Encoder and measuring system

Abstract

An encoder 100: reads a communication speed setting value stored in a memory 120 when power is turned on; sets a communication unit 130 to receive or transmit at a communication speed set by the read communication speed setting value; if a request signal for requesting transmission is received from a controller 10 via the communication unit 130, performs control such that state detection information generated by a signal processing unit 160 is transmitted to the controller 10 via the communication unit 130; and, if a communication speed setting request signal including a new communication speed setting value as data is received from the controller via the communication unit 130, stores the new communication speed setting value in the memory 120.

Description

Encoders and Measuring Systems

[0001] The present invention relates to an encoder and a measurement system, and more particularly to setting the communication speed between a controller and an encoder.

[0002] The encoder detects the state of the device to be measured, for example, the rotation angle of a motor or a wheel. Upon receiving a transmission request signal from the controller, the encoder transmits status detection information relating to the state of the device to the external controller.

[0003] The encoder stores a communication speed setting in non-volatile memory, and communicates with an external controller at a communication speed based on this communication speed setting. The communication speed setting is written to the non-volatile memory by the manufacturer before the encoder is shipped. This means that users cannot change the encoder's communication speed.

[0004] On the other hand, a technique for switching the communication speed of an encoder on the user side is disclosed in the following Patent Document 1.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-54536

[0006] As described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, by providing a command determination unit, setting unit, storage unit, etc. in the communication unit, it becomes possible for the user to switch the communication speed of the encoder. However, this requires dedicated circuits and components in the communication unit, which cannot be handled by general transmission and reception circuits, resulting in a problem of a complicated configuration.

[0007] For this reason, it is desirable to enable the user to switch the communication speed of the encoder without complicating the configuration of the communication unit.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an encoder and a measurement system that allows the user to switch the communication speed of the encoder without complicating the configuration of the communication section.

[0009] The encoder according to the present invention comprises a control unit, a non-volatile memory for storing a communication speed setting value, a sensing unit for detecting the state of the device to be measured, a signal processing unit for generating state detection information from the detection results of the sensing unit, and a communication unit for communicating with an external controller. When the control unit is powered on, it reads the communication speed setting value stored in the memory and sets the communication unit to receive or transmit at the communication speed set by the read communication speed setting value. When it receives a request signal for requesting transmission from the controller via the communication unit, it controls the state detection information generated by the signal processing unit to be sent to the controller via the communication unit. When it receives a request signal for setting communication speed from the controller via the communication unit that includes a new communication speed setting value as data, it stores the new communication speed setting value in the memory.

[0010] In the encoder of the present invention, the communication unit may have a first receiving unit that receives at a predetermined fixed first communication speed, a second receiving unit that is capable of changing the communication speed and receives at a second communication speed set by a communication speed setting value read from memory, and a transmitting unit that is capable of changing the communication speed and transmits at the second communication speed set by the communication speed setting value.

[0011] In the encoder of the present invention, the first receiving unit may receive a communication speed setting request signal including a communication speed setting value as data from the controller at a first communication speed, and the second receiving unit may receive a communication speed setting request signal including a communication speed setting value as data from the controller at a second communication speed.

[0012] In the encoder of the present invention, the communication unit may have a plurality of first receiving units that receive at a predetermined different fixed first communication speed, a plurality of second receiving units that are capable of changing the communication speed and receive at different second communication speeds set by a communication speed setting value, and a plurality of transmitting units that are capable of changing the communication speed and transmit at different second communication speeds set by a communication speed setting value.

[0013] In the encoder according to the present invention, the first communication speed of the communication unit may be set lower than the lowest value of the second communication speed.

[0014] In the encoder according to the present invention, the first communication speed of the communication unit may be set to be lower than half the lowest value of the second communication speed.

[0015] In the encoder according to the present invention, when the control unit is powered on, it may start up in a state in which it does not accept the storage of a new communication speed setting value in memory, and when it receives a request signal for permission to change the communication speed from the controller via the communication unit, it may enter a state in which it is possible to store a new communication speed setting value in memory.

