Field Network Node Address Retrieval for Low-Memory Masters
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial control systems, the limited storage capacity of master devices restricts their ability to manage and update network settings for slave devices, particularly when prior information is lacking, limiting the provision of various functions and settings.
Innovation Solution
The control system includes a storage unit in each slave device with a unique node address and format information, allowing the master device to access and acquire this information through an information providing part, which can search and provide the necessary storage region details, even when the master device has limited resources, using a support apparatus or machine management server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the master device stores prior information about slave devices, then the master device can manage network settings efficiently, but the storage capacity of the master device is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the storage burden from the master device by implementing a distributed storage architecture where slave device information (node addresses, format information) is stored in the slave devices themselves rather than being centralized in the master device's limited storage. This allows the master device to manage network settings efficiently without being constrained by its storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an information providing part as an intermediary component that retrieves slave device information from slave devices upon request and provides it to the master device. This intermediary layer enables the master device to access necessary information without needing to store it permanently, resolving the contradiction between management efficiency and storage limitations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the master device has limited storage capacity, then various functions including setting functions cannot be provided, but increasing storage capacity increases device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where slave devices store and manage their own information (node addresses, format information) and can provide this information to the master device when requested. This eliminates the need for the master device to pre-store information about all possible slave devices, enabling various functions without increasing master device complexity or storage requirements.
3Speed
If node addresses are stored in fixed positions in slave devices, then data transmission is efficient, but different models of slave devices have different storage structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic information retrieval mechanism where the information providing part queries slave devices to determine the actual storage positions of node addresses and format information based on the specific slave device model. This dynamic approach allows efficient data transmission by accessing information at the correct positions while maintaining compatibility with different slave device models that have varying storage structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control system includes a master device and one or a plurality of slave devices connected to the master device via a field network. In a storage unit of each slave device, a node address is arranged in a unique region for each model of the slave devices. The control system further includes an information providing part which provides, in any slave device, information for specifying the region in which the node address is stored in the storage unit to the master device.