Control panel for collecting trace data and trace data collection method

Abstract

To collect or aggregate trace data individually acquired by a plurality of control devices.SOLUTION: A control panel 110 comprises: a plurality of control devices 220A, 220B, 220C for acquiring trace data regarding a power converter; a collection device 200 for collecting the trace data from each of the plurality of control devices 220A, 220B, 220C; and a switch 210 for communicably connecting each of the plurality of control devices 220A, 220B, 220C with the collection device. The collection device 200 collects the trace data from one or more control devices 220A, 220B, 220C with complete preparation for transmission of the trace data included in the plurality of control devices 220A, 220B, 220C.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for collecting trace data of a power converter, and more particularly to a technique for improving the efficiency of collecting trace data. [Background technology]

[0002] A power converter is composed of a main circuit board that performs power conversion and a control board that controls the main circuit board. The control board outputs pulse signals to control the main circuit board. At the same time, the control board acquires various information such as voltage and current from the main circuit board to monitor the operating status of the main circuit board. The control board may also acquire data from a higher-level monitoring device. Furthermore, the control board may perform some calculations internally. The control board stores this various information in a storage medium. The various data stored in the storage medium by the control board is sometimes collectively called trace data.

[0003] Regarding a technique for collecting trace data, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 63-171159 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technique for transmitting control and monitoring signals via electric wires that are inexpensive and easy to handle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-171159 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The main circuit board may be configured as a large-scale circuit. In this case, the main circuit board may be controlled by multiple control devices provided in the control board. Each of the multiple control devices individually acquires trace data from the main circuit board. That is, the control board ultimately needs to collect or aggregate the trace data individually collected by the multiple control devices.

[0006] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not anticipate collecting or aggregating trace data acquired individually by multiple control devices. Therefore, there is a need for a technology for collecting or aggregating trace data acquired individually by multiple control devices.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-described background, and an object of one aspect is to provide a technique for collecting or aggregating trace data acquired individually by multiple control devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one embodiment, a control panel is provided that includes a plurality of control devices for acquiring trace data related to a power converter, a collector for collecting the trace data from each of the plurality of control devices, and a switch that communicatively connects each of the plurality of control devices to the collector, and the collector collects the trace data from one or more control devices included in the plurality of control devices that are ready to transmit the trace data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one embodiment, trace data acquired individually by multiple control devices can be collected or aggregated.

[0010] The above and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of an overall view of a power converter 100 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration related to the collection of trace data of a control panel 110. [Figure 3]This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the collection device 200. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 220. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence for the collection device 200 to collect trace data from a plurality of control devices 220. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing an example of a trace data collection procedure in the collection device 200. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing an example of a trace data collection procedure in each of the plurality of control devices 220.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the technical idea according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. Also, each embodiment, each modification example, each software configuration, each hardware configuration, each function, and each process, etc. may be selectively combined as appropriate.

[0013] <A. Device Configuration>

[0014] The technology disclosed in this specification is a technology for automatically collecting trace data related to a power converter 100 (see FIG. 1). The power converter 100 is sometimes referred to as a power conversion device. "Trace data" includes any data related to the state of the power converter 100. The "trace data" can be used for analyzing the state of the power converter 100, etc. The trace data encompasses signals output by one or more sensors, output signals from any device or circuit, and calculation results by a processor or the like. As an example, the trace data can include current values, voltage values, or both at one or more locations in the main circuit board 120 (see FIG. 1). As another example, the trace data can include data output by the control board 110 (see FIG. 1). For example, the control board 110 can perform calculations using current or voltage values for each location in the power converter 100 and output the results. As yet another example, the trace data can include data acquired by the control board 110 from any external device. For example, the control board 110 can acquire some data from the upper device 130 (see FIG. 1). Hereinafter, trace data may refer to all of the data ultimately collected in the collection device 200 (see FIG. 2). Trace data may also refer to individual data included in the data collected in the collection device 200. As an example, data or signals output by the main circuit board 120 and the higher-level device 130 are trace data. As another example, data generated by the control board 110 by processing some data is trace data. Below, the roles and configurations of each device related to the technology of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an overall view of a power converter 100 according to the present embodiment. Power converter 100 is a device installed in a substation or the like and converts power. Power converter 100 outputs a specified voltage and current. Power converter 100 can handle one or both of AC (Alternating Current) and DC (Direct Current). In one aspect, power converter 100 may be an AC-AC converter, a DC-DC converter, an AC-DC converter, or a DC-AC converter.

