Elevator Ethernet Communication Architecture Without Separate Gateways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern elevator systems face inefficiencies due to the use of multiple different communication stacks and physical layers, leading to a complicated and inefficient data transmission solution.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an Ethernet bus with message forwarding elements and elevator system components configured for Ethernet communication, using a unified protocol stack and encryption for secure communication, allowing direct data exchange between control entities and elevator components without the need for separate gateways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different communication stacks and physical layers are used in the elevator system, then different communication requirements can be met, but the system complexity increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple communication stacks and physical layers into a single unified Ethernet-based communication system. All elevator system components (car control unit, door operator, drive unit, etc.) communicate through a common Ethernet bus using standardized TCP/IP protocols, eliminating the need for multiple separate communication infrastructure layers while maintaining ability to handle different communication requirements through software protocols
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate gateways are used for communication between control entities and elevator components, then communication flexibility is maintained, but the number of components increases and direct data exchange is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the gateway components from the communication architecture. By implementing Ethernet communication capabilities directly in each elevator system component (equipping them with Ethernet MAC addresses and Ethernet interfaces), the intermediary gateway function is eliminated, allowing direct peer-to-peer data exchange between control entities and elevator components while maintaining communication flexibility through standardized protocols
3Reliability
If encryption is implemented for secure communication, then security is enhanced, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements encryption keys and security protocols in advance during system initialization and component configuration. Ethernet MAC addresses and encryption credentials are pre-configured in each elevator system component before operation begins, allowing secure encrypted communication to occur automatically without real-time key management overhead, thus enhancing security while minimizing processing impact during actual data transmission
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, there is provided an elevator communication system. The system comprises an ethernet bus, at least one message forwarding element connected to the ethernet bus and being configured to communicate with a control entity that is external to the elevator system, and at least one elevator system component configured to communicate via the ethernet bus and being provided with an ethernet medium access control address. The at least one elevator system component is configured to at least one of receive an ethernet frame from the control entity and to send an ethernet frame to the control entity.