[0016] In the encoder according to the present invention, the control unit may be configured to return to a state in which it is possible to store a new communication speed setting value in memory, and after storing the new communication speed setting value in memory, to a state in which it is not possible to store a new communication speed setting value in memory.

[0017] In the encoder according to the present invention, when the control unit receives a request signal for confirming the communication speed setting value from the controller via the communication unit, the control unit may read out the communication speed setting value stored in the memory and transmit the read-out communication speed setting value to the controller via the communication unit.

[0018] In the encoder of the present invention, the control unit may include a memory controller, a signal processing controller, and a switching unit, wherein the switching unit provides a transmission request signal from the communication unit to the signal processing controller, and the signal processing controller controls the transmission of status detection information to the controller via the communication unit in response to the transmission request signal, the switching unit provides a communication speed setting request signal from the communication unit to the memory controller, the communication speed setting value being included as data, the memory controller stores the new communication speed setting value in memory, and the switching unit provides a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal from the communication unit to the memory controller, and the memory controller reads the communication speed setting value stored in the memory and controls the memory controller to transmit the read communication speed setting value to the controller via the communication unit.

[0019] The measurement system according to the present invention includes a controller that communicates with an encoder, and any of the encoders described above that communicate with the controller, and the controller and encoder communicate at either a predetermined fixed first communication speed or a second communication speed based on a communication speed setting value stored in the encoder.

[0020] According to the encoder of the present invention, the communication speed of the encoder can be switched on the user side without complicating the configuration of the communication unit. According to the measurement system of the present invention, the communication speed of the encoder can be switched on the user side without complicating the configuration of the communication unit of the encoder.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a measurement system including a controller and an encoder in embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the encoder in embodiment 1 together with a speed setting value. Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a measurement system including a controller and an encoder in embodiment 2. Fig. 4 is a configuration diagram showing the encoder in embodiment 2 together with a speed setting value. Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a measurement system including a controller and an encoder in a comparative example.

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An encoder and a measurement system according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0023] First Embodiment First, the configuration of a measurement system 1 in a first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a measurement system 1 including a controller 10 and an encoder 100 in the first embodiment. Here, the controller 10 functions as a host computer, and the encoder 100 functions as a terminal device.

[0024] 1, the encoder 100 is configured to be able to communicate with an external controller 10. The encoder 100 mainly includes a control unit 110, a memory 120, a communication unit 130, a sensing unit 150, and a signal processing unit 160.

[0025] The control unit 110 includes a memory controller 111 , a signal processing controller 112 , and a switching unit 113 .

[0026] When the encoder 100 is powered on, the memory controller 111 reads the communication speed setting value stored in the memory 120 and sets the communication unit 130 to receive or transmit at the communication speed set by the read communication speed setting value. When the memory controller 111 receives a communication speed setting request signal from the controller 10 that includes a new communication speed setting value as data, the memory controller 111 stores the new communication speed setting value in the memory 120. When the memory controller 111 receives a communication speed setting request signal from the controller 10 that permits a change in communication speed from the memory 120, the memory controller 111 sets the memory 120 to a state in which the memory 120 does not accept storage of a new communication speed setting value. When the memory controller 111 receives a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal from the controller 10, the memory controller 111 reads the communication speed setting value stored in the memory 120 and transmits the read communication speed setting value to the controller 10 via the communication unit 130.

[0027] When the signal processing controller 112 receives a request signal for requesting transmission from the external controller 10 , it transmits the state detection information generated by the signal processing unit 160 to the controller 10 via the communication unit 130 .

[0028] The switching unit 113 provides the signal processing controller 112 with a transmission request signal received by the communication unit 130 from the controller 10. The switching unit 113 provides the memory controller 111 with a communication speed setting request signal received by the communication unit 130 from the controller 10 and including a new communication speed setting value as data. The switching unit 113 provides the memory controller 111 with a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal received by the communication unit 130 from the controller 10.

[0029] The memory 120 stores various setting values ​​and communication speed setting values. The memory 120 stores a new communication speed setting value under the control of the memory controller 111.

