DE202006017615U1 - Bus subscriber for connection to communication data bus, has address memory for storing second partial address combined with first partial address to form address of bus subscriber for allocation of data sent via communication data bus - Google Patents

Abstract

The bus subscriber (1a-1n) is connected to a communication data bus (2), and includes a communication processor (4) for controlling data transmission between the bus subscriber and other bus subscribers via the communication data bus. A coding switch (6) is provided for defining the first partial address of the bus subscriber. The bus subscriber also includes an address memory (5) for storing the second partial address. The first and second partial addresses form the address of the bus subscriber for allocation of the data transmitted through the communication data bus. The first and second partial addresses comprises of alphanumeric signals for assigning the identification or name of the bus subscriber. The first partial address can be varied by the coding switch using the numeric identification attached to the second partial address.

Description

The The invention relates to a bus subscriber for connection to a communication data bus with at least one communication processor for controlling the transmission of data between bus subscribers connected to the communication data bus and with coding switches for defining a first subaddress of the bus participant.

Especially in industrial automation technology, bus subscribers used in conjunction with communication bus systems to spatially distributed Sensors and actuators with parent Connect controllers. Often, fieldbus coupling modules are used used to over one internal data bus a variety of input / output modules to the fieldbus to join. The input / output modules are often mounted on a DIN rail placed side by side, with the sequence of input / output modules is completed by the fieldbus coupling module. The internal data bus is often trained in ring topology.

One Such communication system has the advantage that the individual Field applications connected to the input / output modules are not individual must be wired.

following is the term communication data bus both a field bus, as well as an internal data bus understood. Bus participants are all addressable modules, such as fieldbus coupling modules, Input / output modules etc, which are assigned an individual address received and can be connected to a communication data bus.

In In automation technology, data transfer mechanisms are reinforced based on the protocols Ethernet, TCP / UDP and IP. For addressing, either numeric IP addresses or logical alphanumeric names (e.g., DNS) are used. Usually The IP addresses or names are assigned via the network. The allocation of IP addresses is partly also with coding switches carried out.

IP addresses are common of four three-digit maximum, separated by a point number blocks educated. The IP address is hierarchically structured so that the last number block an individual bus participant from one through the parent Identifies a number-defined group of bus subscribers. The attitude at least the last individual number block can by coding switch take place at the respective bus subscriber. When replacing a bspw. defective bus participant must for the new bus user only accepted the position of the coding switch be addressed to this without further change of the system and thus functional is.

In some communication protocols, e.g. PROFINET IO become the Bus participants, however, not primarily by IP address but via a logical device name addressed. In the PROFINET IO example, the bus participants must first with the logical device name be provided ("baptized") before they can communicate with other bus subscribers. This is happening at the moment using DCP "Discovery and Configuration Protocol ". This becomes the logical device name from a software configuration tool via the network to the bus subscriber loaded and stored there permanently. This logical alphanumeric Address is the essential information in the bus subscriber for communication establishment with a superimposed Control (IO controller). This means that when restarting and at the device exchange the device name in the new bus participant (device) must be loaded, what is currently about software, external memory cards or automatic protocols ("Low Level Discovery Protocol "LLDP) he follows.

Frequently when using the components worldwide in case of a device replacement No corresponding project planning tool or trained person on site Service staff found. The provision of removable storage media On the part of the bus users also places increased demands on the hardware and is with higher equipment costs connected. Such media can also easily lost. A determination of the network topology based on the "Low Level Discovery Protocols "(LLDP) through many conventional ones Controller currently not supported.

DE 199 34 514 C1 discloses a method for configuring a bus device connected to a field bus, in which a logical address is assigned to a bus user. The address transmitted by an address assignment unit to the bus subscriber is supplemented by a physical address also transmitted by the address assignment unit to the bus subscriber, which corresponds to an assumed physical position of the bus subscriber relative to the fieldbus. The physical address transmitted to the bus user is verified based on the actual physical position of the bus user relative to the field bus, and the transmitted logical address is stored in the memory of the bus user in response to verification of the physical address. Address allocation disadvantageously requires a configuration management tool that must be connected to the bus master. Such a tool or experienced in dealing with the tool personnel is often not available. The necessary central configuration also leads to an extension of the exchange time of bus subscribers.

EP 0 898 442 A1 discloses a method for initializing and monitoring at least one electrical load, which is connected via a bus system to a control center. The center has an address generating device for generating and transmitting address signals to the consumers. In the consumer, a self-assignment of an address obtained via the data connection from the central device and corresponding to the address signal then takes place.

task The following invention is an improved bus subscriber to create, with a much simplified address assignment is possible.

