Time Stamped Motion Control Network Protocol for Dynamic Data Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motion control networks using time slotting protocols are inflexible, require extensive configuration, and cannot accommodate dynamic data structures or node additions/removals during runtime, leading to inefficient bandwidth usage and costly downtime.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a time stamping protocol that allows for variable-sized data packets and prioritizes motion-related data, enabling communication over open networks like Ethernet, with synchronized clocks across nodes to facilitate efficient data transfer and node management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If time slotting protocol is used for motion control network, then deterministic data transfer and synchronized timing are achieved, but network flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic data structures that can change size and content at runtime, allowing the motion control network to adapt to varying data requirements without reconfiguration. This enables the system to maintain deterministic timing while becoming flexible in data transmission, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of data structure size from fixed to variable, allowing data packets to be optimized for actual content needs. This parameter change enables the network to achieve both deterministic transfer (through timing stamps) and flexibility (through variable-sized packets), resolving the technical contradiction.
2Device complexity
If fixed data structures are used in time slot protocol, then network configuration is simplified, but bandwidth utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic data structures that automatically adjust their size based on actual data content, eliminating wasted bandwidth from fixed-size allocations. The system maintains simple configuration through runtime adaptation, resolving the contradiction between configuration simplicity and bandwidth efficiency.
3Reliability
If time slot protocol is implemented, then motion control data transmission is synchronized, but node addition or removal requires network downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic node registration and data structure adaptation that allows nodes to be added or removed at runtime without network downtime. The synchronized timing is maintained through runtime updates to the dynamic data structures, resolving the contradiction between synchronized transmission and node management continuity.
4Reliability
If drive devices are constrained to controller update cycle frequencies, then timing synchronization is achieved, but drive device operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of update frequency from fixed (constrained to controller cycle) to variable (drive-specific), while maintaining synchronization through timing stamps. This allows each drive to operate at its optimal frequency while remaining synchronized to the overall system, resolving the contradiction between timing synchronization and drive flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that enables controlling motion over a network comprises an interface that receives motion control data that includes a time stamp from the network. Additionally, the system includes a motion control component that utilizes the received motion control data to update properties associated with the motion control component based at least in part on the time stamp. The system can also include a clock that is synchronized with disparate clocks associated with disparate motion control components located on the network.