Half-Duplex Ethernet Node for Low-Complexity Multi-Drop Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Network switch devices with multiple ports are costly and complex, making them prohibitive for certain applications, and existing communication modules and industrial Ethernet systems do not efficiently manage data transmission in multi-point networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a low complexity multi-drop network using half-duplex devices with Ethernet network interface modules (EIMs) that include only hardware circuits, eliminating the need for processors and controllers, and utilizing multicast and unicast operations to optimize data transmission and reduce collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network switch devices with multiple ports are used, then data communication capability is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network switch functionality is segmented into two parts: a central controller that handles complex switching logic and multiple simple network interface modules (NIMs) that handle only basic data transmission. Each NIM can be independently configured and managed, allowing the system to provide multi-port communication capability while keeping individual device complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
A central controller acts as an intermediary between multiple NIMs, managing data routing and coordination. The controller receives data from any NIM, processes switching decisions, and forwards data to the appropriate destination NIM, enabling complex multi-port communication through a centralized coordination layer rather than requiring complex logic in each port.
2Productivity
If traditional communication modules with processors are used, then data processing capability is improved, but cost and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The processor and control logic are extracted from individual communication modules and consolidated into a single central controller. The NIMs retain only the essential data transmission functionality, eliminating redundant processors in each module. This extraction maintains overall data processing capability while significantly reducing power consumption in each individual module.
Solution Approach 2:
The central controller serves as a universal processing unit that handles data processing tasks for all NIMs. Instead of each NIM having its own dedicated processor, the single controller performs processing functions for the entire network, reducing total power consumption while maintaining data processing capability across all ports.
3Device complexity
If half-duplex devices are used in multi-drop network, then device complexity is reduced, but data transmission efficiency may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The central controller implements a feedback mechanism where it monitors the state of each NIM and the network medium. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically manages data transmission, coordinating send and receive operations to prevent collisions and optimize throughput in the half-duplex multi-drop environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The central controller performs preliminary actions by pre-coordinating data transmission schedules and managing access to the shared medium before data conflicts occur. It proactively controls which NIM can transmit at any given time, preventing efficiency losses from collisions rather than reacting to them after they occur.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A network interface module for coupling a host device to a switched network as a network node is described. The network interface module comprises a single half-duplex port for communicatively coupling to a shared bus of the switched network, at least one frame queue sized to store one multicast read frame received via the shared bus, and logic circuitry. The logic circuitry is configured to decode a read command for the interface module included in a payload of the multicast read frame that includes multiple read commands for other network nodes of the switched network, and transmit a response frame including read data on the shared bus when detecting the shared bus is available for transmitting.