The Task becomes with the bus participant of the type mentioned by it solved, that the bus subscriber address memory for storing a fixed predetermined second subaddress has an address of the bus station for the assignment of over the communication data bus transmitting data to the bus subscriber from the communication of the first and second Partial address is formed and the second sub-address alphanumeric Contains characters for assigning a name identifier to the bus subscriber.

The for one Bus subscriber fixed character string of the second sub-address Represents a default device name The configuration tool used for the initial installation of a communication bus system via the Device description, For example, a GSD file is communicated. As part of the project an indexing of this default device name takes place with the help of the coding switch specified first subaddress. Based on the switch position the coding switch is the bus subscriber thus by a device name addressed, consisting of the first and second sub-address, the is called the predefined string for the default device name and according to switch position attached Indexing composed.

At the Exchange of a bus participant then only needs the Coding switch of the new bus participant to the position of the coding switch set to be exchanged bus participant. The new bus participant receives thus the same indexing of the default device name as the one to be replaced Bus devices. The stored in the memory, fixed predetermined second Partial address, that is the default device name, is identical to the default device name entered in the bus participant to be exchanged. The default device name preferably corresponds to the type designation of the bus participant. Then the address of the bus subscriber is determined by the Type designation and those specified by means of the coding switch Indexing formed. The name identifier fixed by the second subaddress is then preferably a factory set Type designation of the bus participant. This leads to a considerably simplified configuration and interchangeability of bus subscribers.

at the bus subscriber according to the invention is the device baptism during installation on the bus user without the need of Tools performed by coding. This is an alphanumeric Address generated from the second of alphanumeric characters existing sub-address and the first by the position of the coding switch defined subaddress is formed. When using the same (Total) address in the communication configuration is with it another "baptism" of the bus participant neither required for commissioning nor for device replacement.

• – Der Gerätetausch kann ohne Software und damit auch ohne Computer und erforderliche Kenntnisse durchgeführt werden;
• – Externe Speicherkarten sind nicht erforderlich, die verwechselt werden bzw. verloren gehen können;
• – Nicht alle Busteilnehmer müssen dasselbe Kommunikationsprotokoll beherrschen, wie dies bei den automatischen Gerätetaufen erforderlich ist, die auf den automatischen Protokollen LLDP bzw. SNMP beruhen;
• – Der Gerätename ist optisch am Busteilnehmer erkennbar.

This solution offers the following advantages over conventional methods:

• - The device replacement can be carried out without software and thus without a computer and required knowledge;
• - External memory cards are not required, which can be confused or lost;
• - Not all bus subscribers have to master the same communication protocol as is required for automatic device batches based on the automatic protocols LLDP or SNMP;
• - The device name is visually recognizable on the bus participant.

The first and / or second subaddress may, in one embodiment be multi-part and be formed of two or more sub-addresses. The adjustable by the coding switch first partial address can for example, be a attached to the second sub-address numeric identifier.

In an advantageous embodiment can be provided that in a particular switch position the coding switch the independent device baptism is deactivated in order to specify any device names for the bus user to be able to.

It is particularly advantageous if the address memory is provided for storing a plurality of selectable alphanumeric name identifiers for the second subaddress. Then, the communication processor is arranged to select one of the name identifiers stored in the address memory in response to a part of the switches of the code switch. With the help of switches the Ko Thus, the second sub-address can also be variable within predefined limits. Again, however, the second subaddress is predefined by a set of name identifiers stored in the address memory and can not be selected individually during configuration.

In a configuration mode, the communication processor for transmission the first and second partial address to a central bus control module be set up as another bus participants. In the configuration a communication bus system are preferably this device master data files (GSD files) to the central bus control module and there to control the communication processes in a known manner on used.

The Bus subscribers preferably have with the communication processor communicatively connected terminals to which at least a field application can be connected. The field applications can Be sensors or actuators. At the terminals can then dependent on from above received the Kommunikationsdatenbus and addressed to the bus station Data control signals are output to the field application. But it can also signals the field application over the terminals and the communication processor in data packets be transformed over the communication data bus to another bus subscriber, preferably transmit the central bus control module become.

The Invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings explained in more detail. It shows:

1 Block diagram of a communication system with communication data bus and bus users connected to it, comprising a central bus control module.

1 shows a sketch of a communication system in which a large number of bus subscribers 1a . 1b . 1c , ..., 1n via a communication data bus 2 connected to each other. The communication data bus 2 enables, for example, communication according to the PROFINET protocol. This will be the bus participants 1 via the one the bus participant 1 assigned device name addressed. A numeric IP address for addressing the bus subscribers is assigned using these permanently assigned alphanumeric device names. For this purpose, a resolution of the device name using a resolution table.

In the illustrated embodiment, as a bus subscriber 1a a central bus control module is provided which is one of the internal communication data bus 2 Bus subscribers connected to the central bus control module 1b . 1c , ..., 1n to a fieldbus 3 allows.

