DE102021122380A1 - Network coupling device for a network and network with a network coupling device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a network coupling device (1) for connecting at least one device (2) to a network (N) via an electrical line (L), with at least one connection unit (P1, ..., P16) for connecting the at least one device (2) with the network coupling device (1) via the electrical line (L), and at least one transceiver unit (T1, ..., T16), wherein the at least one transceiver unit ( T1, ..., T16) is assigned to the at least one connection unit (P1, ..., P16) and for coupling and/or decoupling at least one signal into the line (L) and/or from the line (L ) is configured, and with a control unit (SE), wherein the control unit (SE) is configured to transmit the at least one signal via the at least one transceiver unit (T1, ..., T16) and the at least one connection unit (P1, ..., P16) to the device (2) to conduct and / or to receive from the device (2), wherein the network coupling device (1) at least one Wan processing module (SM1, ..., SM4), wherein the at least one conversion module (SM1, ..., SM4) between the at least one transceiver unit (T1, ..., T16) and the control unit (SE) is arranged and is configured to convert the at least one signal for transmission between the control unit (SE) and the at least one transceiver unit (T1, ..., T6). The invention also relates to a network (N) with a network coupling device (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a network coupling device for connecting terminals to a network, preferably to an Ethernet network.

The so-called Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) places particular demands on network technology for process automation in the area of Industrial Ethernet in the manufacturing and process industries, for example. On the one hand, in the future, many network participants, ie end devices, should be able to be connected to the network as easily as possible, which leads to miniaturization of network technology. On the other hand, however, the need to transmit large amounts of data and thus high data transmission rates is also increasing, in particular, for example, through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

Against the background of the special requirements of the manufacturing and process industry, the so-called Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (Ethernet APL) standard was developed, which represents an additional physical layer of Ethernet communication technology according to the ISO/OSI 7-layer model and thus the coding of bits into electrical signals and the transmission of electrical signals (impulses). Instead of 8-wire cables with four wire pairs, two-wire cables are used here. As a result, for example, many small end devices, such as sensors, switches, operating elements, can be connected relatively easily to a control network via an Ethernet switch as a coupling device. The data transmission rate of 10Mbit/s is sufficient for such end devices.

Furthermore, the term "IEEE Std 802.3cg™-2019" in the area of local area networks (LAN) defines or specifies the further developed Ethernet data transmission standard for wired communication, which enables data transmission rates of 10Mbit/s. Data, ie Ethernet signals, are transmitted via a line which, as already described above, consists of two individual cores, ie two insulated copper-based electrical wires. The main line ("trunk") of such a network can be a maximum of 1000m long and stub lines ("spurs") a maximum of 200m. The two individual cores of the single pair of cores are preferably twisted together. Such lines are also referred to as "twisted pair cables". The transmission protocol of this network standard, which is also known as "single-pair Ethernet", is real-time capable and enables simple and robust cabling.

In order to provide the data transmission technology described above by means of electrical signals, the prior art has semiconductor-based single-channel transceiver units ("physical layer (PHY) transceivers"), i.e. single-channel Ethernet transceivers, which conform to the IEEE 802.3cg™ 10Base-T1L specification and can transmit Ethernet signals with a data transmission rate of 10Mbit/s with a single connected twisted-pair two-wire line. These are, for example, the single-pair Ethernet PHY modules "DP83TD510E" from Texas Instruments Incorporated and "ADIN1100" from Analog Devices, Inc.

However, according to the ISO/OSI 7-layer model, these transmission/reception units of the physical layer are designed as single-channel transmission/reception units (“single-port transceivers”) for end devices with a single channel and thus with an external interface and not for Ethernet switches, i.e. coupling devices with multi-channel transceiver units for high data transmission rates of, for example, 1 GBit/s and, however, smaller maximum lengths of the lines of, for example, 100 m. A channel of the transceiver unit provides a port, ie an external interface.

