Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
  • H04L67/01—Protocols
  • H04L67/10—Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
  • H04L67/1095—Replication or mirroring of data, e.g. scheduling or transport for data synchronisation between network nodes
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L9/00—Cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols
  • H04L9/40—Network security protocols

Definitions

• the invention relates to real-time electronic communication systems. It is well known that it is currently more and more necessary to exchange data between equipment that technicians call "remote processes" via communication circuits.
• RMI Local Networks
• This realization thus created consumes a very high computing power of the CPU ("Central Processing Unit").
• CPU Central Processing Unit
• this structure can occupy up to 70% or even 80% of the CPU power.
• the power consumed varies proportionally with the number of data exchanged and the system services rendered.
• the present invention aims to achieve a so-called "real-time" communication system that satisfies both the wishes of industry and the constraints imposed by the applications that is to say devices that must be implemented, while defining a communicating architecture based on a host structure allowing a good distribution of the data in the system by means of high-performance communication and, in this case of constraints inherent to the application, which can be satisfied at any time, all this of course respecting an important level of abstraction and especially using known computer standards and accessible to all and much more efficient than similar systems or neighbor of the prior art.
• the present invention also aims to provide a reception structure for this real-time communication system, which is transparent while being made with computer standards and is capable of interconnecting a plurality of equipment built with architectures heterogeneous computer backplane buses, operating systems and programming language such as those that are for example known in the terminologies C, C ++, ...
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication system in which the host structure satisfies all applicable constraints, such as transfer determinism, data integrity, synchronization requirements. More specifically, the present invention relates to a real-time communication system between at least two devices, characterized in that it comprises:
• FIGS 1 to 4 show, in the form of block diagrams, block diagrams of different embodiments of the real-time communication system according to the invention.
• FIG. 1 represents the basic block diagram of the real-time communication system according to the invention, for example between at least two devices 14, 15.
• This system comprises in this case at least one circuit 1 for producing the information to be transmitted, hereinafter designated “CPI”, and at least one circuit 2 for consuming this information, hereinafter designated “CCI”, specifying That, in the sense of the present description, information means at least one datum and / or a set of data of any kind in computer form, which are well known in the field of transmission in particular in real time.
• This system further comprises communication means for the transfer of information 5, hereinafter referred to as "MCTI", associated with the CPIs 1 and CCI 2.
• MCTI communication means for the transfer of information 5, hereinafter referred to as "MCTI"
• the CPI 1 is functionally connected to the MCTIs 5. by :
• Signaling means 8 sent from the MCTIs to the CPI to provide a write report following the transfer of the information following the initialization of the WRITE function 6, and
• CCI 2 is functionally linked to MCTI 5 by:
• Signaling means 12 to enable the MCTIs 5 to return the information to the CCIs 2.
• the dashed representation of the elements 3, 4, 7 and 11 is given only to define the virtual functions between the CPI 1 and the CCI 2 via the MCTI 5.
• the command WRITE 6 allows the CPI 1 to write the following data methods, for example of the type called "message queue”. This write done, returns to an execution status at CPj_ 1_and_supporting the activation criteria, triggers the command for the ICC 2.
• FIG. 2 represents another embodiment of the system according to the invention, incorporating the characteristics of the embodiment according to FIG. 1, this FIG. Also comprising, in order to better understand the invention, for example two equipment 14, 15 which is associated with a real-time communication system according to the invention.
• the CPI 1 is mounted in cooperation with the equipment 14, while the PCB 2 is mounted in cooperation with the equipment 15.
• these devices 14 and / or 15 may be radars, computers, avionics inertial units, etc., able to be controlled in real time by orders in the form of information data, either all or separately.
• the memory 3 represented functionally is included in a real-time distributed database represented in a virtual manner at 16 and mounted in cooperation with the MCTIs 5.
• this base 16 is constituted, as represented in FIG. by two real-time distributed databases 18 and 19 associated with the MCTIs 5 and respectively functionally associated with the CPI 1, and with the ICC 2.
