Communication device and method for operating a communication device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a communication device (10) having a bus transceiver (12) that is connected to a first bus port (32) and to a second bus port (34), wherein a first switching element (42) is arranged in the connection between the bus transceiver (12) and the first bus port (32), wherein the first bus port (32) and the second bus port (34) are set up for the connection of a first user device (22) and a second user device (24), respectively, wherein the communication device (10) is designed to be connected to the user devices (22, 24) with a star topology, and a control unit (14) for actuating the first switching element (42), wherein it is possible to activate a start-up mode of the communication device (10) in which the control unit (14) is configured to interrupt the connection of the bus transceiver (12) to the first bus port (32) by way of the first switching element (42), and in which the bus transceiver (12) is configured to transmit initialization information to a user device (24) connected to the second bus port (34). The invention furthermore relates to a system (50) comprising a communication device (10) and at least one user device (22, 24) connected to a bus port (32, 34) of the communication device (10), and to a method for operating a communication device (10), for instance a control device (10).

Description

[0001] DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js 1 / 20

[0002] COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A COMMUNICATION DEVICE

[0003] The present invention relates to a communication device, in particular a control unit. It further relates to a method for operating a communication device, such as a control unit, in particular for commissioning a device connected to the communication device.

[0004] Bus systems are widely used in many technical fields, particularly in automation technology, to control devices. For this purpose, the devices are connected to a communication device, which in turn may be integrated into a higher-level network. With communication devices that have multiple CAN ports, to which several devices can consequently be connected, the challenge arises that the participants connected to the bus system must first be assigned individual addresses in order to then perform bus communication. For this purpose, the communication device can have a separate CAN transceiver for each CAN port, which handles the initial address assignment.

[0005] For example, EP 4 319 064 A1 describes how each connected device has two transceivers. The devices are then connected in a daisy chain topology. To assign an address to each connected device, communication initially takes place only with the first connected device, which is then assigned its address. Only then does the first device activate its port, to which the next device is connected, and to which its address can then be assigned. This allows the devices to be put into operation sequentially.

[0006] In other solutions, an additional line may be provided alongside the lines for the bus connection in order to communicate with the device and, if necessary, assign it an address for bus communication.

[0007] Furthermore, settings can be made separately on each of the connected devices to assign individual addresses.

[0008] All known solutions have in common that they involve a considerable amount of effort.

[0009] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a communication device and a method for operating a communication device which have the simplest possible design and in which newly connected devices can be put into operation very easily and reliably.

[0010] This problem is solved according to the invention by a communication device having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of the independent method claim. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0011] The task is then solved by a communication device, in particular a control unit, with a bus transceiver, in particular exactly one bus transceiver, which is connected to a first bus port and to a second bus port. A first switching element is arranged in the connection between the bus transceiver and the first bus port. The first and second bus ports are configured for connecting a first and second receiving device, respectively. The communication device also has a control unit for controlling the first switching element. A commissioning mode of the communication device can be activated, in which the DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js 3 / 20

[0012] The control unit is configured to at least partially interrupt the connection of the bus transceiver to the first bus port by means of the first switching element, and the bus transceiver is configured to transmit initialization information to a subscriber device connected to the second bus port.

[0013] It can be provided that a first subscriber device is connected to the first bus port and a second subscriber device to the second bus port. However, the invention does not require that a subscriber device be connected to each bus port of the communication device.

[0014] In this context, a "bus transceiver" is understood to be an electronic circuit responsible for the bidirectional transmission of signals between a digital control unit, such as a microcontroller, and a physical data bus line. The bus transceiver converts the digital logic signals from the control unit into the appropriate voltage levels required for communication over the bus and ensures that the received signals are correctly interpreted and returned to the control unit. In particular, the bus transceiver can be configured as a CAN transceiver for communication over a CAN bus.

[0015] In particular, the communication device can have an interface through which it can be connected to a higher-level control network. This can be implemented, for example, via an Ethernet connection. This allows the communication device to be controlled by an external unit.

[0016] Furthermore, the communication device can have a power input and at least one power output, in particular several power outputs, for example one power output for each bus port, to supply the connected subscriber devices with electrical power. DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js 4 / 20

[0017] In this configuration, the communication device is designed to be connected to the subscriber devices via a star topology. In this configuration, the communication device forms the center of the network, while the connected devices, such as motors, are each directly connected to the communication device. This contrasts with certain previously known systems that implement a line topology for the bus system.

