Network Distributor Telegram Processing Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automation networks, particularly those using the EtherCAT protocol, face inefficiencies as telegrams are processed by all slave subscribers, leading to increased resource utilization and reduced throughput, with network distributors lacking the ability to process telegrams independently like slave subscribers.
Innovation Solution
A network distributor with dual functionality is introduced, capable of routing and processing telegrams based on a telegram element, allowing it to operate as both a manageable switch and a slave subscriber, optimizing resource utilization and increasing throughput by selectively releasing or blocking telegrams for processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If telegrams are processed by all slave subscribers in an EtherCAT network, then every slave subscriber can access and modify telegram data, but resource utilization increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into different zones using network distributors that can selectively process or forward telegrams. This allows the network to be divided into processing segments (where telegrams are handled) and forwarding segments (where telegrams are simply routed), reducing unnecessary processing in all nodes and improving overall throughput while maintaining data accessibility where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Network distributors act as intermediary devices between the master subscriber and slave subscribers. These distributors can selectively process telegrams based on configuration, determining whether to process the telegram data or simply forward it to the next node. This intermediary function reduces unnecessary processing across all slave subscribers while maintaining the ability for relevant nodes to access and modify telegram data.
2Ease of operation
If network distributors only route telegrams without processing capability, then routing functionality is provided, but the ability to process telegrams independently is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The network distributor is designed with multi-functionality, combining both routing and telegram processing capabilities in a single device. The distributor can operate in different modes: it can route telegrams without processing (acting as a simple switch), or it can process telegrams independently (acting as a slave subscriber). This universal design allows the same device to adapt to different network configuration requirements, providing both routing functionality and processing capability as needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more network components are used to provide processing capability, then telegram processing ability increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By making the network distributor universal with both routing and processing capabilities, the need for separate processing devices is eliminated. A single network distributor can replace what would otherwise require multiple separate components (routers and processing units), thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full telegram processing ability.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing function and telegram processing function are merged into a single network distributor device. This consolidation reduces the total number of network components required in the system while providing comprehensive functionality. The merged device can dynamically switch between routing-only mode and processing mode based on configuration, optimizing resource usage and simplifying the network architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An automation network with network subscribers is provided, in which the network subscribers are interconnected via a data line network. At least one network subscriber is configured as a master subscriber, which is adapted to send telegrams via the data line network. At least one network subscriber is configured as a network distributor, which is adapted to route telegrams. The network distributor has a plurality of input/output ports, and is connected to the master subscriber via a first input/output and data line network. The master subscriber is configured to use a telegram element to indicate that the telegram is enabled for processing by the network subscribers. In addition, the network distributor is configured to process a telegram received via the first input/output port when the telegram element indicates enablement of processing of the telegram by the network subscribers.