Wireless Radio Client Integration With Synchronized Frequency Hopping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automation systems with wireless communication for industrial applications lack flexibility in integrating radio subscribers, particularly in managing frequency hopping to avoid collisions and ensure efficient data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The automation system incorporates a master control unit, radio devices with synchronization elements, and hopping tables to dynamically change frequencies within specific ranges, allowing for simultaneous frequency changes across multiple radio channels, thereby minimizing interference and enabling flexible integration of multiple radio subscribers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequency hopping is used to avoid collisions in wireless communication, then reliability of data transmission is improved, but device complexity increases due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A dedicated synchronization element acts as an intermediary between the clock master and the radio module, generating synchronization signals that coordinate frequency hopping across all radio channels without requiring complex direct coordination between channels
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization function is segmented into independent synchronization elements for each radio channel, each receiving clock signals independently from the bus system, allowing parallel frequency hopping operations without inter-channel interference
2Productivity
If multiple radio channels operate simultaneously with frequency hopping, then productivity of wireless communication is improved, but collision risks increase without proper synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
Frequency hopping follows a periodic pattern defined by hopping tables, with each radio channel systematically changing frequencies at predetermined intervals based on synchronized clock signals, ensuring predictable and collision-free communication
Solution Approach 2:
Frequency hopping sequences are predetermined and stored in hopping tables before communication begins, allowing radio devices to proactively switch to the next frequency in the sequence without real-time negotiation, preventing collisions before they occur
3Reliability
If hardwired sync lines are used for frequency synchronization, then reliability of frequency coordination is improved, but adaptability of the system decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Physical hardwired synchronization connections are replaced with electrical signal transmission through the existing digital bus system, allowing frequency synchronization to be implemented through software-configurable clock signals rather than fixed physical connections
Solution Approach 2:
The bus system serves multiple functions simultaneously: data communication and frequency synchronization distribution, eliminating the need for dedicated synchronization hardware and enabling the system to adapt to different configurations through software
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an automation system (1) having at least one master control unit (2), at least one radio client (51), a first radio apparatus (11) and a clock master (3), which can output signals. A bus system (4) is provided by means of the master control unit (2), wherein communication occurs within the automation system (1) by means of the bus system (4). The first radio apparatus (1) has a first synchronization element (31), a first radio module (41) and a first connection (21) for the bus system (4), wherein the first radio module (41) can establish a first radio connection (61) to the first radio client (51) and, as a result, data can be exchanged between the first radio client (51) and the bus system (4). The first radio connection (61) has a first radio channel (K1), wherein the first radio channel (K1) comprises a first frequency range. The first radio module (41) has a first synchronization input (71), wherein the first synchronization element (31) is designed to output a first synchronization signal (S1) to the first synchronization input (71) of the first radio module (41) on the basis of 15 a signal received from the clock master (3) via the first connection (21) for the bus system (4). The first radio module (41) is designed, on the basis of the first synchronization signal (S1), to be able to change a frequency within the first frequency range of the first radio channel (K1), wherein the changing of the frequency within the first frequency range occurs on the basis of a first hopping table (H1).