Master Control Board Serial Port Switching for Core Switch Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The commissioning and maintenance of high-density, high-bandwidth core switch systems are inefficient due to the frequent need to switch serial port lines between boards, which is essential for both individual board and system-level functions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a master control board switches a transmission channel to a commissioning serial port and transmits an enabling signal to a service board, allowing the service board to perform commissioning processing, utilizing a RS485 bus for interconnection and signal translation between RS232 and bus level signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If serial port lines are switched frequently between each single board during system commissioning and maintenance, then individual board commissioning can be performed, but the efficiency of commissioning and maintenance is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a master control board as an intermediary device that centralizes the serial port interface. Instead of physically switching serial port lines between multiple service boards, the master control board receives serial port signals and routes them to the appropriate service board through internal switching mechanisms, thereby eliminating the need for frequent physical line switching and improving commissioning efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The master control board is designed with multi-functional capabilities, serving both as a central control unit and as a serial port switching hub. It can simultaneously manage multiple service boards and handle serial communication with any of them through a single unified interface, making the commissioning process more versatile and efficient
2Adaptability or versatility
If serial ports are connected to each service board for individual commissioning, then board-level commissioning is enabled, but system-level commissioning becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the serial port interfaces of multiple service boards into a single centralized interface on the master control board. This consolidation allows both individual board commissioning and system-level commissioning to be performed through one unified serial port, thereby maintaining commissioning flexibility while significantly reducing the complexity of serial port line management
3Productivity
If a centralized master control board is used to manage serial ports, then commissioning efficiency is improved, but signal translation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master control board acts as a signal translation intermediary between the standardized serial port interface and the internal communication protocols of various service boards. It contains translation modules that convert incoming serial port signals into the appropriate bus-level signals for routing to specific service boards, and vice versa, thereby enabling fast commissioning while managing signal translation complexity within a single centralized device
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the efficiency of commissioning and maintenance by preserving serial port functions for individual boards and enabling convenient system-level serial communication, simplifying the process and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the master control board translating the commissioning enabling signal to a bus level signal and transmitting the bus level signal to the selected service board through a bus
Implementation Method 2
the service board translating a RS232 commissioning signal to the bus level signal and transmitting the bus level signal to the master control board through the bus
Data Source
AI summary
A commissioning method, a master control board, and a service board are provided. The method comprises: a master control board switching a transmission channel to a commissioning serial port and transmitting a commissioning enabling signal to a selected service board; and after the service board receives the commissioning enabling signal, the service board switching the transmission channel to a local commissioning serial port and performing commissioning processing with the master control board. The embodiments of the invention preserve the commissioning serial ports inside single boards (i.e., service boards) for commissioning single boards respectively as well as enable the serial ports of the master control board of a core switch system to perform serial communication conveniently with CPU of any single board of the core switch system.