AU463541B2

AU463541B2 - Remote control system comprising atleast one exchange anda plurality of substations

Info

Publication number: AU463541B2
Application number: AU62609/73A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Meyer Josef
Original assignee: Siemens AG
Current assignee: Siemens AG
Priority date: 1972-12-29
Filing date: 1973-11-16
Publication date: 1975-07-31
Also published as: JPS5551376B2; JPS4997190A; IT7354509A1; NL161028B; BR7310290D0; DE2264085C2; IT1000755B; BE809255A; AU6260973A; IL43711A0; AT333374B; ATA985473A; IL43711A; NL161028C; DE2264085A1; NL7317692A

Description

62609 /73

This invention relates to a remote control system comprising at least one exchange and a plurality of sub- stations, wherein at least some of the substations are formed by exchange stations which are equipped to emit messages, wherein the stations, each of which is provided with a call number, are connected by at least one joint signal trans- mission network, and wherein the substations exchange information with the exchange in time sequence. The sub- the stations of the system can be interrogated cyclically by exchange. In accordance with another development of a remote control system, whose substations are furnished with meters which can be preset in accordance with the call number, it is possible, for example, for each substation to call the next one by emitting a pulse, thereby causing it to emit a message. The exchange stations which are equipped to emit messages may also be substations of the remote control system which is connected to the main network, or they may be stations which are suited to perform the function of an exchange and of a substation simultaneously, stations

which, in their capacity as exchange, emit orders and receive messages, on the one hand, and which, on the other hand, are able to carry out the orders and pass on messages to an exchange in their capacity as substation. From the example of -B-fS)l 169 009, remote control systems are already known wherein the individual stations are interrogated in a cycle by an exchange. Each 2 46 3.541

62a.6O09 /7 station is provided with a call number, so that of all the stations connected to a common signal transmitting channel, only a single one is induced to emit a message. In this type of remote control system the remote control signals can be transmitted by means of a multi- frequency code or by impulse telegrams of audio frequency. In both cases the call number capacity, the number of call numbers possible in the remote control system, is limited by the number of digits provided in the code which is used. An increase of call number capacity is linked not only with a greater constructional expense for coding and decoding, channels, band width and transmission sections, but it also results in an increase of the cycle period, which, in many instances, is limited in order to provide the earliest possible information to the exchange regarding the messages held in the remote control system. Furthermore, it is already known from DT-AS 1 169 009 to reduce the cycle period of a remote control system to a certain extent by transmitting the actual messages of the stations only when changes of condition occur, in order to prevent the signal channel, which is jointly available to all the instruments, from being engaged unnecessarily. However, the time which is thus saved is not sufficient for various purposes. It is the task of the invention to design a remote control system in such a manner that it permits the control and operation of the largest possible number of substations from one exchange, and, if necessary, reduces, as much as possible, the time required for the signal cycle. In accordance with the invention the remote control

463.5 41

6 2 .609/73

system of the aforementioned type for solving this task is designed so that the signal transmission network is a com-

bination of a main network containing at least one exchange and several area networks which can be integrated either alone or in groups into the main network, that one exchange station is provided per area network, and that one group of call numbers is allocated to the exchange stations, while call numbers of a further group of addresses are simultaneous- ly allocated to the substations of various area networks, and that the transmission of the messages is effected by including the area network and by subsequent message emitting from the substations of the area network directly to the exchange of the main network. Inclusion of the area networks into the main network can be effected in that the area networks are con- nected to the main network by means of an electronic switch, coupler or the like. When the exchange station is merely a substation without area exchange, it is possible, for instance, to switch all the substations of the area either to active or passive. In that particular case the call numbers which are allocated to the exchange stations are intended for the remote control traffic between the exchange stations and the exchange. The switching on of the range network can be effected in each case by a control order which is emitted from the exchange of the main network to the exchange station, or by the exchange station itself, provided it.has been ensured, that at a particular time only one area network can be locked on in each case. While an area network is connected to the main network, the respective area exchange 463.541

62.609/73 must be switched from active to passive in cases where it has not been ensured that at any time only one exchange can be active. A further sub-division can be effected in corres- ponding manner, in which case it is possible, for instance, to combine the area networks from partial range networks of which each comprises a partial range-exchange station. Those stations which are constantly connected with an exchange by way of the main network may operate exclusively as exchange stations, for instance. In addition to exchange stations it is also possible, on the other hand, to connect additional substations without a-a exchange and/or further exchanges to the main network. These measures result in the advantage that it is possible to serve a particularly large number of substations of a remote control system, while the need for call number capacity of the remote control system is particularly low, and that the remote control system manages with a particularly low material expenditure due to a multiple utilization of basic components of the remote control system. In further development of the invention the remote control system is constructed so that, in each case, at least a number of exchange stations contain an area ex- change, which in the presence of at least one predetermined message,, which is to be transmitted from the area network to the exchange of the main network, forms a collective trigger which is passed on from the exchange station to the exchange of the main network. In this connection an area exchange stands for an exchange of an area network. This measure results in a particularly brief

