Field Bus Interface Module Using Virtual Address Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing field bus systems lack a simple and flexible method for configuring and parameterizing peripheral devices without a Profinet controller, requiring non-volatile storage of configuration information for Ethernet/IP or Modbus TCP/IP environments.
Innovation Solution
A method that transforms logical addresses into virtual addresses, allowing for the creation of a virtual configuration file transmitted via the field bus, which is recognized and stored non-volatilely by the interface module, and then transformed back into physical addresses for data exchange, utilizing a firmware infrastructure for Profinet connection establishment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If logical addresses are transformed into virtual addresses for configuration file transmission, then the flexibility and power of configuration is improved, but the device complexity increases due to transformation devices and recognition mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces virtual addresses as an intermediary layer between the engineering system and the field bus user. The transformation device converts logical addresses to virtual addresses for transmission, and the recognition device identifies these virtual addresses to trigger configuration storage. This intermediary mechanism enables flexible configuration while managing complexity through structured address transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of directly transmitting logical addresses, the system inverts the approach by transforming them into virtual addresses that are not physically present. The recognition device then detects these virtual addresses and triggers the reverse transformation back to logical addresses for actual device access. This inversion allows for flexible configuration management.
2Reliability
If virtual configuration files are stored non-volatilely in the interface module, then the reliability is improved by maintaining configuration after power loss, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to non-volatile storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by transforming logical addresses to virtual addresses and storing the virtual configuration file in non-volatile memory before actual device operation. This ensures that configuration data persists through power cycles, and the reverse transformation to logical addresses occurs automatically when needed, maintaining reliability while managing manufacturing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a recognition device is implemented to detect virtual addresses, then the ease of operation is improved by automatic configuration recognition, but the device complexity increases due to additional recognition functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The recognition device enables the interface module to automatically detect and process virtual configuration files without external intervention. When virtual addresses are detected in the received configuration file, the system automatically triggers the signal to store the configuration and perform reverse transformation, providing self-service configuration that improves ease of operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If reverse transformation from virtual addresses to logical addresses is performed, then the adaptability is improved by enabling data exchange with field bus users, but the processing time increases due to transformation operations
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse transformation from virtual addresses to logical addresses is performed as a preliminary action when the virtual configuration file is first received and stored. This ensures that the transformation is completed before actual data exchange operations begin, reducing the time impact during runtime communication between field bus users and the interface module.
Data Source
AI summary
Interface module and method for configuring and parameterizing a field bus user, wherein to facilitate a configuration and parameterization of a field bus user logical addresses on the side of an engineering system are transformed with a transformation device into virtual addresses, where whether virtual addresses are present in a received virtual configuration file is recognized in an interface module via a recognition device, a signal is triggered when addresses are present in the received virtual configuration file to ensure the virtual configuration file is adopted and stored in a non-volatile manner in a configuration store within the interface module, and where the virtual addresses are transformed in the interface module via a reverse transformation device back into physically present addresses, whereby for a data exchange of the process data of the module slot, on request by further field bus users, the process data in the module slot is addressed.