JP2012049681A - Network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network system which does not have to send a message for setting an identifier using a master node when setting an identifier for a node to configure the network.SOLUTION: An identifier setting target node that is daisy-chain-connected via a channel A105 has: an identifier setting table in which a time slot number to be received is associated with an identifier; and a time slot setting table in which the identifier and the identifier setting target node are associated with the time slot number used for receiving/transmitting messages. A synchronous node 101 sends a synchronous message to synchronize the identifier setting target node, and then the identifier setting target node receives the synchronous message, and sequentially refers to the identifier setting table and the time slot setting table in order to set the identifier of own node and the time slot.

Description

  The present invention relates to a network system in which identifiers can be set for nodes that communicate in synchronization with each other according to a common communication schedule.

In a system in which a plurality of nodes control a part of the control target or the entire control, it is necessary to share information regarding control of each node in order to realize a coordinated operation in the entire system. For this reason, each node has a communication function, is connected to the network, and transmits and receives messages (hereinafter referred to as control messages) storing necessary information via the network.
In such a network system, messages are transmitted and received according to a communication standard common to the nodes. One of the communication standards is a time division multiplexing method in which all nodes have a common time and communication schedule, and each node transmits and receives messages at a predetermined time.

For example, in the communication standard FlexRay (Non-Patent Document 1), the communication schedule is composed of a plurality of time slots. In order to have a common time for all nodes, a specific node (synchronization node) transmits a synchronization message (hereinafter referred to as a synchronization message) serving as a time reference in a specific time slot. The node that has received the synchronization message synchronizes its own time with the time common to the synchronization node based on the reception time of the synchronization message.
In this way, all nodes that have received the synchronization message can synchronize with the synchronization node. The synchronized node can start transmission / reception of the control message. The control message is transmitted and received in a time slot in the same manner as the synchronization message. Therefore, different time slots must be assigned to each node so that control messages do not collide.

  In particular, when a plurality of identical nodes mounted with the same software are connected to one network system, a method for assigning different time slots to each other is required. As one of the methods, it is conceivable to set and identify identifiers for these nodes, assign a time slot corresponding to the identifier, and avoid a control message collision.

  As an identifier setting method for each node, the same node (hereinafter referred to as “slave node”) has been daisy chained so far, and each slave node switches on / off the connection between the slave node and the communication line in the next stage. An identifier setting message including identifier information to be set is transmitted from a node on the identifier setting side (hereinafter referred to as a master node) to the slave node, and the slave node to which the identifier is assigned sends an identifier setting completion message. The master node that transmits to the master node, connects the slave node at the next stage to the communication line using the switch, and receives the identifier setting completion message, the master node receives the identifier setting message including the identifier information for the slave node at the next stage. The method of setting identifiers to all slave nodes by repeating Is (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 3888753 (pages 5 to 10, FIG. 1)

FlexRay Protocol Specification (http://www.flexray.com/)

However, in Patent Document 1, in order to assign an identifier to a slave node, it is necessary to transmit an identifier setting message including identifier information to be set from the master node. Then, the master node has to wait for receiving the identifier setting completion message from the slave node that has completed the identifier setting, update the identifier information, and transmit the identifier setting message to the slave node at the next stage. . In addition, it is necessary to continuously execute these processes until the identifiers of all the slave nodes are set.
Therefore, in addition to the slave node to set the identifier, a master node for setting the identifier is necessary, and there is a problem that it takes a development man-hour for these processes.
Furthermore, after setting the identifiers of all slave nodes, if some of the slave nodes are replaced, such as when slave nodes with identifiers set and slave nodes without identifiers are mixed, the slave nodes with identifiers set and identifiers A master node that cannot distinguish unconfigured slave nodes needs to execute identifier setting for all slave nodes again, and it takes time to reset all identifiers.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a network system that does not need to transmit an identifier setting message using a master node in setting an identifier to a node constituting the network. It is an object.

