Network coupling device for a network and a network equipped with a network coupling device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a network coupling device (1) for coupling at least one device (2) to a network (N) via an electrical line (L), the network coupling device (1) comprising at least one connection unit (P1, ..., P16) for connecting the at least one device (2) to the network coupling device (1) via the electrical line (L), and at least one transmitting / receiving unit (T1, ..., T16), the at least one transmitting / receiving unit (T1, ..., T16) being associated with the at least one connection unit (P1, ..., P16) and configured to in-couple and / or out-couple at least one signal to the line (L); The present invention relates to a network coupling device (1) comprising at least one transmitting / receiving unit (T1, ..., T16) and a control unit (SE) configured to transmit at least one signal to and / or receive from the device (2) via at least one connection unit (P1, ..., P16), the network coupling device (1) comprising at least one conversion module (SM1, ..., SM4) arranged between the at least one transmitting / receiving unit (T1, ..., T16) and the control unit (SE) and configured to convert at least one signal for transmission between the control unit (SE) and the at least one transmitting / receiving unit (T1, ..., T6). The present invention further relates to a network (N) comprising a network coupling device (1).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a network coupling device for coupling a terminal device to a network, preferably an Ethernet network.

[0002] The so-called Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) places special demands on network technology for process automation, for example in the field of Industrial Ethernet in the manufacturing and process industries. On the one hand, in the future it should be possible to connect a large number of network participants, i.e., terminal devices, to a network as easily as possible, which will lead to the miniaturization of network technology. However, on the other hand, the demand for transmitting large amounts of data and therefore for high data transmission rates is also increasing, especially due to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, for example.

[0003] The special requirements of the manufacturing and process industries led to the development of the so-called Ethernet APL (Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer) standard, which describes an additional physical layer of Ethernet communication technology according to the ISO / OSI seven-layer model and thus specifies the coding of bits in electrical signals and the transmission of electrical signals (pulses). Instead of an eight-wire line with four wire pairs, a two-wire line is used. This allows, for example, many small terminal devices, such as sensors, switches, and operating elements, to be relatively easily coupled to the control network via an Ethernet switch as a coupling device. A data transmission rate of 10 Mbit / s is sufficient for such terminal devices.

[0004] Furthermore, "IEEE Std. 802.3cg TMThe "IEEE 802.11b-2019" concept defines or specifies an advanced Ethernet data transmission standard for wired communication in the area of ​​local networks (LANs), which allows for data transmission speeds of 10 Mbit / s. As already explained above, data, i.e., Ethernet signals, are transmitted via lines consisting of two single cores, i.e., two copper-based, insulated electrical wires. The trunks of such networks can be up to 1000 m long, while the spurs can be up to 200 m long. The two single cores of a single core pair are preferably twisted together. Such lines are also known as "twisted pair cables." The transmission protocol of this network standard, also known as "single pair Ethernet," is real-time capable and allows for simple and robust cable connections.

[0005] In order to provide the above-described data transmission technique using electrical signals, a semiconductor-based one-channel transmitting / receiving unit ("Physical-Layer (PHY)-Transceiver"), i.e., one-channel Ethernet transceiver, is known from the prior art, and this transceiver is compliant with IEEE 802.3cg TM It complies with the 10BASE-T1L specification, which allows Ethernet signals to be transmitted at a data rate of 10 Mbit / s over a single connected twisted pair, two-wire line, such as the Texas Instruments DP83TD510E and Analog Devices ADIN1100 single-pair Ethernet PHY chips.

[0006] However, these transceiver units of the physical layer according to the ISO / OSI 7-layer model are designed as one-channel transceiver units ("single-port transceivers") for terminal devices with only one channel and thus one external interface, but not for Ethernet switches, i.e. coupling devices with multi-channel transceiver units for high data transmission rates, e.g. 1 GBit / s, but for relatively short maximum line lengths, e.g. 100 m. Here, one channel of the transceiver unit makes a port, i.e. an external interface, available.

[0007] To provide this functionality, i.e., the functionality of a single-channel transmitting / receiving unit as described above within an Ethernet switch, additional measures are required. For example, interface converters in the form of integrated circuit programmable logic circuits ("Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs")) are used here to achieve compliance with transmission standards. However, the use of programmable logic circuits, i.e., FPGA chips, results in high development costs, as well as high manufacturing and product costs.

[0008] Furthermore, semiconductor-based control modules for Ethernet switches are known that can be directly coupled to corresponding one-channel transceiver units, but provide a significantly smaller number of channels, i.e., ports, and thus external interfaces, typically 5 channels / ports.

