JPH08272702A - Controller with communication history gathering function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To eliminate the need for a history gathering function for communication frames provided for respective modules and a processing function for fault occurrence. CONSTITUTION: All communication frames which are sent and received between a processor module 3a and communication modules 4a and 5a are passed to an interface CPU 6a temporarily and then passed to a reception-side module. At this time, the CPU 6a adds time information indicating the current time to the communication frames and outputs them to a filter 7a. Further, if a communication fault occurs, the CPU 6a adds the time information and fault information to the communication frames and outputs them to the filter 7a. A history information buffer 8a stores the history information received through the filter 7a.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a controller connected to a network via a communication module, and more particularly when communicating with another controller via the network or when performing communication internally. In addition, the present invention relates to a controller with a communication history collecting function for collecting communication history.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, air conditioning and FA (Factory Automatio
In the field of n), systemization has progressed, and controllers (or programmable controllers) that automatically control air conditioners and production systems, computers that collect data, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as controllers) are organic. There is an increasing demand for a positive combination. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional system in which such controllers are coupled to each other. 11a to 11c are controllers, 12a and 12b are networks, and 13a is a controller function such as automatic control and data collection. A processor module, 14a, 15a is provided for each of the connected networks 12a, 12b,
It is a communication module having an interface function with the networks 12a and 12b.

In such a system, communication is performed between the communication modules 14a and 15a when communication is performed between the controllers 11b and 11c as indicated by the broken line in FIG. However, since the processor module 13a is not aware of the communication frames transmitted and received between the communication modules 14a and 15a, the communication may be incomplete due to incomplete connection, collision between communication frames, or failure of equipment. When a failure occurs, it becomes difficult to identify where the abnormality occurred.

When the processor module 13a attempts transmission to the communication module 14a or 15a, a communication failure occurs in the processor module 13a. That is, the processor module 13a holds a history of communication abnormalities, and passes the information held when making an inquiry from the outside. Similarly, when the communication module 14a or 15a attempts transmission to the processor module 13a,
The process when a communication failure occurs is performed by the communication module 14a or 15a as described above.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional controller, each module such as the processor module and the communication module must be provided with the communication frame history collecting function and the processing function when a failure occurs, and the collecting function is required. There was a problem in that each module had to be looked at one by one when trying to see the provided information.
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems,
An object of the present invention is to provide a controller that does not need to be provided with a communication frame history collection function and a processing function when a failure occurs in each module.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a communication module, which is provided for each one or a plurality of networks, for communicating with a connected network, and a processor module for realizing a function as a controller. Is connected to the communication module and the processor module and communicates with another controller via the network or when the communication module and the processor module communicate with each other. The interface CPU outputs the received communication frame to the module on the receiving side, outputs the history information in which the time information is added to the communication frame, and the history information buffer which stores the history information. In addition, when communication is performed with another controller via the network, or when communication is performed between the communication module and the processor module, the communication frame sent from the transmission side module is received by the reception side module. When the communication fails, the interface CPU outputs the history information in which the time information and the failure information are added to the communication frame.

[0007]

According to the present invention, when communication is performed with another controller via a network, or when communication is performed between a communication module and a processor module, the interface CPU provides time information in a communication frame. The added history information is output and this history information is stored in the history information buffer. When a failure occurs in communication, the interface CPU outputs history information in which time information and failure information are added to the communication frame, and this history information is stored in the history information buffer.

[0008]

1 is a block diagram of a system using a controller with a communication history collecting function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numerals 1a to 1c are controllers, 2a and 2b are networks, 3a is a processor module, 4a and 5a are communication modules, and 6a is a communication frame sent from a transmission side module to a reception side module when communication is performed. At the same time, an interface CPU (hereinafter referred to as CP) that outputs history information in which time information is added to the communication frame
U), 7a is a filter for selectively outputting the history information output from the CPU 6a based on the set acquisition condition, and 8a is a history information buffer including a non-volatile memory for storing the history information.

The CPU 6a in the controller 1a temporarily receives all communication frames exchanged between the processor module 3a and the communication modules 4a, 5a and delivers them to the module on the receiving side. It is a single master that collectively manages the connected buses. A dual port RAM (not shown) is provided at the input / output of each component, and communication frames are transmitted between the modules 3a to 5a, the CPU 6a, etc. without fail via the dual port RAM.

