JP2001308892A - Lan repeater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a LAN repeater that is provided with a fail-safe function, a relay information narrowing function, an information packing function, a relay stop and start external control function and a rewrite function of input/ output instruction information. SOLUTION: A comparator 13 compares data outputted from a CPU A 11 and a CPU B 12 of the LAN repeater 10 for a prescribed period by the same data processing and provides an output of an alternate signal, when the result of comparison indicates agreement to continue the relaying operation or an output of a fixed signal, when the result of comparison indicates disagreement, to immediately stop the relaying operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a LAN repeater connected between LANs for relaying information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG.
l Area Networks), there are LAN repeaters that relay information between connected LANs, and routers and bridges are used as LAN repeaters. As an information relay function of a LAN repeater, information to be relayed may be fetched from information flowing on a certain LAN based on input / output instruction information stored in the apparatus, and output to another LAN.

[0003]

However, the conventional LAN
The repeater has the following problems. Since it does not have a fail-safe function, signal LA
N cannot be connected. The information flowing to the signal LAN includes bit information,
Since numerical information such as speed code and voltage value flows, a relay function according to the type of information is required.
The repeater does not have such an information relay function. Since the amount of information flowing to the signal LAN is limited,
It is necessary to pack and relay information output from a plurality of devices connected to the AN, but a conventional LAN repeater does not have such an information packing function. In the conventional LAN repeater, the relay cannot be stopped by an external instruction. A conventional LAN repeater cannot rewrite input / output instruction information in an operating state.

An object of the present invention is to provide a LAN repeater having a fail-safe function, a function of narrowing down relay information, an information packing function, an external control function of stopping and starting relay, and a function of rewriting input / output instruction information. .

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a LAN repeater (for example, a LAN repeater that is connected between LANs and executes information relay processing between the LANs). In the LAN repeaters 10 and 20 in FIG. 1, first processing means (for example, CPUA11 in FIG. 2) for executing information processing at predetermined intervals for information relayed between the LANs and outputting a processing result And a second processing unit that executes the same information processing as the first processing unit and outputs a processing result.
(For example, CPUB12 in FIG. 2), the processing result output from the first processing means and the processing result output from the second processing means are compared, and based on the comparison result, It is characterized by including a comparison control means (for example, the comparator 13 in FIG. 2) for controlling the continuation and stop of the relay processing.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a LAN repeater connected between LANs and executing information relay processing between the LANs, the first processing means includes
The information to be relayed between the ANs is processed at predetermined intervals to output a processing result, and the second processing unit executes the same information processing as the first processing unit and outputs the processing result. Output, and the comparison control unit compares the processing result output from the first processing unit with the processing result output from the second processing unit, and based on the comparison result, determines whether or not to continue the relay processing. Control the stop.

Therefore, the LAN repeater can be connected to the signal LAN, and the usefulness of the LAN repeater can be improved.

Further, as in the invention described in claim 2,
2. The LAN repeater according to claim 1, further comprising a line failure detecting function of periodically transmitting information to which the check code is added to the connected LAN to detect a line failure in the LAN. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a line failure detecting function for periodically transmitting information to which a check code is added to the connected LAN and detecting a line failure in the LAN. Further, the fail-safe function can be further improved, and the reliability of the LAN repeater can be improved.

Further, according to the invention as set forth in claim 3, in the LAN repeater according to claim 1 or 2, when the information to be relayed is cut off, information defining a safe operation is generated. And send it to the relay destination LAN,
A device control function for controlling the operation of the device connected to the relay destination LAN on the safe side may be further provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the information to be relayed is interrupted, information defining the safe operation is generated and transmitted to the relay destination LAN, and the information is transmitted to the relay destination LAN. By further providing a device control function for controlling the operation of the device connected to the LAN to the safe side, a fail-safe function for operating the device connected to the LAN to the safe side by the LAN repeater can be added. The reliability of the system can also be improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an L is connected between LANs and executes an information relay process between the LANs.
AN repeater (for example, LAN repeaters 10, 20 in FIG. 1)
Wherein the information processing apparatus further comprises an information narrowing-down function for narrowing down the type of information to be subjected to the relay processing based on information type instruction information transmitted from a predetermined device connected to the LAN.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in a LAN repeater connected between LANs and performing a relay process of information between the LANs, the information is transmitted from a predetermined device connected to the LAN. An information narrowing function for narrowing down the type of information to be subjected to the relay processing based on the information type instruction information is provided.