Additional measures are necessary in order to provide the functionality of such, that is to say the above-described, single-channel transceiver units within the framework of an Ethernet switch. For example, an interface converter in the form of a programmable logic circuit of an integrated circuit (“Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)”) is used in order to adapt to the transmission standard. However, the use of a programmable logic circuit, that is to say an FPGA module, results in a high level of development effort and also causes high manufacturing and product costs.

Furthermore, semiconductor-based control modules for Ethernet switches are known which enable a direct connection to corresponding single-channel transceiver units, but which offer a very small number of channels, ie ports and thus external interfaces. 5 channels/ports are usual here.

In order to increase the number of channels and therefore available ports, several control modules can be cascaded accordingly. However, the cascading, that is, the Kaska, takes place This is limited by increasing latency times in the transmission of data, ie Ethernet signals, which in turn has an adverse effect on the reliability of data transmission.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide or develop a network coupling device, preferably a Fast Ethernet switch or a Gigabit Ethernet switch, which is configured to have at least the functionality of at least one single-channel transceiver unit the IEEE Std 802.3cg™-2019 data transmission standard, in a simple way.

The object is solved by the features of independent claim 1. Further exemplary embodiments and applications of the present invention result from the dependent claims and are explained in more detail in the following description with partial reference to the figures.

According to a first general aspect, the invention relates to a network coupling device, preferably an Ethernet switch, for connecting at least one device, preferably a terminal device, to a network, preferably an Ethernet network, via an electrical line, with at least one connection unit for connecting the at least one device with the network coupling device via the electrical line, and at least one transceiver unit, wherein the at least one transceiver unit is assigned to the at least one connection unit and for coupling and/or decoupling at least one signal is configured into the line and/or out of the line, and with a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to route the at least one signal via the at least one transceiver unit and the at least one connection unit to the device and/ or to be received by the device, wherein the network coupling device comprises at least one conversion module asst, wherein the at least one conversion module is arranged between the at least one transceiver unit and the control unit and is configured to convert the at least one signal for transmission between the control unit and the at least one transceiver unit.

As a result, a network coupling device can be provided, for example, which is designed as an Ethernet gigabit switch and has at least one single-channel transceiver, which is designed to connect terminal devices that require comparatively low data transmission rates via a two-wire line.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it can be provided that the control unit has a control unit interface element and the at least one transceiver unit has a transceiver unit interface element, and the control unit with the at least one conversion module via the control unit interface element and the at least one transceiver is coupled to the at least one conversion module via the transceiver interface element.

The at least one conversion module makes it possible to operate modern network coupling devices, ie switches with Gigabit Ethernet-capable interfaces, together with available T1L transceiver units, ie T1L (PHY) transceivers.

It is possible for the control unit interface element to be designed as an SGMII interface (Serial Gigabit Media-Independent Interface (SGMII) interface) or as a QSGMII interface (Quad Serial Gigabit Media-Independent Interface (QSGMII) interface), or comprises SGMII interface functionality and/or QSGMII interface functionality.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it can be provided that the transceiver unit interface element is in the form of an RMII interface (Reduced Media-Independent Interface (RMII) interface) and/or comprises an RMII interface functionality.

It is alternatively possible for the at least one conversion module to have a first interface element for coupling to the control unit and a second interface element for coupling to the at least one transceiver unit, with the first interface element being designed as an SGMII interface or as a QSGMII interface , or comprises SGMII interface functionality or QSGMII interface functionality; and/or wherein the second interface element is in the form of an RMII interface or comprises an RMII interface functionality.

According to a further aspect of the invention, it can be provided that the control unit is configured and/or designed according to the Fast Ethernet data transmission standard or preferably according to the Gigabit Ethernet data transmission standard.

It is possible for the at least one transceiver unit to be embodied and/or configured as an Ethernet Physical Layer (PHY) transceiver; and/or according to the Ethernet data transmission standard IEEE Std 802.3cg™-2019 (10BASE T1L) is configured and/or specified and preferably provides a data transmission rate of at least up to 10 Mbits/s for coupling and/or decoupling the at least one signal.