  In the network system according to the present invention, the first node and one or more second nodes connected in a daisy chain via the first communication line are connected to each other according to a communication schedule composed of a plurality of time slots. A network system of a time division multiplex communication system that transmits and receives a message having a number assigned to this time slot (hereinafter referred to as a time slot number) within the slot, wherein the first node transmits and receives the message according to the communication schedule First communication control means, and synchronous message setting means for generating a synchronization message for synchronously communicating between the first node and the second node according to the communication schedule and transmitting the first message via the first communication control means The second node sends and receives messages according to the communication schedule The second communication control means, which is generated in advance so as to be common to all the second nodes, corresponds to the time slot number of the message received by the second communication control means and the identifier assigned to the second node. The assigned identifier setting table is generated in advance so as to be common to all the second nodes, and the identifier is associated with the time slot number used by the second node to which this identifier is assigned for message transmission and reception. If the time slot setting table and the identifier of the own node are not set, the first communication line connected to the next node is disconnected, and if the identifier of the own node is already set, the first node is connected to the next node. A switch for connecting the first communication line is provided, and the first node sends a synchronization message via the first communication line in a time slot assigned to the node in advance. The second node is configured to synchronize with the first node when a synchronization message is received, and is received via the first communication line when the identifier of the own node is not set Based on the time slot number of the message, the identifier of the own node is set using the identifier setting table, and based on the set identifier, the time slot used by the own node for transmission and reception of the message using the time slot setting table Each number is set, and a message having the set transmission time slot number is transmitted via the first communication line.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the first node and the one or more second nodes connected in a daisy chain via the first communication line are in accordance with a communication schedule constituted by a plurality of time slots. In a time slot, a network system of a time division multiplex communication system that transmits and receives a message having a number assigned to this time slot (hereinafter referred to as a time slot number). The first node transmits and receives a message according to a communication schedule. First communication control means for generating a synchronization message for synchronously communicating between the first node and the second node according to the communication schedule, and transmitting the synchronization message via the first communication control means And a second node is configured to transmit and receive messages according to a communication schedule. Means, an identifier setting table in which the time slot number of the message generated in advance so as to be common to all the second nodes and received by the second communication control means and the identifier assigned to the second node are associated with each other; A time slot setting table that is generated in advance so as to be common to all the second nodes, and associates an identifier with a time slot number used by the second node to which the identifier is assigned for message transmission and reception; If the identifier of the own node is not set, the first communication line connected to the next node is disconnected. If the identifier of the own node is already set, the first communication line connected to the next node is disconnected. The first node has a switch to be connected, and the first node transmits a synchronization message via the first communication line in a time slot assigned to the node in advance, and the second node The node is configured to synchronize with the first node when a synchronization message is received. When the identifier of the own node is not set, the time slot number of the message received via the first communication line is set. Based on the identifier setting table, sets the identifier of the own node, and based on the set identifier, sets the time slot number used by the own node for message transmission and reception using the time slot setting table. Since the message having the set time slot number for transmission is transmitted via the first communication line, the second node that needs to set the identifier determines it and sets the identifier and the time slot number. This eliminates the need for a node for transmitting the identifier setting message.

It is a block diagram which shows the network system of the state by which the identifier of all the identifier setting object nodes is not set by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the identifier setting table of the network system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the time slot setting table of the network system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the identifier setting process by the communication control means of each identifier setting object node of the network system by Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the network system of the state by which the identifier of identifier setting object node B and C by Embodiment 1 of this invention is not set. It is a block diagram which shows the network system of the state by which the identifier of the identifier setting object node B is not set by Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a network system having a plurality of synchronization nodes according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the network system with which the identifier setting completion detection node by Embodiment 2 of this invention was connected. It is a flowchart which shows the identifier setting completion detection process by the identifier setting completion detection node of the network system by Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the network system with which the channel A and the channel B by Embodiment 3 of this invention were connected. In the network system by this Embodiment 3, it is the timing chart which compared the message transmitted depending on an identifier setting state, and the time concerning identifier setting with the network system of only channel A. It is a flowchart which shows the identifier setting process by the communication control means of each identifier setting object node of the network system by Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the identifier setting table of the network system by Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the network system with which the channel A and the channel B by Embodiment 5 of this invention were connected, and has shown the state by which the switch of the identifier setting object node B was turned off.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a network system in a state where identifiers of all identifier setting target nodes are not set according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, in this network system, a synchronization node 101 (first node) and identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, C104 (second node) operate on a channel A105 (first node) that operates in accordance with the communication protocol FlexRay. Daisy chain connection via a communication line.
In the network system, the synchronization node 101 and the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 are assigned numbers (hereinafter referred to as time slots) assigned to the time slots in the time slots according to a communication schedule including a plurality of time slots. No.) is a time division multiplexing communication network system.
When the synchronization node 101 and the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 that have completed the identifier assignment are synchronized, they respectively transmit and receive control messages and exchange information necessary for processing in each of the nodes 101 to 104.

  The synchronization node 101 includes a communication control unit 110 (first communication control unit) that operates in accordance with FlexRay, and a synchronization message setting unit 114 that sets a message transmitted from the communication control unit 110 as a synchronization message. Yes. Here, the synchronization message is set to be transmitted with time slot numbers 1 and 2.

The identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 have the same configuration, and communication control means 111, 112, and 113 (second communication control means) that operate in accordance with FlexRay, identifier setting tables 115, 116, and 117, time Slot setting tables 118, 119, and 120, storage means 121, 122, and 123, and switches 124, 125, and 126 for turning on / off the channel A 105 are provided correspondingly.
The identifier setting tables 115, 116, and 117 and the time slot setting tables 118, 119, and 120 of the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 are the same. Here, for convenience, the identifier setting target nodes are distinguished as the identifier setting target node A102, the identifier setting target node B103, and the identifier setting target node C104 in the order of connection with the synchronization node 101. However, in the initial state, no identifier is set. Therefore, the connection location of the own node cannot be determined.

  When receiving the synchronization message, the communication control means 111, 112, 113 synchronize with the synchronization node 101 and transmit / receive the message. However, since the identifier is not set in the initial state, the message transmission setting is not yet performed. Also, identifier setting processing is performed with reference to identifier setting tables 115, 116, and 117, time slot setting tables 118, 119, and 120 and storage means 121, 122, and 123 described later.

  In the identifier setting tables 115, 116, and 117, as shown in FIG. 2 described later, the time slot number of the received message is associated with the identifier. Communication control means 111, 112, 113 are used to set the identifier.

