JP2015108943A - Communication device, and management device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable achievement of both reduction in power consumption and quick start, in a communication device for communicating with another communication device.SOLUTION: A central processing unit of a slave node executes a preset function by using a communication function, and executes a function to shift the communication function from a dormant state to an active state by using a microcomputer function. The central processing unit shifts the communication function from the active state to the dormant state (S45) when receiving a power saving shift command to shift to a dormant mode with smaller power consumption than an active mode. At this time, it maintains the microcomputer function in the active state without shifting it to the dormant state. Because the microcomputer is kept in the active state, when the communication function is activated, the communication function is activated earlier by the time necessary for activation of the microcomputer function. Thus, both reduction in power consumption and quick activation can be achieved.

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device that communicates with another communication device, and a management device that manages the communication device.

  As the above-described communication device, a device that transitions between a start mode and a power saving mode that consumes less power than the start mode is known for each electronic control device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2012-529255 A

  However, in the above communication device, power consumption increases when the electronic control device is set in the start mode, while on the other hand, if the electronic control device is restarted when the electronic control device is in the power saving mode, the time until restart is reached. There was a problem that it took.

  Therefore, in view of such problems, it is an object of the present invention to make it possible to achieve both reduction in power consumption and quick start-up in a communication device that communicates with other communication devices.

  In the communication apparatus according to the present invention configured to achieve the above object, the first function executing means executes a preset function, and the second function executing means executes processing using the first function executing means. . When the first transition means receives a power saving transition instruction to shift to a power saving mode that consumes less power than the activation mode, the first transition means shifts the first function execution means from the activated state to the sleep state. Further, when the first holding unit receives the power saving transition command, the first holding unit holds the second function executing unit in the activated state without shifting to the sleep state.

  According to such a communication apparatus, since the second function execution unit is held in the activated state, it is necessary to wait for a time required for activation of the second function execution unit when the first function execution unit is activated. There is no. Therefore, the first function execution unit can be activated quickly. Therefore, both reduction of power consumption and quick start-up can be achieved.

  The first transition unit may receive a power saving transition command from within its own communication device, or may receive a power saving transition command from another communication device. Further, the invention according to claim 4 is the dependent claim of claim 3 in consideration of the relationship with the invention according to claim 5 and below, but the dependent claim of any one of claims 1 to 3 and can do.

  Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the computer may be a communication program or a management program for realizing each unit constituting the communication device or the management device. Further, the descriptions in the claims can be arbitrarily combined as much as possible. At this time, a part of the configuration may be excluded within a range in which the object of the invention can be achieved.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system 1 to which the present invention is applied in a first embodiment. 6 is a timing chart showing transition states between a wake-up state and a sleep state in each function of the slave node 30 in the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating slave processing executed by a central processing unit 41 of the slave node 30 in the first embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows the transition state of a wake-up state and a sleep state in each function of the slave node 30 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the master process which the central processing part 21 of the master node 10 performs in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the communication system 1 to which this invention was applied in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the slave process which the central processing part 41 of the slave node 30 performs in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the master process which the central processing part 21 of the master node 10 performs in 3rd Embodiment.

Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
[Configuration of this embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 according to the first embodiment to which the present invention is applied includes a master node 10 and a slave node 30, and these nodes communicate with each other via a communication line 5. System.

  The master node 10 includes a transceiver 15 composed of a circuit and a control unit 20. The transceiver 15 is configured as a known communication module that transmits and receives data via the communication line 5. That is, the transceiver 15 sends the data sent from the control unit 20 to the communication line 5 and sends the data sent through the communication line 5 to the control unit 20.

  The control unit 20 includes a central processing unit 21 and a memory 22. The central processing unit 21 is configured as a computer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like (all not shown), and executes various processes according to programs stored in the ROM and RAM. Note that some or all of the functions of the central processing unit 21 may be configured as hardware such as a circuit. Here, the central processing unit 21 executes processing including the communication function 21a, the microcomputer function 21b, and the management function 21c.