[0009] To increase the number of channels and thus the available ports, multiple control modules can be cascaded accordingly. However, the cascading, i.e., cascade depth, is limited by the increased latency in transmitting data, i.e., Ethernet signals, which adversely affects the reliability of data transmission.

[0010] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to at least TM To provide or develop a network coupling device, preferably a Fast Ethernet switch or a Gigabit Ethernet switch, configured to facilitate the functioning of at least one one-channel transmitting / receiving unit conforming to the -2019 data transmission standard.

[0011] This problem is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Further embodiments and applications of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and are detailed in the following description, partly with reference to the figures.

[0012] According to a first general aspect, the present invention relates to a network coupling device, preferably an Ethernet switch, for coupling at least one device, preferably a terminal device, to a network, preferably an Ethernet network, via an electrical line, the network coupling device comprising: at least one connection unit for connecting the at least one device to the network coupling device via the electrical line; at least one transceiver unit, the at least one transceiver unit being associated with the at least one connection unit and configured to couple at least one signal into and / or out of the line; and a control unit configured to transmit and / or receive at least one signal to and from the device via the at least one transceiver unit and the at least one connection unit, the network coupling device including at least one conversion module, the at least one conversion module being arranged between the at least one transceiver unit and the control unit and configured to convert at least one signal for transmission between the control unit and the at least one transceiver unit.

[0013] This makes it possible to provide a network coupling device configured, for example, as an Ethernet Gigabit switch and having at least one one-channel transceiver, which is configured to couple terminal devices requiring a relatively low data transmission rate via a two-wire line.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, it may be specified that the control unit has a control unit interface element, at least one transceiver unit has a transceiver unit interface element, the control unit is coupled to at least one conversion module via the control unit interface element, and the at least one transceiver unit is coupled to at least one conversion module via the transceiver unit interface element.

[0015] At least one conversion module allows modern network coupling devices, i.e. switches with Gigabit Ethernet compatible interfaces, to work together with available T1L transmitting / receiving units, i.e. T1L (PHY) transceivers.

[0016] The control unit interface element may be configured as an SGMII interface (Serial Gigabit Media-Independent Interface) or a QSGMII interface (Quad Serial Gigabit Media-Independent Interface) or may include SGMII and / or QSGMII interface functionality.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, the transmit / receive unit interface element may be configured as an RMII interface (Reduced Media-Independent Interface—(RMII) interface) and / or may be specified to include RMII interface functionality.

[0018] Alternatively, it is possible that the at least one conversion module has a first interface element for coupling to the control unit and a second interface element for coupling to the at least one transceiver unit, the first interface element being configured as an SGMII or QSGMII interface or including SGMII or QSGMII interface functionality, and / or the second interface element being configured as an RMII interface or including RMII interface functionality.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, it may be specified that the control unit is configured and / or formed in accordance with the Fast Ethernet data transmission standard, or preferably in accordance with the Gigabit Ethernet data transmission standard.

[0020] At least one of the transmitting and receiving units is configured and / or configured as an Ethernet physical layer (PHY) transceiver and / or is compliant with the Ethernet data transmission standard IEEE Std 802.3cg TM -2019 (10BASE T1L) and is preferably capable of providing a data transmission rate of at least 10 Mbit / s for the input and / or output coupling of at least one signal.

[0021] At least one connection unit may be configured as a port, preferably as an RJ-45 connection socket, or alternatively, as a connection socket according to other specifications and / or standards.

[0022] The network coupling device may additionally include at least one connection unit configured as a Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) port.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, it may be specified that, preferably when the transceiver unit interface element is configured as an RMII interface (Reduced Media-Independent Interface - (RMII) interface) and / or includes at least one RMII interface function, at least one conversion module is formed and / or configured to provide at least one transceiver unit with a clock of substantially 50 MHz and / or at least 50 MHz and / or operate this transceiver unit with this clock.

[0024] Thus, an external clock supply via a crystal, for example, becomes unnecessary, which can save additional components or elements of the network coupling device.

[0025] According to a second general aspect, the present invention relates to a network comprising at least one network coupling device as disclosed herein.

[0026] The above-described embodiments and features of the present invention can be combined with each other in any combination.Further or further details and advantageous effects of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a first embodiment of a network coupling device according to the prior art; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a second embodiment of a network coupling device according to the prior art; [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the schematic structure of a third embodiment of a network coupling device according to the prior art; [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of an embodiment of a network coupling device according to the present invention;

[0028] Identical or functionally equivalent components or elements are provided with the same reference numerals in the drawings, and their descriptions are partially referenced to the descriptions and / or drawings of other embodiments to avoid repetition.

