JP3478088B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a communication device,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a communication device capable of supporting networks conforming to different protocols.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, an on / off control signal from a control controller or the like is transmitted to an output device such as an air valve or an actuator of a machine tool or an input device such as a limit switch or various sensors. There is a control system that transmits an on / off state signal to the control controller, etc., but in such a control system, in order to save wiring, the control controller is connected to a plurality of communication devices as slave stations, and Connect output devices such as actuators or input devices such as various sensors to the slave stations, and output the on / off control signals transmitted from the control controller to the output devices via the slave stations, or from the input devices. There is a configuration in which the on / off status signal is captured by the slave station and transmitted to the control controller. .

[0003]

However, in such a conventional example, the communication device as the slave station is developed as a dedicated device corresponding to the protocol (communication protocol) with which the network of the control system complies, In order to support networks that have the same function but comply with different protocols, it is necessary to re-develop communication devices, which is inefficient, and manufacturing control of multiple types of communication devices that support different protocols However, there is a disadvantage that the cost is high.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device capable of easily supporting networks conforming to different protocols.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is constructed as follows.

That is, the communication device of the present invention according to claim 1 transmits status signals from a plurality of input devices via a network.
To the controller for control and
Control signals from your controller via network
Received from a single housing and transmitted to multiple output devices.
For different terminal units
Select one of the multiple communication units
Connector connection via a communication cable for interchangeable connection
A communication device, wherein the plurality of communication units are each
This is because each network conforms to a different protocol.
Can be connected to the
Connector part for network connection to connect to work
And a communication cable for connecting the communication cable
It has a connector part and a connected network professional.
Communication is performed so that the control
The control signal received from the roller is sent to the terminal unit.
Communication by converting the data to interface standard data
One to send to the terminal unit via a cable
, The terminal unit via the communication cable
Input data received with the interface standard of
For data that conforms to the connected network protocol
Convert and control via the connected network
And a plurality of input devices or outputs in the housing.
A terminal block for connecting at least one of the devices, and
Enables exchange connection of communication units via a communication cable.
1st connector part for other terminal units
A second connector portion for connecting the
Input the input data of the input device from the terminal block.
Or output data from the terminal block to the output device
At least one of the output operations is performed, and the input data from the input device is input to the connected communication unit .
To the interface standard of the terminal unit
From the connected communication unit or the connected communication unit
The output data to the output device is transferred to the terminal unit
At least one of the operations received by the interface standard.
It is designed to work with other terminal units.
Cascade connection via the second connector section of the minal unit
Communication with the selected communication unit
The cable connector section and the first of the terminal unit
The by connected through a communication cable and a connector portion
Network of terminal units with specific protocol
It is designed to support communication with.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the structure of the first aspect, each of the communication units communicates in accordance with each protocol, and the terminal unit and a communication unit connected to the terminal unit. share the memory, writes the input data from the input device to the memory, reads the input data the
It writes the received data received by the transmission operation and the communication unit transmits to the control controller to the memory, performing at least one of the operation of the receiving operation to output for the output device reads out the received data It is a thing.

The present invention of claim 3 is the same as claim 1 or claim 1.
Monitoring device for monitoring the communication status in the configuration of item 2
Has a monitor connector part to which is connected.

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

According to the present invention of claim 1, there is provided a terminal block to which at least one of the input device and the output device is connected.
A plurality of communication units, each of which is connectable to a plurality of networks conforming to different protocols, can be exchange-connected via a communication cable, and the terminal unit is connected via the connected communication unit. When communicating with corresponding network Te
Both are the connectors for connecting the other terminal units.
By including the connector unit, it is possible to easily cope with networks having different conforming protocols by selecting a corresponding communication unit and connecting to the terminal unit.

Further, since the input data from the input device can be transmitted through the communication unit or the output data received through the communication unit can be output to the output device, a control system with reduced wiring can be realized. It will be configurable.

According to the present invention of claim 2, since the memory is shared between the communication unit and the terminal unit,
Communication can be performed between each communication unit and the terminal unit that comply with different protocols.

According to the present invention of claim 3, a monitor connector is provided.
Since it has a connector, it is suitable for connecting monitor equipment.
Therefore, the communication status can be grasped at any time.

[0016]

[0017]

[0018]

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a control system including a communication device of the present invention.