[0030] The communication unit 130 is provided with a first receiving unit 131, a second receiving unit 132, and a transmitting unit 133. The communication unit 130 communicates with the external controller 10 at a predetermined fixed first communication speed or at a second communication speed set by a communication speed setting value read from the memory 120 by the memory controller 111.

[0031] That is, the first receiving unit 131 receives from the controller 10, at a predetermined fixed first communication speed, a transmission request signal, a communication speed setting request signal containing a new communication speed setting value as data, a communication speed change permission request signal, and a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal. The second receiving unit 132 is configured to be able to change the communication speed. The second receiving unit 132 receives from the controller 10, at a second communication speed set by the communication speed setting value read from the memory 120 by the memory controller 111, a transmission request signal, a communication speed setting request signal containing a new communication speed setting value as data, a communication speed change permission request signal, and a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal. The transmitting unit 133 is configured to be able to change the communication speed. The transmitting unit 133 transmits to the controller 10, at the communication speed set by the communication speed setting value read from the memory 120 by the memory controller 111, the status detection information generated by the signal processing unit 160 and the communication speed setting value read from the memory 120.

[0032] The sensing unit 150 magnetically or optically detects the state of the measurement target device, for example, the rotation angle of a motor or a wheel, and supplies the detection result regarding the state of the measurement target device to the signal processing unit 160.

[0033] The signal processing unit 160 processes the detection results of the sensing unit 150 and generates state detection information including the position, angle, or speed. The state detection information generated by the signal processing unit 160 is transmitted to the controller 10 via the communication unit 130 under the control of the signal processing controller 112 in response to a transmission request signal from the controller 10.

[0034] Comparative Example: Here, the configuration of a measurement system 1x as a comparative example to the measurement system 1 in the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a measurement system 1x including a controller 10x and an encoder 100x in the comparative example. In FIG. 5, in the configuration of the measurement system 1x, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and components different from those in FIG. 1 are given an "x" at the end of the reference numeral. Therefore, redundant explanations will be omitted, and the explanation will focus on the parts that are different from FIG. 1.

[0035] 5, the encoder 100x is configured to be able to communicate with an external controller 10x. The encoder 100x mainly includes a control unit 110x, a memory 120x, a communication unit 130x, a sensing unit 150, and a signal processing unit 160.

[0036] The control unit 110x includes a memory controller 111x and a signal processing controller 112.

[0037] Before the encoder 100x is shipped, the memory 120x stores the communication speed setting value via a dedicated port or the like indicated by the dashed line in Fig. 5. After the encoder 100x is shipped, the memory 120x cannot store a new communication speed setting value via the memory controller 111x.

[0038] When the power of the encoder 100x is turned on, the memory controller 111x reads the communication speed setting value stored in the memory 120x and sets the communication unit 130x to receive or transmit at the communication speed set by the read communication speed setting value.

[0039] The communication unit 130x includes a receiving unit 132x and a transmitting unit 133. The communication unit 130x communicates with the external controller 10x at a communication speed set by the communication speed setting value read from the memory 120x by the memory controller 111x. That is, the receiving unit 132x receives a transmission request signal from the controller 10x at the communication speed set by the communication speed setting value read from the memory 120x by the memory controller 111x. The transmitting unit 133 transmits the status detection information generated by the signal processing unit 160 to the controller 10x at the communication speed set by the communication speed setting value read from the memory 120x by the memory controller 111x.

[0040] 5 communicates with an external controller 10x via a communication unit 130x that has a communication speed setting value stored in a non-volatile memory 120x. The communication speed setting value is written to the memory 120x by the manufacturer before shipping the encoder 100x. Therefore, the user cannot change or switch the communication speed of the encoder 100x.

[0041] [Operation of encoder 100 in embodiment 1] Below, the operation of encoder 100 will be explained separately for when power is turned on, when a request signal for a transmission request is received, when a request signal for setting a communication speed is received, when a request signal for permission to change the communication speed is received, and when a request signal for confirming the communication speed setting value is received.