  The communication function 21 a includes a function for transmitting data to be transmitted by the master node 10 using the transceiver 15. The communication function 21a is set to be able to change between a wake-up state (Wakeup) and a sleep state (Sleep). Note that the master node 10 is set to receive a signal flowing through the communication line 5 even when the communication function 21a is in the sleep state (the slave node 30 is also the same).

  The microcomputer function 21b includes a function for generating data to be transmitted by the master node 10 and a function for changing the state of the communication function 21a between the wake-up state and the sleep state.

  As the management function 21c, the state of the microcomputer function 21b is changed between the wake-up state and the sleep state. Moreover, the state of the communication function 21a is controlled via its own microcomputer function 21b. Further, the management function 21c sets a sleep command or a slave node 30 to put the slave node 30 in a sleep (sleep state) according to a command from another device connected to the master node 10 or a timer provided in itself. It has a function of outputting a wakeup command for setting the wakeup (startup) state.

  Here, the communication function 21a and the microcomputer function 21b perform the same operation as that of the slave node 30 described later, and receive a sleep command or a wake-up command (Wakeup pulse) from itself (master node 10) to wake up and sleep. Transition between states. That is, the central processing unit 21 executes a slave process, which will be described later, according to the communication start time 1, the communication start time 2, the sleep standby time, and the sleep determination time stored in the memory 22, thereby setting the sleep state and the wake-up state. Switch.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, when receiving a sleep command (Sleep frame) from the master node 10, the communication function 21a shifts to a sleep state after performing a sleep procedure. The microcomputer function 21b also shifts to the sleep state when it receives a sleep command from the master node 10, but maintains the start state only for the start duration.

  In this configuration, when the communication function 21a is in the sleep state and the microcomputer function 21b is in the wake-up state, the communication function 21a can be activated immediately upon receiving a wake-up command. As shown in FIG. 2B, in the configuration in which the microcomputer function 21b immediately enters the sleep state when the communication function 21a enters the sleep state, the microcomputer function 21b is activated (initialized) when a wake-up command is received. Since the communication function 21a is activated after this, the point that it takes time to activate the communication function 21a is different from the present embodiment.

  Next, as with the master node 10, the slave node 30 includes a transceiver 35 and a control unit 40. The control unit 40 includes a central processing unit 41 and a memory 42 as with the master node 10.

  The central processing unit 41 executes processing including a communication function 41a, a microcomputer function 41b, and a management function 41c. The communication function 41a and the microcomputer function 41b are the same as the communication function 21a and the microcomputer function 21b of the master node 10, and the management function 41c has a function excluding the function of outputting a sleep command from the management function 21c of the master node 10. .

[Process of this embodiment]
In the communication system 1 configured as described above, the slave node 30 performs the slave processing shown in FIG. The master node 10 performs the same process. Here, the process is described as the process performed by the slave node 30. The slave process is a process that is started when the power of each node is turned on, for example, and is then repeatedly executed at regular intervals.

  In this process, first, the communication is stopped as an initial state (S10). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not a wake-up factor has been received (S15). The wake-up factor corresponds to reception of a wake-up command (wake-up pulse) from the master node 10 or occurrence of a factor to be activated in the own node.

  If no wake-up factor has been received (S15: NO), the process of S15 is repeated. If a wake-up factor has been received (S15: YES), the microcomputer function 41b is activated (S20).

  That is, the microcomputer function 41b is put into a wake-up state, and the wake-up microcomputer function 41b wakes up the communication function 41a. At this time, as shown in FIG. 2B, a startup time corresponding to the sum of the time required to initialize the microcomputer function 41b and the time required to wake up the communication function 41a is required. Then, after receiving the wake-up factor, communication is started after waiting for the communication start time 1 obtained by adding a slight allowance time to the above-described activation time.