• the memories of these two distributed databases 18, 19 have been schematically represented at 20 and 21 , equivalent to the virtual memory represented in 3.
• the MCTIs are arranged to provide a mirror function that is generally known to itself.
• the distributed database or databases of the system according to the invention, such as the bases 18 and 19 in the embodiment according to FIG. 2 are defined as means making it possible to make available the CCI 2 or CCIs 2, via the CPI 1, all the data produced by the equipment 14. This structure thus defined makes it possible to comply in every respect with the integrity criteria applicable to the data of the information.
• the communication system therefore respectively connects a local database 18 and 19 to each production circuit 1 or consumption 2, which contains all the information produced or consumed by the equipment 14, 15.
• the CPI 1 is arranged to carry out an order
• the information is sent to the remote local databases 18 or 19 which need this information.
• a signal can be activated to prevent CCI 2 via 9.
• each CPI 1 is arranged to read the data via a command
• READING 10 This command is processed by the MCTIs 5 which can read the data and transmit it to the ICC 2 with a status containing the validity of the information.
• the MCTI 5 can also send an acknowledgment to the CPI 1, via
• the communication system according to the invention can only work if, and only if, the local distributed databases 18, 19 contain coherent information, namely: (i) a spatial coherence covering the fact that all the duplicated data in the MCTIs 5 are identical, and
• the communication system It is also necessary for the communication system to be able to identify all the data of the application device, that is to say equipment 14, 15, to enable predetermined functions to be performed, for example, in avionics: the command in real time different tasks for the correct operation of the aircraft, and to process locally only the functions produced or consumed by the circuits concerned by the commands for the application device.
• the functionality of the communication system according to the invention must comprise elements that it is necessary to address in order to obtain a coherent operation of the system.
• the system according to the invention very advantageously comprises a layered structure, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3, of logic type to ensure the communication between the respective producer and consumer circuits that are distant from each other. 'other.
• This layered structure has four layers 111, 112, 113, 114 which are substantially:
• the first layer 111 consists of the CPIs 1 and CCI 2 which behave like clients and generate requests (READ and / or WRITE) to the application circuits 24 which themselves behave like "servers" for the applications.
• the second layer 112 is constituted, associated with each circuit 1 and 2, application circuits 24 which are the application servers based on the layer 113.
• the third layer 113 is constituted by the MCTI 5 incorporating the databases 18, 19 in which the information 20 and 21 are stored which can have access only through circuit 23 access method Iaquaint_à. _garantir it intég ⁇ Institut-desJnformations.-rod_coucheJntègre_aussLdes._rrioy_ejis_. 22.
• Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of this functional structure which will be described hereinafter.
• the fourth layer 114 is constituted by a set of means, the communication circuit 25, which behaves like data "servers" with respect to a client, the network Rc, which enables the MCTIs to exchange information. between remote equipment 14, 15.
• This logical layer structure ensures perfect independence between the real-time communication system according to the invention and the producer and consumer circuits, as illustrated in FIG. 3. It is composed of the three layers called "in real time "112, 113 and 114. Indeed, the second layer 112 is constituted by application interface means behaving as a real-time data server vis-à-vis the CPI 1 and / or CCI 2. It relies on the MCPIs 5 and manages all the data transfers between the application device and the communication space.
• the third layer 113 As for the third layer 113, it is constituted by means of communication space. This third layer therefore behaves like a layer transverse to all the equipment 14, 15. It puts a local database 18, 19, image of the virtual database of distributed data 16 previously defined, available to the local circuits, ie the CPIs 1, ie CCI 2. It guarantees the integrity of the data distributed by the establishment of access methods. It provides services and manages for example the system time.
• the fourth layer 114 is constituted by network interface means Rc defined above, these network interface means behaving as a real-time data server vis-à-vis the network, that is to say say MCTI 5. It relies on the MCTIs and manages all the data transfers between the Rc network and the MCTIs.
