Daisy-Chain Measuring System Self-Addressing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In coordinate measuring systems, the manual allocation of distinct addresses to subscribers is time-consuming, error-prone, and complex, often requiring additional hardware, which can lead to malfunctions and hardware damage during servicing and component exchange.
Innovation Solution
A communication method where subscribers organize themselves without specific address allocation, using a serial structure with two communication interfaces to distinguish neighbors and process messages based on identifier mapping functions, eliminating the need for external address allocation and allowing for flexible communication without a dedicated communication master.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual address allocation is used for subscribers, then device identification and communication are achieved, but time consumption and error probability increase during installation and servicing
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system performs automatic self-identification and self-addressing when subscribers are connected to the bus. Each subscriber automatically determines its own address based on its position in the daisy-chain connection, eliminating the need for manual address allocation by technicians during installation or servicing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The address allocation is performed automatically during the initial communication setup phase when the system is first powered on or when a subscriber is added to the network. This preliminary automatic configuration eliminates the need for time-consuming manual address setting later during servicing or component exchange operations.
2Reliability
If manual address allocation with additional hardware is used, then subscriber identification is achieved, but device complexity and hardware requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for additional address allocation hardware (such as DIP switches, coding connectors, or electronic programming devices) by extracting the address assignment function from manual hardware operations and integrating it into the software-based automatic self-identification process that occurs during normal system initialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical address allocation methods (DIP switches, physical coding connectors) are replaced with an automated electronic/software-based self-identification system that uses communication protocols and identifier mapping functions to automatically assign addresses to subscribers without requiring additional physical hardware components.
3Reliability
If star-shaped wiring to controller is used, then communication link is established, but wiring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication network into a daisy-chain topology where subscribers are connected sequentially in series rather than all connecting individually to a central controller. This segmentation reduces the total amount of wiring required while maintaining reliable communication through the chain structure, where each subscriber connects to two neighbors (except end subscribers).
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for line-conducted bidirectional communication between subscribers in a measuring system, the subscribers being arranged in a chain-like series structure. In said series structure, each of the subscribers is connected to one of the subscribers that precedes same by means of a first communication interface and to one of the subscribers that follows same by means of a second communication interface. Each of the subscribers has a message processing unit, by means of which the first and second communication interfaces can be operated independently of each other in order to send and/or receive a message. In the communication by the message processing unit, the message is received as a digital data structure by means of the first communication and an identification range of the message is evaluated by comparing a content of the identification range within specified target criteria.