[0018] The commissioning mode of the communication device can be activated in various ways. For example, a signal from a higher-level controller can be received, and the commissioning mode can then be activated. The commissioning mode can also be activated automatically when a new device is connected, when several new devices are connected, or when a lack of communication with at least one connected device is detected.

[0019] The communication device may be configured to check whether communication is possible with all participant devices connected to the bus ports, or whether at least one of the participant devices needs to be initialized; in particular, it checks whether communication is possible via a bus connection, such as a CAN bus like CANopen.

[0020] In commissioning mode, the connection of the bus transceiver to one or more of the bus ports is interrupted, ensuring that bus communication from the bus transceiver only reaches those participating devices connected to the uninterrupted bus ports.

[0021] In particular, it may be possible for the bus transceiver to be connected to more than two bus ports. To put newly connected or otherwise uninitialized subscriber devices into operation, DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js 5 / 20 can then disconnect all but one of the bus ports to which these subscriber devices are connected from the bus transceiver. The subscriber device connected to the remaining bus port, still connected to the bus transceiver, can then be initialized. Subsequently, another bus port is newly connected to the bus transceiver, and the subscriber device connected to it is also initialized.

[0022] In particular, if the bus transceiver is assigned a number N bus ports, a reduced number N-1 of switching elements is provided. This allows all but one of the bus ports to be disconnected from the bus transceiver.

[0023] In other training systems, each bus port can be assigned at least one switching element, so that each bus port can be individually disconnected from the bus transceiver.

[0024] In particular, it can be provided that in commissioning mode, the connections to all but one bus port are initially interrupted. Furthermore, it can first be determined which uninitialized participant devices are connected to the bus ports, and the connections to all but one of these bus ports can be interrupted, so that the bus transceiver is only connected to one bus port to which an uninitialized participant device is connected.

[0025] Initializing a participant device means enabling the bus transceiver to communicate with the participant device via a bus connection, specifically using a unique device address within the bus system. An example of such a bus connection is CAN bus, particularly CANopen.

[0026] During training, the communication device is configured to communicate via CANopen with DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js 6 / 20 connected to the first and / or second bus port.

[0027] To communicate with subscriber devices. In particular, the bus transceiver of the communication device is configured for a specific type of bus communication.

[0028] In training, the initialization information transmitted from the bus transceiver to the connected participant device includes bus address information for the participant device, for example a node ID, especially for communication between the communication device and the participant device via a CAN bus or via CANopen.

[0029] During the commissioning or initialization of a connected device to the bus port, initial steps can be performed to establish a communication connection via the bus. These initial steps configure the communication device and / or the connected device to enable bus communication between them. The initial steps may include assigning a CAN address, such as a node ID, to the device. In other words, the commissioning or initialization of the connected device includes, in particular, assigning an address for communication via a bus.

[0030] In advanced training, the first and second bus ports are each connected to the bus transceiver via a first line, in particular a CAN HIGH line, and a second line, in particular a CAN LOW line. In such training, the bus transceiver is connected to the bus ports via two-wire cables. Further training may use a different type of connection, in particular one with more than two wires.

[0031] In a further configuration, the first switching element is designed to switch the first and / or second line between the first bus port and the bus transceiver, that is, to open or close the connection. In particular, the other line between the first bus port and the bus transceiver remains permanently in a conductive state.

[0032] Therefore, in a two- or multi-wire connection, it may be sufficient to partially interrupt the connection between the bus transceiver and a bus port, for example by interrupting one of several wires of the line.

[0033] Furthermore, it may be provided that the switching element interrupts or connects several or both wires of a line.

[0034] The interruption or connection of the line between the bus transceiver and a bus port is carried out by means of a switching element assigned to the bus port.

[0035] In this design, the first switching element is implemented as a relay switch or a PhotoMOS relay. A PhotoMOS relay can, in particular, be configured as an optocoupler with a bidirectional MOSFET stage in the output. A PhotoMOS relay offers a longer lifespan compared to a conventional relay switch.

[0036] In particular, the control LED of the PhotoMOS relay can be controlled via an optocoupler to achieve safety-relevant galvanic isolation. In such a configuration, an additional optocoupler is provided to achieve safety-relevant galvanic isolation in a two-stage approach. This specifically addresses the difficulty that PhotoMOS relays compliant with the relevant standards, such as VDE 0884, version 2021, are currently unavailable.

[0037] During training, the communication device is configured to accept field devices, especially motors, as participant devices, for example DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js 8 / 20

[0038] To control roller motors. Field devices are, for example, sensors or actuators used in automation technology.

