I/O Station Tunnelling APL and Non-APL Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing I/O stations require separate physical layers for connecting analog and Advanced Physical Layer (APL) field devices, leading to complexity and inefficiency in data communication.
Innovation Solution
An I/O station with a tunnelling capability that allows data to be transmitted between APL and non-APL I/O modules and the network using a single communication channel, eliminating the need for separate APL and non-APL communication channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate physical layers are used for APL and non-APL field devices, then device compatibility and communication reliability are improved, but system complexity and communication channel quantity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate APL and non-APL communication channels into a single unified communication channel. The I/O station uses a single physical layer interface to communicate with both APL field devices (using APL protocols) and non-APL field devices (using traditional protocols), eliminating the need for separate communication infrastructure while maintaining protocol-specific reliability requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The I/O station is designed with multi-functional capability to handle multiple communication protocols through a single physical interface. The system can dynamically switch between APL and non-APL communication modes, making the communication channel universal and adaptable to different field device types without requiring dedicated separate channels.
2Reliability
If separate physical layers are used for APL and non-APL field devices, then protocol-specific communication requirements are met, but data transmission efficiency and channel utilization decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system implements dynamic protocol selection and switching capability. The I/O station can adaptively change communication protocols based on the connected field device type, allowing the single physical channel to optimize transmission efficiency for each specific device while maintaining protocol compatibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes communication parameters dynamically based on the field device type. When an APL device is detected, APL-specific parameters are applied; when a non-APL device is detected, traditional parameters are used. This parameter adaptation allows efficient data transmission tailored to each device type through the same physical channel.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an I/O station (10) for signalling between a network (3) and a plurality of field devices (21) in an automation system (1). The I/O station comprises an I/O network interface (11), and a plurality of I/O modules (12), each providing one or more I/O channels (20) connecting respective one or more field device(s) of the plurality of field devices, whereby each of the field devices is communicatively connected to the network via the I/O module and the network interface. At least one of the I/O modules is an APL I/O module (12b) connecting APL field device(s) (21b) of the plurality of field devices, and at least one of the I/O modules is a non-APL I/O module (12a) connecting non-APL field device(s) (21a) of the plurality of field devices. The I/O station is configured for tunnelling data between at least one of the I/O modules and the network.