Local Bus Master Dynamic Addressing for Automation Nodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bus systems, particularly local bus systems in automation technology, face inflexibility in managing data bus participants, especially when new participants are added or old ones are replaced, due to static addressing based on physical position, which complicates initialization and communication.

Innovation Solution

A method where the local bus master determines communication-ready data bus participants by assigning addresses based on relative positions, allowing flexible reconfiguration without the need for lengthy initialization phases, even when participants are added or removed, by using data packets with counter values to identify and address participants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If static addressing based on physical position is used, then the bus system structure is simple, but the system becomes inflexible when participants are added or replaced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in managing data bus participantsVSAvoidcomplexity of readdressing and initialization
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic addressing where addresses are assigned based on relative positions in the communication sequence rather than fixed physical positions. The bus master determines addresses by sending query packets and receiving responses, allowing the system to adapt automatically when participants are added or removed without manual reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the addressing parameter from static physical position to dynamic relative position in communication sequence. By using counter values in data packets to track the order of participants responding to queries, the system allows addresses to be reassigned automatically based on current system configuration rather than fixed installation positions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If physical position-based addressing is used, then initialization is straightforward, but lengthy initialization phases are required when participants change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of determination of communication-ready participantsVSAvoidinitialization time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The bus system performs self-initialization through automated address determination. The bus master sends query packets and automatically assigns addresses based on the sequence of responses received, eliminating the need for manual configuration or lengthy initialization procedures when participants are added or removed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary address determination by sending query packets before actual communication begins. The bus master identifies all communication-ready participants and assigns their addresses in advance, so that when communication starts, all participants are already properly configured without requiring time-consuming initialization during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3632054B1Determination of nodes of a local data bus
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 WAGO VERW GMBH
  • EP3632054B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3632054B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3632054B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(D)

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining communication-ready data bus subscribers (7a and 7b, ..., 7n) connected to a local bus (6). The method comprises receiving, at a local bus master (3), at least one data packet (22a, 22b and 22c), transferred over the local bus (6), wherein the at least one data packet (22a, 22b and 22c) received at the local bus master (3) has an address of a communication-ready data bus subscriber (7a, 7b, ..., 7n) from a number of communication-ready data bus subscribers (7a, 7b, ..., 7n) in the local bus (6), wherein the communication-ready data bus subscriber (7a, 7b, ..., 7n) is within a sequence of the communication-ready data bus subscribers (7a, 7b, ..., 7n) , and associating the received address to a relative position of the communication-ready data bus subscriber (7a, 7b, ..., 7n) within the sequence of communication-ready data bus subscribers (7a, 7b, ..., 7n) in the local bus (6) by the local bus master (3). The invention further relates to a local bus master of the local bus (6).