type switch group 200, a processor 300, and a plurality of data flow devices 400 (such as data flow devices 1 to N, N+1 to M in the figure, where N and M are both positive integers greater than 1, and M>N). In this embodiment, the system configures and manages the first type switch group 100 and the second type switch group 200 through the processor 300, so that the first type switch group 100 and the second type switch group 200 forward different types of data flows transmitted in each data flow device 400, so as to improve the performance of the mixed flow transmission network.

[0047] Exemplarily, the first type switch group 100 includes a plurality of first type switches connected in sequence, for connecting a time-sensitive network (i.e., a TSN network); the second type switch group 200 includes a plurality of second type switches connected in sequence, for connecting a non-time-sensitive network (i.e., a traditional network); the processor 300 is respectively connected to the first type switch group 100 and the second type switch group 200, and the processor 300 is used to configure and manage the first type switch group 100 and the second type switch group 200, respectively; a plurality of data flow devices 400 are respectively connected to the first type switch group 100 and the second type switch group 200, for transmitting different types of data flows.

[0048] It should be noted that the first type of switch and the second type of switch are different types of switches. Since the first type of switch is connected to the TSN network, the first type of switch can be regarded as a TSN switch; and the second type of switch is connected to a non-time-sensitive network, that is, the second type of switch can be regarded as an ordinary switch.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first type switch and the second type switch are used to forward different types of data streams generated by each data stream device 400, and the processor 300 can also be used to set a corresponding time window for each data stream, so that the first type switch and the second type switch forward the corresponding data stream within the corresponding time window. Optionally, the processor 300 includes but is not limited to an industrial computer or a human-machine interface processor 300 (i.e., HMI).

[0050] Correspondingly, the processor 300 can also change the priority and flow size of each data stream to create different congestion effects. Then, for different congestion effects, the transmission results of each data stream in different network environments can be tested separately to determine the reliability of the communication system based on the test results.

[0051] Furthermore, if Figure 2As shown, each data stream device 400 includes a plurality of background stream sub-devices 410, industrial control stream sub-devices 420 and video stream sub-devices 430; wherein the first type of switch group 100 is respectively connected to at least one background stream sub-device 410, industrial control stream sub-device 420 and video stream sub-device 430; and the second type of switch group 200 is respectively connected to another background stream sub-device 410, another industrial control stream sub-device 420 and another video stream sub-device 430. wherein each sub-device is used to generate and transmit a corresponding type of data stream, that is, the background stream sub-device 410 is used to generate and transmit a background stream, the industrial control stream sub-device 420 is used to generate and transmit an industrial control stream, and the video stream sub-device 430 is used to generate and transmit a video stream. It should be noted that the corresponding plurality of sub-devices included in each data stream device 400 are shown as sub-device 1 to sub-device N, wherein N is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0052] It should be noted that, in actual applications, each sub-device included in each data stream device 400 can be set accordingly according to actual needs. It can be understood that each data stream device 400 can include a sub-device of at least one data stream type, that is, each data stream device 400 can include a sub-device for generating and transmitting background streams, industrial control streams and video streams and / or other data stream types, and the number of each sub-device included in each data stream device 400 can be set according to needs, and the specific type and number of sub-devices are not limited herein.

[0053] In addition, the first type switch group 100 and the second type switch group 200 are respectively connected to sub-devices that belong to the same type but are not the same; it can be understood that the first type switch group 100 and the second type switch group 200 are connected to different background flow sub-devices 410, different industrial control flow sub-devices 420 and different video flow sub-devices 430.

[0054] Furthermore, if Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in some examples, the industrial control flow sub-device 420 includes a first programmable logic controller 421 (i.e., PLC), a second programmable logic controller 422 (i.e., PLC), a first servo drive 423, and a second servo drive 424. The first programmable logic controller 421 and the first servo drive 423 are respectively connected to different first-type switches (such as switch 1 and switch 2 shown in the figure); the second programmable logic controller 422 and the second servo drive 424 are respectively connected to different second-type switches (such as switch 3 and switch 4 shown in the figure).

[0055] Optionally, the first servo driver 423 and the second servo driver 424 are respectively connected to corresponding servo motors; wherein the number and type of motors connected to each servo driver can be set accordingly according to actual needs, and this embodiment does not limit this. For example, the first servo driver 423 is connected to a servo motor, and the second servo driver 424 is connected to another servo motor.

[0056] In some examples, the industrial control flow sub-device 420 includes a first programmable logic controller 421, a second programmable logic controller 422, a first robotic arm, and a second robotic arm; the first programmable logic controller 421 and the first robotic arm are respectively connected to different first-type switches; the second programmable logic controller 422 and the second robotic arm are respectively connected to different second-type switches.