Therefore, relaying according to the type of information can be realized, and the information relay function of the LAN relay can be diversified.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an L is connected between LANs and executes a relay process of information between the LANs.
AN repeater (for example, LAN repeaters 10, 20 in FIG. 1)
In the information packing, based on information form instruction information transmitted from a predetermined device connected to the LAN, a plurality of pieces of information transmitted from the plurality of other apparatuses are packed and relayed in a designated information form. It is characterized by having a function.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in a LAN repeater connected between LANs and performing a relay process of information between the LANs, the information is transmitted from a predetermined device connected to the LAN. Based on the information form instruction information,
An information packing function of packing and relaying a plurality of pieces of information transmitted from the other plurality of devices in a specified information format is provided.

Therefore, the amount of information transmitted to the LAN can be reduced, and the information transmission efficiency can be improved.

[0018] The invention according to claim 6 is an L connection that is connected between LANs and executes a relay process of information between the LANs.
AN repeater (for example, LAN repeaters 10, 20 in FIG. 1)
In the above, based on the relay stop instruction information and the relay start instruction information for each information transmitted from the predetermined device connected to the LAN, to stop the relay for each of a plurality of information transmitted from the other plurality of devices, An information relay control function for controlling start is provided.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in a LAN relay device connected between LANs and performing a relay process of information between the LANs, the information is transmitted from a predetermined device connected to the LAN. An information relay control function is provided for controlling stop and start of relay for each of a plurality of pieces of information transmitted from the plurality of other devices based on the relay stop instruction information and the relay start instruction information for each piece of information.

Therefore, since the relay stop / start of the LAN repeater can be controlled from the outside, a test or the like can be performed regardless of the state of other LANs by connecting a simulator or the like while the relay is stopped.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an L is connected between LANs and executes an information relay process between the LANs.
AN repeater (for example, LAN repeaters 10, 20 in FIG. 1)
A relay instruction information transmitted from a predetermined device connected to the LAN is stored, the relay process is performed based on the stored relay instruction information, and a switching instruction transmitted from the predetermined device is included. An instruction information updating function for updating the storage of the relay instruction information with new relay instruction information is provided.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in a LAN repeater connected between LANs and performing a process of relaying information between the LANs, the information is transmitted from a predetermined device connected to the LAN. Storing the relay instruction information, executing the relay processing based on the stored relay instruction information,
An instruction information updating function is provided for updating the storage of the relay instruction information with new relay instruction information including a switching instruction transmitted from the predetermined device.

Therefore, the input / output instruction information transmitted from a previously designated device on the LAN can be rewritten in the operating state, and the updating of the relay processing function becomes easy.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 are diagrams showing one embodiment of a LAN system to which the present invention is applied. First, the configuration will be described. FIG. 1 shows L in the present embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an AN system 500. In this figure, a LAN system 500 includes a parent device 50 connected to the LAN 100 and a plurality of other devices 1, 2,.
n, a LAN repeater 10 for relaying information between the LAN 100 and the LAN 200,
LAN relay device 20 for relaying information to both sides
It is composed of

The transmission lines constituting each of the LANs 100, 200, and 300 include a line for transmitting information clockwise,
It consists of a dual system of lines for transmitting information counterclockwise.

The parent device 50 has a function of transmitting output stop information and input / output instruction information to the LAN repeaters 10 and 20 as necessary.

Each of the other devices 1, 2,... N is LA
In accordance with the duplex configuration of the transmission line of N100, there are 1 system and 2 systems as transmission systems for transmitting information clockwise and counterclockwise.

The LAN repeaters 10 and 20 communicate with the LANs 100, 200 and 300 based on their own input / output instruction information.
And relays the information to other LANs 100, 200, and 300 to be transmitted after editing the received information.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the LAN repeater 10 has two independent CPUs A11 and B12 and a comparator 13 for comparing each data output from the CPUA11 and the CPU 12B. L
The AN repeater 20 has the same configuration as that of FIG.

The LAN repeaters 10 and 20 have the following functions according to the configuration shown in FIG. Fail-safe function a) Two independent CPUs A11 and B12 perform the same data processing, compare the data output from each of CPUs A11 and B12 in a fixed cycle by comparator 13, and immediately determine the system when the comparison result is inconsistent. Fail-safe function to stop.

B) For early failure detection of transmission lines, etc.
Function to transmit information with check code added to LAN at regular intervals.

C) When the information to be transmitted is set to "0", the fall of the relay of the relay logic is defined as a safe side, and when the information transmitted from the other device is interrupted, or when the data is verified, Function to transmit, to another LAN, the information set to all “0” as the relay information in the event of a failure.