It is possible for the at least one connection unit to be designed as a port, preferably as an RJ-45 connection socket. Alternatively, it is also possible for the at least one connection unit to be in the form of a connection socket according to a different specification and/or standard.

It is possible for the network coupling device to additionally include at least one connection unit, which is designed as a small form factor pluggable (SFP) port.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, it can be provided that the at least one conversion module is designed and/or configured to supply the at least one transceiver unit with a clock of essentially 50 MHz and/or with at least 50 MHz and/or or to operate, preferably when the transceiver unit interface element is designed as an RMII interface (Reduced Media-Independent Interface (RMII) interface) and/or comprises an RMII interface functionality.

An external clock supply via a quartz, for example, is therefore no longer necessary. As a result, additional components or elements of the network coupling device can be saved.

According to a second general aspect, the invention relates to a network with at least one network coupling device as disclosed herein.

The exemplary embodiments and features of the present invention described above can be combined with one another as desired. Further or other details and advantageous effects of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the attached figures.

• 1 einen schematischen Aufbau eines ersten Beispiels einer Netzwerk-Kopplungseinrichtung gemäß dem Stand der Technik;
• 2 einen schematischen Aufbau eines zweiten Beispiels einer Netzwerk-Kopplungseinrichtung gemäß dem Stand der Technik;
• 3 einen schematischen Aufbau eines dritten Beispiels einer Netzwerk-Kopplungseinrichtung gemäß dem Stand der Technik;
• 4 einen schematischen Aufbau eines Beispiels einer Netzwerk-Kopplungseinrichtung gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung.

Show it:

• 1 a schematic structure of a first example of a network coupling device according to the prior art;
• 2 a schematic structure of a second example of a network coupling device according to the prior art;
• 3 a schematic structure of a third example of a network coupling device according to the prior art;
• 4 a schematic structure of an example of a network coupling device according to the present invention.

Identical or functionally equivalent components or elements are identified in the figures with the same reference symbols. For their explanation, reference is also made in part to the description of other exemplary embodiments and/or figures in order to avoid repetition.

The following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures serves for the purpose of further illustration or clarification and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

The 1 until 3 each show a schematic structure of examples of a network coupling device 1, which are known from the prior art. The description of the known network coupling devices 1 shown schematically is limited to essential components and elements in connection with the physical layer according to the ISO/OSI 7-layer model.

1 shows a schematic structure of a first example of a network coupling device 1, which is known from the prior art and is used to connect network participants to a network.

The network coupling device 1 is designed as an Ethernet switch and specified, for example, according to the data transmission standard IEEE 802.3ab™ (1000BASE-T) as a Gigabit Ethernet switch, in which four pairs of wires and thus 8 wires of the twisted pair are used for the transmission of data -Copper cables are used. When connected to an Ethernet network, the network coupling device 1 divides the Ethernet network into two segments.

The network coupling device 1 in 1 includes a control unit SE as an Ethernet switch controller. Furthermore, the network coupling device 1 comprises a first transceiver unit T1 and a second transceiver unit T2. Both the first transmit/receive unit T1 and the second transmit/receive unit T2 are provided for converting bits into electrical signals, i.e. electrical pulses, and are therefore used for transmitting and receiving signals via the transmission medium, which in the present case the network coupling device 1 as an Ethernet switch is a copper cable in the form of a twisted pair cable. In other words, the transceiver units T1 and T2 are physical add-on chips and are also called “Gigabit Physical Layer (PHY) Transceivers”.

Each of the transceiver units T1 and T2 has 8 channels, so that the network coupling device 1 has a total of 16 connection units, ie (gigabit) ports P1 to P16 in the form of RJ45 sockets.

