Industrial Ethernet Topology Discovery for Distributed Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industrial Ethernet systems face limitations such as single-function networks, inflexible topological connections, and unbalanced controller loads, which hinder high-precision reconfigurable synchronous control and overall performance improvement.
Innovation Solution
A control method and device that automatically identifies the topology of network equipment, categorizes slave nodes by function, establishes a physical logical mapping table, and transmits a predetermined packet through a sequence of slave nodes to uncover their topology, enabling distributed control and centralized management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional industrial Ethernet is used, then basic control functions are available, but topology identification capability is lost and control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends traditional Ethernet frame structures to incorporate multiple functions including topology identification, device discovery, and control commands within a unified protocol framework, enabling the network to perform diverse functions while maintaining precise topology awareness
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed topological connection is used, then network structure is simple, but flexibility in topological connection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic topology discovery mechanisms where network devices automatically detect and adapt to changing topological configurations in real-time, allowing the network structure to evolve from static to dynamic without increasing configuration complexity for users
3Productivity
If distributed control is implemented, then overall performance improves, but controller load balance deteriorates due to unbalanced distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates load monitoring and dynamic task allocation mechanisms where controllers continuously exchange load status information and automatically redistribute control tasks to maintain balanced workload distribution across the distributed control network
Data Source
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AI summary
A control method and device (100) based on an industrial Ethernet relate to the technical field of Ethernet. The industrial Ethernet involves a master node and a plurality of slave nodes. The master node transmits a predetermined packet to a first slave node (S 140). The first slave node transmits the predetermined packet having been rewritten by the first slave node to a succeeding slave node linked to the first slave node until a last slave node in the plurality of the slave nodes receives the predetermined packet having been rewritten by all preceding slave nodes in the plurality of the slave nodes; and the last slave node transmits the predetermined packet back to the master node (S150). The master node then parses the predetermined packet, which has been rewritten by each of the plurality of the slave nodes, to uncover a topology of the slave nodes (S160). The master node informed by the topology transmits a command packet to one of the plurality of the slave nodes to be controlled (S180). As is shown, the predetermined packet transmitted by the master node is sequentially rewritten by the plurality of the slave nodes so that the master node can be informed of the topology of the slave nodes, thereby realizing distributed control and centralized management and improve security and reliability.