IO-Link Daisy Chain Data Rotation for Multi-Device Cascading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional IO-Link communication technologies are limited to point-to-point connections, making it difficult to cascade devices functionally, and existing solutions either require complex configurations or suffer from technical disadvantages like increased effort and susceptibility to errors when transitioning to wireless connections.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows a chain of secondary devices to communicate indirectly through a master device via a first secondary device, using a daisy chain configuration with data elements positioned at a predetermined location and rotated to ensure each device receives its assigned data independently, enabling flexible and efficient data processing without complex configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If point-to-point connection is used for IO-Link devices, then direct connection between master and device is achieved, but cascading multiple devices becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission path by introducing intermediate secondary devices that can forward data between master and other devices. Each secondary device processes and forwards data independently, enabling cascade connections while maintaining point-to-point communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
Secondary devices act as intermediaries in the data transmission path. They receive data from the master or other devices, process the data according to their configuration, and forward it to the appropriate destination, enabling multi-device cascading without requiring master to directly connect to each device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If expansion port is used to connect IO-Link device to another device, then device connection is achieved, but complex configuration and limitation to one device are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes secondary devices universal by enabling them to perform multiple functions: receiving data from master, processing data locally, forwarding data to other devices, and being configured through standard IO-Link protocols. This eliminates the need for special expansion port configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
Secondary devices automatically configure themselves by receiving configuration data through the data transmission path from the master. The devices self-configure their forwarding rules and data processing parameters without requiring manual expansion port configuration, reducing configuration effort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless connection is used to extend IO-Link, then flexibility is improved, but effort and susceptibility to errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wireless communication (electromagnetic field-based) with wired data transmission through the existing IO-Link data path. This substitution maintains the reliability of wired connections while achieving flexibility through the intelligent forwarding capability of secondary devices.
4Adaptability or versatility
If IO-Link hub is used to connect devices, then multiple devices can be connected, but it does not result in a cascade of IO-Link devices
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a hub that collects data from multiple devices and distributes it, the patent inverts the approach by having data flow sequentially through secondary devices in a cascade. Each secondary device forwards data to the next device in the chain, creating a true cascade topology rather than a star topology.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method (100) for extending a point-to-point communication technology to operate a chain of secondary devices (300) on a common port (210) of a master device (200), wherein preferably the secondary devices (300) are implemented as IO-Link devices, the master device (200) as an IO-Link master, and/or the communication technology as IO-Link, wherein the method (100) comprises: - providing (101) data (500) for processing by a currently executing device (301) in the chain, wherein a data block (510) of the data (500) comprises several data elements (520) that are assigned to the different devices (300) in the chain, - providing (102) at least one data element (530) of the data elements (520), which is provided at a predetermined position in the data block (510) and is therefore assigned to the currently executing device (301) in the chain becomes,- Performing (103) the processing of the data (500), wherein a displacement, in particular rotation, of the data elements (520) by a specified number of positions is carried out so that after each forwarding of the data (500) to one of the devices (300) in the chain, the at least one data element (530) assigned to it is provided to that device (300) at the same predetermined position, - Initiating (104) the forwarding of the data (500) to the device (300) following the currently executing device (301).