JPH08256194A - Method and device for communication using normal communication protocol and maintenance protocol - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To use a general measuring instrument or computer which is not provided with a maintenance protocol as a counter pseudo device by performing communication by the maintenance procotol only at the time of the abnormality of communication based on a communication protocol. CONSTITUTION: A signal line 40 for Ethernet communication is provided as the normal communication line which controls a device 30 is provided between the device 20 and a counter device 30, and LAN of Ethernet is used as the normal communication protocol. Individual signal lines 51 to 54 for respective information are provided as cause management information report signal lines for the abnormality of the signal line by the maintenance protocol. Since the state of the communication part realizing the communication line in a package of the device 30 is reported to the device 20 by the maintenance procotol in this manner, the cause of the abnormality on the signal line 40 of the device 30 is managed. Meanwhile, faulty states, operation states, etc., or the other packages of the device 30 are reported to the device 20 through the signal line 40 as the normal communication line.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication method using a normal communication protocol and a maintenance protocol, and is particularly used in an apparatus in which the cause of an abnormality of an opposite apparatus must be managed by the apparatus itself. The present invention relates to a communication method using a normal communication protocol and a maintenance protocol.

Information can be set in many places in the device,
In a supervisory control unit that collects information from a large number of locations, a technique of decentralizing the supervisory control unit is adopted in order to improve the processing capacity. In such a decentralized supervisory control unit, communication for transmitting information related to supervisory control between the central supervisory control unit that finally collects information and the decentralized opposing supervisory control unit (normal communication Protocol) is required. Further, in a device in which the central supervisory control unit also needs to manage the state of the decentralized supervisory control unit itself, a communication means for collecting information necessary for managing the state of the decentralized supervisory control unit. (Maintenance protocol) is also required.

In general communication, the own device and the counter device for communication have a loose coupling relationship. In other words, even if the own device cannot communicate with the opposite device, it only makes a communication error and does not investigate what causes the opposite device to be abnormal. The maintenance protocol is a communication procedure for transmitting a signal line for confirming a fault condition of the opposite device and a special protocol different from the protocol for transmitting the original information. A device equipped with such a communication procedure is in a state of being tightly coupled to the opposite device.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of a conventional communication process. Generally, when establishing a communication path between devices, the devices that are tightly coupled as described above are connected correctly and there is no failure in the opposite device of the other party, that is, the communication path is normal. The communication is checked and the communication is started only when the communication path is normal. Then, if the communication does not end normally, the process of determining the abnormal portion is performed.

In the processing unit 1 for checking the normality of the communication path,
For example, whether the cable is disconnected (step S1), whether the package is not mounted (step S1).
2) It is determined whether the power of the package is off (step S3) and whether the package has a fault (step S4). If even one of these judgments is not normal, the communication is terminated and the process ends.

Prior check of the normality of this communication path is
This is performed through a maintenance signal line or a communication signal line using a maintenance communication protocol different from normal communication. As a result, the normality of the communication path in the environment suitable for the opposite device can be confirmed, and if it is determined that the communication path is not normal, the information is used for fault separation, that is, for determining the abnormal portion.

When it is determined that the communication path is normal in the normality check of the communication path by the maintenance protocol in the processing section 1 for checking the normality of the communication path, the processing section according to the normal communication protocol is next. Proceed to 2. The processing unit 2 based on the normal communication protocol performs communication processing based on the normal communication protocol (step S5), and finally,
It is determined whether or not the communication processing has ended normally (step S6). Here, if the communication process ends normally,
This communication processing flow ends here. If the communication processing is not normally completed, the processing proceeds to the processing unit 3 according to the maintenance protocol.

In the processing unit 3 according to the maintenance protocol, the same processing as the processing in the communication path normality checking processing unit 1 is performed. That is, first, it is determined whether or not the cable is disconnected (step S7), it is determined whether or not the package is not mounted (step S8), and it is determined whether or not the power supply of the package is disconnected (step S9). Then, it is determined whether the package has a fault (step S10). If all of the judgments from step S7 to step S10 are normal, abnormal processing due to other causes is carried out (step S11), and if abnormalities are found in these judgments, abnormal processing corresponding to that abnormality is carried out. Will be performed (step S12).

[0009]

In the conventional communication method using the normal communication protocol and the maintenance protocol, it is premised that the environment is such that a special maintenance signal line or protocol is used. However, in a device having a distributed monitoring control unit, for example, when developing a main monitoring control unit, the hardware of the opposite device to be a communication partner is not always available, and is used for maintenance. There is no environment where the protocol can be used.
Therefore, when trying to make the software of the main supervisory control unit, the software cannot be verified until the hardware of the supervisory control unit of the opposite device is made.