[0042] Here, the transmission request signal is a general request signal known as RTS (Request To Send), which requests the controller 10 to transmit status detection information generated by the signal processing unit 160 based on the detection results of the sensing unit 150. The communication speed setting request signal is a signal from the controller 10 that contains, as data, a new communication speed setting value to be stored in the memory 120. The communication speed change permission request signal is a signal that cancels a state that does not accept the storage of a new communication speed setting value in the memory 120, thereby enabling the memory 120 to store a new communication speed setting value. The communication speed setting value confirmation request signal is a signal that requests the controller 10 to transmit the communication speed setting value read from the memory 120. The communication speed setting request signal, the communication speed change permission request signal, and the communication speed setting value confirmation request signal are signals that are realized by partially modifying or expanding the bits that constitute a general transmission request request signal.

[0043] When power is turned on: When power is turned on to the encoder 100, the control unit 110 initializes each section and performs the following initial operation. As the initial operation, the memory controller 111 reads out the communication speed setting value stored in the memory 120, sets the second receiving section 132 to receive at the second communication speed set by the read communication speed setting value, and sets the transmitting section 133 to transmit at the second communication speed set by the read communication speed setting value.

[0044] When a transmission request signal is received: When a transmission request signal is transmitted from the controller 10 at a predetermined fixed first communication speed, the first receiving unit 131 receives the transmission request signal at the predetermined fixed first communication speed. On the other hand, when a transmission request signal is transmitted from the controller 10 at a second communication speed, the second receiving unit 132 receives the transmission request signal at the second communication speed. The switching unit 113 provides the transmission request signal received by the first receiving unit 131 or the transmission request signal from the controller 10 received by the second receiving unit 132 to the signal processing controller 112. When the signal processing controller 112 receives the transmission request signal from the controller 10 via the switching unit 113, it transmits state detection information generated by the signal processing unit 160 based on the detection result of the sensing unit 150 from the transmitting unit 133 to the controller 10 at the second communication speed.

[0045] When a request signal for permission to change communication speed is received: When the encoder 100 is powered on, the memory controller 111 may start up in a state where it does not accept the storage of a new communication speed setting value in the memory 120 in order to prevent malfunction or improve reliability. When a request signal for permission to change communication speed is transmitted from the controller 10 at a predetermined fixed first communication speed, the first receiving unit 131 receives the request signal for permission to change communication speed at the predetermined fixed first communication speed. On the other hand, when a request signal for permission to change communication speed is transmitted from the controller 10 at a second communication speed, the second receiving unit 132 receives the request signal for permission to change communication speed at the second communication speed. The switching unit 113 provides the memory controller 111 with the request signal for permission to change communication speed received by the first receiving unit 131 or the request signal for permission to change communication speed from the controller 10 received by the second receiving unit 132. When the memory controller 111 receives a request signal for permission to change the communication speed from the controller 10 via the switching unit 113, it cancels the state in which it does not accept the storage of a new communication speed setting value in the memory 120 and makes it possible to store a new communication speed setting value in the memory 120. Therefore, since the memory controller 111 is in a state in which it does not accept the storage of a new communication speed setting value in the memory 120 until it receives a request signal for permission to change the communication speed from the controller 10, it is possible to protect the communication speed setting value in the memory 120 and improve reliability. After making it possible to store a new communication speed setting value in the memory 120 in response to the request signal for permission to change the communication speed, the memory controller 111 may return to a state in which it does not accept the storage of a new communication speed setting value in the memory 120 after a certain time has elapsed or after storing the new communication speed setting value in the memory 120.

[0046] When a communication speed setting request signal is received: When a communication speed setting request signal is transmitted from the controller 10 at a predetermined fixed first communication speed, the first receiving unit 131 receives the communication speed setting request signal at the predetermined fixed first communication speed. On the other hand, when a communication speed setting request signal is transmitted from the controller 10 at a second communication speed, the second receiving unit 132 receives the communication speed setting request signal at the second communication speed. The switching unit 113 provides the communication speed setting request signal received by the first receiving unit 131 or the communication speed setting request signal received from the controller 10 at the second receiving unit 132 to the memory controller 111. When the memory controller 111 receives the communication speed setting request signal from the controller 10 via the switching unit 113, it stores a new communication speed setting value included as data in the communication speed setting request signal in the memory 120. In this case, the memory controller 111 overwrites the communication speed setting value already stored in the memory 120 with the new communication speed setting value.

