Terminal Communication Apparatus for Distributed Control Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large-scale industrial systems, conventional distributed control systems face challenges in synchronizing control object devices due to varying communication delay times, which complicates synchronous control and reduces network communication performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a terminal communication control portion that switches between immediate and normal communication modes, allowing for bitwise transmission of serial data to synchronize control object devices without prior investigation of communication delay times, using a combination of immediate and normal communication control portions to manage packet processing and synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a tree-type network according to point-to-point connection is employed to simplify multipoint connection and improve degree of freedom in connection mode, then device complexity is reduced, but communication delay time varies with connection mode (hierarchy) making synchronous control difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the communication mode parameter from normal packet-based communication to immediate communication mode for time adjustment packets. This allows the system to maintain tree-type network structure while achieving consistent communication delay by using a different transmission mechanism (immediate communication) that bypasses the hierarchical delay issues of normal communication modes.
2Productivity
If conventional normal communication control is used to transmit data packets, then communication capacity is fully utilized, but communication delay time varies with network hierarchy position preventing strict synchronous control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments communication into two types: normal communication for data packets and immediate communication for time adjustment packets. This segmentation allows different communication modes to be used for different purposes, maintaining high communication capacity for data while ensuring precise synchronization for control signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (immediate communication mode) that acts as a mediator between the network hierarchy and synchronous control requirements. This intermediary ensures that time adjustment packets are transmitted with consistent delay regardless of network position, bridging the gap between hierarchical structure and synchronization needs.
3Reliability
If a terminal communication apparatus is added to collect communication delay times and adjust operation schedules, then synchronous control can be achieved, but device complexity increases and maximum communication capacity decreases due to additional packets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables each terminal communication apparatus to automatically adjust its operation schedule based on immediate communication without requiring a separate delay measurement system. The system serves itself by using the immediate communication mechanism to provide both synchronization and control functions, eliminating the need for additional dedicated synchronization devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The immediate communication mode serves multiple functions: it provides synchronization information, enables delay compensation, and maintains communication capacity. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate synchronization infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining synchronous control capability.
4Reliability
If immediate communication control is used to transmit time adjustment packets bitwise, then communication delay becomes consistent across network hierarchy, but communication speed is reduced compared to packet-based transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different communication qualities to different packet types: immediate communication (slower but consistent delay) for time adjustment packets and normal packet-based communication (faster but variable delay) for data packets. This local quality differentiation ensures that synchronization-critical packets receive the appropriate transmission treatment without compromising overall system performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal communication apparatus has a terminal communication control portion rendering an immediate communication control portion sequentially transmitting serial data to another terminal communication apparatus bitwise when receiving a packet as bitwise serial data and a normal communication control portion performing processing on the packet after accumulating the serial data until the serial data reaches a packet length when receiving the bitwise serial data switchable, performing processing with the immediate communication control portion in a case of receiving a time adjustment packet containing time adjustment data posting a timing of synchronization in the other terminal communication apparatus and performing processing with the normal communication control portion in a case of receiving a packet other than the time adjustment packet. Thus, synchronization of control object devices can be enabled without previously investigating communication delay times.