Ring Topology Detection for Industrial Network Wiring Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In factory automation, setting up a ring topology in industrial networks is complicated due to the need for visual verification or disconnection tests of communication cables, making it difficult to ensure correct redundant wiring for actual slave devices.
Innovation Solution
A management device with a ring topology detection unit that visually displays the ring topology configuration in the network, using a management program to scan and identify the connection relationships between slave devices, and determine if they support the ring topology, simplifying the setup process by highlighting supported and unsupported nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ring topology is configured to ensure network redundancy, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to complicated wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The management device automatically detects the actual connection state of slave devices and feeds back this information to the user through a visual display. This feedback mechanism allows users to verify whether ring topology wiring is correct without manual inspection, resolving the contradiction by maintaining reliability while reducing the perceived complexity through automated verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and physical disconnection tests with an automated detection system that uses communication protocols to identify connection states. This substitution eliminates the need for complex manual verification processes while ensuring the ring topology is properly configured.
2Measurement precision
If visual verification or disconnection tests are performed to check wiring, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The management device performs automatic detection of connection states during the network setup phase, before the system is fully deployed. This preliminary action ensures wiring accuracy is verified early, preventing time-consuming rework later while maintaining measurement precision through automated detection.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual visual verification and disconnection tests are replaced with automated communication-based detection. The management device sends detection packets through the network to automatically identify connection states, achieving the same verification accuracy much faster than manual methods.
3Reliability
If ring topology wiring is configured for actual slave devices, then network reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in understanding wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The management device uses visual display with different colors to represent different connection states (e.g., connected vs. disconnected). This color-coded feedback makes it easy for operators to understand the ring topology configuration and identify any wiring issues at a glance, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous visual feedback about the actual connection state compared to the designed configuration. This feedback loop allows operators to quickly understand whether the ring topology is correctly implemented without needing to trace physical cables, making the system easier to operate and verify.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a management device that assists setting of ring topology in a network configuration of actual devices. A management device 3 is a management device that manages a network including a master device 1 and a plurality of slave devices 2 connected to the master device 1, and is provided with: an actual configuration information acquisition unit 332 that acquires, from the master device 1, actual configuration information D3 of an actual network; and a ring topology detection unit 333 that, on the basis of the actual configuration information D3, detects ring topology constituted of the plurality of slave devices 2, and identifiably displays the ring topology on an actual network configuration diagram that is displayed on the basis of the actual configuration information D3.