Double Ring Network Automatic Terminal Station Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double ring network systems face challenges in automatically preventing transmission frame circulation and efficiently recovering from one-point troubles, leading to potential network shutdowns, with limited versatility and requiring manual intervention for terminal station setup and firmware updates.
Innovation Solution
A double ring network system with automatically determined right-handed and left-handed terminal stations, using initialization frames (INZ frames) to configure communication ports and prevent frame circulation, and a reconfiguration method to manage anomalies by switching terminal station roles and updating firmware without shutdowns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central control station is used to prevent frame circulation and handle troubles, then frame circulation is prevented and trouble handling is centralized, but device complexity increases and manual intervention is required for terminal station setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic terminal station determination where transmission stations autonomously identify themselves as terminal stations based on receiving initialization frames from specific directions, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing control station complexity while maintaining reliable frame circulation prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses initialization frames (INZ frames) sent before normal operation to pre-configure terminal station identities and communication port settings, allowing stations to automatically determine their roles without manual intervention during operation
2Reliability
If manual configuration of terminal stations is performed, then network setup is controlled, but installation time and manual labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
Transmission stations automatically determine their own terminal station status by receiving initialization frames from specific directions and following predetermined rules, eliminating manual configuration requirements and reducing installation time while maintaining reliable network setup
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic configuration through initialization frames sent during network setup, pre-establishing terminal station identities and communication port settings without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing installation time and labor
3Reliability
If the network shuts down for firmware updates, then update reliability is ensured, but productivity and continuous operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic firmware updates where transmission stations can update their firmware while the network remains operational, allowing stations to receive and install firmware updates without network shutdown while maintaining continuous network service through redundant paths and automatic role adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous network operation during firmware updates by allowing updates to proceed without shutdown, using the double ring structure to maintain communication paths and enabling stations to update firmware in place without interrupting overall network functionality
4Device complexity
If terminal stations are fixed in position, then frame circulation control is simple, but adaptability to network changes and trouble recovery is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic terminal station determination where stations can change their terminal station status based on network conditions and troubles, allowing automatic reconfiguration when troubles occur while maintaining simple control through predetermined rules and initialization frame mechanisms
Data Source
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AI summary
A double ring network system configured with two or more transmission station #ST1 to transmission station #ST8 each provided with a pair of bi-directionally communicative communication ports 10 and 11, including any adjacent two transmission stations as terminal stations, and any transmission station as a base, as mutually connected in a ring form by communication ports 10 and 11 through a transmission line, for intercommunications between transmission stations, in which transmission station #ST1 to transmission station #ST8 are each adapted to determine whether or not frame signals are received from adjacent transmission stations, transmit route identifying frame signals for identification of routes to adjacent transmission stations, when having failed in reception, and set own station as a terminal station substituting for a current terminal station, when having received no responses to the route identifying frames from adjacent transmission stations, so they are kept from arriving at ring-like connected subsequent transmission stations.