[0016] The power converter 100 mainly comprises a control panel 110 and a main circuit board 120. There is also a host device 130 configured to be able to communicate with the control panel 110. The host device 130 may be included in the power converter 100 or may be external to the power converter 100. In one aspect, the control panel 110 and the main circuit board 120 are configured to be able to send and receive signals via an electrical circuit, an optical circuit, or both. Similarly, the control panel 110 and the host device 130 are configured to be able to send and receive signals via an electrical circuit, an optical circuit, or both.

[0017] The control panel 110 controls the main circuit board 120. More specifically, the control panel 110 generates a pulse signal 122 for operating the main circuit board 120 based on main circuit information 124 obtained from the main circuit board 120 via a sensor or the like within the main circuit board 120. The control panel 110 transmits the generated pulse signal 122 to the main circuit board 120. The control panel 110 also has a function of collecting trace data from the main circuit board 120. The control panel 110 may also generate the trace data by processing some data. For example, the control panel 110 may calculate an estimated value for the safety of each part of the main circuit board 120 based on the main circuit information 124. In some aspects, the main circuit information 124 may be trace data. In other aspects, the control panel 110 may collect trace data independently of the main circuit information 124. A configuration for collecting trace data provided in the control panel 110 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

[0018] The main circuit board 120 is composed of circuits that perform power conversion. The main circuit board 120 operates based on pulse signals input from the control board 110. The main circuit board 120 also transmits main circuit information 124 detected by sensors within the circuit to the control board 110.

[0019] The host device 130 is used to operate and monitor the power converter 100. The host device 130 transmits a start command or a stop command to the power converter 100. More specifically, the host device 130 transmits commands 134, such as a start command or a stop command, to the control panel 110. The control panel 110 may start or stop the main circuit board 120 based on the commands 134 received from the host device 130. In addition to the commands 134, the host device 130 may transmit information indicating the operating status of peripheral devices to the control panel 110. The host device 130 may also collect information 132 related to the power converter 100. The host device 130 may monitor the status of the power converter 100 by analyzing the information 132 related to the power converter 100. The information 132 related to the power converter 100 may include normal operation information, error information, and a combination thereof. More specifically, the host device 130 collects the information 132 related to the power converter 100 from the control panel 110. The host device 130 then analyzes information 132 related to the power converter 100. Based on the analysis results, the host device 130 may send various commands 134 to the control panel 110. The host device 130 may also monitor peripheral devices other than the power converter 100. Furthermore, the host device 130 may send trace data to the control panel 110 or the collection device 200. As an example, the host device 130 may send analysis information of the power converter 100, etc., as trace data to the control panel 110 or the collection device 200.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration related to the collection of trace data in the control panel 110. The control panel 110 includes a collection device 200, a switch 210, and multiple control devices 220. In the example of FIG. 2, the control panel 110 includes control devices 220A, 220B, and 220C, but this is merely an example. The control panel 110 may include any number of control devices. Hereinafter, when the control devices included in the control panel 110 are collectively referred to, they will be referred to as control devices 220. When individual control devices included in the control panel 110 are referred to, they will be referred to as control devices 220A, 220B, and 220C.

[0021] Each of the control devices 220 generates a pulse signal 122 and transmits the pulse signal 122 to the main circuit board 120. The main circuit board 120 may be configured as a large-scale device. In this case, the control board 110 may include multiple control devices 220 to control the entire main circuit board 120 without delay. Each of the control devices 220 periodically collects trace data from the main circuit board 120. Each of the control devices 220 may collect trace data related to a different portion of the main circuit board 120. For example, the control device 220A may collect the voltage and current of a portion A of the main circuit board 120 as trace data A. Similarly, the control device 220B may collect the voltage and current of a portion B of the main circuit board 120 as trace data B. Similarly, the control device 220C may collect the voltage and current of a portion C of the main circuit board 120 as trace data C.