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62.609/73 emitter cycle period even in remote control systems with a large number of stations. The particular collective trigger or collective alarm which is formed in the exchange stations is already issued when a message of a specific type is present in a substation of the area network inclusive of the substation which is contained in the exchange station, it is issued independently of the number of messages of this type which are ready to be called, or of the number of sub- stations ready to emit messages. It is therefore sufficient that the respective substations pass on a collective trigger to the exchange station, and that this, in turn, forms its own collective trigger. If only changes of state are to be signalled, then devices for old-new-comparison can be arranged in the exchanges of the area, which trigger the collective alarm only when changes of condition occur. The predetermined messages which trigger off the collective alarm, can all be messages which are to be trans- mitted from the respective area network to the exchange of the main network. In further development of the invention, messages can be collected separately in, at least part of the area network, in accordance with urgency stages, and at least messages of specific urgencies can be transmitted to the exchange from the exchange station in the form of a collective trigger per urgency. In this way it becomes possible for the exchange to effect the sequence of the area intrusions in accordance with the signalled urgencies. In further development of the invention the remote control equipment of the invention is designed so that in at least one part of the area networks messages are recorded -6 463.541

62,609/73 separately, and that any messages of the first urgency stage which may be available are transmitted as such and possible messages of other stages of urgency are transmitted to the exchange of the main network in the form of collective triggers from the exchange station. This represents a further advantageous acceleration in the transmission of particularly urgent messages. In further development of the invention, substations of the remote control system which are provided for simult- aneous triggering, may be provided as special substations at the exchange stations, and this group of substations may be allocated a joint call number. Such a development of the remote control system represents a particularly easily realizable type of collective control system, as required particularly for the simultaneous change-over of the inter- mediate stations of message transmission lines for the purpose of the equivalent operating circuit. As a result of control coordination, group formation is also possible. In further development of the invention it is possible to multiply the capacity of the system in that the remote control system, when transmitting the remote signals with the aid of audio frequency impulse telegrams, comprises at least one further remote control system with its particular audio frequency. Distribution of the messages in the exchange of the main network can be effected in a manner such that with the assistance of a decoding device there is provided from the incoming messages a special indicator element for each message received in the remote control system. In further development of the invention it is possible with a very small space 7 46 .541

62.609/73 requirement to obtain in clear manner a signal, in that a

signalling device, which is connected to the exchange of the

main network, contains a part which is common to at least a

number of the area networks, and signalling means to signal

the particular area which has been selected. It is also

desirable that the signalling device, which is connected to

the exchange of the main network, contains a part which is

designed to indicate the messages from a station, and which

is designed to be shared by a number of stations of different as areas, and also means to indicate the station as well

the area. The invention is now described in detail with

reference to the illustrated embodiment. with The drawing represents a remote control -system

two main exchanges HI and H2 which are arranged in a common

exchange. To each main exchange Hi or H2 there is connected of a a separate signal transmission network, which consists BN_3 to BN6 main network HNl or HN2 and several area networks

which can be connected individually to the former. The main network HNI is also connected to the sub-

stations U1 to U10, U12 to U15 and Ul7, U18 and the extension Z3 and Z4. exchange Bl in addition to the exchange stations the signal The representation in broken line at the end of exchange transmission channel indicates that other additional can be stations, extension exchanges and/or substations

provided. Call numbers 1 to 20 are provided for the stations comprising call of the main network. A block of call numbers of the area numbers 21 to 30 is reserved for the substations

networks. The stations of the areas are numbered continuously

-8 463541

62,609/73 commencing with 21.

The extension exchange Bl may, for example, be a

manned station which listens in to and indicates messages

transmitted in the main network HNl, and also replaces the

main exchange in the case of total failure.

Area exchange B2 is connected with the star-shaped

area network BN2, which connects stations Ul" to U5" with

the area exchange B2. The area exchange B3 is connected with

a mesh network which connects stations U21 to U29 with one

another and with the area exchange B3. Area network BN4,

which forms part of area exchange B4, is a line network.