Information narrowing down function The information transmitted from the first and second systems of the other device is narrowed down and relayed, but has a function of changing the narrowing down method according to the type of information. LAN repeaters 10 and 20 of the present embodiment
The following six types of information can be narrowed down, and the information to be narrowed down is specified by input / output instruction information. A) Use system priority a) Logical OR c) Small value priority d) Normal reception system priority e) Normal value priority f) System fixed

Information packing function A function of packing information transmitted from a plurality of other devices based on input / output instruction information and transmitting the information to another LAN.

Relay stop / start control function Function to enable setting of stop / start for each information output by LAN repeaters 10 and 20 based on output stop instruction information transmitted from the parent device.

Rewriting function of input / output instruction information The input / output instruction information transmitted from the parent device is held in the relay device until an instruction as to whether the information is to be rewritten according to the instruction from the parent device or to discard the information is received. A function of switching input / output instruction information according to a switching instruction from a parent device.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, the operation of the fail-safe function in the LAN repeater 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, L
The AN repeater 10 includes a CPUA11 and a CPUB12,
The comparator 13 compares each data output in a constant cycle by the same data processing. If the comparison results match, an alternating signal is output to continue the relay operation. If they do not match, a fixed signal is output. And immediately stop the relay operation.

Although not shown, the LAN repeater 20 also performs the same fail-safe operation as in FIG.

As a fail-safe function, the LAN repeaters 10 and 20 periodically transmit information to which check codes are added to the LANs 100, 200 and 300, and perform a failure detection operation of the transmission line.

Further, the LAN repeaters 10 and 20 have a fail-safe function, in which the information transmitted from the other devices 1 to n is interrupted or the data is verified as described above. The information in which "0 (defined as safe side)" is set is transmitted to another LAN, and the fall of the relay of the relay logic is operated on the safe side.

Next, the operation of the information packing function in the LAN repeater 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 3, the LAN repeater 10 packs data portions indicated by hatching of output information 1, 2, and 3 received from the other devices 1 to 3 from the LAN 100 based on input / output instruction information, and performs LAN 100 as output information. Send to

Although not shown, the LAN repeater 20 also performs the same information packing operation as in FIG.

Next, the operation of the relay stop / start control function in the LAN repeater 20 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, the LAN repeater 20 outputs the output information 2 out of the output information 1 to 5 received from the LAN 300 based on the input / output instruction information (information 2, 4 output stop) transmitted from the parent device 50 via the LAN 100. Then, the transmission to the LAN 100 is stopped, and the output information 1, 3, and 5 are transmitted.

Although not shown, the LAN repeater 10 also performs a relay stop / start control operation similar to that of FIG.

Next, the operation of the input / output instruction information rewriting function in the LAN repeater 20 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, the LAN repeater 20 stores and holds the current input / output instruction information until a rewrite instruction is received from the parent device 50, executes information relay processing based on the held input / output instruction information, and An operation of rewriting the current input / output instruction information with the input / output instruction information including the rewrite instruction transmitted from the device 50 via the LAN 100 is executed.

Although not shown, the LAN repeater 10 also executes the same input / output instruction information rewriting operation as in FIG.

Although not shown, the LAN repeaters 10,
Reference numeral 20 executes a narrowing-down operation of six types of information (use system priority, logical OR, small value priority, normal reception system priority, normal value priority, system fixed) according to the instruction of the input / output instruction information transmitted from the parent device 50. I do.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the LAN
Since the repeaters 10 and 20 have the above-mentioned fail-safe function, information narrowing function, information packing function, relay stop / start control function, and input / output instruction information rewriting function, the following effects are obtained.

1) The LAN repeater can be connected to the signal LAN by the fail-safe function, and the usefulness of the LAN repeater can be improved.

2) By further providing a line failure detection function, the fail-safe function can be improved.
The reliability of the AN repeater can be improved.

3) It is possible to add a fail-safe function for operating the devices connected to the LAN on the safe side by the LAN repeater, thereby improving the reliability of the LAN system.

4) Relaying according to the type of information can be realized by the information narrowing-down function according to the type of information, and the information relay function can be diversified.

5) The amount of information transmitted to the LAN can be reduced by the information packing function, and the information transmission efficiency can be improved.

6) Since the relay stop / start control function allows the relay stop / start control to be performed from the outside, a test or the like can be performed regardless of the state of other LANs by connecting a simulator or the like while the relay is stopped.

7) By the input / output instruction information rewriting function, the input / output instruction information transmitted from the parent device can be rewritten in the operating state, and the relay processing function can be easily updated.