[0039] During further training, instead of disconnecting the data connection between the bus transceiver and a bus port, the connected device can be switched off or otherwise deactivated. This also ensures that only a specific device is addressed on a particular bus port, while other devices connected to different bus ports are deactivated and therefore not addressed.

[0040] For example, multiple roller motors can be connected to a control unit. To initialize a CAN bus connection to the control unit, all but one of the new roller motors are switched off. The remaining motor is assigned a bus address, and then another motor is switched on or activated. This process is then repeated for each bus port with a new roller motor until all motors have been assigned a bus address.

[0041] The system comprises a communication device according to one of the preceding claims and at least one subscriber device connected to a bus port of the communication device.

[0042] The invention further relates to a method for operating a communication device. The communication device can, in particular, be configured as a control unit. It comprises one, in particular exactly one, bus transceiver and at least one first and one second bus port connected to the bus transceiver. The method is specifically designed for commissioning a device connected to the communication device. In the method, particularly in a commissioning mode of the communication device, the connection of the bus transceiver to the first bus port is at least partially interrupted. Initialization information is transmitted to a subscriber device connected to the second bus port. The initialization information includes, in particular, a bus address assigned to the connected subscriber device.Following the assignment of the bus address, bus communication can be established between the communication device and the subscriber device.

[0043] The method is specifically designed to operate the communication device or system described herein. It therefore offers the same advantages and can be further developed in an analogous manner.

[0044] During training, the procedure is executed multiple times in succession for several bus ports in order to commission several participant devices connected to the bus ports. In particular, each participant device is assigned a bus address during commissioning.

[0045] Further details and advantages of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings.

[0046] They show:

[0047] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the system with the

[0048] Communication device;

[0049] Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of the system with the

[0050] communication device; and

[0051] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the method.

[0052] With reference to Fig. 1, a first embodiment of the system with the communication device is explained. DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js 10 / 20

[0053] In this example, the communication device 10 is a control unit 10 for field devices. In the case shown, the field devices are actuators, namely roller motors, which can be controlled by the control unit 10.

[0054] The communication device 10 has an interface (not shown) which is designed in a manner known per se and via which it can be connected, at least in terms of data technology, to a higher-level control network.

[0055] In a further embodiment, a power input can also be provided through which the communication device 10 can be supplied with electrical power. The communication device 10 can then furthermore have at least one power output, in particular one power output for each bus port 32, 34, 36, 38, in order to supply the connected subscriber devices 22, 24, 26, 28 with electrical power.

[0056] The communication device 10 has a bus transceiver 12. This is configured here for a CAN bus, in particular using CANopen.

[0057] In this example, the communication device 10 has four bus ports 32, 34, 36, 38. These are configured in a known manner so that subscriber devices 22, 24, 26, 28 can be connected to them.

[0058] The bus ports 32, 34, 36, 38 are electrically connected to the bus transceiver 12, in particular in terms of data communication.

[0059] A star topology is provided, meaning that the subscriber devices 22, 24, 26, 28 are each directly connected to the communication device.

[0060] In this example, the connection is made via connections to a CAN High line (Hi) and a CAN Low line (Lo). DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js 11 / 20

[0061] In the Hi and Lo lines, a switching element 42, 44, 46, 48 is arranged for each of the bus ports 32, 34, 36, 38.

[0062] Furthermore, it can be provided that a switching element 42, 44, 46, 48 is provided for each but one of the N bus ports 32, 34, 36, 38; that is to say in particular that exactly one of the bus ports 32, 34, 36, 38 is permanently, non-switchably connected to the bus transceiver 12.

[0063] In this example, switching elements 42, 44, 46, 48 can be used to switch the Hi and Lo lines individually or together. This means that the electrical connection of the respective associated bus port 32, 34, 36, 38 to the bus transceiver 12 can be opened or closed. In further embodiments, the switching elements 42, 44, 46, 48 can be configured to switch one of the two Hi and Lo lines; in this way, the connection can be interrupted and re-established particularly easily.

[0064] In this case, a line Hi, Lo is non-conductive in the open state of the respective switching element 42, 44, 46, 48 and conductive in the closed state.

[0065] In further embodiments, the switching elements 42, 44, 46, 48 are designed such that only either line Hi or line Lo can be switched. The other line, Lo, Hi, remains permanently in a conductive state.

[0066] The switching elements 42, 44, 46, 48 are connected to a control unit 14. In this example, this control unit 14 is designed as a microcontroller 14.

[0067] In this embodiment, the switching elements 42, 44, 46, and 48 are configured as PhotoMOS relays. In other embodiments, they can also be configured as relay switches or in other ways. DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js 12 / 20

[0068] The communication device 10 and the connected subscriber devices 22, 24, 26, 28 form the system 50.

