JP6763353B2 - Transmission path design support device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a transmission path design support device. In particular, the present invention relates to a transmission path design support device in a network configuration including a plurality of networks in which a transmission speed can be selected for each transmission signal and a relay device connecting the networks.

Updating the control equipment of an existing plant to the new standard control equipment at once is called batch update, and updating only a part of the existing equipment is called split update. In the split update, the existing control network and the control network of the updated standard coexist, and there are signals used for both of them. A relay device that connects different control networks is called a gateway (GW). In a steel plant, the gateway mainly connects the existing control network and the new control network, and inputs / output signals between the control programmable logic controller (hereinafter, PLC) and the input / output IO station (hereinafter, IO). Transferring. By utilizing the gateway that connects the old and new networks in this way, the existing plant assets can be utilized and the renewal work can be smoothly performed while remaining.

For signals used in both the old and new networks, it is necessary to reach the signal input destination device (input device) from the signal output source device (output device), so the old and new networks and signals between the output device and the input device. The transmission path is designed to pass through the gateway that relays. In the conventional transmission path design, the designer calculates the signal transmission time in consideration of the transmission delay of each network and each relay device according to the required specifications of each signal, and the transmission conforms to the required target transmission time. The route is designed each time.

Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle navigation system that selects a route that can reach a destination in the shortest time from map information in consideration of traffic signals as a method for automating route calculation on a map.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-315290

By the way, in the above-mentioned plant control network, input / output signals can be transmitted / received at a plurality of constant cycle speeds (high speed, medium speed, low speed), and the number of signals that can be assigned to each speed is limited. .. Therefore, in the conventional transmission path design, the designer manually selects the transmission speed of the network each time, extracts the transmission path from the output device to the input device, calculates the signal transmission time, and sets the target transmission time. I was looking for a transmission path that could be satisfied for each signal. Transmission path design becomes complicated due to the increase in networks and relay devices, the increase in speed selection combinations due to the increase in the number of networks, and the increase in the number of signals. As a result, a huge amount of work time is required for design, which causes design mistakes due to human error.

Further, since the number of signals that can be assigned is determined for each network speed, if the transmission path with the shortest time is easily selected by the method of Patent Document 1, the signal is assigned as a result of being assigned from the high-speed transmission path. As a whole, the number of signals that can meet the target transmission time is reduced, and all the required signals cannot be allocated.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a transmission path design support device capable of reducing work time and work mistakes in transmission path allocation work of a network in which a plurality of transmission speeds can be selected. The purpose is.

The transmission path design support device according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as follows in order to achieve the above object.

The transmission path design support device relates to a network configuration including a plurality of networks in which a transmission speed can be selected for each transmission signal and a relay device for connecting the networks. The transmission route design support device includes a network configuration information storage unit, a search condition storage unit, a candidate route search unit, and an optimum route calculation unit.
The network configuration information storage unit stores network configuration information in which the connection destination device and a plurality of selectable transmission speeds are determined for each of the plurality of networks, and the connection destination network and the transmission speed are determined for each of the relay devices.
The search condition storage unit includes, for each transmission signal, a signal output source device connected to one of a plurality of networks, a signal input destination device connected to another network, and a target transmission time. Memorize the search conditions.
The candidate route search unit searches for a transmission route group from the signal output source device to the signal input destination device based on the network configuration information and the search conditions.
The optimum route calculation unit calculates from the transmission route group the transmission route within the target transmission time and the slowest transmission speed of the selected network.

According to this, the transmission route within the required target transmission time and closest to the target transmission time can be calculated and set as the optimum route. Since the network with the slowest transmission speed is preferentially adopted, the transmission path can be allocated so that many signals can be transmitted within the target transmission time.

Preferably, each of the plurality of networks is a network having a plurality of nodes having a memory for storing a transmission signal and having a common memory that virtually shares the same memory space by synchronizing the memories between the nodes. , Different synchronization speeds can be selected for each transmission signal.

Preferably, the search condition described above further includes designation of a relay device that relays the signal. The above-mentioned transmission path group is a path via a relay device from the device of the signal output source to the device of the signal input destination.

According to the transmission path design support device according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the work time and work error in the transmission path allocation work of the network in which a plurality of transmission speeds can be selected. Furthermore, it is possible to automate the allocation of transmission routes and the determination of correctness as to whether or not the routes satisfy the requirements, and the efficiency of design work such as automatic allocation of transmission routes can be improved.