[0029] The following detailed description of the embodiments shown in the drawings is used for further illustration or clarification, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

[0030] 1 to 3 each show a schematic structure of an embodiment of a network coupling device 1 known from the prior art. The description of the known network coupling device 1 shown in schematic form is limited to the key components and elements related to the physical layer according to the ISO / OSI 7-layer model.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows the schematic structure of a first embodiment of a network coupling device 1 known from the prior art and used to couple network participants to a network.

[0032] The network coupling device 1 is configured as an Ethernet switch and is compatible with, for example, the data transmission standard IEEE 802.3ab TMThe network coupling device 1 is specified as a Gigabit Ethernet switch in accordance with (1000BASE-T), a data transmission standard that uses four core pairs, and therefore eight cores, of a twisted-pair copper cable to transmit data. When coupling to an Ethernet network, the network coupling device 1 divides the Ethernet network into two segments.

[0033] The network coupling device 1 of Fig. 1 includes a control unit SE as an Ethernet switch controller. The network coupling device 1 further includes a first transceiver unit T1 and a second transceiver unit T2. Both the first transceiver unit T1 and the second transceiver unit T2 are configured to convert bits into electrical signals, i.e., electrical pulses, and are thus used to transmit and receive signals via a transmission medium, which in this case, when the network coupling device 1 is an Ethernet switch, is a copper cable in the form of a twisted pair cable. In other words, the transceiver units T1 and T2 are physical add-on chips, also referred to as "Gigabit Physical Layer (PHY) transceivers."

[0034] Each of the transmitting and receiving units T1 and T2 has eight channels each, so that the network coupling device 1 has a total of 16 connection units, namely (gigabit) ports P1 to P16 in the form of RJ45 connection sockets.

[0035] 2 shows the schematic structure of a second embodiment of a programmable network coupling device 1 according to the prior art. The network coupling device 1 is again configured as an Ethernet switch. With regard to data transmission, the network coupling device 1 complies with the standard IEEE 802.3cg TMThe network coupling device 1 of FIG. 2 is specified in accordance with or conforms to the IEEE 1003-2019 (10BASE-T1L) standard, and uses semiconductor-based programmable logic circuits LS1 and LS2. In other words, the network coupling device 1 of FIG. 2 includes two so-called "field programmable gate arrays" (FPGAs) LS1 and LS2, each of which is a programmable digital chip directly coupled to the control unit SE of the network coupling device 1 on the one hand and each of which has eight channels for coupling eight one-channel transmitting / receiving units T1, ..., T16 on the other hand. Each one-channel transmitting / receiving unit T1 to T16 is thus configured as a single-pair Ethernet PHY transceiver, each enabling a data transmission rate of 10 Mbit / s via one twisted pair, two-wire line (not shown in FIG. 2). Here again, connection units P1 to P16, configured as, for example, RJ45 connection sockets, are used to connect the twisted pair lines. Alternatively, connection sockets conforming to other specifications can also be used. As already explained above, the use of programmable logic circuits LS1, LS2, ie FPGA chips, requires both high development costs and high manufacturing and product costs.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a schematic structure of a third embodiment of a network coupling device 1 according to the prior art.

[0037] The network coupling device 1 is again configured as an Ethernet switch and complies with the data transmission standard IEEE 802.3cg TM -2019 (10BASE-T1L) or is compliant with it.

[0038] The network coupling device 1 is characterized by a cascade connection, according to which a first control unit SE1 and a second control unit SE2 are connected to each other via connection units (uplink ports) (not shown in detail in Figure 3).

[0039] Each of the control units SE1 and SE2 has four channels for coupling four one-channel transceiver units T1-T4 and T5-T8, respectively, which are again connected to corresponding connection units (e.g. ports / RJ45 connection sockets) P1-P4 and P5-P8.

[0040] Although the embodiment of the network coupling device 1 shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3 does indeed allow a data transmission rate of 10 Mbit / s, the use of two or generally more control units SE1, SE2 still introduces a certain delay in transmitting data, which increases the latency of the network coupling device 1 and of the entire network.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows a schematic structure of one embodiment of a network coupling device 1 according to the present invention.

[0042] The network coupling device 1 according to the invention is preferably configured to transmit data in the form of electrical signals, i.e. electrical pulses, in accordance with the Ethernet standard for wired networks N. The network coupling device 1 according to the invention is an Ethernet switch, which is adapted to the industrial ambient conditions of the manufacturing and process industries and offers the possibility of coupling a large number of terminal devices 2 to the network N with low requirements on data volume and / or data transmission rate, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0043] 4 shows a schematic representation of a device connectable to a network N, namely a terminal 2. The terminal 2 may comprise, for example, sensors or actuators (switches, operating elements, etc.) as field devices for controlling corresponding processes at the field level. The network N may preferably be a real-time capable control network.

