Optical Ethernet Backplane Bus With Passive Splitter Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing industrial control systems face challenges in achieving efficient and reliable high-speed communication between I/O modules and cluster managers, especially in scenarios with space constraints and a large number of I/O modules, where external switches become cumbersome and costly, failing to meet real-time communication requirements.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a passive optical network using a passive optical splitter and coupler for multipoint Ethernet connections, synchronized with Time Sensitive Networking switches and Precision Time Protocol, eliminates the need for external switches, ensuring deterministic and high-performance data transmission without active components, and utilizing IEEE 802.1Qbv time-aware scheduling for efficient bandwidth allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external switches are used to connect I/O modules to cluster manager, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the active switching function from the network architecture and replaces it with passive optical components. The external switch is removed entirely, and its functionality is replaced by passive optical splitters and couplers combined with time-division multiplexing at the protocol level, eliminating the need for active hardware switching while maintaining communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical/electrical switching system with an optical system. Active electrical switches are replaced by passive optical components (splitters and couplers) combined with optical transceivers, eliminating the need for complex electrical switching mechanisms while achieving the same network connectivity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If external switches are used for multipoint connection, then communication capability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemultipoint connection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses passive optical copying to distribute signals to multiple I/O modules. Instead of requiring one switch per connection, a single optical signal from the cluster manager is copied and distributed to multiple modules through passive optical splitters, enabling multipoint connections without additional active components or cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The passive optical infrastructure provides universal connectivity for all I/O modules in the cluster. The same passive optical network infrastructure supports multiple I/O modules simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate switching hardware for each module while maintaining full multipoint connection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If more I/O modules are connected to meet system requirements, then system functionality is improved, but communication performance degrades due to switch limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of I/O modulesVSAvoidcommunication speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements time-division multiplexing where each I/O module is allocated specific time slots for communication with the cluster manager. This periodic action allows multiple modules to share the optical channel without interference, maintaining high communication speeds even as the number of modules increases, since each module gets dedicated bandwidth during its assigned time slot.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution provides a reliable, low-cost, and high-speed communication system that respects real-time constraints, offering full duplex communication at 1000 Mb/s or more, with deterministic latency for I/O data and best effort service data transmission, minimizing the risk of failure and optimizing bandwidth usage.

Implementation Method 1

the passive optical network includes a passive optical splitter for transmitting data from the cluster manager to the communication devices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical signal splitting: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

the passive optical network includes a passive optical coupler for transmitting data from the communication devices to the cluster manager

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical signal coupling: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentUS20240356646A1Optical ethernet bus

Publication Date: 2024.10.24 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS

AI summary

An industrial system for controlling backplane communication, including a cluster manager linked to a set of communication devices including at least one Input/Output module via a passive optical network. The passive optical network includes a passive optical splitter for transmitting data from the cluster manager to the communication devices, and a passive optical coupler for transmitting data from the communication devices to the cluster manager. The communication devices are synchronized in time with the cluster manager and configured to send data via the passive optical network at respective scheduled time windows.