This control system comprises a control controller 1 and a plurality of communication devices 2 according to the present invention as slave stations which are bus-connected to the control controller 1 via a communication cable. Input devices such as proximity sensors and limit switches (not shown) or output devices such as relays and actuators are connected to each of the communication devices 2.

This control system transmits on / off input data from an input device to the control controller 1 via each communication device 2 as in the conventional example, and the control controller 1 fetches this input data. The arithmetic processing is performed according to a preset program, and output data of ON / OFF is output to an output device via each communication device 2 to control a machine tool or the like.

The communication device 2 of this embodiment is adapted so that it can be easily dealt with when constructing a network control system complying with different protocols.
As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2 and the external perspective view of FIG. 3, the communication units 3 ₁ to ₃ 3 that are connected to the network of the corresponding protocol and perform communication, and any of the communication units 3 _{1 to} 3 ₃ and a terminal unit 4 to which an input device and an output device are connected. The terminal unit 4 includes a plurality of communication units 3 via a communication cable 26, as shown in FIG. It is configured so that _{1 to} 3 ₃ can be exchange-connected.

Each of the plurality of communication units 3 _{1 to} 3 ₃ has a different protocol, for example, Device Net,
Interbus-S, LON, Profibus, etc. are individually supported, and as shown in FIG. 3, connector parts 17 _{1 to} 17 ₃ corresponding to each protocol are provided. First to third MPUs 51 to ₁ that perform communication conforming to each protocol
5 ₃ has a further includes a first through third communication circuit ₆₁ through _3, including the transmission and reception circuit or the like, while writing the received data to the dual port RAM (DPRAM) 7 will be described later, the dual port RAM The transmission data written in 7 is read and transmitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the communication units 3 _{1 to} 3 ₃ include the connector parts 17 _{1 to} 17 ₃ for connecting a communication cable of the network and a DIP switch for setting the communication speed and the node address. Setting unit 9 including
And a connector portion 11 for connecting to the terminal unit 4 via the communication cable 26.

On the other hand, the terminal unit 4 receives the dual port RAM (DPRAM) 7 shared by the communication units 3 _{1 to} 3 ₃ , the MPU 8 and the input data from the input device, and outputs to the output device. And an I / O circuit 13 for outputting output data. The terminal unit 4 receives input data from an input device,
Any communication unit 3 connected to the unit 4
Transmits through _{1-3 3,} and outputs the output data received via the communication unit 3 ₁ to 3 ₃ of the one output device.

As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal unit 4 includes communication cables 26 connected to the communication units 3 _{1 to} 3 _3.
Connector unit 14 for connecting via an input device,
It has a terminal block 15 for connecting an output device and a power source, and further has a connector section 16 for cascade connection of another terminal unit 4.

The terminal unit 4 is the unit 4 concerned.
The received data written in the dual port RAM 7 by any one of the communication units 3 ₁ to ₃ 3 connected to
While outputting to the output device via the O circuit 13, the input data from the input device is taken in via the I / O circuit 13 and written to the dual port RAM 7 as transmission data.

That is, in this embodiment, as shown in the memory map of the dual port RAM 7 in FIG.
MPU 5 ₁ to 5 ₃ of the communication unit 3 ₁ to 3 ₃ side, while writing the received data to the first area 7 ₁ dual port RAM 7, sends reads the transmission data written in the ₂ second area 7 In addition, the MPU 8 on the side of the terminal unit 4 reads the received data in the first area 7 ₁ and outputs it to the output device, while writing the input data from the input device in the second area 7 ₂ as transmission data. Is.

As described above, since data is transmitted and received between the MPUs 5 _{1 to} 5 ₃ on the communication unit side and the MPU 9 on the terminal unit 4 side via the dual port RAM 7, the communication units 3 ₁ to 3 conforming to different protocols. _{Even if the number is 3} , communication can be performed with the terminal unit 4.

In the communication device 2 having the above configuration, each of the communication units 3 _{1 to} 3 ₃ performs communication conforming to each protocol, and therefore any one of the communication units 3 ₁ to 3 corresponding to the protocol conforming to the network. By selecting ₃ to connect to the terminal unit 4 and connecting to the network, the control system can be configured.

