Field Bus Coupling Circuit With Asynchronous Process Data Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current field bus and local bus coupling technologies face challenges in efficiently transferring and managing process data between different bus systems, particularly due to differences in transmission protocols and the need for real-time data processing in industrial automation systems.
Innovation Solution
A circuit is designed to couple a field bus and a local bus, featuring a field bus controller, a local bus controller, a data management unit, and a memory area, with hardware-controlled interfaces and processors to transfer, store, and manage process data independently, enabling simultaneous and asynchronous operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If process data is transferred between field bus controller and local bus controller using conventional methods, then data transfer can be achieved, but processor load increases and real-time performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transfer function into two independent hardware components: a data management unit for automatic data transfer between bus controllers, and a processor for higher-level control tasks. This segmentation eliminates the burden of data transfer from the processor, reducing processor load while maintaining reliable real-time performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a data management unit as an intermediary component between the field bus controller and local bus controller. This intermediary handles all data transfer operations automatically, preventing processor involvement in routine data movement and thus reducing processor load while ensuring deterministic real-time performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol conversion between field bus and local bus is implemented, then compatibility between different bus systems is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data management unit serves as an intermediary that handles protocol conversion between field bus and local bus. By centralizing the conversion function in a dedicated unit rather than distributing it across multiple components, the patent achieves protocol compatibility while managing complexity in a controlled manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The data management unit is designed with multi-functionality, handling both data transfer and protocol conversion tasks. This universal approach consolidates multiple functions into a single component, achieving adaptability across different bus protocols while avoiding the complexity of separate dedicated components for each function.
3Ease of operation
If data is copied and stored in memory area for processor access, then data availability is improved, but memory access time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The data management unit performs preliminary action by automatically copying and storing process data in the memory area before the processor needs it. This advance preparation ensures data is readily available when the processor requests it, improving data availability while minimizing actual processor wait time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a copying mechanism where the data management unit creates copies of process data and stores them in the memory area. This allows the processor to access copied data quickly without blocking the main data flow, improving data availability while maintaining efficient system operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit for coupling a field bus and a local bus. A field bus controller is equipped to send and receive process data over the field bus. A local bus controller is equipped to send and receive the process data over the local bus. A data management unit is connected to the field bus controller and the local bus controller. The data management unit is equipped to transfer the process data between field bus controller and local bus controller. A memory area connected to the data management unit for copying and storing the process data. A processor connected to the data management unit and connected to the memory area. The processor is equipped to set up the data management unit to copy the process data into the memory area and the processor is equipped to read out the process data copied in the memory area.