Proxy Communication Module for Slave Device Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems require manual point-to-point configuration of slave devices with a PC, are inefficient in large distributed systems, and are limited by the weakest device's communication settings, leading to network performance issues and disruptions from absent or defective devices.
Innovation Solution
A communication module with a proxy functionality, featuring a communication processor connected to multiple internal buses via switchable transceivers, allows parallel communication and verification of slave devices, enabling dynamic address association, adaptive communication parameters, and optimized timeout calculations to manage disturbed devices without interrupting regular communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual point-to-point configuration is used for slave devices, then communication settings can be individually optimized, but configuration time and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module performs self-configuration by automatically detecting slave devices on the bus, assigning addresses, and optimizing communication parameters without requiring manual PC configuration. The module autonomously manages the configuration process, eliminating the need for time-consuming point-to-point setup while maintaining optimized communication settings for each slave device.
2Ease of operation
If the master device handles all communication directly, then device control is simple, but network performance is limited by the weakest device's communication settings
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into a master device, a communication module with processing capability, and slave devices. The communication module independently manages communication with slave devices, allowing each slave to operate at its optimal speed without being constrained by the master device's communication limitations. This segmentation enables parallel processing and improves overall network productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication module acts as an intermediary between the master device and slave devices. It receives commands from the master, processes them, and communicates with slave devices using optimized parameters for each slave's capabilities. This intermediary role allows the system to overcome the bottleneck created by the master's communication limitations while maintaining simple master device control.
3Reliability
If all slave devices must share common communication settings, then compatibility is ensured, but the fastest slave devices cannot operate at their full speed
Solution Approach 1:
Each slave device is assigned its own communication parameters optimized for its specific capabilities and requirements. The communication module maintains individual communication settings for each slave device, allowing fast slaves to operate at high speeds while slower devices use appropriate lower speeds. This local quality approach ensures compatibility through standardized protocols while maximizing individual communication speeds.
4Loss of information
If the master device waits for responses from all slave devices, then complete data collection is achieved, but response time increases due to sequential communication
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module enables continuous and parallel communication with multiple slave devices simultaneously. Instead of sequential waiting, the module can send requests to multiple slaves in parallel and collect responses concurrently, maintaining complete data collection while significantly reducing overall response time through continuous useful action across all devices.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a communication system having a communication bus, a master device, which is connected to the communication bus and which communicates with the communication bus in a master mode, and several slave devices which can be connected to the communication bus and which communicate with the communication bus in a slave mode. To improve the performance capability of the communication system, the slave devices can be connected to the communication bus using a communication module designed as a proxy, wherein the communication module is connected to the communication bus using an input port and output ports for connecting the slave devices using a point-to-point connection, the communication module has a communication processor connected on the input side to the communication bus and on the output side to a first internal bus by means of a first serial interface.