[0047] When a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal is received: When a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal is transmitted from the controller 10 at a predetermined fixed first communication speed, the first receiving unit 131 receives the communication speed setting value confirmation request signal at the predetermined fixed first communication speed. On the other hand, when a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal is transmitted from the controller 10 at a second communication speed, the second receiving unit 132 receives the communication speed setting value confirmation request signal at the second communication speed. The switching unit 113 provides the communication speed setting value confirmation request signal received by the first receiving unit 131 or the communication speed setting value confirmation request signal from the controller 10 received by the second receiving unit 132 to the memory controller 111. When the memory controller 111 receives the communication speed setting value confirmation request signal from the controller 10 via the switching unit 113, it reads the communication speed setting value stored in the memory 120 and transmits the read communication speed setting value to the controller 10 from the transmitting unit 133 at the second communication speed. In a specific usage mode, when the controller 10 does not recognize the communication speed setting value stored in the memory 120 of the encoder 100, the controller 10 transmits a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal to the encoder 100 at a fixed first communication speed. In response to this, the encoder 100 transmits the communication speed setting value read from the memory 120 to the controller 10. As a result, the controller 10 can reliably know the communication speed setting value of the encoder 100.

[0048] [Specific Example of Communication Speed ​​Setting in Encoder 100 of First Embodiment] A specific example of communication speed setting by the communication unit 130 in the encoder 100 will be described below with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the encoder 100 of the first embodiment together with the speed setting value. The first receiving unit 131 receives a transmission request request signal, a communication speed setting request signal containing a new communication speed setting value as data, a communication speed change permission request signal, and a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal from the controller 10 at a predetermined fixed first communication speed of 0.5 Mbps. The second receiving unit 132 receives a transmission request request signal, a communication speed setting request signal containing a new communication speed setting value as data, a communication speed change permission request signal, and a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal from the controller 10 at a second communication speed within a range of 1.25 Mbps to 10 Mbps set by the communication speed setting value. The transmitting unit 133 transmits the status detection information generated by the signal processing unit 160 and the communication speed setting value read from the memory 120 to the controller 10 at a second communication speed within the range of 1.25 Mbps to 10 Mbps set by the communication speed setting value.

[0049] In the above specific example, the first communication speed is set lower than the minimum value of the second communication speed so that the controller 10 and the encoder 100 can communicate reliably. On the other hand, the second communication speed is set higher than the first communication speed so that the responsiveness of the encoder 100 can be improved. If the first communication speed and the second communication speed overlap, the first receiving unit 131 and the second receiving unit 132 will receive signals simultaneously, which is undesirable. Therefore, the first communication speed is set lower than the minimum value of the second communication speed so that the first communication speed and the second communication speed do not overlap. The first communication speed is set lower than half the minimum value of the second communication speed so that the first receiving unit 131 does not respond in a cycle half the minimum value of the second communication speed.

[0050] [Effects Obtained by First Embodiment] The encoder 100 of the first embodiment includes a control unit 110, a non-volatile memory 120 that stores a communication speed setting value, a sensing unit 150 that detects the state of the device to be measured, a signal processing unit 160 that generates state detection information from the detection result of the sensing unit 150, and a communication unit 130 that communicates with an external controller 10. When the control unit 110 is powered on, it reads the communication speed setting value stored in the memory 120 and sets the transmission unit 133 in the communication unit 130 to receive or transmit at the communication speed set by the read communication speed setting value. When the control unit 110 receives a transmission request signal from the controller 10 via the first receiving unit 131 or the second receiving unit 132 in the communication unit 130, it controls the state detection information generated by the signal processing unit 160 to be transmitted to the controller 10 via the transmission unit 133 in the communication unit 130. When the control unit 110 receives a communication speed setting request signal including a new communication speed setting value as data from the controller 10 via the first receiving unit 131 or the second receiving unit 132 in the communication unit 130, the control unit 110 performs control to store the new communication speed setting value in the memory 120. According to the encoder 100 described above, it becomes possible for the user to switch the communication speed of the encoder 100 from the controller 10 without complicating the configuration of the communication unit 130. According to the measurement system 1 having the controller 10 and the encoder 100 described above, it becomes possible for the user to switch the communication speed of the encoder 100 from the controller 10 without complicating the configuration of the communication unit 130 of the encoder 100.

