Head Subscriber Filter for Circular Network Data Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial automation networks, the increasing data transmission rates in Ethernet networks lead to longer throughput times for data exchange between the sensor/actuator level and the control level, limiting the shortest cycle time for control processes due to the circulation time of data telegrams through network participants.
Innovation Solution
A network design with a head-end participant that filters out data telegrams with specific identifiers on the return path and independently outputs additional telegrams at specified times, allowing for simultaneous writing and reading of process data, thereby reducing throughput time and enabling faster control processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If data transmission rate is increased to 1 Gbit/s, then data transmission speed is improved, but throughput time through network participants increases, limiting control process cycle time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the circulation path of data telegrams by introducing a head-end participant that filters write data telegrams on the return path. This creates separate processing paths: write data telegrams travel only on the forward path while read data telegrams travel on the return path, eliminating redundant traversals and reducing throughput time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to the data transmission by independently controlling the timing of write and read operations. The head-end participant filters write data telegrams and generates read data telegrams at optimized times, creating overlapping execution windows that reduce the overall control cycle time
2Adaptability or versatility
If data telegrams circulate through all network participants on both forward and return paths, then all participants can access data, but circulation time increases control process cycle time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts write data telegrams from the return path circulation by filtering them at the head-end participant. This prevents write data telegrams from unnecessarily circulating through all network participants on the return path, reducing circulation time while maintaining data accessibility through the forward path
Solution Approach 2:
The head-end participant acts as an intermediary that filters write data telegrams and generates read data telegrams. This intermediary function optimizes the data circulation pattern by ensuring write data telegrams are removed on the return path and read data telegrams are generated at optimal times, reducing overall circulation time
Data Source
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AI summary
In a network, a control node 1 is connected to a plurality of network participants 3 via a closed, circular data path 2. The network participants form a chain starting from the control node, with a head participant 308 at the end of the chain. The circular data path 2 traverses the network participants 3 on a forward path 21 and a return path 22. The network participants are configured to exchange data telegrams circulating on the circular data path on both the forward and return paths. The control node 1 is further configured to output data telegrams with an identifier on the data path 2. The head participant 308 of the chain has a filter function to block the further transmission of data telegrams with the corresponding identifier on the return path 22 after the forward path 21 has passed through the head participant.The head subscriber 308 also has a transmit function to additionally output data telegrams at a predetermined time on the return path 22.