Mechatronic Network Routing With Partial Sum Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the number of field devices increases, existing communication methods become inefficient due to large sum frames, leading to suboptimal use of network resources and increased network traffic, which is not capable of handling demanding tasks in mechatronic systems with flexible configurations.
Innovation Solution
The method employs a configurable routing structure for sum frame messages that adapts to the network topology, allowing partial routes to be defined, enabling selective access to payload data and optimizing communication routes, thereby improving network efficiency and reducing traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If all payload data from multiple field devices are combined into a single sum frame, then network communication can be simplified and centralized, but the sum frame becomes increasingly large and inefficient as the number of field devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network into multiple segments or zones, each with its own sum frame. Instead of creating one large sum frame containing all field device data, the system creates multiple smaller sum frames that are distributed across different network segments. This segmentation reduces the size of individual sum frames while maintaining comprehensive data collection across the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the sum frame structure by creating parent sum frames and child sum frames. Child sum frames contain data from specific field devices or groups, while parent sum frames aggregate data from multiple child sum frames. This hierarchical arrangement transforms the flat, single-level sum frame into a multi-level structure, reducing the burden on any single frame.
2Productivity
If a single sum frame is used for all field devices, then network traffic can be consolidated, but network resources are not used efficiently and traffic volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the network into multiple zones with separate sum frames, the patent reduces the total volume of network traffic. Each segment transmits only its local data, avoiding the redundancy of transmitting the same data across the entire network. This segmentation improves network resource utilization by distributing traffic load across multiple parallel transmission paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local sum frames at different network segments, allowing each segment to handle its own data transmission independently. This local quality approach ensures that data is transmitted efficiently over the shortest necessary path, reducing overall network traffic volume while maintaining effective data collection from all field devices.
3Reliability
If sum frames contain data from all subscribers, then complete data collection is achieved, but the communication method becomes inefficient for systems with flexible configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The hierarchical sum frame structure allows the network to be divided into segments that can be independently configured. Each segment can be adapted to specific application requirements while maintaining complete data collection within that segment. The hierarchical aggregation ensures that data from all segments is ultimately collected, maintaining completeness while allowing local flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic sum frame hierarchy where parent and child relationships can be flexibly configured based on system requirements. The hierarchical structure allows for dynamic addition or removal of field devices and segments without requiring complete reconfiguration of the entire network, thereby maintaining both data completeness and system flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method between subscribers of a network having multiple components of a mechatronic system, wherein payload data are communicated between the subscribers via the network by messages, and payload data of multiple subscribers are combined in a sum frame message and the sum frame message is sent to the subscribers. To use network resources more efficiently, a configurable routing structure is used to route the messages, said routing structure containing at least one partial route, and at least one partial message pertaining to this partial route is composed that, as a sum frame partial message, contains just payload data from subscribers of this partial route, the sum frame partial message is routed via this partial route and subscribers of the partial route can each extract their payload data from the sum frame partial message and/or write said payload data to the sum frame partial message.