In the communication frame, the destination network address indicating the final destination network, the node address indicating the destination controller, the module position indicating the destination communication module, the source network address indicating the source network, and the node address indicating the source controller. , A module position indicating a source communication module, identification of a command (command) or a response (response to the command), a message type, and the like.

For example, when performing frame transmission from the processor module 3a to the communication module 4a (including transmission to the controller 1b via the network 2a), the CPU 6a transfers the communication frame from the module 3a to the module 4a. At the same time, time information indicating the current time is added to this communication frame and output to the filter 7a.

On the other hand, in the filter 7a, it is possible to set a specific content among the above-mentioned content such as the message type included in the communication frame as a communication frame acquisition condition. Then, the filter 7a outputs the time information and the entire contents of the communication frame output from the CPU 6a to the history information buffer 8a based on the acquisition condition, or outputs a part of the communication frame that matches the time information and the acquisition condition. To do. Thus, the history information including the time information and the communication frame is stored in the history information buffer 8a.

The same applies when transmitting from the module 3a to the communication module 5a (including transmitting to the controller 1c via the network 2b). Conversely, when transmitting from the communication module 4a or 5a to the processor module 3a (including transmission from the controller 1b or 1c), the CPU 6a
Transfers the received communication frame to the module 3a, adds time information to this communication frame, and outputs it to the filter 7a. As a result, the same history information as above is stored in the history information buffer 8a.

When frame transmission is performed between the controllers 1b and 1c, the communication frame sent from the controller 1b is input to the CPU 6a via the network 2a and the communication module 4a, and the CPU 6a transmits via the communication module 5a and the network 2b. Controller 1
sent to c. At this time, by the same operation as above,
The history information is stored in the history information buffer 8a.

Since the history information is stored in the history information buffer 8a as described above, when monitoring what kind of communication frame is transmitted and received, for example, the CPU 6a is accessed by accessing the CPU 6a from the processor module 3a. Through history information buffer 8a
You can check the communication status by extracting history information from.

When a failure occurs in the above communication, the CPU 6a adds the time information and the failure information to the communication frame and outputs it to the filter 7a. The failure information includes, for example, a flag indicating whether or not communication has been normally performed, a failure occurrence location, a failure occurrence status (connection failure, frame collision, circuit failure, etc.).

In this way, only the CPU 6a needs to perform the processing when a communication failure occurs. Further, since the CPU 6a manages the communication frame transmitted and received between the communication modules 4a and 5a, the CPU 6 can be operated when a failure occurs.
Analysis is facilitated by accessing a and extracting history information. In this embodiment, the controller 1a
However, if the controllers 1b and 1c have the same configuration as that of the controller 1a, it goes without saying that the same can be done by all the controllers.

[0018]

According to the present invention, when communication is performed, the interface CPU outputs history information in which time information is added to the communication frame, and this history information buffer stores this information, so that the communication frame is stored in each module. It is not necessary to provide the history collection function of 1., and when monitoring what kind of communication frame is transmitted and received when, the information can be obtained only by accessing the history information buffer through the interface CPU.

When a failure occurs in communication, the interface CPU outputs history information in which time information and failure information are added to a communication frame, and this history information buffer stores this information. It is not necessary to provide a processing function, and when a failure occurs, information can be obtained simply by accessing the history information buffer through the interface CPU, and failure analysis is facilitated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system using a controller with a communication history collecting function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional system in which a controller is connected.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a to 1c ... Controller, 2a, 2b ... Network, 3a ... Processor module, 4a, 5a ... Communication module, 6a ... Interface CPU, 7a ... Filter, 8a ... History information buffer.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A communication module which is provided for each of one or a plurality of networks, and which communicates with a connected network, a processor module which realizes a function as a controller, the communication module and the processor module. The communication frame sent from the module on the transmission side is received when the communication module and the processor module are connected to each other via the network or when communication is performed between the communication module and the processor module. Controller having a communication history collecting function, which has an interface CPU that outputs history information in which time information is added to the communication frame, and a history information buffer that stores the history information. 2. A communication module which is provided for each of one or a plurality of networks, and which communicates with a connected network, a processor module which realizes a function as a controller, the communication module and the processor module. The communication frame sent from the module on the transmission side is received when the communication module and the processor module are connected to each other via the network or when communication is performed between the communication module and the processor module. And a history information buffer for storing the history information, the history information including the time information and the failure information added to the communication frame when a failure occurs in the communication. A controller with communication history collection function.