[0051] In the encoder 100 of the first embodiment, the communication unit 130 includes a first receiving unit 131 that receives at a fixed first communication speed, a second receiving unit 132 that receives at a second communication speed set by a communication speed setting value, and a transmitting unit 133 that transmits at the second communication speed set by the communication speed setting value. With this configuration, the controller 10 can transmit a transmission request signal, a communication speed setting request signal, a communication speed change permission request signal, and a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal to the encoder 100 at either the slow but reliable first communication speed or a second communication speed faster than the first communication speed. Meanwhile, the encoder 100 can transmit the status detection information and the stored communication speed setting value to the controller 10 at the second communication speed faster than the first communication speed.

[0052] In the encoder 100 of the first embodiment, the first receiving unit 131 receives a communication speed setting request signal containing a communication speed setting value as data from the controller 10 at a first communication speed, and the second receiving unit 132 receives a communication speed setting request signal containing a communication speed setting value as data from the controller 10 at a second communication speed. With this configuration, in the encoder 100, either the first receiving unit 131 or the second receiving unit 132 can reliably receive the communication speed setting request signal from the controller 10 depending on the communication speed on the controller 10 side.

[0053] In the encoder 100 of the first embodiment, the first communication speed of the communication unit 130 is set to be lower than the lowest value of the second communication speed. Therefore, the first communication speed, which is lower than the lowest value of the second communication speed, allows reliable communication between the controller 10 and the encoder 100. On the other hand, the second communication speed is set to be higher than the first communication speed, which allows the responsiveness of the encoder 100 to be improved.

[0054] In the encoder 100 of the first embodiment, the first communication speed of the communication unit 130 is set to be lower than half the minimum value of the second communication speed, which prevents the first receiving unit 131 from responding at a cycle half the minimum value of the second communication speed.

[0055] In the encoder 100 of the first embodiment, when power is turned on, the memory controller 111 starts up in a state in which it does not accept the storage of a new communication speed setting value in the memory 120. Then, when it receives a communication speed change permission request signal from the controller 10 via the communication unit 130, the memory controller 111 enters a state in which it is possible to store a new communication speed setting value in the memory 120. Therefore, until it receives a communication speed change permission request signal from the controller 10, it is in a state in which it does not accept the storage of a new communication speed setting value in the memory 120, and therefore the communication speed setting value in the memory 120 can be protected and reliability can be improved.

[0056] In the encoder 100 of the first embodiment, a request signal for permission to change the communication speed allows storage in the memory 120, and after a new communication speed setting value is stored in the memory 120, the memory controller 111 returns to a state in which it does not accept the storage of a new communication speed setting value in the memory 120. Therefore, after a new communication speed setting value is stored in the memory 120, the memory controller 111 again returns to a state in which it does not accept the storage of a new communication speed setting value in the memory 120, thereby protecting the communication speed setting value in the memory 120 and improving reliability.

[0057] In the encoder 100 of the first embodiment, when the memory controller 111 receives a request signal for confirming the communication speed setting value from the controller 10, it transmits the communication speed setting value stored in the memory 120 to the controller 10. This allows the controller 10 to reliably know the communication speed setting value of the encoder 100 even if the controller 10 does not recognize the communication speed setting value stored in the memory 120 of the encoder 100.

[0058] In the measurement system 1 of the first embodiment, the controller 10 and the encoder 100 communicate at either a predetermined fixed first communication speed or a second communication speed based on a communication speed setting value stored in the encoder 100. This allows communication between the controller 10 and the encoder 100 to be performed depending on the situation, either at the fixed and slow first communication speed, or at the high-speed second communication speed based on the communication speed setting value stored in the memory 120 of the encoder 100.

