Automation Network Subscriber Detection via Query Telegram Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
EtherCAT networks face capacity limitations and increased telegram runtimes as they grow in size and complexity, particularly with high-data-producing devices, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission and processing.
Innovation Solution
A method for detecting network subscribers in automation networks using query telegrams, which allows for a simplified determination of network structure and optimized configuration, involving a configuration subscriber and network distributor that send query telegrams to detect and configure network subscribers, thereby improving data throughput and reducing processing times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the automation network grows in size and complexity with more protocol-network subscribers, then the network coverage and functionality are improved, but the telegram runtime increases and capacity limits are reached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the automation network into multiple independent segments using network distributors. Each segment operates with its own telegram routing, allowing parallel processing and reducing the overall telegram runtime. The master-network subscriber can manage multiple segments simultaneously, preventing the runtime from increasing linearly with network size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of network organization by allowing network distributors to have multiple data lines connecting to different segments. This transforms the traditional single-bus architecture into a multi-dimensional network structure where telegrams can be routed through different paths, reducing congestion and runtime in large networks.
2Area of stationary object
If the automation network grows in size and complexity with more protocol-network subscribers, then the network coverage and functionality are improved, but the data transmission capacity is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network into multiple segments using network distributors, allowing data transmission to occur in parallel across different segments. This segmentation prevents any single data line from becoming a bottleneck, maintaining high data transmission capacity even as the network grows in size and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic configuration of network segments and telegram routing through the detection method. The system can adaptively optimize data transmission paths and load distribution across segments, ensuring efficient utilization of available capacity and preventing overload in large-scale networks.
3Loss of information
If query telegrams are sent to detect network subscribers in a large network, then complete network detection is achieved, but the detection time and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network detection process by having the master-network subscriber send query telegrams to multiple network distributors simultaneously, which then independently detect their respective segments. This parallel detection approach maintains complete network coverage while significantly reducing the total detection time compared to sequential detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary detection actions where network distributors pre-process and filter information about connected protocol-network subscribers before reporting to the master-network subscriber. This preliminary action reduces the processing load on the master subscriber and accelerates the overall detection process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting network subscribers in an automation network by query telegrams provides that a protocol-network subscriber enters network-subscriber information into a query telegram and sends the query telegram to a subsequent network subscriber. If no subsequent network subscriber is connected to a data line, other than the receiving data line, it sends the query telegram back to the configuration subscriber. A network distributor enters port information on the further input/output ports of the network distributor, to which further data lines are connected into the query telegram, and returns it to the configuration subscriber. The configuration subscriber subsequently generates further query telegrams, each with routing information on the basis of the port information, and sends them to the network distributor. The network distributor outputs them on the further input/output port assigned to the respective routing information, in order to detect network subscribers connected to the respective further input/output ports.