Multi-Drop Bus Node Ordering by Roundtrip Delay Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-drop communication networks require manual configuration and hardware elements for node identification, which is laborious and inefficient, and lack automatic node location knowledge.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a segment coordinator that allocates unique physical identifiers to bus nodes using a special identifier for transmission opportunities, queries medium access control addresses, and assigns unique physical identifiers based on received responses, enabling automatic node identification and configuration without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual configuration with hardware elements (jumpers, rotary switches) is used for node identification, then node identification can be achieved, but the configuration process becomes laborious, time-consuming, and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic node identification where bus nodes self-configure by detecting their position on the bus and assigning themselves appropriate physical identifiers without external manual intervention. The segment coordinator facilitates this self-service process by broadcasting discovery messages and collecting node responses automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical hardware elements (jumpers, rotary switches) with electronic/software-based identification methods. Nodes use medium access control addresses and protocol-based communication to identify themselves, substituting physical mechanical configuration with digital electronic identification.
2Productivity
If automatic configuration is implemented, then configuration time is reduced, but the system lacks knowledge of how bus nodes are located in the network
Solution Approach 1:
The segment coordinator sends discovery messages to all bus nodes and collects responses containing node identifiers and position information. This feedback loop enables the coordinator to build a complete map of node locations and configurations automatically, gaining full knowledge of the bus topology without manual intervention.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an aspect, there is provided a method for determining a sequence of bus nodes (102, 104, 106) in a multi-drop communication bus. The method comprises for each bus node (102, 104, 106): sending (200) a request to the bus node (102, 104, 106) using an bus node physical identifier to set the bus node (102, 104, 106) to a loopback mode; transmitting (202) at least one signal to the bus node via the multi-drop communication bus (108); receiving (204) from the bus node (102, 104, 106) a loopback signal caused by the at least one signal; and measuring (206) a roundtrip delay between the at least one signal and the loopback response signal. The method further comprises solving (208) the physical order of the bus nodes (102, 104, 106) in the multi-drop communication bus (108) based on the roundtrip delays.