[0059] Second Embodiment Next, the configuration of a measurement system 1 in a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of a measurement system 1 including an encoder 100 in a second embodiment. In Fig. 3, the same components as those in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and components different from those in Fig. 1 are given the suffix "a" or "b". Therefore, redundant explanations will be omitted, and the explanation will focus on the parts that are different from Fig. 1.

[0060] [Configuration of encoder 100 in embodiment 2] In Figure 3, the communication unit 130 is provided with a plurality of first receiving units 131a, 131b that receive at a predetermined different fixed first communication speed, a plurality of second receiving units 132a, 132b that receive at different second communication speeds set by a communication speed setting value, and a plurality of transmitting units 133a, 133b that transmit at different second communication speeds set by a communication speed setting value.

[0061] [Specific Example of Communication Speed ​​Setting in Encoder 100 of Embodiment 2] A specific example of communication speed setting by the communication unit 130 in the encoder 100 will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a configuration diagram showing the encoder 100 of Embodiment 2 together with the speed setting value. The first receiving unit 131a receives a transmission request request signal, a communication speed setting request signal containing a new communication speed setting value as data, a communication speed change permission request signal, and a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal from the controller 10 at a predetermined fixed first communication speed of 0.2 Mbps. The first receiving unit 131b receives a transmission request request signal, a communication speed setting request signal containing a new communication speed setting value as data, a communication speed change permission request signal, and a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal from the controller 10 at a predetermined fixed first communication speed of 0.5 Mbps.

[0062] The second receiving unit 132a receives a transmission request signal, a communication speed setting request signal containing a new communication speed setting value as data, a communication speed change permission request signal, and a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal from the controller 10 at a second communication speed within a range of 1.25 Mbps to 10 Mbps set by the communication speed setting value. The second receiving unit 132b receives a transmission request signal, a communication speed setting request signal containing a new communication speed setting value as data, a communication speed change permission request signal, and a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal from the controller 10 at a second communication speed within a range of 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps set by the communication speed setting value.

[0063] The transmitting unit 133a transmits the status detection information generated by the signal processing unit 160 and the communication speed setting value read from the memory 120 to the controller 10 at a second communication speed within the range of 1.25 Mbps to 10 Mbps set by the communication speed setting value. The transmitting unit 133b transmits the status detection information generated by the signal processing unit 160 and the communication speed setting value read from the memory 120 to the controller 10 at a second communication speed within the range of 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps set by the communication speed setting value.

[0064] The first receiving units 131a and 131b are configured with circuit configurations and elements suitable for their respective communication speed ranges. Similarly, the second receiving units 132a and 132b are configured with circuit configurations and elements suitable for their respective communication speed ranges. Similarly, the transmitting units 133a and 133b are configured with circuit configurations and elements suitable for their respective communication speed ranges. Therefore, by dividing the first receiving units 131a and 131b, the second receiving units 132a and 132b, and the transmitting units 133a and 133b into medium-speed and high-speed units, it is possible to more easily accommodate a wide range of communication speeds than by using a single first receiving unit 131, a single second receiving unit 132, and a single transmitting unit 133.

[0065] 3 and 4, the number of first receiving units 131a and 131b, the number of second receiving units 132a and 132b, and the number of transmitting units 133a and 133b are shown as two. However, it is also possible to set the number of receiving units to three or more, and receive and transmit at low, medium, high, and ultra-high speeds. In this case, too, by configuring the circuit configuration and elements suitable for each communication speed range, it becomes possible to efficiently support wideband communication speeds.

[0066] [Effects Obtained by Embodiment 2] In the encoder 100 of Embodiment 2, the communication unit 130 includes a plurality of first receiving units 131a and 131b, a plurality of second receiving units 132a and 132b, and a plurality of transmitting units 133a and 133b. Here, the plurality of first receiving units 131a and 131b receive at different fixed first communication speeds that are determined in advance. The plurality of second receiving units 132a and 132b receive at different second communication speeds that are set by a communication speed setting value. The plurality of transmitting units 133a and 133b transmit at different second communication speeds that are set by a communication speed setting value. The plurality of first receiving units 131a and 131b, the plurality of second receiving units 132a and 132b, and the plurality of transmitting units 133a and 133b can be configured with circuit configurations and elements suitable for their respective communication speed ranges. This makes it possible to more easily accommodate broadband communication speeds than with a single first receiving unit 131, a single second receiving unit 132, and a single transmitting unit 133.