[0022] The collection device 200 collects trace data from each of the control devices 220. More specifically, the collection device 200 transmits a status confirmation message to each of the control devices 220. In response to the status confirmation message, each of the control devices 220 transmits a status response message to the collection device 200. The collection device 200 can determine whether each of the control devices 220 is ready to transmit trace data by referring to the status response message. The collection device 200 collects trace data from control devices 220 that are ready to transmit trace data. As an example, it is assumed that the control devices 220A and 220B are ready to transmit trace data. Furthermore, it is assumed that the control device 220C is not ready to transmit trace data. In this case, the collection device 200 receives trace data from the control devices 220A and 220B. As an example, it is assumed that the control device 220 has acquired trace data equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold from the main circuit board 120. In this case, the control device 220 can determine that it is ready to transmit trace data. Conversely, if the controller 220 receives less than a predetermined threshold of trace data from the main circuit board 120, the controller 220 may determine that it is not yet ready to transmit the trace data.

[0023] The collection device 200 may also collect, as trace data, signals received by each of the control devices 220 from the host device 130. Therefore, each of the control devices 220 may be configured to record, as trace data, signals received from the host device 130 as well. The signals transmitted from the host device 130 to the control panel 110 may be recorded in all of the control devices 220, or may be recorded in some of the control devices 220.

[0024] Furthermore, the collection device 200 may generate other trace data by analyzing the various trace data acquired. In this case, the collection device 200 may store both the various trace data acquired and the generated trace data in a storage medium. The storage medium may be the storage 303 of the collection device 200 (see FIG. 3) or an external storage medium connected to the collection device 200.

[0025] The switch 210 is connected to the collection device 200 and the multiple control devices 220 via a communication line such as a LAN (Local Area Network) cable. The collection device 200 can switch the control device 220 with which it communicates via the switch 210. In the example of FIG. 2, the switch 210 is connected to the collection device 200 via communication line 230D. The switch 210 is also connected to the control device 220A via communication line 230A. The switch 210 is also connected to the control device 220B via communication line 230B. The switch 210 is also connected to the control device 220C via communication line 230C.

[0026] As described above, the control panel 110 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of control devices 220 for acquiring trace data related to the power converter 100. The control panel 110 also includes a collection device 200 for collecting trace data from each of the plurality of control devices 220. The control panel 110 further includes a switch 210 that communicatively connects each of the plurality of control devices 220 to the collection device 200. The collection device 200 collects trace data from one or more control devices 220 included in the plurality of control devices 220 that are ready to transmit the trace data.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the collection device 200. The collection device 200 includes a processor 301, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 302, a storage 303, an external device IF (Interface) 304, an input unit 305, an output unit 306, a communication unit 307, and a bus 308. The components illustrated in Fig. 3 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the bus 308. In one aspect, the collection device 200 can realize the functions described with reference to Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 6 by executing a program on the hardware illustrated in Fig. 3.

[0028] The processor 301 may execute programs for implementing various functions of the collection device 200. The processor 301 may be configured, for example, with at least one integrated circuit. According to an embodiment, the integrated circuit may include at least one central processing unit (CPU), at least one graphics processing unit (GPU), at least one field programmable gate array (FPGA), at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), at least one artificial intelligence (AI) chip, or a combination thereof.

[0029] RAM 302 functions as a workspace for processor 301. RAM 302 stores programs executed by processor 301 and data referenced by processor 301. In one aspect, RAM 302 can be realized by a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), or the like.

[0030] Storage 303 is a non-volatile memory that stores programs executed by processor 301 and data referenced by processor 301. Processor 301 executes programs read from storage 303 to RAM 302 and references data read from storage 303 to RAM 302. In one aspect, storage 303 can be realized by a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, or the like.