• FIG. 3 further illustrates an embodiment of the system according to the invention comprising all the characteristics of the modes according to FIGS. 1 and 2, but in which, the system furthermore comprises, in the production of the MCTIs and mounted in co-operation_ay_eAle.s_élements ..defined above-referenced-24 l -18 ⁇ -20-and-25 ⁇ • a circuit of access methods 23 to ensure the integrity of the information contained in the MCTIs, by the implementation of access methods to data, and
• the service means 22 which are distributed in the MCTIs 5 to provide, for example, dating and synchronization services to the different CPIs 1 and CCI 2.
• FIG 4 illustrates an improved embodiment of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, MCTIs.
• the network Rc has been materialized as an example by the Ethernet network.
• the system further comprises, associated with each CPI 1 and CCI 2 and mounted in cooperation with the circuits 23 and 25 defined above:
• a property logic 26 that manages the functional coherence of the set of circuits provided in the MCTIs 5 by its own properties and associated in a bijective way with each information, a circuit for managing the access methods to the information obtained at the output of the circuit 23 so that they are consistent for all the MCTIs 5 but different according to the type of access to the information contained in the database 19, 20 and according to the orders received from 6 and 8 CPI / CCI 1/2 and application circuits 24 and communication 25, • a behavior circuit 27 which provides, depending on the properties of the information given by the logic 26, the behavior to be applied during the transfer of information in the MCTI 5, • a management circuit 28 that provides feedback of information between remote databases 18, 19 following the behavior associated with each information transmitted by the behavioral circuit 27.
• the communication system according to the invention has significant advantages over systems known from the prior art.
• the layer HAL subset constituting the layer 112
• the layer CAL subassembly constitutive of the layer 114, (abbreviation used by the men of the trade to designate the
• level of adaptation of the communication means makes it possible to use the system according to the invention in different technical fields that are also different from one another.
• the operation of the real-time communication system according to the invention of an exemplary embodiment is written above, for a person skilled in the art, can be deduced without any difficulty from this description made and that is why it will not be possible. not further developed here in the sole concern of simplifying this description.
• the realization of a system according to the invention described above resides in the implementation of an architecture based on the distribution of data and services.
• This architecture is realized in an electronic component which is interposed between the processor and the communication tools. It allows the processor to be unloaded from the communication functions. It ensures the transmission of data exchanges between remote processes and that in a completely transparent way for the application. It provides the resources needed to manage the system services to see the multiprocessor architecture as a single processor.
• this electronic communication component can be likened to a communication co-processor allowing the realization of distributed architecture.
• this communication component responds to the initial problem, which is not achieved with the realization according to the document of the prior art referenced in the preamble, namely the distribution of data and services in industrial applications made from a distributed architecture because it supports all application constraints.
• the system according to the invention described above has many applications.
• it is usable to communicate remote process means via a network known to those skilled in the art under the terminology CAN (Control Area Network), this network interconnecting at least one element having a given function, this element being of the producer type and / or consumer.
• CAN Control Area Network
• CAN's defect lies in the fact that it can not guarantee a latency for access to the different elements to which it must be connected. Only the highest priority data at a given moment can do so.
• the advantage that is obtained by coupling a CAN network with a functional element by means of a system according to the invention is to make the CAN network deterministic, to ensure the mix of data transfers (cyclic, acyclic) in this network. , to free the CPU from all the communication-related processing and to offer a complete independence of the application with respect to the communication.
• This embodiment offers, for each exchanged data, a communication port allowing each functional element (producer and / or consumer) to access the data asynchronously to completely separate the communication from the application. Nevertheless, it is still possible to work in synchronous mode if the constraints related to the application require it.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
• Multi Processors (AREA)
• Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)
• Communication Control (AREA)
• Time-Division Multiplex Systems (AREA)

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• 2004
  • 2004-09-16 FR FR0409799A patent/FR2875361B1/fr active Active
• 2005
  • 2005-09-13 US US11/662,890 patent/US20080062979A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2005-09-13 EP EP05802542A patent/EP1790147A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2005-09-13 WO PCT/FR2005/002261 patent/WO2006032750A1/fr active Application Filing

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