On the other hand, until the hardware of the supervisory control unit of the opposing device is completed, the use of a pseudo-opposing device capable of simulating the function of the supervisory control unit of the opposing device, for example, a general-purpose measuring instrument, workstation or personal computer. However, it is not possible to connect them to the main supervisory control unit to test the overall supervisory control function because they support only the communication protocol that transmits normal information. is there. This is because the main monitoring control unit side determines that the communication path is abnormal when checking the normality of the communication path.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and develops and tests a device that also manages the state of the opposite device to be communicated, that is, a device that is closely coupled to the opposite device. In this case, communication tests can be performed using general-purpose measuring instruments or calculators, or comprehensive tests using communication channels can be used. The purpose is to provide a communication method that has been used.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention for achieving the above object. In the communication method using the normal communication protocol and the maintenance protocol of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, first, the communication processing is directly performed by the normal communication protocol (step S21). This is based on the assumption that, in general, a communication path used in an environment in which the opposite device has a high probability of being normal has a high probability of being normal without confirming the normality of the communication path. Then, it is determined whether the communication processing has ended normally (step S2).
2) Here, if the communication process is normally terminated, the process is terminated as it is, and if the communication process is not normally terminated, the process of determining the abnormal part by the maintenance protocol is first performed here.

In the processing according to the maintenance protocol, it is judged whether or not the cable is disconnected (step S2).
3) It is determined whether or not the package is not mounted (step S24), it is determined whether or not the power source of the package is off (step S25), and it is determined whether or not the package has a fault (step S26). . If all of the judgments from step S23 to step S26 are normal, abnormal processing due to other causes is performed (step S27), and if abnormalities are found in these judgments, abnormal processing corresponding to the abnormality Will be performed (step S28).

[0014]

According to the above-described means, when performing normal communication, only the communication processing according to the normal communication protocol is performed. Here, the processing according to the maintenance protocol is performed only when an abnormality such as a time-out occurs. Was carried out and the cause of the detailed abnormality was determined. Therefore, since it is normally assumed that it will be used in an environment where no abnormality occurs, the processing by the maintenance protocol is not performed, and therefore a general-purpose measuring instrument or computer that does not have the maintenance protocol can be used. It becomes possible to use it as a pseudo device, and the operation test of the entire device is executed in a state where all the corresponding devices are simulated, including the monitored control unit managed by the corresponding monitoring control unit on the opposite pseudo device. can do.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, the outline of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of communication processing of the present invention.

In the communication method using the normal communication protocol and the maintenance protocol of the present invention, first, the processing unit 10 based on the normal communication protocol performs the communication processing based on the normal communication protocol (step S21), and then It is determined whether or not the communication processing has ended normally (step S22). This is because, in general, a communication path used in an environment in which the opposite device has a high probability of being normal has a high probability of being normal without confirming the normality of the communication path. It is assumed that you can communicate without problems even if you start. Here, if the communication process ends normally, the process ends. If an abnormality such as a time-out occurs and the communication processing is not normally terminated, processing for searching the cause of the abnormality by the processing unit 11 according to the maintenance protocol is performed at this point.

In the processing section 11 based on the maintenance protocol,
Whether or not the cable for communicating with the partner device is disconnected (for example, when the clock signal is distributed to the partner device, the result of monitoring the disconnection state of the clock signal line) is determined (step S23), and communication with the partner device is performed. It is determined whether the package that executes the copy is not mounted (step S2).
4) It is determined whether the power-on state of the package is off (step S25), and it is determined whether the package has a fault (step S2).
6). Here, if it is determined that everything is normal in the determinations from step S23 to step S26, abnormality processing due to other causes is performed (step S27), and if an abnormality is found in these determinations, the abnormality is dealt with. The abnormal processing is performed (step S28).

As described above, when the normal communication is performed, the communication processing is executed only by the processing unit 10 according to the normal communication protocol. If an abnormality occurs during communication, the processing unit 11 according to the maintenance protocol may be executed at that time to search for a detailed cause of the abnormality. Based on this idea, the normal communication protocol and the maintenance protocol are selectively used as follows, and a simulated device such as a general-purpose measuring instrument or a general-purpose computer is used as the opposite device to perform a simulated test of the entire device. Will be able to.

(A) For normal communication, a general communication protocol used in measuring instruments and computers is used. (B) When the communication is started, it is assumed that the other device is normal, and then the communication is suddenly started by the normal communication protocol. In particular, if an error (abnormality) does not occur in the normal communication protocol, the communication path of the maintenance protocol used for fault isolation is not used.

