Bus Device Address Assignment via Switched Connection Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing address assignment schemes for bus devices in fieldbus-based device communication systems are either labor-intensive for large numbers of devices or unreliable due to protocol dependencies, leading to inconsistent address assignments.
Innovation Solution
An address assignment apparatus comprising a gateway, an address assignment line with switches, and connection units that control the delivery of an address signal based on switch control signals from bus devices, enabling automatic and efficient address assignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual address assignment is used for bus devices, then address assignment can be performed, but the process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming for large numbers of devices
Solution Approach 1:
The bus devices automatically perform address assignment by detecting the address signal on the address assignment line and setting their own addresses based on the signal state, eliminating the need for manual intervention and significantly reducing assignment time
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway generates and transmits the address signal in advance through the address assignment line before actual communication begins, allowing devices to pre-configure their addresses automatically without waiting for manual setup
2Productivity
If protocol-dependent address assignment is used, then address assignment can be performed, but the system becomes unreliable due to protocol dependencies
Solution Approach 1:
The address assignment function is extracted from the communication protocol and implemented as a separate, independent mechanism using a dedicated address assignment line, eliminating protocol dependencies and ensuring reliable address assignment regardless of communication protocol variations
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated address assignment line acts as an intermediary between the gateway and bus devices for address configuration, separating the address assignment process from the main communication protocol and ensuring consistent, reliable address assignment
3Extent of automation
If switches are added to control address signal delivery, then automatic address assignment is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The switches are integrated into the connection units which already serve multiple functions including signal transmission and device connection, allowing the same component to perform both connection and address signal control functions without adding separate dedicated components
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides an apparatus, a method and a storage medium for address assignment. The address assignment apparatus comprises: a gateway configured to generate an address signal that enables address assignment; an address assignment line coupled to the gateway to receive the address signal, the address assignment line is provided with a plurality of switches; a plurality of connection units disposed in series along the address assignment line and each adapted to be connected to a bus device, each of the plurality of switches is located within one of the plurality of connection units, each of the plurality of connection units is further adapted to: couple the address assignment line to the bus device, control an on-off state of a switch located within the connection unit according to a switch control signal from the connected bus device to control a delivery of the address signal to a downstream connection unit.