CRC Array Synchronization for Hazardous Area Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication between explosion-proof and intrinsically safe field devices in hazardous areas is limited by energy constraints, affecting the timeliness and reliability of data transmission in process control and measurement networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize CRC arrays and values to synchronize and update configuration structures between master and slave devices, minimizing bandwidth usage and ensuring data integrity through cyclic redundancy checks, allowing for efficient communication within hazardous environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intrinsically safe devices are used in hazardous areas, then safety is improved, but communication capability and energy availability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments configuration data into CRC arrays stored in lookup tables within both master and slave devices. This segmentation allows incremental synchronization of only changed configuration elements rather than transmitting entire configuration sets, reducing energy consumption during communication while maintaining safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing cyclic redundancy check (CRC) values for configuration elements in lookup tables during device initialization. This allows rapid synchronization by comparing pre-computed CRC values rather than transmitting and processing entire configuration datasets, conserving energy in intrinsically safe devices.
2Reliability
If configuration data is synchronized between master and slave devices, then communication reliability is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential synchronization information by using CRC arrays as change indicators. When configuration changes occur, only the affected CRC array entries are transmitted between master and slave devices, rather than transmitting complete configuration datasets, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes in CRC values to trigger selective data transmission. By monitoring changes in CRC array parameters rather than continuously synchronizing all configuration data, the system achieves reliable configuration synchronization with minimal bandwidth usage, transmitting only when and what is necessary.
3Reliability
If CRC verification is performed for data integrity, then data reliability is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-calculating CRC values for all configuration elements and storing them in lookup tables during device initialization. This allows rapid data integrity verification during operation by comparing pre-computed CRC values rather than performing full cryptographic hashing or verification of entire configuration datasets in real-time, reducing processing time while maintaining data integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses CRC arrays as simplified copies or representations of the complete configuration data. These compact CRC arrays serve as verification tokens that can be rapidly compared between master and slave devices to ensure data integrity without requiring transmission or processing of the full configuration datasets, thus maintaining reliability with minimal processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method to manage communications within a network, such as a wireless network and/or at least partially included within a hazardous area, includes creating a master CRC array from master configuration structures, creating a main master CRC value from the master CRC array, receiving a main slave CRC value, and determining if the main master CRC value and the main slave CRC value are different.