2 shows a schematic structure of a second example of a programmable network coupling device 1 according to the prior art. The network coupling device 1 is also in the form of an Ethernet switch here. With regard to data transmission, the network coupling device 1 is specified according to the IEEE 802.3cg™-2019 (10BASE-T1L) standard or conforms to it, with semiconductor-based, programmable logic circuits LS1 and LS2 being used. In other words, the network coupling device 1 in 2 two so-called "Field Programmable Gate Arrays" (FPGA) LS1 and LS2, which each represent a programmable digital component which is connected directly to the control unit SE of the network coupling device 1 on the one hand and on the other hand via 8 channels each for connecting 8 Single-channel transceiver units T1, ..., T16 has. The single-channel transceiver units T1 to T16 are thus each designed as single-pair Ethernet PHY transceivers and each enable a data transmission rate of 10Mbit/s via a twisted-pair two-wire line (in 2 not shown). Connection units P1 to P16, which are in the form of RJ45 connection sockets, for example, are used to connect the twisted pair lines. Alternatively, connection sockets according to other specifications can also be used. As already described above, the use of programmable logic circuits LS1, LS2, that is to say FPGA components, entails a high level of development effort and high production and product costs.

3 shows a schematic structure of a third example of a network coupling device 1 according to the prior art.

The network coupling device 1 is also in the form of an Ethernet switch here and is specified in accordance with the data transmission standard IEEE 802.3cg™-2019 (10BASE-T1L) or conforms to it.

The network coupling device 1 is characterized by cascading, according to which a first control unit SE1 and a second control unit SE2 are connected to one another via a connection unit (uplink port) (in 3 unspecified).

Each of the control units SE1 and SE2 has 4 channels each for connecting 4 single-channel transceiver units T1 to T4 and T5 to T8. The single-channel transceiver units T1 to T4 and T5 to T8 are in turn connected to corresponding connection units (for example ports/RJ45 sockets) P1 to P4 and P5 to P8.

This in 3 Although the example of the network coupling device 1 shown schematically enables a data transmission rate of 10 Mbit/s, the use of two or, generally speaking, several control units SE1, SE2 in turn causes a certain delay in the transmission of data, which increases the latency of the network coupling direction 1 and overall of the network increased.

4 FIG. 1 now shows a schematic structure of an example of a network coupling device 1 according to the present invention.

The network coupling device 1 according to the present invention is preferably configured according to the Ethernet standard for wired networks N for the transmission of data in the form of electrical signals, ie electrical pulses. The network coupling device 1 represents an Ethernet switch, which is adapted to industrial environmental conditions in the manufacturing and process industry and offers the possibility of connecting a large number of terminals 2 with lower requirements in terms of data volume and/or data transmission rate to the network N, which follows will be described in more detail.

In 4 a device to be connected to the network N, ie terminal device 2, is shown schematically. The terminal 2 can, for example, be a sensor or an actuator (switch, operating element, etc.) as a field device at the field level in order to control corresponding processes. The network N can preferably be a real-time capable control network.

The terminal 2 is connected to the network coupling device 1 via a line L. The line L is a wired electrical line L and is preferably in the form of a single-pair cable, ie a copper-based cable (two-wire line) having a pair of wires. The connection, ie a signal communication connection, of the terminal device 2 to the network coupling device 1 takes place at the network coupling device 1 via the connection unit P1 of the network coupling ment device 1. In 4 a total of 16 connection units P1 to P16 are shown. The network coupling device 1 accordingly has 16 ports P1 to P16. The ports P1 to P16 can preferably be embodied as RJ45 connection sockets for the mechanical connection of the line(s) L via a respective plug-in connection. It is possible for the ports P1 to P16 to be designed according to a different specification and/or according to a different standard.

