Ring Bus Cycle Framing for Isochronous Process Data Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of direct wiring in automation systems leads to engineering, installation, and maintenance challenges, prompting the use of bus systems to simplify connections between automation devices and controllers, but these systems require improved time management for efficient data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method and local bus master for improved time management in ring bus systems, where a cycle frame is defined with a start identifier, allowing for separate transmission of process and management data within the same frame, ensuring continuous communication without interruption and precise timing for data packets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If bus systems are used to connect automation devices to controllers, then cabling complexity is reduced, but time management for data transmission becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The data transmission is segmented into different types (process data and management data) with different timing requirements. Process data is transmitted in isochronous mode with strict timing, while management data uses asynchronous mode with flexible timing. This segmentation resolves the time management challenge by applying different transmission strategies to different data categories.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic cycle frames for process data transmission, where each cycle frame contains a defined time interval for isochronous data packets. This periodic structure provides predictable timing for control-critical data while allowing management data to be transmitted in the intervals between cycles, thus solving the time management problem.
2Productivity
If separate transmission of process data and management data is implemented within the same cycle frame, then communication efficiency is improved, but timing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cycle frame is segmented into distinct time intervals: one for isochronous process data packets with strict timing requirements, and another for asynchronous management data with flexible timing. This segmentation allows efficient utilization of the communication medium while maintaining precise timing for process data through dedicated time slots.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a local bus, in particular a ring bus, including data bus participants, as well as a local bus master are described. The method comprises transmitting a first identifier of a cycle frame, the first identifier defining the beginning of the cycle frame; transmitting process data and management data over the local bus, the process data and management data being transmitted within the cycle frame, at least one isochronous data packet containing the process data being transmitted in a first time interval for the first identifier, and, if management data is transmitted within the cycle frame, this management data is transmitted separately from the process data.