  In the time slot setting tables 118, 119, and 120, as shown in FIG. 3 to be described later, the identifiers set in the corresponding identifier setting tables 115, 116, and 117 are associated with the time slot numbers used for transmission and reception. The communication control means 111, 112, and 113 are used to set a time slot for message transmission / reception of the own node.

  The storage units 121, 122, and 123 are used to store the identifiers of the own nodes set by using the identifier setting tables 115, 116, and 117 corresponding to the communication control units 111, 122, and 113, respectively. The storage means 121, 122, and 123 are a RAM memory, a flash memory, an EEPROM memory, and the like that are backed up by a battery. The storage means 121, 122, 123 retains the stored identifier even when the power of the node is turned off or is reset. The control means 111, 112, 113 can read this identifier.

The switches 124, 125, and 126 are off when the identifier is not set, such as in the initial state. When the identifier is set, the switches 124, 125, and 126 are turned on by the corresponding communication control units 111, 112, and 113, respectively.
For example, when the identifier setting target node A 102 sets the identifier of the own node, the switch 124 is turned on and the identifier setting target node A 102 is connected to the next-stage identifier setting target node B 103 via the channel A 105.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an identifier setting table of the network system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 2, identifier setting tables 115, 116, and 117 are shown, and the time slot number of the received message is associated with the identifier. For example, when the messages of time slot numbers 1 and 2 are received, the identifier is a, when the messages of time slot numbers 1, 2 and 3 are received, the identifier is b, and so on. 112 and 113 are used to set an identifier.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a time slot setting table of the network system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 3, the time slot setting tables 118, 119, and 120 associate the identifiers set in the corresponding identifier setting tables 115, 116, and 117 with the time slot number used for transmission and the time slot number used for reception. It is a table.
For example, the communication control means 111, 112, 113 that set the identifier a using the identifier setting tables 115, 116, 117 refers to the time slot number, sets the transmission time slot of the control message of its own node to 3, the reception time The communication control means 111, 112, and 113 are used to set time slots for transmitting and receiving messages of the own node, such as setting slots as 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6.
In the first embodiment, the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 transmit one message after setting the identifier. However, one or more messages may be transmitted, and these time slot numbers are serial numbers. Needless to say, it is not necessary to be.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an identifier setting process by the communication control means of each identifier setting target node in the network system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a network system in a state where identifiers of identifier setting target nodes B and C are not set according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 5, 101 to 105 and 110 to 126 are the same as those in FIG. FIG. 5 shows a state in which identifiers of identifier setting target nodes B and C are not set.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing the network system in a state where the identifier of the identifier setting target node B is not set according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 6, 101-105 and 110-126 are the same as those in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a state where the identifier of the identifier setting target node B is not set.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a network system having a plurality of synchronization nodes according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 7, 101-105 and 110-126 are the same as those in FIG. FIG. 7 shows a case where there are a plurality of synchronization nodes. That is, the synchronization node 2 (701) has the same configuration as that of the synchronization node 101, and the synchronization node 2 (701) includes the communication control unit 702 and the synchronization message setting unit 703, similar to the synchronization node 101. .
The synchronization node 101 and the synchronization node 2 (701) each transmit one synchronization message.

Next, the operation will be described.
In the identifier setting target node A102 of the network system according to the first embodiment, the procedure from initialization by power-on or reset to the end of the identifier setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

ST401
The communication control unit 111 refers to the storage unit 121 of the own node. If the identifier is not stored, the switch 124 is off and the identifier is not set, so the process proceeds to ST402.
If the identifier is stored in the storage means 121 and the identifier of the own node has been set, the process proceeds to ST408.
ST402
The communication control unit 111 is set to receive a message in all time slots. Thereby, the message does not collide with other identifier setting target nodes.
ST403
Communication control means 111 stands by until a synchronization message is received in time slots 1 and 2 via channel A 105. When the synchronization message is received in time slots 1 and 2, the synchronization message is synchronized with synchronization node 101, and the process proceeds to ST404.
ST404
The communication control unit 111 receives a message via the channel A 105 for a predetermined period. This period may be set according to the transmission interval of each message.
ST405
The communication control unit 111 refers to the identifier setting table 115 and sets the identifier of the own node associated with the time slot number of the received message. Then, the set identifier is stored in the storage means 121 of the own node.
ST406
The communication control unit 111 refers to the time slot setting table 118, sets the time slot numbers of the transmission and reception messages associated with the identifier of the own node set in ST405, and starts message transmission / reception in this time slot. .
ST407
The communication control unit 111 turns on the switch 124 provided in the own node. As a result, the next-stage identifier setting target node B 103 is connected to the channel A 105.

ST408
The communication control means 111 of the identifier setting target node A 102 with the identifier set refers to the time slot setting table 118 and sets the time slot number of the transmission message and the time slot number of the reception message associated with the identifier of the own node. .
ST409
Communication control means 111 stands by until a synchronization message is received in time slots 1 and 2 via channel A 105. When the synchronization message is received in time slots 1 and 2, the synchronization message is synchronized with synchronization node 101, and the process proceeds to ST410.
ST410
The communication control unit 111 starts message transmission / reception in the set transmission and reception time slots.

