Mediator Controller for Industrial Ethernet and Ethernet APL Timing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial and process automation systems face challenges in integrating Ethernet APL field devices with conventional field devices due to differences in physical layers and transmission rates, leading to communication delays and interference, especially when combining different Ethernet media types.
Innovation Solution
A mediator system with a mediator controller that includes an Industrial Ethernet protocol module, Ethernet APL protocol module, and a translator module, allowing for seamless integration and coordination of Industrial Ethernet and Ethernet APL services, ensuring high determinism and security through separate data exchange control and firewall functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Ethernet APL field devices are integrated with conventional field devices using a mediator, then compatibility and communication capability are improved, but communication delays and interference occur due to protocol conversion and cross-traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The mediator segments Ethernet telegrams into individual Ethernet APL field device data units, processing each field device's data separately rather than forwarding entire telegrams. This reduces processing overhead and communication delays while maintaining compatibility across different field bus technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The mediator acts as an intermediary device that converts between Industrial Ethernet protocols and Ethernet APL protocols, enabling communication between conventional field devices and Ethernet APL field devices while managing protocol translation efficiently to minimize delays.
2Ease of operation
If Ethernet telegrams are forwarded through a switch, then connectivity between field devices and central controller is improved, but minimum telegram size requirements and cross-traffic interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mediator segments Ethernet telegrams at the protocol level, extracting only the necessary data for each Ethernet APL field device rather than forwarding complete telegrams. This reduces the quantity of data traffic on the Ethernet APL network while maintaining full connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mediator extracts specific field device data from incoming Ethernet telegrams and forwards only the relevant portions to corresponding Ethernet APL field devices, eliminating unnecessary data transmission and reducing overall telegram traffic volume.
3Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion is implemented between Industrial Ethernet and Ethernet APL, then integration capability is improved, but system complexity increases due to translator module requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The mediator is designed as a universal device that can handle multiple Industrial Ethernet protocols and Ethernet APL protocols simultaneously, providing protocol conversion functionality in a single integrated platform rather than requiring separate conversion devices for each protocol pair.
Solution Approach 2:
The mediator serves as a centralized intermediary that consolidates all protocol conversion operations in one location, simplifying the overall system architecture compared to distributing conversion functionality across multiple devices or points in the network.
Data Source
AI summary
A mediator comprises a mediator controller comprising an Industrial Ethernet protocol module, at least one Ethernet APL protocol module, and a translator module connected to the Industrial Ethernet protocol module and the at least one Ethernet APL protocol module. The Industrial Ethernet protocol module interprets Industrial Ethernet data provided via a first SPI interface and allocates Industrial Ethernet services. The at least one Ethernet APL protocol module interprets Ethernet APL data made available via a further SPI interface and allocates Ethernet APL services. The translator module connects the Industrial Ethernet services and the Ethernet APL services to one another and coordinates them in terms of time.