Distributed Network Configuration Generation for PLC CPU Load Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network-configuration-information generation methods place a large processing load on the main CPU unit of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) as they generate network information in response to external instructions.
Innovation Solution
A method where communication devices within a network system autonomously generate and store network-configuration information, defined as pairs of network names, and share this information with each other to determine connection relations between networks, reducing the load on CPU units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If network information is generated in a PLC main body in accordance with an instruction from an external terminal, then network configuration information can be generated, but a large processing load is imposed on the main CPU unit of the PLC main body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network configuration information generation task from the PLC main body and assigns it to distributed communication devices (gateways). Each communication device independently generates and stores network configuration information about its local network connections, eliminating the need for the PLC main CPU to perform this processing centrally.
Solution Approach 2:
Communication devices automatically generate and store network configuration information without requiring instructions from external terminals or the PLC main body. The system enables itself to perform the configuration information generation task through distributed autonomous operation of communication devices.
2Use of energy by moving object
If network configuration information is generated and stored in each communication device, then processing load on CPU units is reduced, but communication devices must cooperate to share information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where communication devices exchange network configuration information with each other. Each device shares its locally generated configuration data through standardized communication protocols, allowing the system to reconstruct complete network topology information through iterative information exchange and validation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal information exchange protocol that enables different types of communication devices to share network configuration information regardless of their specific functions or manufacturers. This standardized interface simplifies the cooperation mechanism by providing a common language for information exchange across diverse devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A network-configuration-information generation method generates information indicating a network configuration of a network system defined by a plurality of communication devices and a plurality of networks. The method includes: a step in which at least one of the communication devices generates and stores network-configuration information defined as a pair of a network name of a network to which the at least one communication device belongs and a network name of a network adjacent to the network to which the at least one communication device belongs; and steps in which when each communication device receives, from another communication device, the network-configuration information stored in the other communication device, each communication device stores the received network-configuration information.