[0067] 1 Measurement system, 10 Controller, 100 Encoder, 110 Control unit, 111 Memory controller, 112 Signal processing controller, 113 Switching unit, 120 Memory, 130 Communication unit, 131, 131a, 131b First receiving unit, 132, 132a, 132b Second receiving unit, 133, 133a, 133b Transmitting unit, 150 Sensing unit, 160 Signal processing unit.

Claims

1. An encoder comprising: a control unit; a non-volatile memory for storing a communication speed setting value; a sensing unit for detecting the state of a device to be measured; a signal processing unit for generating state detection information from the detection results of the sensing unit; and a communication unit for communicating with an external controller, wherein the control unit, when powered on, reads out the communication speed setting value stored in the memory and sets the communication unit to receive or transmit at the communication speed set by the read communication speed setting value; when receiving a transmission request signal from the controller via the communication unit, controls the communication unit to send the state detection information generated by the signal processing unit to the controller via the communication unit; and when receiving a communication speed setting request signal from the controller via the communication unit, storing the new communication speed setting value in the memory.

2. The encoder of claim 1, wherein the communication unit comprises: a first receiving unit that receives at a predetermined fixed first communication speed; a second receiving unit that is capable of changing the communication speed and receives at a second communication speed set by the communication speed setting value read from the memory; and a transmitting unit that is capable of changing the communication speed and transmits at the second communication speed set by the communication speed setting value.

3. The encoder of claim 2, wherein the first receiving unit receives a communication speed setting request signal containing the communication speed setting value as data from the controller at the first communication speed, and the second receiving unit receives a communication speed setting request signal containing the communication speed setting value as data from the controller at the second communication speed.

4. The encoder of claim 1, wherein the communication unit comprises: a plurality of first receiving units that receive at a predetermined different fixed first communication speed; a plurality of second receiving units that are capable of changing the communication speed and receive at different second communication speeds set by the communication speed setting value; and a plurality of transmitting units that are capable of changing the communication speed and transmit at different second communication speeds set by the communication speed setting value.

5. The encoder according to claim 2, wherein in the communication section, the first communication speed is set lower than the lowest value of the second communication speed.

6. The encoder according to claim 2, wherein in said communication section, said first communication speed is set to be lower than half the lowest value of said second communication speed.

7. The encoder according to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts up in a state where it does not accept the storage of the new communication speed setting value in the memory when power is turned on, and when it receives a request signal for permission to change the communication speed from the controller via the communication unit, it becomes able to store the new communication speed setting value in the memory.

8. The encoder according to claim 7, wherein the control unit is in a state where storage to the memory is possible, stores the new communication speed setting value in the memory, and then returns to a state where storage of the new communication speed setting value in the memory is not accepted.

9. The encoder according to claim 1, wherein, when the control unit receives a request signal for confirming the communication speed setting value from the controller via the communication unit, the control unit reads out the communication speed setting value stored in the memory and controls the communication speed setting value to be transmitted to the controller via the communication unit.

10. The encoder according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a memory controller, a signal processing controller, and a switching unit, wherein the switching unit provides the transmission request signal from the communication unit to the signal processing controller, and the signal processing controller controls the transmission of the status detection information to the controller via the communication unit in response to the transmission request signal, the switching unit provides the memory controller with a communication speed setting request signal including the new communication speed setting value as data from the communication unit, the memory controller stores the new communication speed setting value in the memory, the switching unit provides the memory controller with a communication speed setting value confirmation request signal from the communication unit, and the memory controller reads out the communication speed setting value stored in the memory and controls the transmission of the read communication speed setting value to the controller via the communication unit.

11. A measurement system comprising: a controller that communicates with an encoder; and the encoder according to any one of claims 1 to 10 that communicates with the controller, wherein the controller and the encoder communicate at either a predetermined fixed first communication speed, or a second communication speed based on a communication speed setting value stored in the encoder.

Images