  The flowcharts of the identifier setting target nodes B103 and C104 are also the same as the flowchart of the identifier setting target node A102 in FIG.

Next, the flow when the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 are in the initial state and the identifier is not set will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
The identifier setting target node A102 proceeds to ST402 because the identifier of its own node is not set in ST401. In ST402, it is set to receive a message in all time slots.
Since the identifier setting target node A102 is connected to the synchronization node 101 from the beginning through the channel A105, when receiving the synchronization message transmitted by the synchronization node 101 in time slots 1 and 2 in ST403, the identifier setting target node A102 is synchronized with the synchronization node 101. To do.
Subsequently, in ST404, a message is received for a predetermined period. Here, since only the synchronization node 101 is connected, only the synchronization messages of time slot numbers 1 and 2 transmitted by the synchronization node 101 are received.

Next, in ST405, referring to the identifier setting table 115 in FIG. 2, a is set as the identifier of the own node when only the messages of time slot numbers 1 and 2 are received. Then, this identifier a is stored in the storage means 121 of the own node.
Further, in ST406, referring to the time slot setting table 118 of FIG. 3, from the identifier a of the own node set in ST405, the message transmission time slot number of the own node is 3, the reception time slot number is 1, 2, Set to 4, 5, and 6 to start message transmission / reception.
Thereafter, in ST407, the switch 124 of the own node is turned on to connect to the identifier setting target node B103 in the next stage through the channel A105.

Next, the identifier setting target node B 103 proceeds to ST 402 because the identifier of its own node is not set in ST 401. In ST402, it is set to receive a message in all time slots.
As shown in FIG. 1, the identifier setting target node B103 immediately after the initialization of its own node is off because the switch 124 of the preceding identifier setting target node A102 is off. Not connected.
Therefore, in ST403, the process waits until a synchronization message is received in time slots 1 and 2. Subsequently, as described above, when the identifier a of the identifier setting target node A102 is set and the switch 124 is turned on, as shown in FIG. 5, the identifier setting target node B103 receives the synchronization node 101 and the identifier setting via the channel A105. It is connected to the target node A102. When the synchronization node 101 receives a synchronization message transmitted in time slots 1 and 2, the synchronization node 101 synchronizes with the synchronization node 101.

Subsequently, in ST404, a message is received for a predetermined period. Here, since the synchronization node 101 and the identifier setting target node A102 are connected, the synchronization message of the time slot numbers 1 and 2 transmitted by the synchronization node 101 and the message of the time slot number 3 transmitted by the identifier setting target node A102 are transmitted. Will receive.
Next, in ST405, with reference to the identifier setting table 116 in FIG. 2, b is set as the identifier of the own node when the messages of time slot numbers 1, 2, and 3 are received. Then, this identifier b is stored in the storage means 122 of the own node.
Further, in ST406, referring to the time slot setting table 119 of FIG. 3, from the identifier b of the own node set in ST405, the message transmission time slot number of the own node is 4, the reception time slot number is 1, 2, Set to 3, 5, and 6 to start message transmission / reception.
After that, in ST407, the switch 125 of the own node is turned on and connected to the next identifier setting target node C104 via the channel A105.

  Since the flow of the identifier setting target node C104 is also the same as that of the identifier setting target nodes A102 and B103, description thereof is omitted. In this network system, there is no node next to the identifier setting target node C104, and there is no node to be connected even if the identifier setting target node C104 turns on the switch 126 in ST406. However, even in this case, the identifier setting processing of the identifier setting target node C104 and the other nodes 101, 102, and 103 is not affected.

  In this way, by executing the processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 4 in the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 in which identifiers are not set, different identifiers can be set in the own node.

Next, a case will be described in which, after the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 have been set, the identifier setting target node B103 is replaced due to a failure or the like, and only the identifier setting target node B103 is not set.
The state of each node at this time is shown in FIG. At this time, the identifier setting target node A 102 continues to communicate with the synchronization node 101, and the switch 124 remains on, so that the identifier setting target node B 103 transmits the synchronization node 101 via the channel A 105 in ST404. The synchronization message of the time slot numbers 1 and 2 to be received and the message of the time slot number 3 transmitted by the identifier setting target node A 102 are received.
Therefore, the identifier b of the own node can be set in ST405 by the same procedure as the identifier setting flow of the identifier setting target node B 103 described above.
Further, when the identifier setting target node B 103 turns on the switch 125 of its own node in ST407, the next identifier setting target node C104 is connected via the channel A105. Since the identifier c of the next stage identifier setting target node C104 has already been set, the process proceeds from ST401 to ST408, the time slot numbers for transmission and reception are set in ST408, the synchronization message is received in ST409, and the synchronization node When synchronized with 101, message transmission / reception is immediately started in the time slot for transmission and reception in ST410, and this flow ends.

  As described above, even when identifiers of some identifier setting target nodes are not set after the identifier setting, by executing the process according to the flowchart of FIG. Can be set by the node itself.

