Synchronization Error Handling in Aperiodic Apparatus Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ensuring safety of synchronization processing in a system, particularly in environments where aperiodic communication, such as 5G, is used, is challenging due to potential fluctuations in communication timing that can disrupt periodic communication.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus control system employs time synchronization using a global clock and aperiodic communication, with error handling mechanisms to manage synchronization errors, including communication and time synchronization errors, by stopping or warning specific apparatuses based on error levels to maintain safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If aperiodic communication (e.g., 5G) is used to enable flexible and high-speed data transmission, then communication speed and flexibility are improved, but communication timing fluctuations occur that can disrupt periodic communication and synchronization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidsynchronization reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into two distinct communication paths: a first communication path dedicated to periodic communication for synchronization, and a second communication path for aperiodic communication. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized independently, with the periodic path ensuring timing reliability while the aperiodic path provides high-speed flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A synchronization server acts as an intermediary that manages time synchronization across the system. It generates synchronization packets containing precise timing information and distributes them through the periodic communication path, mediating between the aperiodic communication's timing variability and the system's synchronization requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If error handling mechanisms are implemented to manage synchronization errors, then system safety is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional monitoring and intervention components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem safetyVSAvoiderror handling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary error detection by monitoring synchronization packet reception status and timing information before critical synchronization errors can occur. This allows the system to identify potential issues early and trigger appropriate error handling procedures proactively, rather than reactively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A feedback mechanism continuously monitors the reception of synchronization packets and timing information from the synchronization server. When deviations or errors are detected, the feedback loop triggers error handling procedures, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically maintains synchronization reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4299261B1Apparatus control system, apparatus control method, and apparatus control program
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 YASKAWA DENKI KK
  • EP4299261B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4299261B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4299261B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus control system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: an acquisition unit configured to acquire communication data transmitted through aperiodic communication between a local apparatus and a controller configured to control the local apparatus; a determination unit configured to determine, based on the communication data, whether a synchronization error has occurred that is an error related to synchronization between the local apparatus and the controller; and an error handling unit configured to perform error handling associated with at least one of the local apparatus and the controller when the synchronization error has occurred.