Automation Appliance Acceleration Unit for Priority Data Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automation appliances face challenges in accelerating data transmission between field buses and local buses, leading to increased cycle times and reaction delays in automation systems.
Innovation Solution
An automation appliance with an acceleration unit that selectively processes and converts priority process data earlier than non-priority data, using hardware logic to expedite the transmission of selected data packets or data streams, thereby reducing cycle times and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If all process data are processed and converted in sequential order, then data processing completeness is maintained, but reaction time and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments process data into priority-based groups (first priority, second priority, etc.) and processes them in separate conversion cycles. This allows critical data to be converted and transmitted faster without waiting for all data to be processed sequentially, thereby reducing overall cycle time while maintaining data completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The acceleration unit performs preliminary conversion of selected process data before the main conversion process completes. By identifying and converting high-priority data in advance, the system reduces latency for time-critical applications while the remaining data continue processing in the background.
2Loss of time
If selected process data are converted and output separately in accelerated fashion, then reaction time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the acceleration unit with the existing conversion unit in an integrated architecture. The acceleration unit works in parallel with the main conversion process, sharing common resources such as memory and output interfaces. This merging approach reduces overall system complexity compared to having completely separate processing paths while still achieving accelerated conversion for selected data.
3Productivity
If priority-based separate conversion is implemented, then data transmission latency is reduced, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different priority levels to different process data based on their specific requirements. Each data type can be configured with appropriate priority without affecting the entire system. This localized quality approach allows operators to optimize critical data paths while maintaining standard processing for non-critical data, simplifying configuration compared to a uniform priority system.
Data Source
AI summary
An automation appliance (6) having at least one field bus interface (12) for connection to a field bus (2) and transmission of data packets (DP) with process data (PD) via the field bus (2) and having at least one local bus interface (21) for connection to a local bus (7) and transmission of process data (PD) between field devices (9a, 9b, 9c) connected to the local bus (7) and the automation appliance (6), and having means for converting the data packets (DP) coming from the field bus (2) into a data stream (DS) for the local bus (7) and for converting the data stream (DS) sent from the local bus (7) to the automation appliance (6) into data packets (DP) for the field bus (2) is described. The automation appliance (6) has an acceleration unit (10) for selecting process data (PDS) that are to be converted in accelerated fashion and for separately converting the selected process data (PDS), which acceleration unit is set up such that the selected process data (PDS) are output at an earlier time than unselected process data (PDN) which are transmitted as well in combination with the selected process data (PDS).