Next, a case will be described in which all the nodes are reset after the setting of all identifiers of the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 is completed and the network system is powered off.
At this time, the identifiers a, b, and c of the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 are stored in the storage units 121, 122, and 123, respectively. Accordingly, the switches 124, 125, and 126 are on, and the process proceeds from ST401 to ST408. In ST408, the transmission and reception time slot numbers are set, and when the synchronization message is received and synchronized with the synchronization node in ST409, transmission and reception of messages are immediately started in transmission and reception time slots in ST410. Exit.

Thus, even if the power is turned off after setting the identifier, the storage means 121 to 123 are provided, so that it is not necessary to reset the identifier by executing the processing according to the flowchart of FIG.
It should be noted that only some identifier setting target nodes such as identifier setting target nodes A102 and C104 have storage means, and there are mixed identifier setting target nodes (for example, B103) that require resetting of the identifier when the power is turned off. 4, it is only necessary to execute the flowcharts ST402 to 407 in FIG. 4 only on the identifier setting target node B 103 that needs to be reset, as described above, and the identifier setting target including the storage units 121 and 123. The nodes A102 and C104 do not need to execute these processes.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, each of the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 is the same identifier setting table 115, 116, 117, time slot setting table 118, 119, 120, and channel A105. By using the time slot number of the message received via, different identifiers and different transmission / reception time slots can be set. Therefore, there is no need for the synchronization node 101 to transmit an identifier setting message or update identifier setting information. Therefore, the synchronization node 101 does not need to execute processing related to identifier setting, and these development man-hours are unnecessary.
Further, each identifier setting target node A 102, B 103, C 104 does not need to transmit an identifier setting completion message after completion of identifier setting, and can immediately start transmission / reception of a message necessary for each control.

  Furthermore, even if only identifier setting target node B 103 is not set with an identifier, even if it is necessary to reset identifiers for some of the identifier setting target nodes, the synchronization node 101 or the node with the identifier set is used. There is no need to set the identifier again. Therefore, the time required for resetting is only the time for the number of identifier setting target nodes for which no identifier is set, and the time required for setting the identifier can be shortened.

  Furthermore, since the identifier setting target node includes the storage units 121 to 123, once the identifier is set, it is not necessary to perform identifier setting processing every time the power is turned on or reset, and control is started immediately after the network system is started. can do.

In the network system according to the first embodiment, two synchronization messages are transmitted by one synchronization node 101, but a plurality of synchronizations are performed without interposing identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104. A configuration in which nodes are connected by channel A105 and a synchronization message is transmitted one by one may be used.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, even if the synchronization node 101 and the synchronization node 2 (701) transmit the synchronization message in time slots 1 and 2, respectively, the identifier setting in the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 There is no effect on the flow.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a network system to which an identifier setting completion detection node according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is connected.
In FIG. 8, 101 to 105 and 110 to 126 are the same as those in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a state in which the identifiers of all identifier setting target nodes are not set.
In FIG. 8, an identifier setting completion detection node 801 (third node) is added.
The identifier setting completion detection node 801 is connected to the next stage of the identifier setting target node C104, which is the final stage of the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104. When the identifier c of the identifier setting target node C104 is set as shown in the first embodiment and the switch 126 is turned on, the identifier setting completion detection node 801 is connected to the other nodes 101 to 104 via the channel A105. The

The identifier setting completion detection node 801 includes communication control means 802 (third communication control means) and identifier setting completion detection means 803.
As with the other communication control units 111 to 113, the communication control unit 802 synchronizes with the synchronization node 101 when receiving the synchronization message, and can transmit and receive the message.
When the identifier setting completion detection unit 803 detects that the synchronization message has been received, the identifier setting completion detection unit 803 instructs the communication control unit 802 to transmit an all identifier setting completion message.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an identifier setting completion detection process by the identifier setting completion detection node of the network system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Next, the processing of the identifier setting completion detection node 801 in the network system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
ST901
The identifier setting completion detection node 801 waits until a synchronization message is received in time slots 1 and 2 via channel A105. When the synchronization message is received at time slots 1 and 2, the synchronization message is synchronized with synchronization node 101, and the process proceeds to ST902.
ST902
When the synchronization message is received, the identifier setting completion detection unit 803 detects that the identifier setting has been completed for all the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104, and instructs the communication control unit 802 to transmit an all identifier setting completion message. To do.
ST903
The communication control unit 802 transmits an all identifier setting completion message, and ends the identifier setting completion detection process.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the identifier setting completion detection node 801 can detect that the setting of the identifiers of all the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 up to the preceding stage is completed. As a result, the identifier setting completion detection node 801 transmits an all identifier setting completion message, and a node that knows that identifier setting has been completed for all identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 is required only after the completion of power supply. It can be detected as an error when transmission / reception of a management message, a diagnosis message, or the like is started, or when this all identifier setting completion message is not received.
Also, the identifier setting completion detection result can be reflected in the control in the identifier setting completion detection node 801.

