Expandable Machine-Implement Network Gateway for CAN Bandwidth Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing single CAN bus protocol used in planters and other agricultural implements lacks sufficient bandwidth to efficiently transmit communications from an increasing number of controllers and sensors, limiting the speed and efficiency of data transmission during field operations.
Innovation Solution
An expandable network architecture with multiple networks, including a first network such as CAN and a second network like Ethernet or PoE, is implemented. This architecture includes communication modules with ports for both networks and a network gateway for protocol translation, allowing for the expansion of the network by coupling additional communication modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single CAN bus protocol is used for communication, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is maintained, but bandwidth and transmission speed are insufficient for an increasing number of controllers and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the communication system into multiple networks (first network and second network) with different functions. The first network handles basic control communications while the second network provides high-bandwidth data transmission. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high productivity through the second network without requiring complete redesign of the entire communication architecture, maintaining compatibility with existing single-bus designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary device between the first network and second network. The gateway performs protocol translation and data routing, enabling communication between devices on different networks. This intermediary approach allows the system to leverage high-bandwidth Ethernet infrastructure while maintaining support for traditional CAN bus devices, resolving the contradiction between increased bandwidth and system complexity.
2Speed
If multiple networks with protocol translation are implemented, then bandwidth and transmission speed increase, but device complexity and protocol conversion requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a specialized intermediary that handles all protocol translation complexity centrally. Rather than requiring each device to support multiple protocols, the gateway translates between CAN bus protocol and Ethernet protocol, simplifying the overall system architecture. This concentrated approach to protocol conversion manages complexity while enabling high-speed transmission on the Ethernet network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple network protocols and communication standards into a unified gateway device. The gateway integrates CAN bus interface, Ethernet interface, and protocol translation functionality in a single device, reducing the overall complexity that would arise from having separate translation devices for each protocol pair. This merging approach enables high transmission speed while consolidating complexity management.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are expandable network architectures with communication systems having multiple networks for communications between machines and implements for field operations including planting and harvesting operations. In one embodiment, a communication system includes a first communication module including at least one port of a first network, at least one input port and at least one output port of a second network, and a first network gateway to translate between a first protocol for the first network and a second protocol for the second network. A second communication module is communicatively coupled to tike first communication module. The second communication module includes at least one port of the first network, and at least at least one input port and at least one output port of the second network. The second communication module is configurable to expand a network architecture of the communication system by being capable of communicatively coupling to at least one additional communication module.