[0031] The external device IF 304 can be connected to any external device such as a printer, a scanner, an external HDD, etc. In one aspect, the external device IF 304 can be realized by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) terminal or the like.

[0032] Input unit 305 can be connected to any input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a touchpad, a gamepad, etc. In one aspect, input unit 305 can be realized by a USB terminal, a PS / 2 terminal, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module, etc.

[0033] Output unit 306 can be connected to any output device such as a cathode ray tube display, a liquid crystal display, an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, etc. In one aspect, output unit 306 can be realized by a USB terminal, a D-sub terminal, a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) terminal, an HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) terminal, a DisplayPort terminal, etc.

[0034] Communication unit 307 is connected to other devices via a wired network or a wireless network. In one aspect, communication unit 307 may be implemented by a wired local area network (LAN) port, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) (Wireless Fidelity) module, or the like. In another aspect, communication unit 307 may transmit and receive data using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol).

[0035] In one aspect, the collection device 200 may store the trace data in the storage 303. In another aspect, the collection device 200 may store the trace data in an external storage medium connected via the external device IF 304. As an example, the external storage medium may be a USB memory, an external HDD, an external SSD, or any other medium. Furthermore, in another aspect, the collection device 200 may transmit the trace data to an external device via the communication unit 307.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 220. The control device 220 includes a control unit 401, a memory 402, a first communication unit 403, a second communication unit 404, and a bus 405. The components illustrated in FIG. 4 are configured to be able to communicate with each other via the bus 405. In one aspect, the control device 220 can implement each function described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 7 by executing a program on the hardware illustrated in FIG. 4. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the control device 220 can be implemented by hardware.

[0037] The control unit 401 may execute programs for implementing various functions of the control device 220. The control unit 401 may be configured, for example, with at least one integrated circuit. According to an embodiment, the integrated circuit may include at least one CPU, at least one GPU, at least one FPGA, at least one ASIC, at least one AI chip, or a combination thereof. The control unit 401 may also include a read-only memory (ROM) (not shown) that stores programs, and a random access memory (RAM) (not shown) that functions as a workspace. In this case, the control unit 401 executes the programs read from the ROM to the RAM using a processor or the like.

[0038] The memory 402 temporarily stores the trace data. For example, the control device 220 may determine that the trace data is ready to be sent to the collection device 200 based on the amount of trace data that has been accumulated in the memory 402 in advance being equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0039] The first communication unit 403 is an interface for communicating with the main circuit board 120. The first communication unit 403 can be connected to multiple signal lines. The control device 220 transmits a pulse signal to the main circuit board 120 via the first communication unit 403. The control device 220 also collects trace data from the main circuit board 120 via the first communication unit 403.

[0040] The second communication unit 404 is an interface for communicating with the collection device 200 via the switch 210. The second communication unit 404 can be connected to, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable. Also, the second communication unit 404 can transmit and receive data using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP or UDP.

[0041] <B. Trace Data Collection Procedure>

[0042] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a communication sequence for the collection device 200 to collect trace data from a plurality of control devices 220. The collection device 200 collects trace data from each control device 220 in order according to the following communication sequence. In the example of FIG. 5, there are three control devices 220, but this is only an example. The collection device 200 can collect trace data from any number of control devices 220. In the following description, it is assumed that only the control device 220B has completed the preparation for transmitting trace data. That is, it is assumed that the control devices 220A and 220C have not completed the preparation for transmitting trace data.

[0043] In step S510, the collection device 200 transmits a status confirmation message to the control device 220A. In step S520, the control device 220A returns a status response message in response to receiving the status confirmation message. The status response message includes information indicating whether the preparation for transmitting trace data has been completed. In this example, it is assumed that the control device 220A has not completed the preparation for transmitting trace data. In this case, the control device 220A transmits a status response message indicating that the preparation for transmitting trace data has not been completed to the collection device 200.

