CAN Communication Virtual IDs for Collision-Free Slave Reporting

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Solution Overview

Problem

In conventional CAN networks, data collisions occur when multiple slave devices report data simultaneously using the same node identification, leading to communication errors and data loss due to the inability of the master device to distinguish between devices.

Innovation Solution

Assigning a unique virtual identification to each slave device based on its physical node identification, allowing data transmission to be differentiated and avoiding collisions by using a format supported by the CAN Open protocol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple slave devices use the same node identification to report data simultaneously, then communication efficiency is improved, but data collision occurs causing communication errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single node identification into multiple virtual identifications, where each slave device is assigned a unique virtual identification by the master device. This allows multiple slave devices to communicate simultaneously without collision while maintaining the master-slave architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The master device acts as an intermediary that assigns virtual identifications to slave devices. This intermediary mechanism enables indirect identification where slave devices don't directly use their physical node IDs but rather virtual IDs assigned by the master, preventing direct collision while maintaining communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If virtual identification is assigned to each slave device, then data collision is avoided, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoididentification management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The master device automatically assigns virtual identifications to slave devices based on their physical node IDs, eliminating the need for manual configuration or complex external management. The system self-manages the identification allocation, reducing overall complexity while ensuring uniqueness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the physical node identification parameter into a virtual identification parameter through a mapping relationship established by the master device. This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain the simplicity of physical IDs while introducing virtual IDs for collision-free communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4601248A1Method and apparatus for communication, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP4601248A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4601248A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4601248A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Embodiments of the disclosure, a method and apparatus for communication, and a storage medium. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a first device determines a virtual identification of a second device that is dedicated to the first device, wherein the virtual identification is configured to indicate the second device as an end point of a data transmission in a controller area network, CAN, communication from the second device to the first device, and the virtual identification is different from a physical node identification of the second device; and data is sent to the second device based on the virtual identification. In this way, the identifies of node identifications of a plurality of first devices at the same time by the second device can advantageously be realized to ensure reliable transmission and correct processing of data between the devices.