[0069] With reference to Fig. 2, a further embodiment of the system with the communication device is explained. This explanation is based on the above descriptions of the first embodiment. Structurally or functionally identical or comparable elements are designated with the same reference numerals. Only the differences from the first embodiment are discussed below.

[0070] Unlike the first embodiment, the communication device 10 here has only three switching elements 42, 44, 46, each assigned to one of the bus ports 32, 34, 36. This means that no switching element is assigned to bus port 38, and its connection to the bus transceiver 12 via the Hi, Lo lines is not switchable.

[0071] In addition, in the further training example, the switching elements 42, 44, 46 are arranged in only one of the Hi, Lo lines between the bus transceiver 12 and the associated bus port 32, 34, 36.

[0072] To switch the connection, the switching elements 42, 44, 46 can therefore disconnect or connect the respective line Hi in which they are arranged; the other line Lo is permanently conductive.

[0073] In further embodiments, modifications and combinations of the features of the first and / or second embodiment are conceivable, such as the arrangement of switching elements 42, 44, 46, 48 in different lines Hi, Lo, or in combination with switching elements 42, 44, 46, 48 for both lines Hi, Lo. DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js 13 / 20

[0074] The configurations of the exemplary embodiments can of course be adapted for any number N of bus ports 32, 34, 36, 38, in particular with a number of N or N-1 switching elements 42, 44, 46, 48.

[0075] With reference to Fig. 3, an embodiment of the method is explained.

[0076] In the embodiment of the method, the embodiment of the communication device 10 described above is used as a starting point, which is further explained by the following description.

[0077] It is assumed that each of the four bus ports 32, 34, 36, 38 is connected to a subscriber device 22, 24, 26, 28. In this example, these four subscriber devices 22, 24, 26, 28 have been newly connected to the communication device 10 and are now being put into operation.

[0078] During commissioning, that is, after resetting the participant devices 22, 24, 26, 28 or after at least some of them have been reconnected, each of the participant devices 22, 24, 26, 28 is assigned an individual CAN address, or, when using CANopen, a so-called Node-ID.

[0079] In the first step S1, it is detected that a participant device 22, 24, 26, 28 is connected to at least one bus port 32, 34, 36, 38, but has not yet been assigned a bus address. Therefore, regular bus communication with this participant device 22, 24, 26, 28 is not possible, as this requires a bus address.

[0080] For example, a periodic check of bus ports 32, 34, 36, 38 can be performed to detect any new subscriber devices 22, 24, 26, 28; the procedure can then be executed automatically to assign bus addresses to the corresponding subscriber devices 22, 24, 26, 28. The initialization can also be triggered by a signal from the connected subscriber device DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js 14 / 20

[0081] 22, 24, 26, 28 or it can be based on a signal received from a higher-level control system.

[0082] In a further step S2, all bus ports 32, 34, 36, 38 except for one bus port 32, 34, 36, 38, with uninitialized participant devices 22, 24, 26, 28, are data-wise disconnected from the bus transceiver 12. For this purpose, at least one of the Hi and / or Lo lines between the bus transceiver 12 and the respective bus port 32, 34, 36, 38 is interrupted. In this embodiment, the switching elements 42, 44, 46, 48 are configured such that both Hi and Lo lines of the two-wire CAN bus connection can be interrupted.

[0083] In other embodiments, it may be sufficient to disconnect only one of the Hi or Lo lines; in this case, the switching elements 42, 44, 46, 48 can be designed such that only one of the Hi or Lo lines can be switched at a time.

[0084] This means that the switching elements 42, 44, 46, 48 are controlled by the microcontroller 14 in such a way that only one bus port 32, 34, 36, 38 with a connected uninitialized participant device 22, 24, 26, 28 is connected to the bus transceiver 12.

[0085] In a further step S3, initialization information is transmitted via the two-wire connection to the participating device 22, 24, 26, 28, which is connected to the associated bus port 32, 34, 36, 38. This initialization information includes a bus address that is assigned to the participating device 22, 24, 26, 28 for bus communication.

[0086] The initialization information can, for example, include a node ID, particularly for communication between communication device 10 and subscriber devices 22, 24, 26, 28 via CANopen. DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js

[0087] 15 / 20

[0088] In a further step S4, the procedure is executed several times in succession for several bus ports 32, 34, 36, 38, if necessary.

[0089] In particular, several subscriber devices 22, 24, 26, 28, each connected to bus ports 32, 34, 36, 38, are put into operation.

