Relay Device Priority-Based Delay Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing factory automation systems face challenges in measuring transmission delay time for each priority level without requiring significant modifications to machinery components, leading to increased workload in verification and operation.
Innovation Solution
A communication system comprising a master device, slave device, and relay device that sets characteristic information about frame priority and stores retention times of time-synchronization frames, allowing for the calculation of transmission delay time for each priority level without dedicated frames, using a correction field to aggregate retention times across relay devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated frames for delay measurement are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling time-synchronization frames to serve dual purposes: both time synchronization and transmission delay measurement. The relay device modifies existing time-synchronization frames to include priority information and retention time data, eliminating the need for separate dedicated measurement frames. This allows a single frame type to perform multiple functions, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device acts as an intermediary that facilitates delay measurement without requiring end devices to implement complex functionality. By inserting priority information and retention time data into time-synchronization frames at the relay level, the system enables measurement capabilities through the intermediary component rather than requiring modifications to master and slave nodes.
2Measurement precision
If all master and slave nodes have dedicated delay measurement functionality, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device serves as an intermediary that centralizes the complexity of delay measurement functionality. Instead of requiring all master and slave nodes to implement dedicated measurement capabilities, the relay device handles the measurement operations by modifying time-synchronization frames and calculating retention times. This distribution of functionality improves ease of operation by reducing the verification workload on end devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service measurement where existing time-synchronization frames automatically carry measurement information without requiring separate dedicated frames. The relay device leverages the existing frame structure and timing mechanisms to perform measurement functions, allowing the system to serve its own measurement needs using existing infrastructure rather than requiring additional specialized components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple queues are used for different priorities, then transmission delay time varies, but measurement precision for each priority level deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by embedding priority information directly into the time-synchronization frames at specific locations (the information field). This allows the system to maintain different quality levels for different priorities while using a unified frame structure. The relay device extracts priority information from these localized fields to identify which queue should be used for measurement, enabling precise per-priority measurement without requiring separate frame types for each priority level.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system includes a master device, a slave device, and a relay device. The relay device includes a time synchronization management unit that stores retention time of a first time-synchronization frame sent from the master device, adds the first-time-synchronization-frame retention time to a correction field when a second time-synchronization frame sent from the master device is relayed, stores retention time of a third time-synchronization frame sent from the slave device, and adds the third-time-synchronization-frame retention time to a correction field when a fourth time-synchronization frame sent from the master device is relayed. The slave device includes a transmission delay time aggregation unit storing a value in the correction field of the second time-synchronization frame and characteristic information about priority in a frame in association with each other, and storing a value in the correction field of the fourth time-synchronization frame and the characteristic information in association with each other.