[0044] More specifically, the control device 220A determines whether the trace data is ready to be transmitted. As an example, the control device 220A may determine whether the amount of trace data stored in the memory 402 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If the amount of trace data stored in the memory 402 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold, the control device 220A may determine that the trace data is ready to be transmitted. Conversely, if the amount of trace data stored in the memory 402 is less than the predetermined threshold, the control device 220A may determine that the trace data is not ready to be transmitted. The control device 220A generates and transmits a status response message depending on the result of the determination.

[0045] The collection device 200 receives a status response message from the control device 220A, and by referring to the status response message, the collection device 200 detects that the control device 220A has not yet completed preparation for transmitting trace data.

[0046] In step S530, the collection device 200 transmits a status confirmation message to the control device 220B. In step S540, the control device 220B replies with a status response message in response to receiving the status confirmation message. In this example, it is assumed that the control device 220B has completed preparations for transmitting trace data. In this case, the control device 220B transmits a status response message to the collection device 200 indicating that preparations for transmitting trace data have been completed. In one aspect, following the status response message, the control device 220B may transmit trace data to the collection device 200. In another aspect, the control device 220B may receive a trace data request message from the collection device 200. In this case, the control device 220B transmits trace data to the collection device 200 based on receiving the trace data request message.

[0047] The collection device 200 receives a status response message from the control device 220B. Then, the collection device 200 references the status response message to detect that the control device 220B has completed preparations to transmit trace data. In one aspect, the collection device 200 may receive trace data following the status response message. In another aspect, the collection device 200 may send a trace data request message to the control device 220B separately from the status confirmation message. In this case, the collection device 200 receives trace data from the control device 220B as a response to the trace data request message.

[0048] In step S550, the collection device 200 transmits a status confirmation message to the control device 220C. In step S560, the control device 220C replies with a status response message in response to receiving the status confirmation message. In this example, it is assumed that the control device 220C has not yet completed preparations for transmitting trace data. In this case, the control device 220C transmits a status response message to the collection device 200 indicating that preparations for transmitting trace data have not yet completed.

[0049] The collection device 200 receives a status response message from the control device 220C, and by referring to the status response message, the collection device 200 detects that the control device 220C has not yet completed preparation for transmitting trace data.

[0050] The collection device 200 and each of the plurality of control devices 220 repeatedly execute the above-described communication steps S510 to S560 at regular intervals. In one aspect, the collection device 200 may communicate with each of the plurality of control devices 220 in a predetermined order. In another aspect, the collection device 200 may communicate with each of the plurality of control devices 220 based on the order of the ports of the switch 210.

[0051] In one aspect, each of the multiple control devices 220 may delete the trace data transmitted to the collection device 200 from the memory 402. In another aspect, each of the multiple control devices 220 may store the trace data transmitted to the collection device 200 in the memory 402 as a backup for a certain period of time.

[0052] 5, the collection device 200 transmits a status confirmation message to each of the plurality of control devices 220. In response to receiving the status confirmation message, each of the plurality of control devices 220 transmits a status response to the collection device 200 indicating whether preparation for transmission of the trace data is complete.

[0053] In one aspect, when each of the plurality of control devices 220 receives a status confirmation message and is ready to transmit trace data, it may transmit the trace data to the collection device 200 following a status response.

[0054] 5 can be realized by the collection device 200 and each of the plurality of control devices 220 executing a program. The trace data collection method includes acquiring trace data related to the power converter 100 by the plurality of control devices 220. The trace data collection method also includes transmitting a status confirmation message from the collection device 200 to each of the plurality of control devices 220. The trace data collection method also includes receiving, in the collection device 200, a status response from each of the plurality of control devices 220 indicating whether preparation for transmission of the trace data is complete. The trace data collection method also includes collecting, in the collection device 200, trace data from one or more control devices 220 included in the plurality of control devices 220 that have completed preparation for transmission of the trace data.

[0055] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a procedure for collecting trace data in collection device 200. In one aspect, processor 301 may read a program for executing the processing shown in FIG. 6 from storage 303 to RAM 302 and execute the program. In another aspect, some or all of the processing may be realized as a combination of circuit elements configured to execute the processing.

