Design Assistance Device for Slave Unit Frame Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network protocols where slave units sequentially transfer frames from a master unit, diagnosing normal frame transfer among slave units is challenging, leading to adverse effects on network operations when slave units are added or removed, especially when all control information is included in a single frame.
Innovation Solution
A design assistance device that groups slave units based on device information and definition files, generating a frame format with data fields that isolate control data invalidations, allowing for easy generation of frame formats that limit the impact of abnormal frame transfers on specific slave units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If all control information about slave units is included in one frame, then communication efficiency is improved, but the adverse effect on network operations worsens when a slave unit is separated or added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single frame containing all slave unit control information into multiple separate frames, with each frame containing control information for a specific group of slave units. This segmentation allows that when a slave unit is added or removed, only the frames related to that slave unit need to be modified, rather than reconfiguring the entire frame structure, thus maintaining network stability while preserving communication efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If slave units are grouped with ensured data fields in each group, then the range of adverse effects is limited when abnormality occurs, but the frame format complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments slave units into multiple groups, where each group has its own ensured data fields within the frame structure. This allows isolation of abnormalities to specific groups, limiting the propagation of harmful effects. The grouping strategy and ensured field allocation are designed to maintain manageable frame format complexity while achieving fault containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing ensured data fields specifically for grouped slave units rather than uniformly across all slave units. This localized approach ensures that only the necessary groups have the additional structural elements, reducing overall frame format complexity while still providing adequate protection against adverse effects in critical groups.
3Ease of operation
If automatic grouping of slave units is implemented, then ease of operation is improved for users without advanced knowledge, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic grouping of slave units based on predetermined criteria and classification rules stored in the system. This preliminary action of automated classification eliminates the need for users to manually group slave units and understand complex frame format specifications, significantly improving ease of operation. The grouping mechanism uses predefined parameters such as slave unit types, communication patterns, and functional categories to automatically organize units into appropriate groups.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one aspect of the present invention, device information about each slave unit is acquired, each slave unit is grouped from the device information about each slave unit and information about a definition file, and setting information providing for communication operation including generation of a data frame transmitted from a master unit to the slave unit. In generating setting information, the setting information is generated such that the setting information is transmitted in a frame format, in which a data field in each unit in which control data of each slave unit is invalidated due to a transfer abnormality of a data frame is ensured in each group, the data field being included in the data frame in which the control data is stored.