Bus Device Data Transmission with Page-Based Retransmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for updating configuration data or firmware in bus-oriented programmable electrical installations often result in data loss due to interruptions, requiring time-consuming re-uploads of entire data sets, especially when large amounts of data need to be transmitted.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a memory management unit to divide data into portions based on flash memory pages, allowing only unsent portions to be retransmitted in case of connection interruptions, and incorporating status information to differentiate between communication issues and device resets, ensuring reliable and efficient data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large amounts of data are transmitted to a bus device, then the device can be updated with new applications or firmware, but transmission interruptions cause data loss requiring time-consuming re-uploads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flash memory into multiple pages and implements a page-based transmission mechanism. Each page is transmitted and confirmed independently, allowing the system to track which pages have been successfully written. This segmentation enables selective retransmission of only failed pages rather than requiring complete data set re-uploads, directly resolving the contradiction between transmission reliability and time loss.
2Reliability
If data transmission is interrupted by reset or power failure, then data may be lost in flash memory, but re-uploading entire data sets is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the bus device sends confirmation messages to the external device after successfully writing each data page to flash memory. The external device tracks which pages have been confirmed and which require retransmission. This feedback system ensures data persistence reliability while maintaining update efficiency by avoiding redundant transmissions of already-successful pages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary error detection and status tracking mechanisms that monitor the transmission and writing process in advance. By maintaining a record of which pages have been successfully written before actual transmission completion, the system can quickly determine what needs retransmission after an interruption, rather than assuming complete data loss and re-uploading everything.
3Reliability
If status information is stored to detect resets, then communication issues can be differentiated from device resets, but additional memory and processing are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores status information locally within the bus device's flash memory pages, specifically using the status bit in each page structure. This local quality approach allows the device to independently track its own transmission state without requiring complex external memory management. The status information is integrated into the existing page structure, minimizing additional complexity while enabling reliable differentiation between communication issues and device resets.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for reliably transferring data to a bus device (bus participant) of a bus-oriented programmable electrical installation, wherein the bus device (e.g., actuator or sensor) comprises a control unit (microcontroller) with a first memory (e.g., RAM) and a second memory, wherein the second memory (e.g.,The method, in which flash memory (for the persistent storage of data or code segments) is divided into memory areas (tiles) of equal size, comprises the following steps: - Receiving a data set portioned to the size of the memory areas (tiles) through a data interface (bus interface or external interface) connected at least indirectly to the first memory; - Forwarding one portion of the data set to the first memory; - Temporarily storing each forwarded portion of the data set in the first memory; and - Writing each forwarded portion of the data set from the first memory to the second memory after the first memory has completely received each forwarded portion of the data set.The procedure also includes a mechanism for reliably detecting whether a connection interruption was caused by a communication problem or by a reset of the bus device (bus participant).