The bus participants 1a . 1b . 1c , ..., 1n have a communication processor 4 which deals with the tasks of controlling the data communication and in particular the addressing and address recognition of over the communication data bus 2 transferred data packets.

The bus participants 1 have an address memory 5 in which a factory-fixed predetermined second subaddress is stored. Optionally, a plurality of selectable second partial addresses may be provided. The in the address memory 5 The stored second subaddress is a predefined alphanumeric string that contains a default device name for the bus user 1 specified and communicated to the configuration tool of the communication system via a device description, in particular the GSD file.

The bus participants 1a . 1b . 1c , ... 1n continue to have a coding switch 6 that with the communication processor 4 connected is. About the coding switch 6 For example, a first subaddress, preferably of a numerical form, which in conjunction with the second predefined subaddress the device address of the bus subscriber can be specified 1 sets. The through the coding switch 6 assigned first subaddress is attached, for example, to the second subaddress in the form of an indexing of the default device name.

The use of the from the bus participants 1 known default device name during configuration guarantees a device replacement without knowledge of the corresponding default device name. Only the bus participants to be exchanged 1 existing switch position of the coding switch 6 must be adopted for the use of the replacement device. Thus, the knowledge of the check of a station baptism as well as the presence of the corresponding configuration tools are on site when exchanging bus participants 1 not necessary anymore.

The second subaddress is, for example, the type designation of the bus subscriber 1 , which is factory set. With the help of the coding switch 6 can be assigned in conjunction with the second sub-address then easily a logical device name.

The fixed alphanumeric second subaddress, in which the device type (eg parts of the order number) is encrypted, is combined with a first subaddress, which can be found as an index from the stel ment of the coding switch results. The second subaddress is communicated to the configuration software for communication configuration via device files (GSD or GSDML). In the actual configuration, only the index specified by the coding switch, ie the first partial address, must be added to match the configured device address with the actual device address of this second partial address.

At the device replacement the exchange bus participant only has to have the same switch position the coding switch, like the bus participant to be exchanged, since the second subaddress in the address memory of the new bus subscriber dependent on of the type of bus subscriber is stored in the factory and at a Type Mismatch with the bus subscriber to exchange the second sub-addresses match the exchanged bus participants.

bus users 1 can, for example, be designed as input / output modules and terminals 7 have that directly or indirectly with the communication processor 4 of the respective bus participant 1 keep in touch. To the terminals 7 can then field applications 8a . 8b . 8c , how, for example, sensors and actuators are connected by free wiring. The at a bus participant 1 addressed data are from the communications processor 4 then converted into control signals, for example by extraction of data packets to these control signals to the terminals 7 and output the actuators connected thereto. But it can also be measuring signals from sensors 8b via the terminals 7 to the communications processor 4 be passed to these sensor signals as data via the communication data bus 2 to at least one other bus participant 1 and preferably to the central bus control module 1a transferred to.

Claims (7)

Bus subscribers ( 1 ) for connection to a communication data bus ( 2 ) with at least one communication processor ( 4 ) for controlling the transfer of data between the communication data bus ( 2 ) connected bus subscribers ( 1 ) and with coding switches ( 6 ) for determining a first partial address of the bus subscriber ( 1 ), characterized in that the bus subscriber ( 1 ) Address memory ( 5 ) for storing a fixed predetermined second subaddress, an address of the bus subscriber ( 1 ) is formed for the assignment of data transmitted via the communication data bus to the bus subscriber from the communication of the first and second partial address and the second partial address alphanumeric characters for assigning a name identifier to the bus subscriber ( 1 ) contains. Bus subscriber according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed by the second partial address name identifier factory-defined type designation of the bus subscriber ( 1 ). Bus subscribers ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjustable by the coding switch first partial address is attached to the second partial address numeric identifier. Bus subscribers ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and / or second subaddress is formed in each case from two or more subaddresses. Bus subscribers ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the address memory ( 5 ) is provided for storing a plurality of selectable alphanumeric name identifiers for the second subaddress and the communications processor ( 4 ) is arranged in response to a part of the switch of the coding switch ( 6 ) one of the addresses in the memory ( 5 ) to store stored name identifications as a second subaddress. Bus subscribers ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication processor ( 4 ) for transmitting the first and second partial address to a central bus control module as another bus subscriber ( 1 ) is set up in a configuration mode. Bus subscribers ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the communication processor ( 4 ) in communication connection terminals ( 7 ) for connecting at least one field application ( 8th ), in dependence on the communication data bus ( 2 ) of the received and to the bus participant ( 1 ) addressed data control signals to the field application ( 8th ) and / or in response to field application signals ( 8th ) Data via the communication data bus ( 2 ) to at least one other bus subscriber ( 1 ) transferred to.