[0044] The terminal device 2 is connected to the network coupling device 1 via a line L. The line L is a wired electrical line L, preferably configured as a single-pair, i.e., copper-based cable with one core pair (two-wire line). The connection, i.e., the signal communication connection between the terminal device 2 and the network coupling device 1, is made in the network coupling device 1 via a connection unit P1 of the network coupling device 1. A total of 16 connection units P1 to P16 are shown in FIG. 4. The network coupling device 1 therefore has 16 ports P1 to P16. The ports P1 to P16 may preferably be configured as RJ45 connection sockets for mechanically connecting the line L via one plug-in connection each. It is also possible for the ports P1 to P16 to be configured according to other specifications and / or standards.

[0045] The network coupling device further includes transmitting / receiving units T1 to T8 and T9 to T16. The transmitting / receiving unit T1 associated with the terminal device 2 is configured as a so-called Ethernet physical layer (PHY) transceiver and is compatible with the Ethernet data transmission standard IEEE Std 802.3cg TM -2019 (10BASE T1L). The transmitting / receiving unit T1 is configured and / or specified in accordance with ISO / OSI 7-layer model to be associated with the bit transmission layer. In other words, the transmitting / receiving unit T1 is configured to couple in at least one signal in the form of electrical pulses to the line L for transmission to the terminal device 2 in order to transmit data and thus information. The transmitting / receiving unit T1 is further configured to couple out at least one signal in the form of electrical pulses from the line L for transmission. The data transmission rate is 10 MBit / s. The at least one signal may preferably be part of a data packet to be transmitted.

[0046] The transmitting / receiving unit T1 enables full-duplex data transmission via a single twisted core pair of the electrical line L, which, as exemplarily explained above, makes it possible to couple in a relatively simple manner particularly relatively small terminal devices, for which the data transmission rates indicated above are sufficient.

[0047] The transmit / receive unit T1 includes corresponding components, elements and functions (e.g., Ethernet PHY core, input clock buffer section, output clock buffer section, control registers, subsystem registers, circuitry for monitoring voltage supplies, MAC interface, control logic, etc.) which will not be described in detail herein.

[0048] Similar to the setting of the transmitting / receiving unit T1, other transmitting / receiving units T2 to T8 and T9 to T16 are also set.

[0049] In the network coupling device 1 according to the present invention, the transmitting and receiving units T1 to T8 and T9 to T16 are one-channel transmitting and receiving units, each associated with one connection unit P1 to P16, i.e., each associated with one port P1 to P16.

[0050] The network coupling device 1 further comprises a control unit SE, which is configured to transmit and / or receive at least one signal to the device 2 via at least one transmitting / receiving unit T1 to T16 and at least one associated connection unit P1 to P16, respectively. The control unit SE is configured to transmit the at least one signal and preferably the underlying Ethernet data packets according to a corresponding clock.

[0051] The control unit SE of the network coupling device 1 is preferably specified and / or configured in accordance with Fast Ethernet or, particularly preferably, in accordance with the Gigabit Ethernet data transmission standard and is therefore configured for a data transmission rate of 100 MBit / s or 1 GBit / s.

[0052] The network coupling device 1 includes at least four conversion modules SM1 to SM4. Each conversion module SM1 to SM4 is connected to a respective transceiver unit T1 to T16 on the one hand and to a control unit SE of the network coupling device 1 on the other hand. For this purpose, the control unit SE includes a control unit interface element SES or is connected to the control unit interface element SES of the network coupling device 1. The control unit interface element SES is configured to couple the at least four conversion modules SM1 to SM4. Each conversion module SM1 to SM4 is preferably configured as a separate semiconductor-based switch chip and is coupled to the control unit SE via one uplink port (not shown specifically in FIG. 4 for clarity) via the control unit interface element SES. In other words, the control unit SE is used as a higher-level control unit SE of the network coupling device 1.

[0053] In the case of a terminal device 2 coupled to the network coupling device 1 via a line L and a connection unit P1, the conversion module SM1 is adapted to convert at least one signal for transmission from the control unit SE to the transceiver unit T1 and / or the conversion module SM1 is configured in this way, thereby enabling the transmission of data via the network coupling device 1.

[0054] The transceiver unit T1 is therefore coupled to the control unit SE via the conversion module SM1.

[0055] The control unit interface element SES is preferably configured as an SGMII (Serial Gigabit Media-Independent Interface) interface or as a QSGMII (Quad Serial Gigabit Media-Independent Interface) interface or includes an SGMII or QSGMII interface function. The transmit / receive unit interface element T1S is configured as an RMII (Reduced Media-Independent Interface) interface and / or includes an RMII interface.

