Integrated IO Communication Unit for Ethernet-APL Binary Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Ethernet-APL technology does not efficiently handle binary IO signals, requiring separate Remote IOs with limited flexibility and increased infrastructure, leading to complex installations and limited IO count in field cabinets.
Innovation Solution
A communication unit with separate power and data transmission via an external network, allowing flexible IO-module deployment and power supply, eliminating the need for Remote IO stations and backplane buses, and supporting various IO types and counts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Remote IOs are used to collect auxiliary signals separately, then binary IO signals can be transmitted, but the device complexity and installation complexity increase due to requiring separate Remote IO stations, head stations, and backplane buses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the APL-switch functionality with Remote IO functionality into a single integrated device. The APL-switch ports are turned into IO-card analogs, allowing the same infrastructure to handle both analog Ethernet-APL signals and binary auxiliary signals. This merging eliminates the need for separate Remote IO stations, head stations, and backplane buses, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable binary IO signal transmission.
2Reliability
If Remote IOs are mounted in field cabinets with field-switches, then auxiliary signals can be collected, but the area occupied in field cabinets increases and flexibility for expansions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By merging APL-switch and Remote IO into a single integrated unit, the patent eliminates the need for separate Remote IO mounting space in field cabinets. The integrated device occupies less space while providing the same auxiliary signal collection capability. This also increases flexibility for expansions as the unified infrastructure can more easily accommodate additional IO channels without requiring separate cabinet space for Remote IO units.
3Length of moving object
If Ethernet-APL is used for field device connectivity, then long distances and simple 2-wire connections are achieved, but binary IO signals cannot be efficiently transmitted due to large Ethernet overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the APL-switch ports universal by enabling them to function both as Ethernet-APL communication ports for analog signals and as IO channels for binary auxiliary signals. This multi-functionality allows the same 2-wire Ethernet-APL infrastructure to efficiently handle both types of signals, eliminating the need for separate communication media while maintaining long transmission distances and simple wiring.
4Reliability
If separate infrastructure for APL-switches and Remote IOs is installed, then analog and auxiliary signals can be transmitted, but the ease of manufacture and installation decreases due to different engineering approaches required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges APL-switch and Remote IO into a single integrated product that requires only a single engineering approach and installation process. The unified device eliminates the need to plan and install separate infrastructures for analog and auxiliary signals, thereby simplifying manufacturing, engineering, and installation while maintaining reliable signal transmission for both types of signals.
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a communication unit (100) for a communication system (200) comprising: - at least one IO (input/output)-module (20); - a communication interface board (10) to connect the at least one IO-module (20) with at least an external device (30) for a data exchange via an external network (40), wherein the external network (40) is capable of transmitting power and data over a common network connection (42); - a power supply interface (50) configured to receive power from an external power supply provider (60), wherein the power supply interface (50) is configured to supply the at least IO module (20) with power.