CAN-Modbus Gateway Protocol Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive network systems, particularly those using the CAN protocol, lack compatibility with external devices employing different communication protocols like Modbus, requiring software and hardware modifications when interfacing with external devices, which complicates communication and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A gateway device that converts data frames between CAN and Modbus protocols, allowing seamless communication between automotive CAN devices and industrial field bus devices without the need for physical conversion modules, using a conversion unit to translate CAN input data frames into Modbus output frames and vice versa.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a CAN protocol is used for automotive network communication, then high-bandwidth and deterministic operation are achieved, but compatibility with external devices using other protocols (e.g., Modbus) is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A gateway device is introduced as an intermediary between CAN communication devices and Modbus communication devices. The gateway performs protocol conversion by receiving CAN data frames, translating them into Modbus data frames, and vice versa, enabling seamless communication between devices using different protocols without modifying the original devices
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device is designed to handle multiple communication protocols (CAN and Modbus) simultaneously, making it a universal communication interface that can adapt to different protocol requirements. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to serve multiple communication purposes
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion between CAN and Modbus is implemented, then compatibility with external devices is improved, but device complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protocol conversion functionality is extracted into a separate gateway device rather than being integrated into the original CAN or Modbus devices. This extraction allows the original devices to remain simple while the gateway handles the complex protocol translation tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device creates virtual copies of communication interfaces for both CAN and Modbus protocols, allowing data to be transmitted between different protocol domains through these virtual interface copies without requiring physical modification of the original devices
3Adaptability or versatility
If external software is modified to support CAN communication, then compatibility is achieved, but software development time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as a software intermediary that handles protocol translation at the communication level, allowing existing Modbus software to continue using Modbus protocols while the gateway transparently converts to CAN protocol for automotive devices, eliminating the need to modify the application software
Data Source
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AI summary
A gateway device is provided. The gateway device for relaying communication between an automotive network communication device and an industrial field bus communication device includes: a Controller Area Network (CAN) input unit for receiving a CAN input data frame from an external; and a conversion unit for converting the received CAN input data frame into a Modbus output data frame according to a predetermined method.