It is a figure for demonstrating the network configuration example which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the transmission path design support apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of network configuration information. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a search condition. It is a figure for demonstrating the screen display example of the optimum path. It is a flowchart of the processing routine executed by the transmission path design support apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of the network configuration. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware configuration example of the processing circuit which a transmission path design support apparatus has.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The elements common to each figure are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

Embodiment 1.
(Network configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a network configuration example according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the first network 1 and the second network 2 are existing networks, and the third network 3 is a new network. Each network is a control transmission network for transmitting input / output signals between control devices constituting the plant.

The first PLC 4 is an existing control device connected to the first network 1. The second PLC 5 is an existing control device connected to the second network 2, and also has a function as a gateway connecting the second network 2 and the third network 3. The third PLC 6 is a control device in which a part of the existing equipment is divided and updated into a new network, and is connected to the third network 3.

A gateway (hereinafter referred to as GW) transcribes a signal between different types of networks. The first GW 7 transfers input / output signals between the first network 1 and the second network 2. The second GW 8 transcribes the input / output signals between the first network 1 and the third network 3. The IO 9 is an existing input / output IO station connected to the second network 2.

The network configuration shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and is a network configuration in which a plurality of networks in which a transmission speed can be selected for each transmission signal are provided, and the networks are connected by at least one relay device (GW or PLC). All you need is. The number of PLCs and IOs connected to each network is not limited to this.

Each network is a network that can ensure data simultaneity by scan transmission (periodic broadcast transmission) by the common memory method in order to realize high reliability and real-time performance. Specifically, each network has a plurality of nodes having a memory for storing a transmission signal, and the memory is synchronized between the nodes (information in each memory is exchanged periodically) so that the same memory is virtually the same. It is a network equipped with common memory that shares space. Signals can be transmitted by synchronizing memory. In addition, different synchronization speeds (high-speed mode, medium-speed mode, low-speed mode) can be selected for each transmission signal. Since the number of signals that can be assigned to each speed is fixed, it is not easy to design work to allocate all signals so as to satisfy the target transmission time. The transmission path design support device according to the present embodiment is for reducing work time and work mistakes in such transmission path allocation work.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the transmission path design support device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The transmission route design support device 10 includes a storage unit 11, a network configuration information setting unit 12, a search condition setting unit 13, a candidate route search unit 14, an optimum route calculation unit 15, and a result registration / display unit 16.

The storage unit 11 functions as each storage unit that stores network configuration information, search conditions, and search results.

First, the network configuration information will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of network configuration information. In the network configuration information, the connection destination device and a plurality of selectable transmission speeds (time required for transmission processing, speed cycle) are defined for each of the plurality of networks. For example, FIG. 3 shows the connected devices (1st PLC4, 1st GW7, 2nd GW8) and a plurality of transmission speeds (10 msec (high-speed mode), 20 msec (medium-speed mode), 30 msec (low-speed mode)) for the first network. It is defined. In addition, the network configuration information defines the connection destination network and transmission speed for each of the relay devices (GW, PLC). For example, FIG. 3 defines the connection destination network (first network 1, second network 2) and the transmission speed (20 msec) for the first GW 7.

Next, the search conditions will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the search condition. The search condition includes, for each transmission signal, a signal output source device connected to one of the plurality of networks, a signal input destination device connected to the other network, and a target transmission time. Preferably, the designation of a relay device that relays the signal is further included. For example, in FIG. 4, regarding the input / output signal names (AAA, BBB), the output device (first PLC4) connected to the first network 1 and the input device (second PLC) connected to the second network 2 are shown. The designation of the relay device (first GW7) for relaying the signal and the target transmission time (40 msec) are set as search conditions.

The explanation will be continued by returning to FIG. The network configuration information setting unit 12 is provided with a user interface capable of adding / editing network configuration information as shown in FIG. 3, and is operated by an operator. The search condition setting unit 13 is provided with a user interface capable of adding / editing search conditions as shown in FIG. 4, and is operated by an operator.