  That is, its own timer is activated, the time of this timer is recorded as the sleep determination time in the memory 22, and the sleep determination time is compared with the communication start time 1 recorded in the memory 22. In this way, it is determined whether or not the communication start time 1 has elapsed since the wake-up factor was received (S25). If the communication start time 1 has not elapsed (S25: NO), the process of S25 is repeated.

  If the communication start time 1 has elapsed (S25: YES), communication using the communication function 41a is started (S30). Then, it is determined whether or not a sleep frame has been received (S40).

  If the sleep frame has not been received (S40: NO), the process of S40 is repeated. If the sleep frame has been received (S40: YES), communication by the communication function 41a is stopped, and the communication function 41a is shifted to the sleep state (S45).

At this time, the wake-up state is maintained for the microcomputer function 41b. Also, the timer (sleep determination time) is reset.
Then, it is determined whether or not the sleep standby time has elapsed by comparing the sleep determination time with the sleep standby time (a fixed time) recorded in the memory 42 (S50). The sleep waiting time is the time from when the communication function 41a is shifted to the sleep procedure (or after the sleep procedure is started) until the sleep procedure of the microcomputer function 41b is started. If the sleep waiting time has elapsed (S50: YES), the microcomputer function 41b is stopped (S55), and the slave process is terminated.

  If the sleep standby time has not elapsed (S50: NO), it is determined whether or not a wake-up factor has been received (S65), as in S15. If no wake-up factor has been received (S65: NO), the process of S65 is repeated. If a wake-up factor has been received (S65: YES), the microcomputer function 41b waits for the communication start time 2 recorded in the memory 42 while causing the communication function 41a to wake up (S70).

Here, the communication start time 2 is a time obtained by adding some margin time to the time required for the wake-up of the communication function 41a, and is shorter than the communication start time 1.
If the communication start time 2 has not elapsed (S70: NO), the process of S70 is repeated. If the communication start time 2 has elapsed (S70: YES), communication using the communication function 41a is started (S75), and the process returns to S40.

[Effects of this embodiment]
In the slave node 30 constituting the communication system 1 described in detail above, the central processing unit 41 executes a preset function using the communication function 41a and sleeps the communication function 41a using the microcomputer function 41b ( Executes a function to shift from a sleep state to a wake-up (startup) state. Then, the central processing unit 41 shifts its own operating state (operating mode) to a sleep state (power saving mode) that consumes less power than the wake-up state (startup mode). ), The communication function 41a is shifted from the wake-up state to the sleep state. At this time, the microcomputer function 41b is held in the wake-up state without shifting to the sleep state.

  According to such a communication system 1, since the microcomputer function 41b is held in the wake-up state, when the communication function 41a is set to the wake-up state, the communication function 41a is activated for a time required for activation of the microcomputer function 41b. Can be made faster. Therefore, both reduction of power consumption and quick start-up can be achieved.

  In the slave node 30, the central processing unit 41 stops the operation of holding the microcomputer function 41b in the wake-up state when a preset holding time (startup continuation period) has elapsed after receiving the sleep frame. The microcomputer function 41b is shifted to the sleep state.

  According to such a communication system 1, the state in which the communication function 41a can be started earlier is maintained until the holding time elapses, and the microcomputer function 41b is also put into the sleep state after the holding time elapses. Further power saving can be achieved.

  Further, when the central processing unit 41 of the slave node 30 in the slave node 30 receives a wake-up command (start-up transition command) for shifting from the sleep state to the wake-up state from the master device 10, the microcomputer function 41b The communication function 41a is shifted from the sleep state to the wake-up state.

According to such a communication system 1, the microcomputer function 41b can return the communication function 41a in the sleep state to the wake-up state.
[Second Embodiment]
Next, another type of communication system 2 will be described. In the present embodiment (second embodiment), only the parts different from the communication system 1 of the first embodiment will be described in detail, and the same parts as those of the communication system 1 of the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Description is omitted.

