Bus Address Allocation Using Base-Plate Test Circuit Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for assigning bus addresses to users connected to a data bus in industrial automation are labor-intensive and require repeated assignments when changes occur, making them inefficient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a test circuit with test elements on base plates to automatically determine the position of bus users without addresses, allowing for the assignment of bus addresses based on physical position, by impressing a test current and measuring changes in the circuit, enabling automated address assignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual address assignment methods are used (as described in DE 101 47 512 A1 and DE 40 38 992 C1), then addresses can be assigned to bus participants, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming requiring repeated assignments when changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The bus participant automatically determines its own position on the data bus by detecting changes in the test circuit when it modifies the circuit configuration. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual or centralized address assignment, allowing the device to autonomously acquire its address based on its physical position.
Solution Approach 2:
Test elements are pre-installed in the base plates at known positions before bus participants are connected. These preliminary test elements create a predetermined test circuit that enables automatic position detection and address assignment when the system is initialized, eliminating the need for repeated address assignment during system changes.
2Ease of operation
If traditional address assignment methods are used, then addresses can be assigned, but the complexity of the assignment process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical process of assigning addresses is replaced by an automatic electrical measurement system. The bus participant's position is determined by detecting electrical changes in the test circuit through a central processing unit, which automatically translates the physical position into an address, eliminating complex manual assignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Test elements are introduced as intermediaries between the bus participant and the address assignment process. These test elements create a measurable test circuit that mediates the determination of the bus participant's position, simplifying the overall address assignment process by providing a clear electrical signal that indicates position.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bus participants are moved or added to the data bus, then system flexibility is improved, but address reassignment becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The address assignment system is made dynamic and adaptive to changes in the bus configuration. When a bus participant is moved or added, the test circuit automatically reflects the new configuration, and the central processing unit detects these changes to reassign addresses automatically, enabling the system to adapt to changes without manual intervention and maintaining high productivity during reconfiguration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach simplifies the address assignment process, reduces effort, and ensures that bus addresses are accurately assigned based on physical position, facilitating efficient integration of new devices and maintaining accurate address allocation even with changes in the system.
Implementation Method 1
The central unit is then connected to the test circuit, whereby in particular the central unit induces a test current in the test circuit, e.g. by applying a fixed voltage. During the initialization of the test current, the bus participants can be notified that bus participants without a bus address should now be identified. Subsequently, the bus participants without a bus address (or, alternatively, as described above, all bus participants with an address) can modify the test circuit.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for assigning addresses to bus participants connected to a data bus, in which: - the bus participants are electrically and, in particular, also mechanically coupled to a base plate, the base plates each comprising an electrical test element; - the base plates are electrically connected along a row to adjacent base plates, the base plates forming a test circuit in which the test elements are preferably connected in series; - a central unit is connected to the test circuit; - a test current is impressed into the test circuit; - at least one bus participant, in particular a bus participant without a bus address, makes a change to the test circuit; - the change to the test circuit is measured by means of the central unit.- based on the change in the test circuit, a position of the bus participant making the change or the bus participant without a bus address is determined, and a bus address is assigned to the bus participant making the change or the bus participant without a bus address.