The processing of the candidate route search unit 14 is started by the operation of the operator. The candidate route search unit 14 reads out network configuration information and search conditions from the storage unit 11, and searches for a transmission route group from the signal output source device to the signal input destination device based on these. Each transmission path shall not loop through the same network or relay device. For example, in FIG. 4, the output device (first PLC4), the input device (second PLC5), and the relay device (first GW) are defined for the input / output signal names (AAA, BBB). With reference to FIG. 3, the route passing through the first network 1, the designated relay device 1st GW7, the second network 2, and the input device 2nd PLC5 can be searched in order from the first PLC4 which is an output device. Further, since each network can select three transmission speeds (speed modes), the number of transmission paths obtained is the number of combinations of speed modes.

The optimum route calculation unit 15 calculates a transmission route within the target transmission time and at the slowest transmission speed of the selected network from the transmission route group searched by the candidate route search unit 14. That is, the transmission path within the target transmission time and closest to the target transmission time can be calculated and set as the optimum route. For example, for the input / output signal names (AAA, BBB) in FIG. 4, a transmission path within the target transmission time is calculated. In the "first transmission path" that satisfies the requirement, since the transmission time of the first GW 7 is 20 msec, the total transmission when 10 msec (high speed) is selected for the first network 1 and 5 msec (high speed) is selected for the second network 2. This is a route in which the time is 35 msec. The "second transmission path" is a path in which the total transmission time is 40 msec when 10 msec (high speed) is selected for the first network 1 and 10 msec (medium speed) is selected for the second network 2. The closest of these to the target transmission time is the "second transmission path" that selects 10 msec (high speed) for the first network 1 and 10 msec (medium speed) for the second network 2. The selected transmission route is set as the optimum route.

The result registration / display unit 16 registers the search result in the storage unit 11 and displays it on the screen. The transmission time result of the optimum route, the correctness determination, and the optimum route (information including the speed mode selected in each network) are registered in the storage unit 11 as search results. The correctness judgment is "○" when a route that can satisfy the target transmission time is found, and "x" when it is not found. For example, in the result column of FIG. 4, the transmission time result (40 msec) of the optimum route and the correctness judgment (◯) are registered for the input / output signal names (AAA, BBB).

The search results registered in the storage unit 11 are displayed on the screen in the table format shown in FIG. 4 and the image format shown in FIG. The screen is provided by the display device 107 of FIG. 8 described later. FIG. 5 graphically displays the optimum route among the search results for the input / output signal names (AAA, BBB) of FIG. In FIG. 5, arrows 20 indicating the shortest route and balloons 21 and 22 indicating the speed mode of the selected network are displayed on the network configuration diagram. In this way, by automatically and visually providing the operator with the search result of the optimum route, it is possible to support the design of the transmission route.

(flowchart)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an optimum route search routine executed by the transmission route design support device 10 in order to realize the above operation. This routine is started by an operation by the operator.

First, the candidate route search unit 14 reads the network configuration information from the storage unit 11 (step S100). Information as shown in FIG. 3 described above is registered in the network configuration information. Subsequently, the candidate route search unit 14 reads the search conditions as shown in FIG. 4 from the storage unit 11 (step S105). Subsequent processing is executed for the search conditions registered in each line of FIG.

After that, the candidate route search unit 14 determines the transmission path from the signal output source device to the signal input destination device based on the network configuration information (FIG. 3) and the search condition (FIG. 4) read in steps S100 and S105. The search is started (step S110). In the search process, it is determined whether or not the relay device is specified in the search condition (step S115, column F in FIG. 4). If there is a designated relay device, only the route passing through the designated relay device is listed (step S120). If not specified, all routes are listed within a range that does not loop (step S125). Since the transmission speed of each network can be selected from a plurality of speed modes, the transmission path is listed as a separate path for each combination of the selected speed modes.

Next, the optimum route calculation unit 15 calculates a transmission route within the target transmission time from the listed transmission route group and having the slowest transmission speed of the selected network. That is, the transmission path within the target transmission time and closest to the target transmission time is calculated (step S130). If there is a route that satisfies the conditions, that route is set as the optimum route (step S135). In this case, the above-mentioned correctness determination is “◯”. On the other hand, when there is no route satisfying the condition, there is no route capable of transmitting the signal within the target transmission time, and the above-mentioned correctness determination is “x” (step S140).

After that, the result registration / display unit 16 registers the transmission time result of the optimum route, the correctness determination, and the optimum route (including the speed mode to be selected in each network) in the storage unit 11 as the search result. Further, the result registration / display unit 16 displays the search results on the screen in the table format shown in FIG. 4 and the image format shown in FIG. 5 (step S145).