Therefore, the LAN repeater of the present invention is
By applying the present invention to the N system, the problem of the conventional LAN repeater can be fundamentally solved, and the convenience and reliability thereof can be improved.

In the above embodiment, three LANs
2 shows a case where two LAN repeaters are connected, but the number of LANs and the number of LAN repeaters to be connected are not particularly limited.

[0058]

According to the LAN repeater of the first aspect of the present invention, the LAN repeater can be connected to the signal LAN, and the usefulness of the LAN repeater can be improved.

According to the LAN repeater of the present invention, the fail-safe function can be further improved.
The reliability of the LAN repeater can be improved.

According to the LAN repeater according to the third aspect of the present invention, a fail-safe function for operating the devices connected to the LAN on the safe side by the LAN repeater can be added, and the reliability of the LAN system is improved. Can be done.

According to the LAN repeater according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the relay according to the type of information can be realized, and the function of the information repeater can be diversified.

According to the LAN repeater of the present invention, the amount of information transmitted to the LAN can be reduced.
Information transmission efficiency can be improved.

According to the LAN repeater of the present invention, since the relay stop / start control of the LAN repeater can be performed from the outside, by connecting a simulator or the like while the relay is stopped, the state of the other LAN can be controlled. Tests can be performed regardless of

According to the LAN repeater of the present invention, the input / output instruction information transmitted from the previously designated device on the LAN can be rewritten in the operating state, and the updating of the relay processing function becomes easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a LAN according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a system 500.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the LAN repeaters 10 and 20 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation of an information packing function in the LAN repeater 10;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation of a relay stop / start control function in the LAN relay device 20.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an operation of an input / output instruction information rewriting function in the LAN repeater 20.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional LAN system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 to n Other devices 10, 20 LAN repeater 11 CPUA 12 CPUB 13 Comparator 50 Parent device 100, 200, 300 LAN 500 LAN system

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Kazuhiro Kumagai 1-4-1 Meiji Station, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Tokai Passenger Railway Co., Ltd. (72) Takashi Ichikawa Meiji Station, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture 1-4-1 Tokai Railway Company (72) Inventor Kazuo Shiozawa 1-13-8 Kamikizaki, Urawa-shi, Saitama Japan Signal Corporation (72) Inventor Keisuke Mizuno Heian-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture 2-29-1 F-term in Kyosan Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (Reference) 5K031 AA01 AA12 CB06 DA02 DA06 DB10 EA01 5K033 AA01 AA09 CB03 CB08 DA01 DA05 DB12 DB14 DB16 DB19 DB20 EA02

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A LAN repeater connected between LANs for executing information relay processing between the LANs, wherein the information relayed between the LANs is processed by executing information processing at predetermined intervals. First processing means for outputting a result, second processing means for executing the same information processing as the first processing means and outputting a processing result, and processing result outputted from the first processing means And the second
And a comparison control means for comparing the processing result output from the processing means with the control result and controlling the continuation and stop of the relay processing based on the comparison result. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a line failure detecting function of periodically transmitting information to which a check code is added to said connected LAN to detect a line failure in said LAN. LAN repeater. 3. When the information to be relayed is interrupted, information defining a safe operation is generated and the LA of the relay destination is generated.
3. The LAN repeater according to claim 1, further comprising a device control function of transmitting to N and controlling the operation of a device connected to the relay destination LAN on a safe side. 4. 4. A LAN repeater connected between LANs for executing information relay processing between the LANs, wherein the LAN repeater performs information relay processing based on information type instruction information transmitted from a predetermined device connected to the LAN. A LAN repeater having an information narrowing function for narrowing down the type of information to be relayed. 5. A LAN repeater connected between LANs for executing information relay processing between the LANs, based on information form instruction information transmitted from a predetermined device connected to the LAN. A LAN repeater having an information packing function of packing and relaying a plurality of pieces of information transmitted from the other plurality of devices in a specified information format. 6. A LAN repeater connected between LANs for executing information relay processing between the LANs, comprising: relay stop instruction information for each piece of information transmitted from a predetermined device connected to the LAN; A LAN repeater having an information relay control function of controlling stop and start of relay for each of a plurality of pieces of information transmitted from the plurality of other devices based on relay start instruction information. 7. A LAN repeater connected between LANs for executing information relay processing between the LANs, wherein relay instruction information transmitted from a predetermined device connected to the LAN is stored. An instruction information updating function for executing the relay processing based on the stored relay instruction information and updating the storage of the relay instruction information with new relay instruction information including a switching instruction transmitted from the predetermined device. Characteristic LAN repeater.