[0056] The conversion module SM1 is further configurable and / or configurable to provide and / or operate each of the transceiver units T1 to T16 with a clock of substantially and / or at least 50 MHz, i.e., a signal output at a corresponding frequency can be applied to each of the transceiver units T1 to T16.

[0057] Alternatively, the conversion module SM1 has a first interface element for coupling to the at least one transceiver unit T1 and a second interface element for coupling to the control unit SE, the first interface element being configured as or including an SGMII or QSGMII interface, and the second interface element of the conversion module SM2 can be configured as or include an RMII interface.

[0058] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. On the contrary, many variations and modifications are possible which also utilize the idea of ​​the invention and therefore fall within the scope of protection. Preferably, the invention also claims protection for the subject matter and characteristic features of the dependent claims, independently of the claims referred to. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1. Network coupling device (switch) 2 Device / Terminal N Network LS1, LS2 Programmable logic circuit (FPGA) P1,...,P16 Connection unit (port) SE, SE1, SE2 control unit SES Control Unit Interface Elements SM1,…,SM4 conversion module T1,...,T16 Transceiver Unit (PHY Transceiver) T1S Transmit / Receive Unit Interface Elements

Claims

1. A network coupling device (1) for coupling at least one device (2) to a network (N) via an electrical line (L), said network coupling device (1) comprising: at least two connection units (P1, ..., P16) for connecting the at least one device (2) and the network coupling device (1) via the electrical line (L); at least two transceiver units (T1, ..., T16), each associated with one of the at least two connection units (P1, ..., P16) and configured to couple at least one signal into and / or out of the line (L); a control unit (SE) configured to transmit and / or receive said at least one signal to and from said device (2) via one of said at least two transmitting / receiving units (T1, ..., T16) and one of said at least two connecting units (P1, ..., P16), the network coupling device (1) includes at least one conversion module (SM1, ..., SM4), the at least one conversion module (SM1, ..., SM4) being arranged between the at least two transmitting / receiving units (T1, ..., T16) and the control unit (SE) and configured to convert the at least one signal for transmission between the control unit (SE) and the at least two transmitting / receiving units (T1, ..., T16); The at least one conversion module (SM1, ..., SM4) further comprises a first interface element implemented by a semiconductor-based switch component for coupling with the control unit (SE) and a second interface element for coupling with the at least two transceiver units (T1, ..., T16).

2. A network coupling device (1) as described in claim 1, wherein the at least one conversion module (SM1, ..., SM4) is respectively coupled to four transmitting / receiving units (T1, ..., T16).

3. 2. A network coupling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (SE) comprises a control unit interface element (SES), the at least two transmitting / receiving units (T1, ..., T16) each comprise a transmitting / receiving unit interface element (T1S), the control unit (SE) is coupled to the at least one conversion module (SM1, ..., SM4) via the control unit interface element (SES), and the at least two transmitting / receiving units (T1, ..., T16) are coupled to the at least one conversion module (SM1, ..., SM4) via the transmitting / receiving unit interface element (T1S).

4. 4. A network coupling device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the control unit interface element (SES) is configured as an SGMII or QSGMII interface or includes SGMII or QSGMII interface functionality.

5. 4. A network coupling device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the transmit / receive unit interface element (T1S) is configured as an RMII interface or includes RMII interface functionality.

6. A network coupling device (1) as described in claim 1, wherein the first interface element is configured as an SGMII interface or a QSGMII interface or includes an SGMII interface function or a QSGMII interface function, and / or the second interface element is configured as an RMII interface or includes an RMII interface function.

7. 2. Network coupling device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (SE) is configured according to the Fast Ethernet data transmission standard or preferably according to the Gigabit Ethernet data transmission standard.

8. 2. The network coupling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least two transmitting / receiving units (T1, ..., T16) are configured and / or configured as Ethernet physical layer (PHY) transceivers and / or configured and / or specified in accordance with the Ethernet data transmission standard IEEE Std 802.3cgTM-2019 (10BASE T1L) and provide for the input and / or output coupling of the at least one signal a data transmission rate of preferably at least up to 10 Mbit / s.

9. 2. A network coupling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least two connection units (P1, ..., P16) are configured as ports, preferably as RJ-45 connection sockets.

10. 2. The network coupling device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one conversion module (SM1, ..., SM4) is configured to provide a 50 MHz clock to said at least two transmitting / receiving units (T1, ..., T16).

11. A network (N) comprising at least one network coupling device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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