As will be seen from the diagram, the individual area networks

can be adapted in advantageous manner to the given conditions

independently of one another. The area exchange B2 operates together with the two

substations U7 and U8 of the main network HN1. The central

stations Z3 and Z4 each consist of a substation Ull or U16 of

the main network HNl and an area exchange B3 or B4. Prefer-

ably, the substation and the area exchange are combined in

one structural unit or are accommodated immediately adjacent

to each other, however, they may also be arranged at a

distance from each other.

The remote control system which is illustrated has

a call number capacity of 64, for example, and is basically

designed to transmit 64 36 2304 signal bits and 64. 36

2304 instruction bits. Due to the division into 64 call

numbers it is possible, when necessary, to increase as

desired the amount of information which can be transmitted

within the system capacity by using several call numbers in

the one station, particularly in a substation of the main

62,609/73 network. Thus for example there is indicated in the area of the area exchange B2 with the call numbers 7 and 8 an acceptance of messages from the area network BN2 by the conversion of area exchange B2 into substation U7/8 of the main network HNl. This method does not increase the system capacity nor does it shorten the call period, provided the number of messages accepted in the main network is not merely reduced. The other area exchanges B3 and B4 are each switched together with a substation Ull or U16, respectively whereby the substation Ull or U16, respectively, can be caused with a corresponding instruction from the main ex- change to connect the appropriate area network BN3 or respectively BN4 to the main network. The area network can, for instance, be connected to the main network with the aid of controllable couplers which are composed of non-reactive amplifiers. On the other hand, it is also possible to use switching gates or step renewal gates. If, in connecting the area network with the main network, transmitting and receiving groups are employed in which it is possible to block only the remitter or only the receiver, then two such groups can be switched together. If, for example, in the case of an unmanned ex- change station, an exchange is not required in an area network, and no automatic call cycle and no collective trigger is provided either, then such areas can be contacted from the main exchange by successive cyclical area inclusion. The increase of system capacity thus gained is possible, regardless of the elimination of an area exchange. 10 463.5 4 1

62,609/73 At first, the area networks BN3 to BN6 operate independently and are not covered by the main exchange Hi,

H12. If a change of message occurs in an area neuworK, for instance, in the area network BN4, and if this change is to

be evaluated also in the main exchange Hi of the main network

HNI, then the area exchange B4 informs the main exchange Hi of this fact by means of a collective trigger via the sub-

station U16 of the main exchange Hi. Subsequently, exchange Hi effects the through connection of the transmission from

the area network BN4 to the main network HNl by means of an electronic switch.

As a result, it is already possible to select a message by a method in accordance with which messages of

merely local importance, which are only of interest at the

location of an exchange station, do not cause the area net-

work to be included in the main network.

It is also possible to convey, in the place of a collective trigger, messages to the main exchange which are

evaluated in accordance to their urgency.

As regards the inclusion of an area network into

the main network, it is necessary, depending upon the remote control system used for synchronizing the call or call-in

cycles, which formerly functioned separately in the main and

in the area network, to take such measures as, for example,

transmitting a control signal, switching back all call counters to zero, or, firstly, to connect the receiving line

through thereby enabling the area exchange to change over

from active to passive upon receipt of the main exchange

telegram, and then to connect the transmission line through.

Due to the call number reserve for which provision

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62609/73 main exchange, main exchange is made in the call cycle of the of the area network BN4. now also includes the substations lHI or successively In the same manner it can also simultaneously

intrude other area networks. BN4 connected The drawing shows the area network the remote control to the main network and included in disconnected as is traffic. All the other area networks are

indicated by the broken lines. belonging The area networks, in which substations the same call number, to different areas have been allocated at a time, to the main net- are successively connected, one system there are also work. When in the remote control area networks additional small provided in addition to these of substations such that area networks comprising a number several areas does not the total number of stations of provided for the substation exceed the number of call numbers area networks can be con- of the area networks, then these provided that in these nected jointly to the main network, the different areas are area networks the substations in allocated different call numbers. the area networks In any one of the substations of of graduated urgency to the it is possible to emit messages called up, exchange station. When the exchange station is of the substation of the main it emits for example by means messages which may be present network which it accommodates, of urgency, as such and for instance of the first degree of urgency, merely as a messages of the second degree sub- possible message bits of the collective trigger. Of 36 is in an exchange station, it station which is accommodated example, to transmit 35 message possible in this manner, for 12 463.