[0056] In step S610, the collection device 200 transmits a status confirmation message to one of the plurality of control devices 220. The collection device 200 may select a control device 220 to communicate with based on a predetermined order, the order of ports of the switch 210, or the like.

[0057] In step S620, the collection device 200 determines whether or not a status response message has been received from the control device 220 that sent the status confirmation message. If the collection device 200 determines that a status response message has been received (YES in step S620), the collection device 200 transfers control to step S630. If not (NO in step S620), the collection device 200 transfers control to step S670.

[0058] In step S630, the collection device 200 determines whether or not trace data has been received from the control device 220 that sent the status confirmation message. If the control device 220 is ready to send the trace data, it may send the trace data to the collection device 200 after sending a status response message. If the collection device 200 determines that trace data has been received (YES in step S630), it transfers control to step S640. If not (NO in step S630), the collection device 200 transfers control to step S650.

[0059] In step S640, the collection device 200 stores the received trace data. In one aspect, the collection device 200 may store the trace data in the storage 303. In another aspect, the collection device 200 may store the trace data in an external storage medium such as a USB memory. In another aspect, the collection device 200 may store the trace data in both the storage 303 and the external storage medium. In yet another aspect, the collection device 200 may transmit the trace data to another device such as the higher-level device 130.

[0060] In step S650, the collection device 200 determines whether it has communicated with all of the control devices 220. If it has determined that it has communicated with all of the control devices 220, the collection device 200 transfers control to step S660. If not (NO in step S650), the collection device 200 transfers control to step S610. In the next step S610, the collection device 200 transmits a status confirmation message to any of the control devices 220 with which it has not yet communicated.

[0061] In step S660, the collection device 200 waits for a certain period of time. More specifically, since the collection device 200 has communicated with all of the control devices 220, the collection device 200 waits until the next communication timing. Each of the multiple control devices 220 accumulates trace data during this time.

[0062] In step S670, the collection device 200 generates and records an error log. As an example, the error log may include the IP address of the control device 220 with which communication failed, a timestamp, and information indicating the type of error. In one aspect, the collection device 200 may generate and record a communication log with each control device 220 regardless of the occurrence of an error. Assume that the collection device 200 detects a communication error based on the error log or communication log. In this case, the collection device 200 may reattempt communication with the control device 220 with which communication failed after a predetermined period has elapsed.

[0063] In one aspect, the collecting device 200 may store each log in the storage 303. In another aspect, the collecting device 200 may store each log in an external storage medium such as a USB memory. In another aspect, the collecting device 200 may store each log in both the storage 303 and the external storage medium. In yet another aspect, the collecting device 200 may transmit each log to another device such as the storage host device 130. Here, each log includes an error log and a communication log generated by the collecting device 200.

[0064] 6, the collection device 200 records a communication log with each of the plurality of control devices 220. If the collection device 200 detects a communication error based on the communication log, the collection device 200 may re-communicate with the control device 220 with which communication failed after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0065] 7 is a diagram showing an example of a procedure for collecting trace data in each of multiple control devices 220. In one aspect, control unit 401 may read a program for executing the processing shown in FIG. 7 from ROM to RAM and execute the program. In another aspect, some or all of the processing may be realized as a combination of circuit elements configured to execute the processing.

[0066] In step S710, each of the multiple control devices 220 collects trace data from the main circuit board 120. Each of the multiple control devices 220 may also process some data to generate trace data. As an example, each of the multiple control devices 220 may analyze data acquired from the main circuit board 120 to generate trace data. Furthermore, each of the multiple control devices 220 waits for a status confirmation message to be transmitted.

[0067] In step S720, each of the plurality of control devices 220 determines whether it has received a status confirmation message within a certain period of time. In one aspect, the certain period of time may be at least as long as the time required for the collection device 200 to communicate with all of the control devices 220. If each of the plurality of control devices 220 determines that it has received a status confirmation message within the certain period of time (YES in step S720), it transfers control to step S730. If not (NO in step S720), each of the plurality of control devices 220 transfers control to step S760.