When the identifier setting completion detection node 801 in the second embodiment detects the identifier setting completion of the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104, the identifier setting completion detection node 801 transmits an all identifier setting completion message via the channel A105. The message may be transmitted to another network system to which the detection node 801 is connected.
Furthermore, if the other nodes 101 to 104 do not need to know completion of all identifier setting, the identifier setting completion detection node 801 does not need to transmit an all identifier setting completion message.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing a network system in which channel A and channel B are connected according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 10, 101-105 and 110-126 are the same as those in FIG. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the identifiers of all identifier setting target nodes are not set.
In FIG. 10, in addition to channel A105, a communication line of channel B1001 (second communication line) is added. Each node 101-104 is connected to both channel A105 and channel B1001.
Channel B 1001 conforms to the communication protocol FlexRay and operates according to a communication schedule common to channel A 105.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart comparing the message transmitted depending on the identifier setting state and the time required for setting the identifier in the network system according to the third embodiment as compared with the network system of only channel A105.
FIG. 11A is a timing chart according to the third embodiment using channel A and channel B, and FIG. 11B is a timing chart when only channel A is used.
In FIG. 11, S is a synchronization message transmitted by the synchronization node, and A is a message transmitted by the identifier setting target node A. B is a message transmitted by the identifier setting target node B, and C is a message transmitted by the identifier setting target node C.

  In each identifier setting target node A102, B103, and C104 of this network system, the procedure from initialization by power-on or reset to the end of the identifier setting process is the same as the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, the states until identifiers are set in identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 that are connected to channel A and channel B and whose identifiers are not set are shown in (a-1) to (a) of FIG. Explanation will be made along -8).

(A-1) The identifiers of the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 are not set (flow charts ST401 to ST402 in FIG. 4).
(A-2) Identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 receive the synchronization message via channel B1001 and synchronize with synchronization node 101 (flowchart ST403 in FIG. 4).
(A-3) The identifier setting target node A102 receives the synchronization message via the channel A105, and when receiving the message for a predetermined period, sets the identifier a of the own node and the time slot numbers for transmission and reception. Then, message transmission is started (flow charts ST404 to ST406 in FIG. 4).
(A-4) The identifier setting target node A102 turns on the switch 124, and the next identifier setting target node B103 is connected to the channel A105.

(A-5) The identifier setting target node B 103 receives the synchronization message via the channel A 105, and when receiving the message for a predetermined period, sets the identifier b of the own node and the time slot numbers for transmission and reception. Then, message transmission is started (flow charts ST404 to ST406 in FIG. 4).
(A-6) The identifier setting target node B 103 turns on the switch 125, and the next identifier setting target node C 104 is connected to the channel A 105.
(A-7) The identifier setting target node C104 receives the synchronization message via the channel A105, and when receiving the message for a predetermined period, sets the identifier c of its own node and the time slot numbers for transmission and reception. Then, message transmission is started (flow charts ST404 to ST406 in FIG. 4). Thereby, the identifier setting of all the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 is completed.
(A-8) The identifier setting target node C104 turns on the switch 126.

Next, the states until the identifier is set in the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 that are connected only through the channel A105 and have not been set as identifiers are shown in (b-1) to (b-10) of FIG. )
(B-1) The identifiers of the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 are not set (flow charts ST401 to ST402 in FIG. 4).
(B-2) The identifier setting target node A102 receives the synchronization message via the channel A105 and synchronizes with the synchronization node 101 (flow chart ST403 in FIG. 4).
(B-3) The identifier setting target node A102 receives the synchronization message via the channel A105, and when receiving the message for a predetermined period, sets the identifier a of the own node and the time slot numbers for transmission and reception. Then, message transmission is started (flow charts ST404 to ST406 in FIG. 4).
(B-4) The identifier setting target node A102 turns on the switch 124, and the next identifier setting target node B103 is connected to the channel A105.

(B-5) The identifier setting target node B 103 receives the synchronization message via the channel A 105 and synchronizes with the synchronization node 101 (flow chart ST403 in FIG. 4).
(B-6) The identifier setting target node B 103 receives the synchronization message via the channel A 105 and, when receiving the message for a predetermined period, sets the identifier b of the own node and the time slot numbers for transmission and reception. Then, message transmission is started (flow charts ST404 to ST406 in FIG. 4).
(B-7) The identifier setting target node B 103 turns on the switch 125, and the next identifier setting target node C 104 is connected to the channel A 105.
(B-8) The identifier setting target node C104 receives the synchronization message via the channel A105 and synchronizes with the synchronization node 101 (flow chart ST403 in FIG. 4).
(B-9) The identifier setting target node C104 receives the synchronization message via the channel A105, and when receiving the message for a predetermined period, sets the identifier c of its own node and the time slot numbers for transmission and reception. Then, message transmission is started (flow charts ST404 to ST406 in FIG. 4). Thereby, the identifier setting of all the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 is completed.
(B-10) The identifier setting target node C104 turns on the switch 126.

As shown in FIG. 11B, when only the channel A 105 is connected, each of the identifier setting target nodes B 103 and C 104 sends a synchronization message via the channel A 105 after the previous switches 124 and 125 are turned on. It takes time to receive and synchronize.
On the other hand, according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the synchronization node 101 connects the channel B 1001 and transmits a synchronization message, the identifier setting target nodes B 103 and C 104 are also connected to the previous switch. Regardless of the state of 124 and 125, it is possible to synchronize with the synchronization node 101.
Therefore, when the switches 124 and 125 in the previous stage are turned on and connected via the channel A 105, there is no need for time to synchronize with the synchronization node 101, and it is possible to immediately receive a message and enter identifier setting.