62,609/73 of the first degree of urgency and one collective trigger in a single message telegram from the exchange station to the main exchange. On the other hand, it is possible, for in- stance, for the exchange station merely to transmit collective triggers of various kinds. If this number is not sufficient, further additional substations of the main network can be accommodated in the exchange station. The areawise taking over of the amounts of infor- mation allows for remote control and remote regulation with the available components of a remote control system even of large networks in which the amounts of information to be pro- cessed are far greater than the capacity of the system which is employed, and it makes it possible to obtain a particular-

ly opportune cycle and access time, even in extensive networks. Further advantages are offered by the possibility of locking on an area in accordance with the degree of urgency. A further advantage consists in that various remote control districts which have their own area exchanges and are independent at first can be combined to form a joint large control area with one or several superimposed main ex- changes. If, in the course of further development of the remote control system the limit number of call numbers, i.e., 64 is exceeded, then it suffices to switch over the remote control traffic to a main network or to several main networks having area networks which are suited for locking on as desired. In a remote control system the same instruments can be used for the area exchanges and for the main exchanges. -13 463541

62609/73 Furtherrore the slbstations can be constructed in the same manner irrespective of whether they are connected directly to the main network or to an area network. The exchange stations Z5 and 26 and the substations U1', U2', U4' to Ul1' are connected to the main exchange H2. In addition to substations Ul', U2', U4' to Ull'

exchange stations Z5 and Z6 are also connected to the main network HN2 which is connected to the main exchange H2. The

exchange station Z5 consists of the substation U3' and the area exchange B5. Exchange station Z6 is composed of the substation U12' and the area exchange B6. The substations U8 and U9 are combined to a joint station to which two call numbers have been allocated. The

substations U4' to U7' are jointly connected to the main network HN2. The area network BN5 is constructed as a line net, area network BN6 is designed in the configuration of a star. The call number of each of the substations of these two area networks BN6 and BN5 commence with the call number 21, so that in any particular case only one of the two area networks can be connected to the main network. Depending on the size of the network, any number of exchange stations and main networks of the illustrated type can be provided.

14 4 63.5 41

Claims

62,609/73 The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A remote control system comprising at least one exchange and a plurality of substations, wherein at least some of the substations are formed by exchange stations which are equipped to emit messages, wherein the stationsleach of which is provided with a call number, are connected with one another by at least one joint signal transmission network, and wherein the substations exchange information with the exchange in time sequence, characterised in that the signal transmission network is a combination of a main network containing at least one exchange and several area networks which can be integrated either alone or in groups into the main network, further characterised in that one exchange station is provided per area network and that one group of call numbers is allocated to the exchange stations, while call numbers of a further group of call numbers are simult- aneously supplied to the substations of various aIa networks and that the transmission of the messages is effected by ineluding the area network and by subsequent message emission from the substations of the area network directly to the exchange of the main network.
2. A remote control system according to claim 1, characterised in that at-Leaet a number of exchange stations contains an area exchange which upon the presence of at least one predetermined message which is to be transmitted from the particular area network to the exchange of the main net- work produces a collective trigger which is transmitted by the exchange station to the exchange of the main network.
3. A remote control system according to claim 1 or.2, characterised in that in at least one portion of the 15- 463541

62%609/ picked up separately in accordance area network messages are of that at least the messages with degrees of urgency, and of a collec- transmitted in the form particular urgencies are station to the exchange in tive trigger from the exchange urgency. accordance with their degree of according to claim 3.
4. A remote control system least one portion of the area characterised in that in at up separately in accordance networks messages are picked and that messages of the first with their degree of urgency, from may be present are transmitted degree of urgency which and that messages of other the exchange station as such, in may be present are transmitted degrees of urgency which to the exchange of the main the form of collective triggers

network. to claim 4, A remote control system according substations of the area networks characterised in that the exchange of the main network can be interrogated by the stations interrogated cycle of the subsequent to a complete

of the main network. to any one 6. A remote control network according in that substations of the of claims 1 to 5, characterised off are provided to be triggered remote control system which be provided as separate sub- simultaneously, may possibly and that this group of sub- stations in the exchange stations call address. stations is allocated a joint according to any one 7. A remote control system remote cha;acterised in that the of the preceding claims, remote control at least one additional control system contains and has to the same main network system, which is connected the first remote control system its own audio frequency, when 54 S463

62,609/73 -transmits remote control signals with the aid of audio frequency impulse telegrams. 8. A remote control system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an indicating device which is connected to the exchange of the main network contains at least one portion which is common to a number of the area networks and indicating means to indicate the area which has been selected in a particular instance. 9. A remote control system according to claim 8, characterised in that the indicating device which is connected to the exchange of the main network contains a part which is designed to indicate the messages of a station and which is jointly provided for a number of stations of different areas, and also indicating means for a station as well as for an area signal.

DATED this FOURTEENTH day of NOVEMBER, 1973 SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON

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