For example, in the control system shown in FIG. 1, assuming that the network conforms to the Device Net, for example, the communication unit corresponding to the Device Net, for example, the communication unit 3 ₁ is selected to select the terminal unit. By connecting to No. 4 and the network, it is possible to configure a network control system conforming to the device net.

Further, for example, InterbSS
In the case of the control system us-S) networks conforming to the communication unit corresponding to the inter-bus es, as well as connected to the terminal unit 4 by selecting, for example, the communication unit 3 _2, by connecting to a network,
A network control system that complies with Interbus S can be configured.

As described above, one of the corresponding communication units 3 ₁
The ~ 3 _3, by connecting the terminal unit 4, it becomes possible to easily cope with the network conforming to different protocols.

Therefore, unlike the conventional example, it is not necessary to develop a dedicated communication device according to the protocol, the development efficiency is improved, and it is necessary to manufacture and manage a plurality of communication devices corresponding to each protocol. Instead, only the plurality of types of communication units need to be manufactured and managed, and the cost can be reduced.

In the above embodiment, the communication device 2
Although both the input device and the output device are connected to the device, as another embodiment of the present invention, the input device may be connected only to the input device or the output device to which only the output device is connected.

Further, although the communication units 3 _{1 to} 3 ₃ are of three types in the above embodiment, it is needless to say that the number is not limited to three.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 is a block diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 of another embodiment of the present invention. Corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0039] In the above embodiments, but is configured to perform data exchange with the dual-port RAM 7 the communication unit 3 ₁ to 3 ₃ conforming to share to different protocols and the terminal unit 4, the In the embodiment, each of the MPUs 5 _{4 to} 5 ₆ of each of the communication units 3 _{4 to} 3 ₆ performs the communication according to each protocol and receives the received data.
Predetermined interface - while converting the face standards, for example the data of the RS-232C, are those which convert the data of the RS-232C from the terminal unit 4 ₁ to transmit data to transmit in compliance with the protocol, each communication unit 3 _{4-3 6} and a terminal unit 4 _1, RS-232
The communication is configured to be performed via the C interface.

[0040] Thus each communication unit 3 _{4-3 6,} while performing communication in conformity with the protocol, the communication unit 3
_{4-3 6} and A terminal unit 4 _1, a predetermined interface -
Face standard, for example since the communication in accordance with RS-232C, it is possible to communicate between the different protocols the communication unit 3 _{4-3 6} and the terminal unit 4 _1.

Other configurations and effects are basically the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 6 is a block diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of the present invention, and corresponding portions are designated by the same reference numerals.

The communication device 2 ₂ of this embodiment has two different protocols, for example, device net (Device Ne
t), two first and second connector units 18 and 19 which can be connected to a network compliant with Interbus-S and which are connected to a network corresponding to each protocol, An external switch 20 as a setting means for selectively setting which one of the two protocols is to be selected, an MPU 21 as a communication control means for performing communication control conforming to the set protocol, a communication circuit 22 including a transmission / reception circuit, etc. An analog switch 23 as switching means for switching and connecting the connector units 18 and 19 corresponding to the selected protocol and the communication circuit 22, and input data from an input device are given and output data is output to an output device. And an I / O circuit 13 that operates.

In this embodiment, the external protocol is used depending on whether the protocol which the network constituting the control system complies with is the first protocol, for example, device net or the second protocol, for example, interbus S. The switch 20 is set and operated to selectively set the protocol. In this embodiment, the first protocol is set when the external switch 20 is not turned on, and the second protocol is set when the external switch 20 is turned on.

As a result, the MPU 21, as shown in the flow chart of FIG. 7, determines whether or not the external switch 20 is turned on (step n1). The bus switch is selected, the analog switch 23 is controlled to connect the second connector section 19 corresponding to the interbus switch and the communication circuit 22, and communication corresponding to the interbus switch is performed (step n2). When the external switch 20 is not turned on, the first protocol, for example, the device net is selected, and the analog switch 23 is controlled to connect the first connector section 18 and the communication circuit 22 corresponding to the device net to the device net. Communication corresponding to the net is performed (step n3). By thus selecting and setting the protocol to be used by the external switch 20, the corresponding connector units 18 and 19 are made effective, and communication is performed in accordance with the corresponding protocol, so that a single communication device can be used. This makes it possible to easily support networks conforming to different protocols, and there is no need to exchange and connect communication units as in the above-described embodiments.

