Distributed Control Network with Parallel Device Information Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed control systems lack real-time performance in device information collection, as they primarily focus on reducing control-related communication processing loads without considering concurrent data aggregation and storage for efficient maintenance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A distributed control system with a central processing device, central communication device, terminal communication devices, and an information storage device, utilizing a tree-structured network with distinct communication paths for parallel data transmission and storage, enabling real-time device information collection and aggregation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If device information is collected via upstream direction through control-related local network, then processing load of control communication is reduced, but real-time performance cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The network is divided into two independent communication paths: a first communication path for control-related communication between the central communication device and terminal communication devices, and a second communication path for device information collection between terminal communication devices and the information storage device. This segmentation allows control communication and information collection to occur independently without interfering with each other, thus maintaining real-time control performance while reducing processing load.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated information storage device is introduced as an intermediary component specifically for storing device information. This intermediary separates the information collection function from the control communication function, allowing terminal communication devices to send device information directly to the information storage device without burdening the control communication path, thereby maintaining real-time control performance.
2Ease of manufacture
If control boards are distributed modularly, then design and maintenance efficiency is improved, but a mechanism for storing and aggregating operation logs is required
Solution Approach 1:
The information storage device serves multiple functions: it stores device information from multiple distributed terminal communication devices, aggregates operation logs, and provides a centralized access point for maintenance and diagnostics. This universal storage mechanism supports the distributed modular architecture by providing a common infrastructure for log management across all modular components.
Solution Approach 2:
The information storage device acts as an intermediary that collects and aggregates operation logs from multiple distributed terminal communication devices. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the complexity of log management in distributed systems by providing a centralized storage and aggregation point, making maintenance and diagnostics easier while supporting the modular distributed architecture.
3Device complexity
If device information collection and control communication share the same network, then system complexity is reduced, but real-time control performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into two distinct communication paths: the first communication path handles control-related communication with real-time requirements, while the second communication path handles device information collection. This segmentation ensures that information collection traffic does not interfere with control communication, maintaining real-time control response time while keeping the overall network structure manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the network are assigned different functional qualities: the first communication path is optimized for real-time control communication with high speed and low latency requirements, while the second communication path is optimized for information collection and storage. This local quality differentiation allows each communication path to be tuned for its specific function, maintaining real-time control performance while enabling comprehensive information collection.
Data Source
AI summary
In the present invention, device information is collected while real-time performance and high-speed performance of control-related normal communication are maintained. The distributed control system has: a central processing device; a central communication device; multiple terminal communication devices each having at least one controlled device connected thereto; an information storage device; and a network having a tree structure comprising multiple communication paths between the central communication device and the terminal communication devices, between the terminal communication devices, and between the terminal communication devices and the information storage device. The network is provided with a first communication path for connecting the upstream-side communication port of a terminal communication device with the downstream-side communication port of a terminal communication device and for connecting the upstream-side communication port of a terminal communication device with the normal communication port of the central communication device; and a second communication path for connecting between the downstream-side communication ports of terminal communication devices positioned at edges of the network and for connecting the downstream-side communication ports of the terminal communication devices with the device information communication port of the information storage device.