Control Network Node Message Transmission Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In control network systems using full-duplex circuits with Ethernet as transport paths, existing methods face inefficiencies in message transmission and reception due to the need for token-based permission systems, leading to prolonged message delivery times when multiple messages need to be transmitted, as only one message can be sent per communication cycle, and other stations are delayed until all messages are received.

Innovation Solution

The system introduces a data transmission-reception unit and message transmission unit that allow nodes to transmit messages at prescribed timings within separate communication cycles, enabling simultaneous message transmission and reception without token permissions, using synchronized timers to coordinate data exchange and ensure real-time data exchange across all nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If token-based permission system is used for message transmission, then transmission reliability is improved, but message delivery time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidmessage delivery speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the token permission mechanism from the message transmission process entirely. Nodes transmit messages directly without acquiring tokens, removing the permission acquisition step that caused delays while maintaining transmission reliability through the deterministic time-division multiplexing framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-assigning transmission time slots to each node based on their priorities and message rates before actual message transmission begins. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for runtime permission negotiation, allowing nodes to transmit immediately when their time slot arrives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If only one message is transmitted per communication cycle, then transmission reliability is maintained, but productivity and transport efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata exchange reliabilityVSAvoidmessage transmission throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic multi-message transmission capability where nodes can transmit multiple messages within their assigned time slots based on actual message availability. The system dynamically adapts the number of messages transmitted per cycle without compromising the deterministic timing structure, thereby increasing throughput while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous useful action by allowing nodes to transmit multiple messages back-to-back within their allocated time slots without waiting for token release or additional permission cycles. This eliminates idle waiting time and maximizes the utilization of each node's transmission opportunity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If other stations wait until all messages are received, then data completeness is ensured, but message delivery time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata completenessVSAvoidmessage delivery time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication cycle into dedicated time slots for different nodes, allowing parallel message transmission from multiple nodes simultaneously. Each node transmits its messages independently during its assigned slot without waiting for other nodes, enabling data completeness to be achieved through structured parallelism rather than sequential waiting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3328003B1Control network system and node device therein
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 FUJI ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3328003B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP3328003B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3328003B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A data transmission-reception unit 51 transmits data of its device and also receives/relays transmission data of a different device for the each prescribed data exchange cycle and within its first band. A message transmission unit 52, when there is a message transmission request of its device, transmits a corresponding message to an adjacent station at a prescribed timing within a second band, which is later than the first band, for the each prescribed data exchange cycle. A message reception unit 53, when receiving a message from one of the adjacent stations, relays the message to the other adjacent station or, when the message is addressed to its device, obtains the message, within the second band.