Cyclic Data Frame Control System for Deterministic Ethernet Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems face challenges in transmitting data with high real-time demands and safety-related control data, particularly with Ethernet components, which lack deterministic timing and are not optimized for cyclic data transmission in industrial automation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where stations are logically arranged in a series to generate and transmit data frames with multiple fields, allowing each station to fill and read data fields within a circulating data frame, enabling rapid and deterministic communication, and using Ethernet-compatible links for cost-effective implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If Ethernet components are used for data transmission in control systems, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but deterministic timing response deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The data transmission is segmented into cyclic data frames with fixed structures, where each frame contains specific data fields for different stations. This segmentation allows Ethernet components to operate in a deterministic manner by processing data in fixed, predictable time intervals, thus maintaining cost-effectiveness while improving timing response.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic data transmission using cyclic data frames that circulate through all stations at fixed intervals. This periodic action ensures deterministic timing by repeating the same transmission pattern, allowing Ethernet components to predict when data will be available and process it accordingly, resolving the timing uncertainty issue.
2Loss of time
If traditional field bus systems like Interbus are used, then deterministic timing response is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes Ethernet components multi-functional by enabling them to handle both standard Ethernet traffic and deterministic control data transmission through the cyclic frame structure. This universality eliminates the need for separate specialized field bus hardware, reducing device complexity while maintaining deterministic timing through protocol-level organization.
3Ease of operation
If Ethernet components are used without cyclic frame structure, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity and real-time performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary organization of data into cyclic frames with pre-assigned fields for different stations before transmission. This preliminary structuring allows Ethernet components to operate in their natural, easy-to-use manner while the pre-organized frames ensure that data is ready for immediate processing at predictable intervals, maintaining both ease of operation and real-time performance.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method for transmitting data in a control system, a first station generates a data frame having a plurality of data fields. At least one data field to be filled with transmission data is clearly assigned to each further station. The data frame is transmitted as an outgoing data frame from one station to the next, with every further station filling the respectively assigned data field with transmission data. The last station returns the data frame as a returning data frame to the series of stations. The stations read extraneous transmission data from the data fields in the returning data frame. Preferably, the respective data fields are individually assigned to the stations.