[0057] It can be understood that in the industrial control flow sub-device 420, the robotic arm can replace the servo drive, that is, the device for generating and transmitting the industrial control flow can be set accordingly according to actual needs. It can use a servo drive or a robotic arm or other devices. The devices shown in this embodiment are only for example and are not limited to this.

[0058] In some examples, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the background flow sub-device 410 includes a first background flow generator 411 and a second background flow generator 412 ; the first background flow generator 411 is connected to the first type switch group 100 , and the second background flow generator 412 is connected to the second type switch group 200 .

[0059] Optionally, the first background flow generator 411 or the second background flow generator 412 includes a network comprehensive tester or other device that can construct a background flow. The specific type of device selected can be set according to actual needs and is not limited here.

[0060] In some examples, the background flow sub-device 410 further includes a background flow switch device, wherein the background flow switch device is provided between the switch and the background flow generator, and is used to control the on-off of the background flow transmission link between the background flow generator and the switch; further, the background flow switch device can be used to cut off or conduct the background flow transmission link according to actual needs to create different test scenarios. In addition, the device type of the background flow switch device can be specifically set according to actual needs, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0061] In one embodiment, if Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the video stream sub-device 430 includes a first camera 431, a second camera 432, a first video processor 433 and a second video processor 434; the first camera 431 and the first video processor 433 are respectively connected to different first-type switches; the second camera 432 and the second video processor 434 are respectively connected to different second-type switches.

[0062] Among them, the camera included in the video stream sub-device 430 is only an example of a device with a camera function. In actual applications, other devices with a photography function or an image acquisition function can be used to replace the camera according to actual needs, and this embodiment does not limit this. In addition, the video processor includes a processor (such as a PC or other device) or an industrial computer and other devices for monitoring and displaying video data, which is also not limited in this embodiment.

[0063] In this embodiment, through the structure of the communication system, different congestion effects are constructed in the transmission process of different types of data streams, and the transmission effects of various types of data streams in time-sensitive networks and traditional networks are tested respectively, so as to determine the reliability of time-sensitive data transmission during the joint transmission of industrial control streams, video streams and background streams based on the test results.

[0064] Among them, the types of data streams transmitted by different sub-devices in the communication system are different and the priorities of different types of data streams are also different; the processor 300 can be used to set the forwarding priority of different data streams, change the priority and flow size of each data stream, create different congestion scenarios, and test the transmission effect of the data stream when the door control device is started and the door control device is closed for different congestion scenarios, and determine the reliability of the system for time-sensitive data transmission based on the test results. Optionally, the priority of the background data stream is lower than the priority of the industrial control data stream, and the priority of the video data stream is lower than the priority of the industrial control data stream and higher than the priority of the background data stream.

[0065] In addition, the processor 300 is also used to configure the first programmable logic controller 421 and the second programmable logic controller 422 so that the first programmable logic controller 421 is synchronized with the time of the first type of switch, and the second programmable logic controller 422 is synchronized with the time of the second type of switch, thereby improving the accuracy of the transmission test of each data stream in different congestion environments and different network environments.

[0066] For example, the processor 300 is further configured to set the clock of the switch as the master clock and the clock of the programmable logic controller as the slave clock, so that the time of the corresponding switch and the programmable logic controller in different network environments is synchronized.

[0067] Furthermore, since different sub-devices transmit different types of data streams, different types of data streams have different priorities. The communication system in this embodiment can effectively test the transmission effects of different types of data streams, thereby ensuring the reliability of the system for industrial control mixed stream transmission in subsequent practical applications.

[0068] Specifically, the processor 300 starts the devices in each sub-device to transmit the respective data streams through the first type switch and the second type switch; sets and turns on the gating of the first type switch to verify whether the sub-device where the high real-time data stream is located is operating normally; wherein, gating refers to transmitting the data stream within the time window set for each data stream.

[0069] Then, a congestion scenario is created to compare and verify whether the sub-devices where the high real-time data streams of the first and second switches are located are operating abnormally; then, based on the test results, it is determined whether the reliable transmission of the high real-time data stream can be guaranteed in the joint transmission of the industrial control stream, the video stream, and the background stream.

[0070] For example, the congestion scenario created may be to construct a background flow to occupy a large amount of bandwidth or to raise the service quality level of the lowest priority data flow and increase the traffic of the lowest priority data flow.

[0071] If the sub-device where the high real-time data stream is located has any one or more of the following situations, it is determined that the sub-device where the high real-time data stream is located is operating abnormally: servo drive alarm, servo motor stops running, video stream freezes or stops.