[0090] Alternatively, in step S2, bus ports 32, 34, 36, 38, along with the connected, uninitialized participant devices 22, 24, 26, 28, can be switched off by switching off the connected participant devices 22, 24, 26, 28 themselves. This can be achieved, for example, by disabling the power supply to participant devices 22, 24, 26, 28, or by switching them off in another way. The switched-off participant devices 22, 24, 26, 28 cannot communicate via the bus port 32, 34, 36, 38 to which they are connected.After assigning a bus address to each participant device 22, 24, 26, 28 in step S3, another participant device 22, 24, 26, 28 is then gradually switched on or activated in step S4 in order to assign it a bus address as well; this is repeated until all connected participant devices 22, 24, 26, 28 have been assigned bus addresses and are integrated into the bus system with the communication device 10.

[0091] The communication device of the invention is based on the finding that, for address assignment to multiple subscriber devices connected to the bus ports, which in turn are assigned to a single bus transceiver, it can be ensured that addressing is carried out by only one subscriber device by switching off bus ports or by disconnecting the bus ports from the bus transceiver. In particular, with a two-wire connection, it is sufficient to disconnect only one of the wires to disconnect the data connection of the respective bus port to the bus transceiver. DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js 16 / 20

[0092] Reference symbol

[0093] 10 Communication device, control unit 12 Bus transceiver

[0094] 14 Microcontroller

[0095] 16 Management

[0096] 22, 24, 26, 28 Participant device

[0097] 32, 34, 36, 38 Bus port, CAN port 42, 44, 46, 48 Switching element

[0098] 50 System

[0099] Hi-Hi line (CAN bus)

[0100] Lo Lo line (CAN bus)

[0101] S1, S2, S3, S4 Step

Claims

DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js 17 / 20 Patent claims 1. Communication device (10); comprising a bus transceiver (12) connected to a first bus port (32) and a second bus port (34); wherein a first switching element (42) is arranged in the connection between the bus transceiver (12) and the first bus port (32); wherein the first bus port (32) is configured for connecting a first subscriber device (22) and the second bus port (34) is configured for connecting a second subscriber device (24), wherein the communication device (10) is configured to be connected to the subscriber devices (22, 24) in a star topology; and a control unit (14) for controlling the first switching element (42);wherein a commissioning mode of the communication device (10) can be activated, in which the control unit (14) is configured to interrupt the connection of the bus transceiver (12) to the first bus port (32) by means of the first switching element (42), and in which the bus transceiver (12) is configured to transmit initialization information to a subscriber device (24) connected to the second bus port (34).

2. Communication device (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the first switching element (42) is designed as a relay switch or as a PhotoMOS relay. DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js 18 / 20 3. Communication device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication device (10) is configured to communicate via CANopen with subscriber devices (22, 24) connected to the first (32) and / or second bus port (34).

4. Communication device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the initialization information comprises bus address information for the subscriber device (22, 24), for example a node ID, in particular for communication between the communication device (10) and the subscriber device (22, 24) via CANopen.

5. Communication device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first (32) and second bus port (34) are connected to the bus transceiver (12) via a first line (Hi), in particular a CAN-HIGH line (Hi), and a second line (Lo), in particular a CAN-LOW line (Lo).

6. Communication device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the first switching element (42) is configured to switch the first (Hi) or second line (Lo) between the first bus port (32) and the bus transceiver (12); wherein, in particular, the other (Lo, Hi) between the first bus port (32) and the bus transceiver (12) remains permanently in a conductive state. DTS Munich 39978. TUR. P110PC S / Wi / js 19 / 20 7. Communication device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication device (10) is configured to control field devices, in particular motors, for example roller motors, as subscriber devices (22, 24).

8. System (50) comprising a communication device (10) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one subscriber device (22, 24) connected to one of the bus ports (32, 34) of the communication device (10).

9. Method for operating a communication device (10), for example a control unit (10), with a bus transceiver (12) and at least a first (32) and a second bus port (34) connected to the bus transceiver (12), for commissioning a device (22, 24) connected to the communication device (10), wherein the communication device (10) is connected to the subscriber devices (22, 24) in a star topology, wherein the connection of the bus transceiver (12) to the first bus port (32) is interrupted, and initialization information is transmitted to a subscriber device (24) connected to the second bus port (34).

10. Method according to the preceding method claim, characterized in that the method is carried out several times successively for several bus ports (32, 34) in order to put several subscriber devices (22, 24) connected to the bus ports (32, 34) into operation.

Images