In the above-described embodiment, either of the two protocols is selected, but as another embodiment of the present invention, it may be selected from three or more types of protocols. .

Although the protocol used by the external switch 20 is selectively set in the above embodiment, the protocol used can be automatically detected according to which connector is connected to the network. You may

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a block diagram corresponding to FIG. 6 of still another embodiment of the present invention, and corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, first and second monitor connector sections 24 and 25 are provided for each protocol for connecting a monitor device such as a protocol analyzer for analyzing a communication state. During operation of the control system, signals between the communication circuit 22 and the first or second connector units 18, 19 connected to the network are transmitted to the first or second monitor connector units 24, 2.
5 is configured to be monitored.

The rest of the configuration is similar to that of the above-mentioned embodiment, and therefore its explanation is omitted.

As another embodiment of the present invention, a similar monitor connector section may be provided in each of the communication units of the above embodiments.

(Other Embodiments) The terminal unit of the above-described embodiment is constructed in conformity with a specific protocol, and each communication unit connected to this terminal unit uses each protocol in accordance with the specific protocol. It may be configured to convert to.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, a network conforming to different protocols is selected by selecting a communication unit and connecting it to the terminal unit, or by selecting and setting a protocol to be used by the setting means. This makes it possible to configure a control system with reduced wiring, and without the need to develop a dedicated communication device according to the protocol, unlike the conventional example, and to enable multiple types of communication. It is not necessary to manage the manufacturing of the device, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, the communication status can be easily grasped by the monitor device even during the operation of the control system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a control system including a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of the communication device of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the communication device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the communication device in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram corresponding to FIG. 2 of still another embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the communication device in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram corresponding to FIG. 6 of still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 controller for control 2, 2 ₁ , 2 ₂ communication device 3 _{1 to} 3 ₆ communication unit 4, 4 ₁ terminal unit 7 dual port ram 18, 19 first to second connector section 20 external switch 23 analog switch 24, 25th 1, 2nd monitor connector

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 29/04

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A status signal from a plurality of input devices is sent to a network.
Transmission to the control controller via the
In addition, the control signal from the controller for control is sent to the network.
Received via the click, and transmitting the plurality of output devices, with respect to the terminal unit of one housing from among the plurality of communication units, each consisting of a separate housing
The selected one can be exchanged and connected via a communication cable.
A plurality of communication units, each of which is compliant with a different protocol.
It can be connected to Ttowaku each of the housing, for connecting to the network
Connect the network connection connector and the communication cable.
It has a communication cable connector section for connection, and conforms to the protocol of the connected network.
Control received through communication from the control controller
Signal to the interface standard of the terminal unit.
Data and convert it to the target via the communication cable.
Terminal unit, while sending the communication cable
Through the terminal unit interface standard
The input data received by the
Converted to data compliant with the protocol and connected
To the controlling controller via a network
The terminal unit is configured to transmit, and the terminal unit has at least one of a plurality of input devices or output devices in a housing.
Via a terminal block for connecting
First connection for enabling exchange connection of communication units
Connector to connect other terminal units in cascade
And a second connector section for inputting input data of the input device from the terminal block.
Or output data from the terminal block to the output device
Perform at least one of the operations to output, and for the connected communication unit ,
Input data to the interface of the terminal unit
Communication operation to transmit in the standard, or connected communication unit
Output data to the output device from the terminal unit.
With the interface standard of
The other terminal unit is the second one of the terminal units.
It is possible to make a cascade connection via the connector part of
The connector part for the communication cable of the selected communication unit.
And the first connector part of the terminal unit for communication.
The terminal unit by connecting via a cable.
To be able to communicate with networks of specific protocols
Communication device, wherein the, the thing. 2. Each of the communication units performs communication in accordance with each protocol, the terminal unit and the communication unit connected to the terminal unit share a memory, and input data from an input device is shared. writes to the memory, and writes the received data received by the transmission operation and the communication unit transmits to the control controller reads said input data to said memory, said output device reads out the received data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein performing at least one of the operation of the receiving operation to output for the. 3. A monitor device for monitoring the communication status is connected.
Claim 1 or Claim which has the monitor connector part which is
2. The communication device according to 2 .