The network coupling device also includes the transceiver units T1 to T8 and T9 to T16. The transceiver unit T1 assigned to the terminal device 2 is in the form of what is known as an Ethernet Physical Layer (PHY) transceiver and is configured and/or specified according to the Ethernet data transmission standard IEEE Std 802.3cg™-2019 (10BASE T1L). The transmission/reception unit T1 is assigned to the bit transmission layer according to the ISO/OSI 7-layer model. In other words, the transceiver unit T1 is configured to couple at least one signal in the form of an electrical pulse into the line L and to send it to the terminal device 2 for the transmission of data and thus information. Furthermore, the transceiver T1 is configured to decouple at least one signal in the form of an electrical pulse from the line L and forward it. The data transmission rate is 10MBit/s. The at least one signal can preferably be part of a data packet to be transmitted.

The transmitter/receiver unit T1 enables full-duplex data transmission via a single twisted pair of wires in the electrical line L, which means that smaller terminals in particular, as described above by way of example, can be connected in a relatively simple manner and for which the specified data transmission rate is sufficient.

The transceiver unit T1 includes corresponding components, elements and functions (e.g. Ethernet PHY core, input and output clock buffering, control registers, subsystem registers, circuitry for monitoring the power supply, MAC interface, control logic, etc.), which are referred to herein is not dealt with in detail.

The other transceiver units T2 to T8 and T9 to T16 are also configured analogously to the configuration of the transceiver unit T1.

In the network coupling device 1 according to the present invention, the transceivers T1 to T8 and T9 to T16 as single-channel transceivers are each assigned to a connection unit P1 to P16, ie to a port P1 to P16 .

The network coupling device 1 also includes a control unit SE. The control unit SE is configured to route the at least one signal via the at least one transceiver unit T1 to T16 and the respectively assigned at least one connection unit P1 to P16 to the device 2 and/or to receive it from the device 2 . The control unit SE is configured to transmit the at least one signal and preferably the underlying Ethernet data packet according to a corresponding cycle.

The control unit SE of the network coupling device 1 is preferably specified and/or configured according to the Fast Ethernet or particularly preferably according to the Gigabit Ethernet data transmission standard and is therefore designed for data transmission rates of 100 MBit/s or 1 GBit/s.

The network coupling device 1 comprises at least 4 conversion modules SM1 to SM4. The respective conversion modules SM1 to SM4 are connected on the one hand to the respective transceiver units T1 to T16 and on the other hand to the control unit SE of the network coupling device 1. For this purpose, the control unit SE comprises a control unit interface element SES or is connected to a control unit interface element SES the network coupling device 1 connected. The control unit interface element SES is configured to connect the at least 4 conversion modules SM1 to SM4. The conversion modules SM1 to SM4 are preferably each designed as an additional, semiconductor-based switch module and each have an uplink port (in 4 not shown explicitly marked for reasons of clarity) connected to the control unit SE via the control unit interface element SES. In other words, the control unit SE serves as the higher-level control unit SE of the network coupling device 1.

In the case of the terminal device 2, which is connected to the network coupling device 1 via the line L and the connection unit P1, the conversion module SM1 ensures and/or the conversion module SM1 is configured to transmit at least one signal for transmission from the control unit SE to the transceiver T1, so that data can be transmitted via the network coupling device 1.

The transceiver unit T1 is thus coupled to the control unit SE via the conversion module SM1.

The control unit interface element SES is preferably designed as a Serial Gigabit Media-Independent Interface (SGMII) interface or as a Quad Serial Gigabit Media-Independent Interface (QSGMII) interface, or includes an SGMII interface functionality or a QSGMII interface functionality. The transceiver unit interface element T1S is designed as a Reduced Media Independent Interface (RMII) interface and/or includes an RMII interface.

The conversion module SM1 can also be designed and/or configured to supply and/or operate the respective transceiver unit T1 to T16 with a clock rate of essentially 50 MHz and/or at least 50 MHz. In other words, a signal output with a corresponding frequency can be applied to the respective transceiver unit T1 to T16.

