TW201740705A - Communication apparatus, communication method, and communication program - Google Patents

Abstract

This communication apparatus (100) is included in a communication system in which a plurality of communication apparatuses each having a first port (101) and a second port (102) are connected in a ring shape, and in which a transmission right for transmitting a frame is transferred in an order among the plurality of communication apparatuses. The communication apparatus (100) is provided with a transmission unit (120) for generating a periodic frame including data that is periodically transmitted when the transmission right is held in said communication apparatus, and for transmitting the periodic frame from the first port (101) to the second port (102) of a communication apparatus next in the order to said communication apparatus. Moreover, the communication apparatus (100) is provided with a port control unit (140) that invalidates the first port (101) when the transmission right is held by the transmission apparatus next in order.

Description

Communication device, communication method, and communication program product

The present invention relates to a communication device, a communication method, and a communication program product.

In the field of FA (Factory Automation) network systems, a complex control device that supports full-duplex communication is connected to a network to communicate. This communication includes periodic communication that is periodically performed in accordance with each communication cycle, and irregular communication that is performed when required. Further, when the control device does not recognize the position of the other control device, the data is transmitted from the two communication ports in the ring configuration. In addition, in the case of a ring configuration, in order to prevent broadcast storms from occurring, one control device has a blocked communication port, that is, a communication port that blocks and does not relay packets.

The method of controlling the transfer between the plurality of control machines as described above is the method of token passing. In the token transfer mode, the token is sequentially transmitted to each control device through the network, and only the control device that receives the token has the transmission right of the data, thereby performing transmission control for avoiding data conflict.

In the FA network system using the token transfer method, there is a method of CC-Link IE Filed of Non-Patent Document 1. In CC-Link IE Filed, in order to ensure the timing of regular communication, and to coexist with irregular communication, the amount of irregular communication that can be transmitted is limited. One of the methods for limiting the amount of irregular communication is to determine the maximum transferable period during which the tokens are patrolled for one week. The way of irregular traffic, that is, the link scan unit limitation method. Advanced technical literature

Non-Patent Document 1: Summary of [CC-Link IE field Network], CC-Link Association, 2010, Internet <URL: https//www.cc-link.org/jp/material/documents/ie_field_100210. pdf >

In the ring-type topology, a communication method such as a token transfer method is performed, and only one control device having a transfer right performs regular communication and irregular communication. In this communication mode, in the case where a large amount of irregular communication is generated in any control machine, or in the case where irregular communication of one cycle has been transmitted, it takes time to complete the irregular communication. Therefore, there is a problem that the transmission efficiency of the regular communication and the irregular communication of the control device is lowered.

In the case of the ring-shaped topology, the present invention makes it possible to perform irregular communication from a device other than the control device having the transmission right, thereby achieving the purpose of improving the transmission efficiency of the periodic communication and the irregular communication.

The communication device of the present invention is included in a communication system in which a plurality of communication devices having a first communication port and a second communication port are connected in a ring shape, and the communication system sequentially transmits transmission rights of the transmission frame. Moving between the plurality of communication devices, the communication device includes: a transmitting unit that generates a periodic frame including periodically transmitted data transmitted while the transmission right is owned by the own device, the periodic frame From the first communication port to itself The second communication port of the next communication device is placed; and the communication port control unit invalidates the first communication port when the transmission right is owned by the next communication device.

The communication device of the present invention includes: a transmitting unit that generates a second communication port from the first communication device to the next communication device when the transmission right is owned by the own device; and communication control The unit disables the first communication port when the transfer right is owned by the next communication device. Therefore, it is also possible to perform irregular communication from a device other than the communication device having the transmission right, and it is possible to improve the transmission efficiency of the regular communication and the irregular communication.