  In the communication system 2 according to the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the master node 10 periodically transmits a sleep frame and a wakeup command alternately. In this way, management is performed so that the microcomputer function 41b of the slave node 30 does not enter the sleep state. When it is no longer necessary to keep the microcomputer function 41b in the wake-up state, the microcomputer function 41b can also be put into the sleep state if the master node 10 stops sending the wake-up command.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the master node 10 performs master processing. The master process is a process that starts when a communication factor occurs in the master node 10, for example. The communication factor means that data to be communicated to the slave node 30 has been sent from another device to the master node 10, a command to communicate from another device has been received, or some event has occurred This is true.

  In the master process, as shown in FIG. 5, the same processes as S10 to S30 of the slave process described above are performed. Then, following the processing of S30, it is determined whether or not the communication factor has disappeared (whether or not there is a communication factor) (S110).

  If there is a communication factor (S110: YES), the process of S110 is repeated. If there is no communication factor (S110: NO), the sleep frame is transmitted to the slave node 30 (and itself) (S115).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the activation is continued for a short time (S120). Here, short-time activation refers to a state in which the communication function 41a can be activated in a short time by not causing the microcomputer function 41b to enter the sleep state. Whether to continue the activation for a short time is set in advance or in accordance with an instruction from another device.

  When the activation is continued for a short time (S120: YES), it is determined whether or not a certain time (sleep standby time) has elapsed (S125). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (S125: NO), the process of S125 is repeated.

  If the predetermined time has elapsed (S125: YES), the wake-up command is transmitted to the communication function 41a using the microcomputer function 41b (S130), and the process returns to S110.

  If the activation is not continued for a short time in the process of S120 (S120: NO), the master node communication function 21a and the microcomputer function 41b are stopped (S140, S145), and the master process is terminated.

  In the communication system 2 described in detail above, the master node 10 shifts from the sleep state to the wake-up state before the microcomputer function 41b constituting the slave node 30 shifts to the sleep state. A wake-up command (startup transition command) is transmitted.

  According to such a communication system 2, the slave node 30 is configured to shift the microcomputer function 41b to the sleep state after a while after the communication function 41a is set to the sleep state. It can suppress that the microcomputer function 41b transfers to a sleep state.

Furthermore, the master node 10 alternately transmits a sleep frame for shifting to the sleep state and a wake-up command to the slave node 30.
According to such a communication system 2, it is possible to prevent the microcomputer function 41b constituting the slave node 30 from shifting to the sleep state while shifting the slave node 30 to the sleep state. In this configuration, even when the slave node 30 receives the sleep command and shifts to the power saving mode, power saving can be favorably performed.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, another communication system 3 will be described. In the communication systems 1 and 2 of the above embodiment, the slave node 30 is configured to time the communication start timing by itself. However, in the communication system 3, the slave node 30 permits the communication start permission transmitted from the master node 10. It is configured to wait and start communication.

  In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, the memory 42 of the slave node 30 is only required to record the sleep standby time and the sleep determination time. It is only necessary to be recorded in 22.

  In the slave process in the communication system 3, as shown in FIG. 7, the processes in S210 and S215 are executed in place of the processes in S25 and S70 in the slave process described above. In the processes of S210 and S215, it is determined whether or not a communication start permission has been received from the master node 10 (S210 and S215).

  If the communication start permission is not received (S210: NO or S215: NO), this process (the process of S210 or S215) is repeated, and if the communication start permission is received (S210: YES or S215: YES), the next The process proceeds to the process (the process of S30 or S75).

  In the master process in the communication system 3, as shown in FIG. 8, the slave node 30 is permitted to start communication between the processes of S30 and S110 and between the processes of S260 and S110. Is transmitted (S255 or S265).

  According to such a communication system 3, since communication is started after receiving data transmission permission from the master device 10, the slave node 30 can start data transmission at an appropriate timing according to the system.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not construed as being limited by the above embodiment. Moreover, the aspect which abbreviate | omitted a part of structure of said embodiment as long as the subject could be solved is also embodiment of this invention. An aspect configured by appropriately combining the above-described plurality of embodiments is also an embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, all the aspects which can be considered in the limit which does not deviate from the essence of the invention specified only by the wording described in the claims are embodiments of the present invention. Further, the reference numerals used in the description of the above embodiments are also used in the claims as appropriate, but they are used for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the invention according to each claim, and the invention according to each claim. It is not intended to limit the technical scope of

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which one slave node 30 is connected to the communication line 5 has been described. However, a configuration in which a plurality of slave nodes 30 are connected to the communication line 5 may be used. However, each node can perform the same processing.