Alternatively, it is also possible for the conversion module SM1 to have a first interface element for coupling to the at least one transceiver unit T1 and a second interface element for coupling to the control unit SE, with the first interface element as an SGMII interface or as a QSGMII interface is formed, or comprises an SGMII interface or a QSGMII interface. It is also possible for the second interface element of the conversion module SM2 to be in the form of an RMII interface or to include an RMII interface.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, a large number of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the idea of the invention and therefore fall within the scope of protection. Preferably, the present invention also claims protection for the subject-matter and features of the subclaims independently of the claims referred to.

Reference List

1

Network coupling device (switch)

2

device/end device

N

network

LS1, LS2

programmable logic circuit (FPGA)

P1, ..., P16

Connection Unit (Port)

SE, SE1, SE2

control unit

SES

Control unit interface element

SM1, ..., SM4

conversion module

T1, ..., T16

Transceiver unit (PHY transceiver)

T1S

Transceiver Unit Interface Element

Claims (10)

Network coupling device (1) for connecting at least one device (2) to a network (N) via an electrical line (L). at least one connection unit (P1, ..., P16) for connecting the at least one device (2) to the network coupling device (1) via the electrical line (L), and at least one transceiver unit (T1, ..., T16), wherein the at least one transceiver unit (T1, ..., T16) of the at least one connection unit (P1, ..., P16) is assigned and is configured to couple and/or couple at least one signal into the line (L) and/or out of the line (L), and with a control unit (SE), wherein the control unit (SE) is configured to transmit the at least one signal via the at least one transceiver unit (T1, ..., T16) and the at least one connection unit (P1, .. ., P16) to the device (2) and / or to receive from the device (2), wherein the network coupling device (1) comprises at least one conversion module (SM1, ..., SM4), wherein the at least one conversion module (SM1, ..., SM4) between the at least one transceiver unit (T1, .. ., T16) and the control unit (SE) and is configured to convert the at least one signal for transmission between the control unit (SE) and the at least one transceiver unit (T1, ..., T6). Network coupling device (1) after claim 1 , wherein the control unit (SE) has a control unit interface element (SES) and the at least one transceiver unit (T1, ..., T16) has a transceiver unit interface element (T1S), and the control unit (SE ) with the at least one conversion module (SM1, ..., SM4) via the control unit interface element (SES) and the at least one transceiver unit (T1, ..., T16) with the at least one conversion module (SM1, . .., SM4) via the transceiver unit interface element (T1S). Network coupling device (1) after claim 1 or 2 , wherein the control unit interface element (SES) is designed as an SGMII interface or as a QSGMII interface, or comprises an SGMII interface functionality or a QSGMII interface functionality. Network coupling device (1) after claim 2 or 3 , wherein the transceiver unit interface element (T1S) is designed as an RMII interface or includes an RMII interface functionality. Network coupling device (1) after claim 1 , wherein the at least one conversion module (SM1, ..., SM4) has a first interface element for coupling to the control unit (SE) and a second interface element for coupling to the at least one transceiver unit (T1, ..., T16) has, wherein the first interface element is designed as an SGMII interface or as a QSGMII interface, or comprises an SGMII interface functionality or a QSGMII interface functionality; and/or wherein the second interface element is in the form of an RMII interface or comprises an RMII interface functionality. Network coupling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (SE) is configured according to the Fast Ethernet data transmission standard or preferably according to the Gigabit Ethernet data transmission standard. Network coupling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one transceiver unit (T1, ..., T16) is designed and/or configured as an Ethernet Physical Layer (PHY) transceiver; and/or is configured and/or specified according to the Ethernet data transmission standard IEEE Std 802.3cg™-2019 (10BASE T1L) and preferably provides a data transmission rate of at least up to 10 Mbits/s for coupling and/or decoupling the at least one signal. Network coupling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one connection unit (P1, ..., P16) is designed as a port, preferably as an RJ-45 connection socket. Network coupling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one conversion module (SM1, ..., SM4) is configured, the at least one transceiver unit (T1, ..., T16) with a clock of to supply 50 MHz. Network (N) with at least one network coupling device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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