Control Network Node Device for Full-Duplex Star Topology

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Solution Overview

Problem

In full-duplex network systems with a star topology using Ethernet as the physical layer, the inefficiency in message transport due to relay delays through switching hubs leads to underutilization of the transport band, limiting the capacity for message communications.

Innovation Solution

A control network system where nodes exchange data through a relay device in both a data exchange band and a message transport band, with each node determining its transmission permission based on requests in the data exchange band, allowing simultaneous message transmissions at the start of the message transport band without the need for token permissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a token method is used to manage transmission rights in a full-duplex star topology network, then the number of transmissions per unit time is controlled within the upper limit, but the message transport efficiency deteriorates due to relay delays through switching hubs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of transmission numberVSAvoidmessage transport efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having all nodes determine their transmission permissions in advance during the data exchange band (TS band) before the message transport band (MSB band) begins. Each node calculates which messages it can transmit based on pre-established rules and the upper limit information, so that when the MSB band starts, all permitted nodes can immediately transmit without waiting for token grants. This eliminates the relay delays associated with token-based sequential permission granting while maintaining control over the total number of transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If relay devices are used to connect stations in a star topology, then data can be transmitted between stations, but relay delays occur reducing the transport capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidtransport capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by dividing the communication cycle into distinct bands: a data exchange band (TS band) for periodic data transmission and a message transport band (MSB band) for event-driven message communication. During the MSB band, all nodes that have determined transmission permission in advance can transmit messages simultaneously without relay device intervention for permission granting. This periodic structure allows the network to achieve high transport capacity during message transmission while maintaining the star topology connectivity through the relay device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3396901B1Control network system and node device thereof
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 FUJI ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3396901B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3396901B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3396901B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

When there exists a message-transmission request at a time of transmitting arbitrary data for mutually exchanging data in a first band, a data exchange control unit 31 adds the request to the data to be transmitted. A message permission determination unit 32 determines whether the device to which it belongs is permitted to transmit message, on the basis of the message-transmission request obtained through the mutual data exchange in the first band. A message transmission control unit 33 transmits a message at a prescribed timing in the second band if the node device to which it belongs is determined to be permitted to transmit message.