Time-division Multiplex Communication Control for Industrial Scalability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems based on Ethernet and TCP/IP do not adequately meet the needs of industrial applications in terms of scalability and flexibility, particularly in large-scale distributed control systems, as they require significant storage capacity and are not efficient in handling large amounts of data, and do not allow for selective information acquisition from networks.
Innovation Solution
A communication control system utilizing time-division multiplex communication over Ethernet with UDP/IP, where communication cycles are divided into time slots, allowing for synchronized time-synchronous communication and flexible data transmission types such as 1-to-N and 1-to-1 non-cyclic data communications, enabling efficient data handling and reduced memory requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional communication systems based on Ethernet and TCP/IP are used to provide real-time communications, then some degree of real-time properties can be assured, but scalability and flexibility are not sufficiently satisfied due to large storage area requirements and inability to handle large amounts of data efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The communication cycle is segmented into multiple time slots, with each time slot assigned to specific communication stations and communication types. This segmentation allows the system to handle different data types (time-synchronous, 1-to-N cyclic, 1-to-1 cyclic, etc.) separately, improving scalability and flexibility while maintaining real-time properties for each segment
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically assigns communication stations to different time slots based on their communication requirements. Communication stations can be flexibly allocated to various time slots depending on the type of communication needed, enabling the system to adapt to changing requirements without requiring large storage areas or fixed configurations
2Productivity
If broadcast communications are used in distributed control systems, then data exchange can be performed, but exchange of large amount of data renders receiving communication band insufficient and requires large-capacity storage area
Solution Approach 1:
Broadcast communications are segmented into different time slots based on communication types and data priorities. Instead of handling all data exchanges simultaneously through continuous broadcast, the system divides the communication band into discrete time slots, allowing efficient management of large data volumes without requiring large storage areas
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic time-division multiplexing where communication cycles are repeated with fixed time slots assigned to different communication stations and types. This periodic structure allows predictable bandwidth allocation and efficient data exchange without overwhelming the communication band or requiring excessive storage capacity
3Ease of operation
If data exchanged between communication stations is fixed in conventional communication systems, then communication settings can be simplified, but flexibility is reduced as users cannot selectively acquire necessary information from large amount of information on the network
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic communication settings where users can flexibly assign communication stations to different time slots based on their information acquisition needs. While maintaining simple time slot assignment mechanisms, the system allows users to selectively configure which stations communicate in which time slots, enabling flexible information acquisition without complex settings
Solution Approach 2:
The time slot assignment mechanism serves multiple functions: it simplifies communication management through structured time division, enables flexible configuration of communication patterns, and supports selective information acquisition by assigning different stations to different time slots. This multi-functional approach maintains ease of operation while providing flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
A communication control system is provided that satisfies the needs of industrial applications in terms of real time properties, scalability and flexibility. For this purpose, the invention causes a communication station performing communications in accordance with a standard protocol to perform multiplex communications based on time division of a communication band. Communication is performed by dividing a communication cycle into time slots, and assigning a set of communication stations and a type of a communication section to each of the time slots.