100,100_1,100_2,100_3,100_4‧‧‧Communication device

101‧‧‧1st communication

102‧‧‧2nd Communication埠

110‧‧‧Transmission Control Department

120‧‧‧Transportation Department

121‧‧‧ Frame Generation Department

122‧‧‧ Frame Transfer Department

130‧‧‧ Directional Decision Department

140‧‧‧Communication and Control Department

150‧‧‧Memory Department

151‧‧‧Receiver buffer storage

152‧‧‧Relay buffer storage

153‧‧‧Transfer direction

154‧‧‧Control object communication埠

200‧‧‧Transmission rights

210‧‧‧Regular frame

220‧‧‧Unscheduled frame

500‧‧‧Communication system

501‧‧‧Transfer direction

502‧‧‧Unscheduled communication direction

510‧‧‧Communication method

520‧‧‧Communication program

909‧‧‧Processing Circuit

910‧‧‧ processor

920‧‧‧ memory device

921‧‧‧ memory

922‧‧‧Auxiliary memory device

S100‧‧‧Communication processing

S10‧‧‧Transfer processing

S20‧‧‧Communication/Control Processing

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system 500 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a view showing an example of communication in the communication system 500 of Fig. 1 and showing communication for comparison with the comparative example of the present embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the configuration of a communication device 100 according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing a communication method 510 of the communication device 100 of the first embodiment and a communication process S100 of the communication program 520.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a communication method 510 of the communication device 100 of the first embodiment and a communication process S100 of the communication program 520.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing a communication method 510 of the communication device 100 of the first embodiment and a communication process S100 of the communication program 520.

Fig. 7 is a view showing communication using the communication processing S10 of the communication system 500 of the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing the stage of Fig. 7 (1).

Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing the stage of Fig. 7 (2).

Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing the stage of Fig. 7 (3).

Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing the stage of Fig. 7 (4).

Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication device 100 according to a modification of the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using the drawings. In addition, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the description of the embodiments, the description of the same or corresponding parts will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

Embodiment 1

Composition description

Fig. 1 is a view showing a communication system 500 of the present embodiment.

The communication system 500 constitutes a ring-shaped topology in which a plurality of communication devices are connected in a ring shape. In the present embodiment, a plurality of communication devices (communication device 100_1, communication device 100_2, communication device 100_3, and communication device 10_4) constitute a ring-shaped topology. Further, all or part of the single communication device 100_1, the communication device 100_2, the communication device 100_3, and the communication device 10_4 may be referred to as the communication device 100.

Specifically, the communication device 100 is a control device constituting the FA network system. The communication device 100 includes a first communication port 101 and a second communication port 102. As shown in Fig. 1, in the communication system 500, the first communication port 101 of the communication device 100 is connected to the second communication port of the adjacent communication device 100. As an example, the first communication port of the communication device 100_1 is connected to the second communication port of the communication device 100_2, and the second communication port of the communication device 100_1 is connected to the first communication port of the communication device 100_4. Communication device 100 The transmission paths that are connected to each other may be wired, wireless, or any other kind of transmission path.

The communication system 500 causes the transmission rights of the transmission frame to be sequentially moved between the plurality of communication devices. Specifically, the transfer right is a token. In the present embodiment, the transmission right is patrolled in the order of the communication device 100_1, the communication device 100_2, the communication device 100_3, the communication device 100_4, the communication device 100_1, the communication device 100_2, and the communication device 100_3, . As described above, the direction in which the transfer right moves is the transfer right direction 501. In the transmission right direction 501, the input communication port is the second communication port 102, and the output communication port is the first communication port 101. Further, the reverse direction of the transmission right direction 501 is the irregular communication direction 502.

Fig. 2 is a view showing an example of communication in the communication system 500 of Fig. 1 showing communication of a comparative example for comparison with the present embodiment.

The second diagram shows an example in which the communication device 100_3 performs the irregular communication, so that the communication device 100_4 cannot perform the irregular communication. The numbers of the communication device 100_1, the communication device 100_2, the communication device 100_3, and the communication device 100_4 are No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4, respectively.

(a) The communication device 100_1 having the transmission right 200 transmits a message including the transmission right 200 of the communication device 100_2 to all communication devices after performing regular communication. The frame containing the transmission right 200 is used as the token frame. In addition, an identifier identifying the individual communication device in the complex communication device is indicated in the transmission right 200. In the present embodiment, the number of the communication device is indicated in the transmission right 200 as an identifier. The transmission right 200, which is indicated by the number of the communication device, is also referred to as the transmission right 200 of the communication device. In the case where the transmission right 200 indicating the communication device number of itself is received, the communication device has the transmission right 200.

(b) After the communication device 100_2 having the transmission right 200 performs the periodic communication, the right transmission device 200 transmits the right frame of the transmission right 200 of the communication device 100_3.

