Master-Slave Communication System Double-Loop Fault Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing master-slave communication systems with a double-ring structure require high hardware and switching complexity to achieve fault tolerance, leading to increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A communication system with a double ring topology where the master unit has only one transmitting and receiving unit, using a single ring architecture with a master coupling device to reconfigure data transmission paths in case of errors, allowing data to loop through both communication paths to maintain functionality with minimal hardware and switching effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a double-ring structure with two transmitting and receiving devices is used in the master unit, then fault tolerance is improved, but hardware complexity and switching complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two transmitting and receiving devices into a single transmitting and receiving unit. The master unit uses one transmitting unit (11) and one receiving unit (12) that can dynamically switch between the two communication paths (21, 22), eliminating the need for duplicate hardware while maintaining fault tolerance through logical path switching controlled by the master coupling device (13).
Solution Approach 2:
The single transmitting unit (11) and receiving unit (12) in the master unit serve multiple functions by operating on both communication paths (21, 22). The master coupling device (13) enables these units to dynamically route data through either path depending on fault conditions, making the hardware universal rather than path-specific.
2Reliability
If a double-ring structure with two transmitting and receiving devices is used in the master unit, then fault tolerance is improved, but switching complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the switching functionality from the transmitting and receiving units and places it in a separate master coupling device (13). This dedicated coupling device handles all path switching operations, simplifying the transmitting unit (11) and receiving unit (12) while centralizing the switching logic in a specialized component designed for this purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The master coupling device (13) acts as an intermediary between the single transmitting/receiving unit and the two communication paths (21, 22). It manages the complexity of path selection and switching, shielding the core communication units from switching complexity while enabling fault-tolerant operation through controlled reconfiguration.
3Reliability
If two transmitting and receiving devices are used in the master unit for double-ring structure, then error tolerance is improved, but costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hardware resources into a single transmitting unit (11) and receiving unit (12) that serve both communication paths (21, 22) through dynamic routing. This consolidation reduces the number of hardware components needed compared to having separate devices for each path, thereby reducing costs while maintaining the ability to tolerate errors through path redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own single transmitting and receiving unit to serve both communication paths, eliminating the need for additional dedicated hardware. The master coupling device (13) enables the system to self-reconfigure and maintain communication through either path using the same hardware resources, achieving cost efficiency without sacrificing error tolerance.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The invention relates to a communication system comprising a master unit (1) and a plurality of slave units (3). In error mode, e.g. when a path error or a complete failure of a subscriber occurs, data transmission is carried out in a loop, starting from the master unit (1), via a first communication path (21) and a second communication path (22).