[0068] In step S730, each of the plurality of control devices 220 determines whether preparation for transmission of trace data is complete. If each of the plurality of control devices 220 determines that preparation for transmission of trace data is complete (YES in step S730), it transfers control to step S740. If not (NO in step S730), each of the plurality of control devices 220 transfers control to step S750.

[0069] In step S740, each of the plurality of control devices 220 transmits a status response message and trace data to the collection device 200. The status response message at this time indicates that preparation for transmission of the trace data is complete. In one aspect, each of the plurality of control devices 220 may transmit only a status response message to the collection device 200. In this case, each of the plurality of control devices 220 transmits trace data to the collection device 200 based on receiving a trace data request message from the collection device 200.

[0070] In step S750, each of the plurality of control devices 220 transmits a status response message to the collection device 200. At this time, the status response message indicates that preparation for transmission of trace data is not complete.

[0071] In step S760, each of the plurality of control devices 220 generates and records an error log. The error log indicates that communication with the collection device 200 has failed. In other words, the error log indicates that there is an abnormality in the communication path or the collection device 200. Each of the plurality of control devices 220 may store the error log in memory 402.

[0072] In step S770, each of the multiple control devices 220 notifies the host device 130 of an error message. The message may include an error log. The staff member monitoring the host device 130 refers to the error message sent from one of the multiple control devices 220. This allows the staff member to notice any abnormalities in the collection device 200 or the communication path.

[0073] 7, each of the plurality of control devices 220 records a communication log with the collection device 200. Furthermore, when each of the plurality of control devices 220 detects a communication error based on the communication log, it transmits an error message to the upper device 130.

[0074] <C.まとめ>

[0075] As described above, the control panel 110 according to this embodiment acquires trace data related to the power converter 100 from the main circuit panel 120 and the like using the multiple control devices 220. The control panel 110 can also collect trace data from each of the multiple control devices 220 using the collection device 200. In this way, the control panel 110 can collect or aggregate the trace data acquired individually by each of the multiple control devices 220 in one location.

[0076] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. Furthermore, the disclosures described in the embodiments and each modification are intended to be implemented, as far as possible, either alone or in combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 100 Power converter, 110 Control panel, 120 Main circuit panel, 122 Pulse signal, 124 Main circuit information, 130 Upper device, 132 Information on power converter, 134 Instruction, 200 Collector, 220, 220A, 220B, 220C Control device, 210 Switch, 230A, 230B, 230C, 230D Communication line, 301 Processor, 302 RAM, 303 Storage, 304 External device IF, 305 Input section, 306 Output section, 307 Communication section, 308, 405 Bus, 401 Control section, 402 Memory, 403 First communication section, 404 Second communication section.

Claims

1. a plurality of controllers for acquiring trace data relating to the power converter; a collection device for collecting the trace data from each of the plurality of control devices; a switch that communicatively connects each of the plurality of control devices to the collection device; The collection device collects the trace data from one or more of the control devices included in the plurality of control devices that have completed preparation for transmitting the trace data.

2. the collection device sending a status confirmation message to each of the plurality of control devices; The control panel of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of control devices transmits a status response to the collection device indicating whether or not the trace data is ready to be transmitted in response to receiving the status confirmation message.

3. 3. The control panel of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of control devices transmits the trace data to the collection device following the status response when the control device receives the status confirmation message if the trace data is ready to be transmitted.

4. The collection device Recording a communication log with each of the plurality of control devices; A control panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein if a communication error is detected based on the communication log, the control panel re-communicates with the control device with which communication failed after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

5. Each of the plurality of control devices Recording a communication log with the collection device; 4. The control panel according to claim 1, wherein when a communication error is detected based on the communication log, an error message is sent to a higher-level device connected to each of the plurality of control devices.

6. acquiring trace data relating to the power converter by a plurality of control devices; sending a status confirmation message to each of the plurality of control devices; receiving a status response from each of the plurality of control devices indicating whether the trace data is ready to be transmitted; collecting the trace data from one or more of the control devices included in the plurality of control devices that have completed preparation for transmitting the trace data.

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