Fieldbus Gateway Linking Device Network Switch Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems face disruptions in network connectivity between Fieldbus devices and external controllers due to failures or losses in network switches, leading to interruptions in continuous control, necessitating improved communication facilitation methods.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a linking device system with primary and secondary components that communicate timing messages to detect network connectivity and switch control between them, ensuring continuous communication between Fieldbus devices and external controllers even if primary connectivity is lost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network switches are used to facilitate communications between Fieldbus devices and external controllers, then communication flexibility is improved, but network connectivity reliability deteriorates due to potential switch failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Fieldbus gateway as an intermediary device between the Fieldbus network and Ethernet network. This gateway acts as a mediator that converts Fieldbus protocol messages to Ethernet protocol messages and vice versa, enabling communication between incompatible networks while isolating potential failure points. The gateway maintains reliable Fieldbus device control by providing protocol conversion and network isolation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control network into distinct Fieldbus network and Ethernet network segments, connected through a Fieldbus gateway. This segmentation isolates potential failures in one network segment from affecting the other, improving overall system reliability. The gateway handles protocol conversion between segments, maintaining communication flexibility while reducing the impact of switch failures.
2Reliability
If multiple network switches are deployed to ensure continuous control, then system redundancy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The Fieldbus gateway performs multiple functions including protocol conversion, network translation, and message routing between Fieldbus and Ethernet networks. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional device, the system achieves continuous control capability without requiring multiple redundant switches, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway serves as a mediator that enables continuous control by maintaining communication pathways between Fieldbus devices and external controllers. It provides protocol conversion and network isolation, allowing the system to maintain control continuity without deploying multiple redundant switches, thus reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Fieldbus devices operate at different speeds than external controllers, then device compatibility is improved, but communication efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The Fieldbus gateway dynamically adjusts communication parameters including data rate, message format, and protocol timing to match the capabilities of connected Fieldbus devices and external controllers. This parameter adaptation enables efficient communication across different speed domains by optimizing transmission rates and message structures for each network segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as a speed-matching intermediary that buffers and translates messages between Fieldbus devices operating at lower speeds and external controllers operating at higher speeds. It performs protocol conversion and message formatting to maintain communication efficiency despite speed differences, enabling seamless data exchange between incompatible devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatus for facilitating communications between an external controller and Fieldbus devices are described. A primary linking device in communication with the controller and one or more Fieldbus devices may be configured to direct the communication of a timing message to the controller and determine whether a response to the timing message has been received from the controller. Based upon the determination, the primary linking device may direct a switching of communications control to a secondary linking device.