Unlocker Segments EtherCAT Telegrams to Reduce Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
In EtherCAT networks, telegrams are passed through all slave subscribers, leading to inefficiencies as non-addressed slave subscribers process unnecessary data, and there is no mechanism to specifically address segments, resulting in increased delay times and security vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
The method involves dividing slave subscribers into segments, using an unlocker to check telegram identifiers and release locked telegrams only for intended segments, thereby enabling targeted processing and enhancing data confidentiality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If telegrams are passed through all slave subscribers in an EtherCAT network, then all slave subscribers can potentially process the data, but non-addressed slave subscribers process unnecessary data leading to increased delay times and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The network is divided into multiple segments with segment identifiers assigned to each slave subscriber. Telegrams contain segment identifiers that allow slave subscribers to determine whether they belong to the intended segment. This segmentation enables telegrams to be efficiently routed only to relevant segments, preventing non-addressed slave subscribers from processing unnecessary data and reducing overall transmission delays.
2Reliability
If all slave subscribers process every telegram, then data can be delivered to any segment, but data confidentiality is compromised as telegrams are visible to all slave subscribers
Solution Approach 1:
Each slave subscriber is configured with segment identifier(s) that define its local access rights. The processing logic is distributed across slave subscribers, with each one independently evaluating whether a telegram's segment identifier matches its configured segment(s). This local quality approach ensures that only slave subscribers with appropriate segment assignments can process specific telegrams, maintaining data confidentiality while allowing flexible delivery to multiple segments through the chain.
3Reliability
If telegrams are locked for processing by default, then data security is improved, but slave subscribers cannot access necessary data without an unlocking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
Slave subscribers are pre-configured with segment identifier(s) during system initialization that define which segments they are authorized to access. This preliminary configuration establishes the security permissions before actual data transmission begins. When a telegram arrives, slave subscribers can immediately determine access rights based on this pre-configured information without requiring additional authentication steps, maintaining both security and operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transmitting data in an automation network by telegrams, where the automation network comprises a master subscriber, slave subscribers and at least one unlocker, connected to each other via a data-line network. The slave subscribers are divided into segments. The master subscriber sends locked telegrams for processing by the slave subscribers, each having a telegram identifier used to assign a locked telegram to a segment. At least one segment is assigned to at least one unlocker. If the unlocker receives a locked telegram, the unlocker checks, by the telegram identifier in the locked telegram, whether the locked telegram for the assigned segment is intended to release the locked telegram, as an unlocked telegram for processing by the slave subscribers, provided that the locked telegram is intended for the segment assigned to the unlocker.