(c) When the communication device 100_3 having the transmission right 200 performs periodic communication, it performs irregular communication with the communication device 100_1, and then transmits a right frame containing the transmission right 200 of the communication device 100_4 to all the communication devices. At this time, all the irregular traffic of one cycle has been transmitted.

(d) When the communication device 100_4 having the transmission right 200 performs periodic communication, it is necessary to perform irregular communication. However, since all the irregular traffic of one cycle has been transmitted, the irregular communication cannot be performed.

As described above, in the communication of the comparative example of FIG. 2, there is a possibility that the irregular communication from the communication device 100 cannot be performed.

The configuration of the communication device 100 of the present embodiment will be described using FIG.

In the present embodiment, the communication device 100 is a computer. The communication device 100 includes a processor 910, and further includes other hardware such as a memory device 920, a first communication port 101, and a second communication port 102. The memory device 920 includes a memory 921 and an auxiliary memory device 922.

The functional configuration of the communication device 100 includes a transmission right control unit 110, a transmission unit 120, a direction determination unit 130, a communication port control unit 140, and a storage unit 150. The transmitting unit 120 includes a frame generating unit 121 and a frame transmitting unit 122.

In the following description, the transmission right control unit 110, the frame generation unit 121, the frame transmission unit 122, the direction determination unit 130, and the communication port control unit 140 in the communication device 100 are referred to as "parts" of the communication device 100. Features.

The function of the "part" of the communication device 100 is implemented in software.

In addition, the memory unit 150 is implemented by the memory device 920. The memory unit 150 includes a reception buffer memory 151, a relay buffer memory 152, a transfer direction 153, and a control target communication port 154. The receiving buffer storage 151 is a buffer storage for storing the received frames. The relay buffer storage unit 152 stores the buffer storage of the relay frame when the received frame is not used for the purpose of transmitting the communication device itself. The reception buffer storage 151 and the relay buffer storage 152 are provided in each communication port.

The processor 910 is connected to other hardware through signal lines to control these other hardware.

The processor 910 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) that performs processing. Specifically, the processor 910 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or the like.

The memory device 920 includes a memory 921 and an auxiliary memory device 922. Specifically, the auxiliary memory device 922 is a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). Specifically, the memory 921 is a RAM (Random Access Memory). In the present embodiment, the memory unit 150 is realized by the memory 921. In addition, the memory unit 150 can be implemented by the auxiliary memory device 922 or by the memory 921 and the auxiliary memory device 922. The memory unit 150 can be implemented by any method.

Each of the first communication port 101 and the second communication port 102 is a communication port for performing transmission and reception of the frame.

In the auxiliary memory device 922, a program for realizing the function of the "part" is memorized. This program is loaded into the memory 921, read by the processor 910, and The processor 910 executes. The OS (Operating System) is also stored in the auxiliary memory device 922. At least a part of the OS is loaded into the memory 921, and the processor 910 executes a program for realizing the "part" function while executing the OS.

The communication device 100 may also be provided with a plurality of processors in place of the processor 910. These multiple processors share the work of executing a program that implements the functions of the "part". Each processor is an IC that performs processing like the processor 910.

The information, data, signal values, and variable values of the results of the processing performed by the function of the "part" are stored in the memory 921, the auxiliary memory device 922, or the scratchpad or buffer memory in the processor 910. In addition, in FIG. 3, the arrow connecting each part and the memory part 150 shows that each part memories the result of processing in the memory part 150, or each part reads information from the memory part 150. In addition, the arrows connecting the respective parts indicate the flow of control.

Programs that implement the functions of "parts" can be stored in removable memory such as disks, floppy disks, compact discs, CDs, Blu-ray (trademark) disks, and DVDs.

Further, a program that realizes the function of "part" is also called a communication program 520. The communication program 520 is a program for realizing the function described as "part". Further, what is referred to as a communication program product is a memory medium and a memory device in which the communication program 520 is recorded, which carries a computer readable program regardless of its appearance.

Action description

The communication method 510 of the communication device 100 and the communication process S100 of the communication program 520 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 .