[0072] In some examples, this embodiment can construct different data stream transmission links, such as: industrial control streams transmitted between programmable logic controllers and servo drives; video streams transmitted between video processors and cameras; background streams transmitted between background stream generators and switches; and the data streams transmitted by the above different transmission links have different priorities. Among them, industrial control data streams require high real-time and determinism, and the message must reach the specified terminal within the allowed delay, otherwise it will trigger the servo drive to generate an alarm and stop the service (i.e., the servo motor stops rotating); video data streams also require a certain degree of real-time performance to ensure the stability of the video without freezing or stopping; background streams are used to simulate management information streams or other data streams in actual applications, which are not sensitive to real-time performance and may even lose packets.

[0073] Furthermore, if, regardless of the degree of congestion, the industrial control stream and the video stream can maintain normal operation (i.e., normal and stable joint transmission of the industrial control stream and the video stream is achieved) when the TSN function is set and enabled, then it can be determined that the communication system can achieve reliable transmission of high real-time data streams and provide bandwidth guarantees for time-sensitive data, and the communication system can be put into practical applications.

[0074] The communication system provided by the utility model constructs a transmission link for transmitting industrial control streams together with video streams and background streams, and sets a first type switch and a second type switch connected to a time-sensitive network, connects at least two sub-devices transmitting data streams of different types and priorities to the two switches respectively, and sets a corresponding time window for each data stream so that the first type switch forwards the data stream within the corresponding time window.

[0075] Accordingly, the utility model constructs the congestion effect through the background flow, and tests the transmission effect of the data flow when TSN is enabled (i.e., the first type of switch is enabled) and when TSN is disabled (i.e., only the second type of switch is enabled), and determines the reliability of the system for time-sensitive data transmission when the industrial control flow, video flow, and background flow are transmitted together according to the test results. The utility model can simply and conveniently implement the test of the network performance when the industrial control flow, video flow, and background flow are transmitted together, thereby ensuring the reliability of the network in which the industrial control flow, video flow, and background flow are transmitted together in actual applications, and ensuring the low-latency deterministic transmission of industrial real-time data flows.

[0076] The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the utility model, and is not intended to limit the utility model. For those skilled in the art, the utility model can have various modifications and changes. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the utility model shall be included in the protection scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. A communication system, characterized in that: include: A first type switch group, including a plurality of first type switches connected in sequence, for connecting a time sensitive network; A second type switch group includes a plurality of second type switches connected in sequence, and is used to connect a non-time-sensitive network; wherein the first type switch and the second type switch are of different types; a processor, connected to the first type switch group and the second type switch group, respectively, and configured to configure and manage the first type switch group and the second type switch group, respectively; A plurality of data flow devices, respectively connected to the first type switch group and the second type switch group, for transmitting different types of data flows; The communication system is used to test different application scenarios and the common transmission process of different types of data streams by setting transmission links between the first type switch group and the second type switch group of different network types and different data stream devices respectively.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the data stream devices includes a background stream sub-device, an industrial control stream sub-device and a video stream sub-device; The first type of switch group is respectively connected to the background flow sub-device, the industrial control flow sub-device and the video flow sub-device; The second type switch group is connected to the background flow sub-device, the industrial control flow sub-device and the video flow sub-device respectively.

3. The communication system according to claim 2, characterized in that The industrial control flow sub-device includes a first programmable logic controller, a second programmable logic controller, a first servo drive and a second servo drive; The first programmable logic controller and the first servo drive are respectively connected to different first-type switches; The second programmable logic controller and the second servo drive are respectively connected to different second-type switches.

4. The communication system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first servo driver and the second servo driver are respectively connected to corresponding servo motors.

5. The communication system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The industrial control flow sub-device includes a first programmable logic controller, a second programmable logic controller, a first mechanical arm and a second mechanical arm; The first programmable logic controller and the first mechanical arm are respectively connected to different first-type switches; The second programmable logic controller and the second robotic arm are respectively connected to different second-type switches.

6. The communication system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The background flow sub-device includes a first background flow generator and a second background flow generator; The first background flow generator is connected to the first type switch group, and the second background flow generator is connected to the second type switch group.

7. The communication system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first background flow generator or the second background flow generator includes a network comprehensive tester.

8. The communication system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The video stream sub-device includes a first camera, a second camera, a first video processor and a second video processor; The first camera and the first video processor are respectively connected to different first-type switches; The second camera and the second video processor are respectively connected to different second-type switches.

9. The communication system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first video processor or the second video processor includes a processor or an industrial computer.

10. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The processor includes an industrial computer or a human-machine interface processor.

Images