(C) When an error (abnormality) occurs in the normal communication path, the failure is separated using the communication path of the maintenance protocol. In general, measuring instruments and computers equipped with normal communication protocols are loosely coupled and cannot be used for pseudo devices, but due to the proper use of the above normal communication protocol and maintenance protocol, in a normal communication state, It is possible to use a measuring instrument or a computer equipped only with the normal communication protocol, and it is possible to carry out a comprehensive test including the partner device on the communication path provided thereby. At this time, the pseudo device needs to be provided with software that simulates the operation of the partner device so as to respond to a command or the like from the self device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structural example of an apparatus for carrying out the communication method of the present invention. According to the illustrated configuration example, the Ethernet communication signal line 40 is installed between the own device 20 and the opposite device 30 as a normal communication path for performing control of the opposite device 30. As the communication protocol, a local area network (LAN) of Ethernet is used. In addition, individual signal lines 51 and 52 for each information are used as information notification signal lines for managing the cause of abnormality of the communication path using the maintenance protocol.
53 and 54 are provided between the own device 20 and the opposite device 30. The signal line 51 is these signal lines 51, 52, 5
Signal line connection information indicating whether or not 3 and 54 are connected to the opposite device 30, a signal line 52 is package mounting information for executing a communication unit of the opposite device 30, and a signal line 53 is a communication unit of the opposite device 30. The power-on information of the package and the signal line 54 are for notifying the own device 20 of the fault information of the package that executes the communication unit of the opposite device 30. In addition, when there is an operating state in the communication unit of the opposing device 30, the operating state such as whether the package executing the communication unit of the opposing device 30 is in operation or in standby is notified to the own device 20 as necessary. A signal line for can be added.

As described above, the status of the communication unit that realizes the communication path in the package of the opposite device 30 is notified to the own device 20 using the maintenance protocol so that the own device 20 can be used for the Ethernet communication of the opposite device 30. The cause of the abnormality on the signal line 40 can be managed. On the other hand, the failure status or the operating status of the other package of the opposite device 30 is notified to the own device 20 through the Ethernet communication signal line 40 which is a normal communication path.

In the above configuration, Ethernet LAN is used as a normal communication protocol, but HDLC
(High level Data linc Cntrol procedures), RS2
32C or the like can be used. Further, in the above configuration, when a pseudo device such as a measuring instrument or a computer having only a normal communication protocol is connected as the opposite device 30, there is no connection of the signal line using the maintenance protocol.

Further, as a method of notifying the self-device 20 of various states of the opposite device 30, an example in which individual signal lines are used for each information has been shown. It is also possible to multiplex information on various states of the device 30 to create a maintenance protocol, or to use the communication path on the standby side when there is a communication path duplicated with the opposite device 30.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example in which the maintenance protocol is used. The opposite device 30 is provided with a package 31 that constitutes its communication unit, and includes the signal lines 40, 51, 52, 5
Reference numerals 3 and 54 constitute a cable group 50, which is connected to the own device 20 via the back panel 32 of the opposite device 30. The Ethernet communication signal line 40 is connected to the Ethernet communication unit 33 in the package 31. The signal line 51 for signal line connection information has its end on the opposite device 30 side connected to the ground terminal of the rear panel 32, and if the output of this signal line 51 is "low level", it indicates the connected state. ing. One end of the package mounting information signal line 52 is connected to the ground terminal of the package 31.
If the output of 2 is "low level", it indicates the mounting state. The signal line 53 for power-on information of the package is connected to the power-on reset circuit 34 mounted on the package 31 at the end on the side of the opposite device 30, and if the output of this signal line 53 is "low level", This represents the power-on state. Then, the signal line 54 for the fault information of the package is connected to the fault monitoring circuit 35 mounted on the package 31 at the end on the opposite device 30 side, and if the output of the signal line 54 is "low level", It represents a state without failure.

The communication method using the normal communication protocol and the maintenance protocol is not limited to the case where the own device and the opposite device are physically distant from each other, but a plurality of packages mounted in the same device. It can also be applied in the case of communication between. Hereinafter, an example thereof will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of an apparatus for implementing the communication method of the present invention. The first package 60 includes a processor (CPU) 61 and a read-only memory (ROM)
62, a random access memory (RAM) 63, a register 64, and a bus control unit 65, and these elements are connected to each other by an internal bus 66. Also,
The bus control unit 65 is connected to the processor 61 by a bus error signal line 67. The second package 70 includes a register 71. An external bus 80 is connected between the bus control unit 65 of the first package 60 and the register 71 of the second package 70. First package 6
The mounting status notification line 91 is connected between the register 64 of 0 and the second package 70, and the operation status notification line 92 is connected between the register 64 of the first package 60 and the register 71 of the second package 70. Are connected.

Here, the first package 60 is the own device, the second package 70 is the opposite device, the external bus 80 is a communication path using a normal communication protocol, the mounting status notification line 91 and the operation status notification line 92 are for maintenance. Corresponds to each signal line that uses the protocol.