Thus, according to the third embodiment, it is necessary to synchronize with the synchronization node 101 until the identifiers of all the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 are set as compared with FIG. Time) × (number of identifier setting target nodes−1) can be shortened, and the time from the start of the network system to the start of control can be shortened.
Further, even if the identifier setting target node B 103 fails and the identifier setting target node C 104 cannot transmit / receive a message via the channel A 105, communication can be continued via the channel B 1001.

  In FIG. 11, the time required for identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 to receive an identifier (the predetermined period of ST404 in FIG. 4) is the synchronization message transmission cycle (one cycle). However, the time for receiving the message necessary for setting the identifier may be shorter or longer.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an identifier setting process by the communication control means of each identifier setting target node in the network system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 shows an identifier setting process when referring to the time slot number of a message received on channel B. Since the same step number as in the flowchart of FIG. 4 performs the same process, the description thereof is omitted.

  The network system of the fourth embodiment is the same as the configuration of the network system of the third embodiment (FIG. 10) except for the identifier setting tables 115, 116, and 117, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an identifier setting table of the network system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 13, the identifier setting tables 115, 116, and 117 of the fourth embodiment associate the identifiers with the time slot numbers of messages that are not received. For example, when the message of time slot number 3 is not received, the identifier is a, when the message of time slot number 4 is not received, the identifier is b, and so on. , 113 are used to set the identifier.
Here, in the state in which no identifier is assigned to the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104, the identifier setting target node A102 has not received the messages of the time slot numbers 4 and 5, but FIG. When the identifier is set in ST405 of the flowchart, scanning is performed from above the identifier setting tables 115, 116, and 117, and the identifier that first satisfies the condition is set as the identifier of the own node.

In the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 of this network system, the procedure from initialization by power-on or reset to the end of the identifier setting process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
ST1201
The communication control units 111 to 113 of the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 synchronized with the synchronization node 101 confirm whether or not the synchronization message has been received via the channel A105.
When receiving via channel A 105, the identifier setting target node identifiers up to the preceding stage are set, indicating that the identifier setting target node set with the identifier is switched on. Therefore, the process proceeds to ST404 and the identifier setting of the own node is started.
On the other hand, if the synchronization message is synchronized with the synchronization node 101 in ST403 but the synchronization message is not received via the channel A105, the synchronization message is received only via the channel B1001, and the identifier of the identifier setting target node in the previous stage Is not set, indicating that the switch is off. Therefore, the identifier setting of the own node cannot be performed. In this case, the process proceeds to ST1202.
Note that the execution timing of the conditional branch in ST1201 is not particularly defined here. It may be executed at a certain time period or executed by message reception interruption.

ST1202
The communication control units 111 to 113 of the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 confirm whether or not a message is received from another identifier setting target node via the channel B1001.
If it has been received, an identifier setting target node for which an identifier has already been set exists, and the process proceeds to ST1203.
If it has not been received, the identifier has not yet been set in another identifier setting target node. Therefore, the process returns to ST1201.
ST1203
Using the time slot number of the message received via channel B 1001, an identifier that does not receive this time slot number is deleted from the identifier setting table of the own node. As described above, in ST405, the identifier setting table is scanned from the top, and scanning is ended and the identifier is set when the condition is first met. In ST1203, the identifier setting table is scanned for each received message. , Delete the identifier that matches the condition.

  Next, in the flowchart of FIG. 12, the identifier setting target node A102 completes the setting of the identifier a and starts transmitting a message in the time slot 3 of its own node, but the identifiers of the identifier setting target nodes B103 and C104 are An operation of the identifier setting target node C104 when not set will be described. However, the processing of the same step number as the flow (FIG. 4) shown in the first embodiment is the same processing, and the description thereof is omitted.

In ST403, the identifier setting target node C104 can receive the synchronization message via the channel B1001 and synchronize with the synchronization node 101 before the identifier setting target node B103 identifier is set. Therefore, the process proceeds to ST1201. Before the identifier setting target node B 103 is set, since the switch 125 of the node B is off, the synchronization message has not been received via the channel A 105 yet. Therefore, the process proceeds to ST1202.
Subsequently, in ST1202, the identifier setting target node C104 can receive the message of the time slot 3 transmitted by the identifier setting target node A102 through the channel B1001, and thus proceeds to ST1203. In ST1203, an identifier that does not receive a message in time slot number 3, that is, identifier a can be deleted from identifier setting table 117 shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process returns to ST1201.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the identifier setting target nodes A102, B103, and C104 receive the synchronization message via the channel A105 and before entering the identifier setting of the own node, the identifier setting tables 115 to 117 are set. It is possible to reduce the number of setting candidates for the identifier of the own node. Therefore, it becomes possible to receive the synchronization message via the channel A 105 thereafter, and when the identifier setting of the own node is performed along the flow after ST404, the time for scanning the identifier setting tables 115 to 117 is shortened. Can do.
For this reason, the time until setting can be shortened compared with the case where only the time slot number of the message received via the channel A 105 is used.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram showing a network system in which channel A and channel B are connected according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and shows a state in which the identifier setting target node B is switched off.
14, 101, 105, 110-126, and 1001 are the same as those in FIG.
14, in addition to the configuration of FIG. 10, identifier setting target nodes A 1301 (corresponding to 102 in FIG. 10), B 1302 (corresponding to 103 in FIG. 10), and C 1303 (corresponding to 104 in FIG. 10) Transmission means 1311, 1312, and 1313 are provided.
The notification message transmission units 1311, 1312, and 1313 each perform communication control so as to transmit a notification message for notifying via the channel B1001 when the synchronization message is not received via the channel A105 after the identifier is set. Instruct the means 111, 112, 113.