(effect)
As described above, according to the transmission route design support device 10 according to the present embodiment, the transmission route within the required target transmission time and closest to the target transmission time can be calculated and set as the optimum route. Since the network with the slowest transmission speed is preferentially adopted, the transmission path can be allocated so that many signals can be transmitted within the target transmission time. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the work time and work mistakes in the transmission path allocation work for a large number of signals. Furthermore, it is possible to automate the allocation of transmission routes and the determination of correctness as to whether or not the routes satisfy the requirements, and the efficiency of design work such as automatic allocation of transmission routes can be improved.

(Modification example)
By the way, the network configuration information setting unit 12 of FIG. 2 described above can add / edit the network configuration information shown in FIG. Preferably, the network configuration information setting unit 12 includes means for automatically arranging pre-registered graphic components on the palette 23 of FIG. 7 and updating the network configuration diagram based on the added / edited network configuration information. Graphic components are networks, various devices (GW, PLC, IO), and wiring. The network configuration diagram shown in FIG. 7 is an example in which a new third GW 24 for connecting the first network 1 and the third network 3 is added to the network configuration diagram shown in FIG. 1, and such a network configuration diagram is stored. By doing so, it can be used for displaying the above-mentioned search results on the screen.

(Hardware configuration example)
The hardware configuration of the transmission path design support device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the processing circuit included in the transmission path design support device 10 of FIG. Each part of the transmission path design support device 10 shown in FIG. 2 shows a part of the functions of the device, and each function is realized by a processing circuit. For example, the processing circuit includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an input / output interface 104, a system bus 105, an input device 106, a display device 107, and a storage 108. It is a equipped computer.

The CPU 101 is a processing device that executes various arithmetic processes using programs and data stored in the ROM 102 and the RAM 103. The ROM 102 is a read-only storage device that stores basic programs, environment files, and the like for realizing each function in a computer. The RAM 103 is a main storage device that stores a program executed by the CPU 101 and data necessary for executing each program, and is capable of high-speed reading and writing. The input / output interface 104 is a device that mediates the connection between various hardware and the system bus 105. The system bus 105 is an information transmission path shared by the CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, and input / output interface 104.

Further, hardware such as an input device 106, a display device 107, and a storage 108 is connected to the input / output interface 104. The input device 106 is a device that processes input by an operator, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. The processing of each part described above is executed starting from the input from the input device 106. The display device 107 is, for example, a display. The storage 108 is a large-capacity auxiliary storage device for storing programs and data, such as a hard disk device and a non-volatile semiconductor memory. The storage unit 11 is realized by the RAM 103 and / or the storage 108.

1 1st network 2 2nd network 3 3rd network 4 1st PLC
5 Second PLC
6 3rd PLC
7 1st GW
8 2nd GW
9 IO
10 Transmission route design support device 11 Storage unit 12 Network configuration information setting unit 13 Search condition setting unit 14 Candidate route search unit 15 Optimal route calculation unit 16 Result registration / display unit 21 and 22 Callout 23 Pallet 24 3rd GW
101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Input / output interface 105 System bus 106 Input device 107 Display device 108 Storage

Claims (3)

It is a transmission path design support device for a network configuration including a plurality of networks in which a transmission speed can be selected for each transmission signal and a relay device connecting the networks.
A network configuration information storage unit that stores network configuration information in which a connection destination device and a plurality of selectable transmission speeds are defined for each of the plurality of networks, and a connection destination network and a transmission speed are defined for each of the relay devices. ,
For each transmission signal, a search condition including a signal output source device connected to one of the plurality of networks, a signal input destination device connected to another network, and a target transmission time is stored. Search condition storage and
A candidate route search unit that searches for a transmission path group from the signal output source device to the signal input destination device based on the network configuration information and the search conditions.
From the transmission route group, an optimum route calculation unit that calculates a transmission route within the target transmission time and the slowest transmission speed of the selected network, and
A transmission path design support device characterized by being equipped with. Each of the plurality of networks has a plurality of nodes having a memory for storing a transmission signal, and is a network having a common memory that virtually shares the same memory space by synchronizing the memories between the nodes. Being able to select different sync speeds for each signal,
1. The transmission path design support device according to claim 1. The search condition further includes the designation of the relay device that relays the signal.
The transmission path group is a path via the relay device from the device of the signal output source to the device of the signal input destination.
The transmission path design support device according to claim 1 or 2.

Images