Parameterizable Physical Layer for Automation Communication Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automation systems are optimized rigidly for one or more aspects such as high speed, deterministic access, availability, and expandability, but lack flexibility and scalability, particularly in terms of cost, assembly, and performance, limiting their adaptability to different application fields.
Innovation Solution
A module with a parameterizable physical layer for serial communication systems, allowing configuration adjustments via hardware or software settings to adapt to specific application requirements, enabling flexible topology changes between daisychain and backplane layouts without hardware or firmware modifications, and incorporating hubs for increased availability and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the system is optimized for high speed, then communication throughput is improved, but adaptability to different application scenarios deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic configuration of the physical layer through parameterization, allowing the communication module to adapt its speed and performance characteristics to different application scenarios. The module can be configured via hardware or software settings to optimize for high speed, deterministic access, availability, or cost, transforming a static system into a dynamic one that adjusts to varying requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies parameter changes by allowing the physical layer configuration to be parameterized with different settings for speed, availability, and expandability. This enables the same hardware module to operate at different performance levels and configurations depending on the specific application needs, resolving the contradiction between optimized performance and versatility.
2Loss of time
If the system is optimized for deterministic access, then response time is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows parameterization of the physical layer to optimize for deterministic access with defined response times. By configuring the module through software or hardware settings rather than requiring complex dedicated hardware for each application, the system achieves fast response times while keeping the overall architecture relatively simple and reusable across different scenarios.
3Reliability
If the system is optimized for high availability, then system reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a universal module that can be configured for high availability through parameterization. Rather than requiring separate dedicated hardware for each availability level, the same physical module can be programmed and configured to provide different availability levels, reducing overall system cost while maintaining the capability to achieve high reliability when needed.
4Ease of manufacture
If serial transmission is used, then cost and space requirement are reduced, but data transmission speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the transmission mode and speed based on configuration parameters. The physical layer can be parameterized to operate at different bit rates and performance levels, allowing the system to achieve higher speeds when needed while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the use of serial transmission architecture. The module adapts its performance characteristics rather than being fixed at a single speed level.
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a module for expanding a central module of an automation system, the data transfer between module and central module being accomplished by means of a serial communication system having point-to-point connections in a daisychain or backplane layout and the module having, in a physical layer herefor, at least two transmitters and at least two receivers. There is also described a communication system having at least one module of said kind and a central module. A module for a communication system within an automation system is specified, which module can be flexibly and easily adapted to the respective field of application. There is further described a flexible and scalable communication system for the data transfer between a central module/a CPU and at least one module with the aim of realizing a modular expansion of the central module/CPU. A physical layer can be parameterized in order to adapt it to a predefinable field of application of the module, in particular in terms of speed, availability and/or expandability.