After completion of the identifier setting, as shown in FIG. 14, when the switch 125 is turned off due to the failure of the identifier setting target node B 1302, the identifier setting target node C 1303 cannot receive the synchronization message from the channel A 105. Therefore, the notification message transmission unit 1313 of the identifier setting target node C 1303 transmits a notification message that the synchronization message cannot be received from the channel A 105 via the channel B 1001.
On the other hand, since the identifier setting target nodes A 1301 and B 1302 continue to receive the synchronization message via the channel A 105, this notification message is not transmitted.

  Therefore, for example, when an external device such as a tester connected for diagnosis of the network system is connected to the channel B 1001 and a notification message is received from the identifier setting target node C1303, an abnormality has occurred in the preceding stage of the identifier setting target node C1303. Can be detected.

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the node that has not received the synchronization message via channel A 105 transmits this as a notification message from channel B 1001, which identifier setting target node has failed. The identifier setting target node that needs to be exchanged can be identified and exchanged immediately.

  The synchronization node 101 may receive this notification message. For example, the synchronization node 101 stores that this notification message has been received, and transmits this message as a failure message when an external device is connected next time. However, it may be possible to detect which identifier setting target node has failed.

101 Synchronization node 102, 1301 Identifier setting target node A
103, 1302 identifier setting target node B
104, 1303 Identifier setting target node C
105 channel A
110, 111, 112, 113, 702, 802 Communication control means 114, 703 Synchronization message setting means 115, 116, 117 Identifier setting tables 118, 119, 120 Time slot setting tables 121, 122, 123 Storage means 124, 125, 126 Switch 701 Synchronization node 2
801 Identifier setting completion detection node 803 Identifier setting completion detection means 1001 Channel B
1311, 1312, 1313 Notification message transmission means

Claims (6)

A first node and one or more second nodes connected in a daisy chain via a first communication line are connected to the time slot within the time slot according to a communication schedule including a plurality of time slots. A network system of a time division multiplex communication system that transmits and receives a message having an assigned number (hereinafter, time slot number),
The first node is
First communication control means for transmitting and receiving messages according to the communication schedule;
And a synchronization message setting means for generating a synchronization message for causing the first node and the second node to communicate synchronously according to the communication schedule, and transmitting the first message via the first communication control means,
The second node is
Second communication control means for transmitting and receiving messages according to the communication schedule;
An identifier setting table that is generated in advance so as to be common to all the second nodes and is associated with the time slot number of the message received by the second communication control means and the identifier assigned to the second node;
A time slot setting table that is generated in advance so as to be common to all the second nodes, and associates the identifier with a time slot number used by the second node to which the identifier is assigned for transmission and reception of messages. ,
When the identifier of the own node is not set, the first communication line connected to the next node is disconnected. When the identifier of the own node is already set, the first communication connected to the next node is set. With a switch to connect the wires,
The first node transmits the synchronization message via the first communication line in a time slot assigned to the node in advance,
The second node is configured to synchronize with the first node upon receipt of the synchronization message;
When the identifier of the own node is not set, based on the time slot number of the message received via the first communication line, the identifier of the own node is set using the identifier setting table,
Based on the set identifier, the time slot number used by the own node for message transmission and reception is set using the time slot setting table, and a message having the set time slot number for transmission is set to the first time. A network system characterized by transmitting via a communication line. A third node is connected to the second node at the final stage via the first communication line,
The third node is
Third communication control means for transmitting and receiving messages according to the communication schedule;
And identifier setting completion detecting means for detecting that the setting of the identifiers of all the second nodes is completed when the third communication control means receives the synchronization message via the first communication line. The network system according to claim 1, further comprising:   3. The network system according to claim 1, wherein the second node comprises storage means for storing the set identifier when the identifier of the own node is set. The first node and the second node are connected by a second communication line that transmits and receives messages according to a communication schedule common to the first communication line,
The first node transmits the synchronization message via the second communication line,
2. The second node synchronizes with the first node when the synchronization message transmitted by the first node is received via the second communication line. The network system according to claim 3.   The second node uses the time slot number of the message received via the second communication line and sets the identifier associated with the time slot number when the identifier of the own node is not set. 5. The network system according to claim 4, wherein the network system is deleted from the table.   When the second node does not receive the synchronization message via the first communication line after setting the identifier of the node, the second node does not receive the synchronization message via the first communication line. 6. The network system according to claim 4, further comprising notification message transmission means for transmitting a notification message for notifying the fact through the second communication line.

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