Synchronous Controller Timing for Servo Trace Data Logging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial equipment controllers face challenges with time measurement accuracy, where low accuracy is unsuitable for data processing and excessively high accuracy leads to degraded control functions, necessitating an improvement in time counting functionality.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that implements a time counting function by counting the time counter value in synchronization with the control clock, eliminating the need for dedicated circuits like calendar ICs, and achieving high time measurement accuracy suitable for data analysis while conserving processing resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If time measurement accuracy is excessively high, then time measurement precision is improved, but control function performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time measurement function from the control function by using a dedicated time counter unit that operates independently from the control clock. This allows high-precision time measurement to be performed without interfering with the control system's operational performance, as the time counting is handled by a separate hardware component rather than consuming control processor resources.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated calendar IC circuits are used, then time measurement function is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the time counter unit directly into the controller's internal architecture, eliminating the need for separate dedicated calendar IC circuits. The time counter is integrated as an internal component that uses the control clock signal already present in the system, thereby achieving time measurement functionality without adding external hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control clock signal serves multiple functions: it drives both the control operations and the time counter unit. This multi-functional use of the control clock eliminates the need for separate time-keeping hardware, reducing device complexity while maintaining time measurement capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] To improve a time measurement function of a controller. [Solution] A controller 3 that outputs a motion control command to a servo amplifier 4, wherein the controller 3 comprises: a transmitter 35 that generates a control clock CLK; a processing function unit that counts up a time counter value for each count-up cycle that is the same as a synchronous communication cycle Ta that is synchronous with the control clock CLK; a processing function unit that transmits the motion control command that can include a trace start command to instruct the start of trace data acquisition to the servo amplifier 4 using the synchronous communication cycle Ta; a processing function unit that stores a transmission time when the motion control command that includes a trace start command is transmitted; and a processing function unit that generates logging data in which time information that is based on the transmission time is attached to the trace data that is received from the servo amplifier 4.