[Correspondence between Configuration of Embodiment and Means of Present Invention]
The master node 10 in the above embodiment corresponds to the management device in the present invention, and the slave node 30 in the above embodiment corresponds to the communication device in the present invention. The communication function 41a in the above embodiment corresponds to the first function execution means in the present invention, and the microcomputer function 41b in the above embodiment corresponds to the second function execution means in the present invention.

  Further, among the processes executed by the central processing unit 41 of the slave node 30 in the above embodiment, the process of S45 corresponds to the first transition means and the first holding means referred to in the present invention, and the process of S55 refers to the present invention. This corresponds to the second transition means. In addition, the processing of S65 and S75 in the above embodiment corresponds to the activation transition means referred to in the present invention, and the processing of S215 and S75 corresponds to the data transmission start means referred to in the present invention.

  Furthermore, among the processes executed by the central processing unit 21 of the master node 10 in the above-described embodiment, the processes of S125 and S130 correspond to the activation transition command transmitting means referred to in the present invention, and the process of S115 is the power saving referred to in the present invention. It corresponds to a transition command transmission means.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication system, 2 ... Communication system, 3 ... Communication system, 5 ... Communication line, 10 ... Master node, 10 ... Master apparatus, 15 ... Transceiver, 20 ... Control part, 21 ... Central processing part, 21a ... Communication function, 21b ... Microcomputer function, 21c ... Management function, 22 ... Memory, 30 ... Slave node, 35 ... Transceiver, 40 ... Control unit, 41 ... Central processing unit, 41a ... Communication function, 41b ... Microcomputer function, 41c ... Management function, 42 …memory.

Claims (6)

A communication device (30) for communicating with other communication devices,
First function execution means (41a) for executing a preset function;
Second function execution means (41b) for executing processing using the first function execution means;
A first transition means (S45) for transitioning the first function execution means from a start state to a sleep state upon receipt of a power saving transition instruction to shift to a power saving mode that consumes less power than the start mode;
A first holding means (S45) for holding the second function execution means in the activated state without shifting to the sleep state upon receiving the power saving transition command;
A communication apparatus comprising: The communication device according to claim 1,
When a preset holding time elapses after receiving the power saving transition command, the first holding means stops the operation of holding the second function execution means in an activated state, and the second function execution means is Second transition means (S55) for transitioning to a sleep state;
A communication apparatus comprising: The communication device according to claim 2,
When the start transition command for shifting from the power saving mode to the start mode is received from another communication device after the holding time elapses after receiving the power save transition command, the first function executing means is brought into a sleep state. Start transition means (S65, S75) for shifting to the start state,
A communication apparatus comprising: The communication device according to claim 3.
Data transmission start means (S215, S75) for causing the first function execution means to start transmitting data to another communication apparatus upon receiving data transmission permission from a management apparatus that manages the communication apparatus;
A communication apparatus comprising: A management device (10) for managing an operation mode in a communication device capable of switching between a start mode and a power saving mode with less power consumption than the start mode,
The management device is configured to manage the communication device according to claim 3 or claim 4,
An activation transition command transmitting means for transmitting an activation transition instruction to the transition from the power saving mode to the activation mode before the second function executing means constituting the communication apparatus shifts to a sleep state to the communication device; S125, S130),
A management apparatus comprising: The management device according to claim 5,
A power saving transition command transmitting means (S115) for transmitting a power saving transition command for shifting to the power saving mode to the communication device;
The activation transition command transmission means and the power saving transition command transmission means operate alternately.
Management device characterized by.

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