Dual-OS Motion Control Channels for Parallel Synchronized Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motion control systems lack the ability to execute multiple motion operations in parallel using a computer with both non-real-time and real-time operating systems, limiting cost-effectiveness and versatility.
Innovation Solution
A motion control program that utilizes a computer with both non-real-time and real-time OS, featuring reception units on the non-real-time OS, a channel management unit on the real-time OS, and a fixed-cycle processing unit to create and manage operation channels and control command channels, enabling synchronized control of multiple control target devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated hardware motion controller is used, then real-time performance and control accuracy are improved, but device cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a motion control program as an intermediary layer that runs on a general-purpose computer with dual OS architecture. The real-time OS handles time-critical motion control tasks while the non-real-time OS manages user interface and configuration, allowing the system to achieve dedicated hardware-level real-time performance without the complexity and cost of specialized motion controller hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables a general-purpose computer to perform multiple functions: it can run a motion control program for industrial automation while simultaneously maintaining standard applications through the non-real-time OS. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated hardware, reducing both cost and system complexity while maintaining real-time performance for motion control operations.
2Device complexity
If a general-purpose computer with non-real-time OS is used, then device cost and versatility are improved, but real-time control accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the operating system into two distinct parts: a real-time OS kernel that guarantees deterministic timing for motion control operations, and a non-real-time OS that provides general-purpose computing capabilities. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity and low cost while achieving high control accuracy through the real-time portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion control program acts as an intermediary between the dual OS architecture and the control target devices. It receives high-level commands from the non-real-time OS environment and translates them into precise, time-synchronized control signals for multiple devices, ensuring control accuracy comparable to dedicated hardware while maintaining system simplicity.
3Productivity
If multiple motion control programs are executed in parallel, then productivity and versatility are improved, but system resource contention and control synchronization become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The channel management unit serves as an intermediary that coordinates multiple motion control programs running in parallel. It manages communication channels between different programs and the control target devices, ensuring that simultaneous operations are properly synchronized and that resource access is coordinated, thereby maintaining control reliability while enabling high productivity through parallel execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the motion control program continuously monitors the execution state of multiple parallel programs and adjusts control commands accordingly. This feedback ensures that even when multiple programs run simultaneously, their control actions remain synchronized and coordinated, preventing conflicts and maintaining system reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A motion control program that causes a computer to function as: a reception unit on a non-real-time OS that receives a control command that controls a plurality of control target devices, and notifies a control unit of control command information indicating a content of the received control command; the control unit that generates an interpolation command for each of the control target devices repeatedly for each of motion control cycles based on the control command information notified from the reception unit, and stores the generated interpolation command; and a communication module unit that obtains an interpolation command, converts the obtained interpolation command from a predetermined signal format which can be recognized by the control unit into a signal format with a communication interface standard which can be recognized by each of the plurality of control target devices, and transmits the interpolation command.