First package 60 and second package 70
When the processor 61 accesses between the
First, the package 60 is different from the second package 70.
Perform normal read or write access. As a result, if an access error occurs, the cause of the access error is searched for using the maintenance protocol at that time.

That is, when the processor 61 of the first package 60 accesses the register 71 in the second package 70, the external bus 8 between the packages is used.
0 (address, data, control signal bus) is used for access. At this time, the bus control unit 65 monitors the presence of the second package 70 by a timer or the like that waits for a response from the second package 70. If the timer times out, the bus error signal line 67 is used. Then, the processor 61 is notified of the abnormal end interrupt. In the case of communication by the external bus 80 using a normal communication protocol, it is only known that the communication has not ended normally due to the notification of the bus error. Therefore, when an abnormality occurs, the maintenance protocol is used to execute the second package 7 by the mounting status notification line 91 and the operation status notification line 92.
Collect information from 0. As a result, the second package 7
It is abnormal because 0 does not exist, the second package 7
It is possible to determine whether a failure has occurred in 0 and it has become abnormal, and it is possible to take subsequent measures.

As described above, when accessing from one package to another package, the pre-check using the maintenance protocol is not performed. Therefore, even at the development stage, even a package having only an external bus can be used.
As long as the failure does not occur, the package can be used for a mock test.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, communication is performed with a facing device by a normal communication protocol without confirming the normality of the communication path, and an error occurs in the communication by the normal communication protocol. It is configured to perform communication by the maintenance protocol only when the above. Therefore, when developing the hardware and software of the device, it is possible to use a general measuring instrument or computer that does not have a maintenance protocol as an opposite pseudo device, and by using a general measuring instrument or computer, At the time of maintenance, a virtual obstacle that cannot be reproduced by actual hardware can be created, and a simulated test for the obstacle can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a flow of communication processing of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an apparatus for carrying out the communication method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example in which a maintenance protocol is used.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another configuration example of an apparatus for implementing the communication method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of conventional communication processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Processing Unit Using Normal Communication Protocol 11 Processing Unit Using Maintenance Protocol 20 Own Device 30 Opposite Device 40 Ethernet Communication Signal Line

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A normal communication protocol and a maintenance protocol for communication between itself and an opposite device, the device including a maintenance protocol for determining the cause of an abnormality in the communication state with the opposite device, together with a normal communication protocol. In the communication method used, the communication with the opposite device is performed by the normal communication protocol, and the communication by the maintenance protocol for investigating the cause is performed only when an abnormality occurs in the communication by the normal communication protocol. A communication method using a normal communication protocol and a maintenance protocol. 2. The step of performing communication according to the normal communication protocol performs communication according to the normal communication protocol, judges whether or not the communication is normally completed, and only when the communication is not normally completed, 2. The communication method using the normal communication protocol and the maintenance protocol according to claim 1, further comprising a step of passing a process to a step of performing communication by the maintenance protocol to investigate a cause. 3. The step of performing communication according to the maintenance protocol includes a step of determining mounting information of a package that executes a communication unit of an opposite device, a power-on state, a fault state, a connection state of a communication path, The communication method using the normal communication protocol and the maintenance protocol according to claim 1, further comprising a step of performing abnormal processing. 4. A normal communication protocol and a maintenance protocol for communicating with an opposite device, the self device comprising a maintenance protocol for determining the cause of an abnormality in the communication state with the opposite device together with a normal communication protocol. In the used communication device, a processing unit using a normal communication protocol for performing communication using a normal communication protocol with an opposite device, and the maintenance performed by starting only when an abnormality occurs in communication using the normal communication protocol A communication device using a normal communication protocol and a maintenance protocol, comprising: a maintenance protocol processing means for performing communication using a maintenance protocol. 5. The communication device using the normal communication protocol and the maintenance protocol according to claim 4, wherein the communication path using the normal communication protocol is a local area network. 6. The communication device using the normal communication protocol and the maintenance protocol according to claim 4, wherein the communication path using the normal communication protocol is a bus used by a processor. 7. The normal communication protocol according to claim 4, wherein the communication path using the maintenance protocol is a signal line provided individually for each maintenance information of the communication unit of the opposite device. And communication equipment using maintenance protocols. 8. The communication path using the maintenance protocol is a communication path using the normal communication protocol,
The communication device using the normal communication protocol and the maintenance protocol according to claim 4, wherein the maintenance information of the communication unit of the opposite device is multiplexed and transmitted. 9. The normal communication protocol according to claim 4, wherein the communication path using the maintenance protocol uses a standby communication path of a normal communication path duplicated with the opposite device. A communication device that uses a maintenance protocol.