EtherCAT Vision System for Deterministic Low-Latency Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current networked machine vision systems operate with non-deterministic, high to medium latency transmission media and protocols, which become inadequate as the characteristic frequencies of machine vision systems increase, particularly in applications requiring cooperative operation between multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a low-latency deterministic Ethernet-based network interface, such as EtherCAT, to enable deterministic low-latency communication between machine vision systems and devices, allowing for synchronized operation and high-frequency visual servoing control loops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional TCP/IP Ethernet protocols are used for machine vision communication, then system compatibility and ease of operation are improved, but communication latency increases and determinism deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the communication protocol parameters from standard TCP/IP Ethernet to EtherCAT, which modifies timing characteristics, message structure, and network synchronization mechanisms to achieve deterministic sub-millisecond latency while maintaining Ethernet physical layer compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the conventional TCP/IP protocol stack with a specialized real-time protocol (EtherCAT) that replaces standard networking mechanisms with deterministic alternatives, including isochronous master-slave communication and distributed clock synchronization
2Productivity
If machine vision systems operate at higher characteristic frequencies, then processing speed and productivity are improved, but communication adequacy deteriorates with traditional protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic synchronization where the EtherCAT network adapts to high-frequency operations through distributed clock mechanisms and event-triggered communication, allowing the system to maintain deterministic performance across varying processing speeds and frequencies
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple vision systems operate cooperatively, then system versatility and functionality are improved, but synchronization difficulty increases with non-deterministic protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal EtherCAT master-slave architecture where vision systems can function as either masters or slaves, enabling flexible cooperative operation with automatic role assignment and standardized synchronization interfaces across multiple devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs distributed clock synchronization where each vision system provides timing feedback to the network, allowing cooperative systems to maintain precise synchronization through continuous time-stamping and offset compensation mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
Vision system and method. The system includes a vision system, including: a camera, a processor and memory, coupled to the camera, and an EtherCAT interface, coupled to the processor and memory, possibly contained in a chassis, and operable to couple to an EtherCAT network that provides for deterministic low-latency communication between the vision system and devices coupled to the EtherCAT network. The vision system may be configurable to operate as any of: an EtherCAT master device, an EtherCAT slave device, or a TCP/IP Ethernet device. One or more additional vision systems may couple to the EtherCAT network. The vision systems may be synchronized using an EtherCAT distributed clock technique, time-based triggered, and/or event triggered, via the EtherCAT network, e.g., in a multi-view vision, collaborative processing, control, I/O, or video servoing application, e.g., using an EtherCAT deterministic low latency closed loop feedback system, including processing, control, or I/O devices.