Train Communication Relay for Redundant IP Formation Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in managing communication identification information for devices on trains with varying vehicle formations, where the use of same IP addresses for manufacturing and maintenance purposes leads to complexities when formations merge or divide, and existing methods are limited by IP address space and network address space limitations.
Innovation Solution
A communication relay device that attaches vehicle formation identification information to communication-destination and communication-source identification information, allowing flexible operations without the need for unique identification information for each vehicle formation, using a configuration with identification-information converting units and inter-vehicle communication interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the same IP address is allocated to devices in different vehicle formations for manufacturing and maintenance purposes, then device management and maintenance are simplified, but communication conflicts occur when vehicle formations merge or divide
Solution Approach 1:
The identification information is segmented into two parts: vehicle formation identification information (added by the communication relay device) and device identification information (original IP address). This segmentation allows the same device IP address to be used across different formations while the formation identification distinguishes between different vehicle formations, preventing communication conflicts during merging or dividing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The communication relay device acts as an intermediary that adds vehicle formation identification information to communication packets. This intermediary function allows devices with identical IP addresses to communicate reliably across different vehicle formations by providing the additional formation context that the original IP address scheme lacked
2Reliability
If unique IP addresses are allocated to all possible vehicle formations, then communication reliability is maintained during merging and dividing operations, but IP address space is limited and management becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex unique IP addresses for each formation, the system segments identification into two simpler parts: standard device IP addresses (unchanged) and vehicle formation identification information (added dynamically). This reduces IP address management complexity while maintaining communication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter structure of identification information from a single complex IP address to a combination of standard IP address and formation identification. This parameter change allows flexible formation merging and dividing without being constrained by limited IP address space
3Adaptability or versatility
If vehicle formations are merged or divided, then operational flexibility is improved, but communication between devices becomes unreliable due to IP address conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
The communication relay device dynamically adds or removes vehicle formation identification information based on the current formation configuration. This dynamic adaptation allows vehicle formations to be merged or divided freely while maintaining communication reliability, as the formation identification is updated to reflect the current operational state
Solution Approach 2:
The communication relay device serves as a mediator that handles the complexity of formation changes. By adding formation identification information to packets, it enables reliable communication during dynamic formation reconfigurations without requiring changes to the device IP addresses themselves
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a communication relay device for a train and a communication relay method thereof making it possible to perform communications between devices and facilitate management of communication identification information even when communication identification information such as a redundant IP address is given to the same type of devices installed in different vehicles, and making it possible to perform a flexible operation at the time of merging or dividing of vehicle formations. When data is transmitted from a communication terminal (4a) to a communication terminal (4b), a communication relay device (1a) converts car identification information of a communication source of communication-source identification information included in a communication packet into a car number of a vehicle (9), and transmits the data to an inter-vehicle communication path (2a). When data is transmitted from the communication terminal (4b) to the communication terminal (4a), the communication relay device (1a) converts car identification information of a communication destination of communication-destination identification information included in a communication packet into a "0"-th car indicating own car, and transmits the data to an in-vehicle communication path (3a).