In step S101, the direction determining unit 130 determines whether or not the decision has been made. The data transfer direction of the communication device having the transfer right and the data transfer direction of the communication device not having the transfer right. The data transmission direction of the communication device having the transmission right is the transmission right direction 501, and the data transmission direction of the communication device not having the transmission right is the irregular communication direction 502. Specifically, the direction determining unit 130 refers to the transfer direction 153 stored in the storage unit 150, and determines whether or not the transfer right direction 501 and the irregular communication direction 502 have been determined. For example, if the input communication port and the output communication port are set in the transfer direction 153, it is determined that the transfer right direction 501 and the irregular communication direction 502 are determined. In the present embodiment, the second communication port 102 is set to the input communication port, and the first communication port 101 is set to the output communication port. That is, the directions of the communication device 100_1, the communication device 100_2, the communication device 100_3, the communication device 100_4, and the communication devices 100_1, . . . are the transmission right direction 501. Further, the directions of the communication device 100_1, the communication device 100_4, the communication device 100_3, the communication device 100_2, and the communication devices 100_1, . . . are the asynchronous communication direction 502.

When it is determined that the transmission right direction and the irregular communication direction have been determined, the direction determining unit 130 executes step S102. When it is determined that the direction is not determined, the direction determining unit 130 repeats the processing until it is determined. Normally, the input communication port and the output communication port are set in the transfer direction 153 of the memory unit 150 in advance.

In step S102, the transmission right control unit 110 determines whether or not the communication port that is valid or invalid after the transmission right movement has been recognized. The communication port that is valid or invalid after the transfer right is moved is used as the control object communication port. Specifically, the transmission right control unit 110 refers to the control target communication port 154 stored in the storage unit 150, and determines whether or not the control target communication port has been identified. For example, when the first communication port 101 or the second communication port 102 is set in the control target communication port 154, the transmission right control unit 110 determines that the control target communication port has been recognized. In the present embodiment, the communication target is controlled. 154 sets the first communication port 101. The transmission right control unit 110 recognizes the first communication port 101 as the control target communication port.

When the transmission right control unit 110 determines that the control target communication port has been identified, the process proceeds to step S103, and when it is determined that the control target communication port is not recognized, the process is repeatedly executed until it is recognized. Normally, the control target communication port is set in advance in the control target communication port 154 of the storage unit 150.

In step S103, the transmission right control unit 110 detects which of the plurality of communication devices has the transmission right. First, the transmission right control unit 110 determines whether or not the transmission right has moved in the communication system 500.

When it is determined that the transmission right has moved, step S104 is performed. If the transfer right 200 has not moved, the process is repeatedly executed until the transfer right 200 moves.

In step S104, the transmission right control unit 110 determines whether or not the transmission right is owned by the own communication device. When it is determined that the communication device itself has the transmission right, step S105 is performed. When it is determined that the communication device itself does not have the transmission right, step S110 is performed.

The communication device 100 broadcasts the right frame containing the transmission right of the next communication device to all other communication devices when the transmission right is transmitted to the next communication device. The transmission right control unit 110 of each communication device determines that the transmission right has moved when receiving the transmission of the right token frame. Further, the transmission right control unit 110 of each communication device determines that the own communication device has the transmission right if the transmission right in the received token frame is the transmission right of the own communication device. On the other hand, the transmission right control unit 110 of each communication device determines that the communication device has the transmission right if the transmission right in the received token frame is the transmission right of the other arbitrary communication device. As described above, the transmission right control unit 110 is based on the indication The identifier of the transmission right (that is, the number of the communication device) determines which transmission right of the communication device is the transmission right.

As described above, the transmission right control unit 110 can determine which communication device the current transmission right 200 is. Further, the transmission right control unit 110 may determine whether or not the previous transmission right 200 is the own communication device, and whether the previous transmission right 200 is the own communication device.

In the transmission processing S10 of step S105 to step S108, the transmitting unit 120 generates a periodic frame 210 including periodically transmitted data in which the transmission right is owned by the own communication device, and the periodic frame 210 is transmitted from the first communication. The port 101 transmits to the second communication port 102 of the next communication device of the own communication device. That is, the transmitting unit 120 transmits the periodic frame 210 in the direction of the transmission right. The periodic frame 210 is also referred to as a regular communication frame. Further, when the irregularity communication is possible and the data transmitted by the communication is irregular, the transmission unit 120 performs the irregular communication in the transmission right direction.

In step S105, the frame generating unit 121 generates a periodic frame 210 containing periodically transmitted data. The frame transfer unit 122 transmits the periodic frame 210 to the next communication device via the first communication port 101. That is, the frame transfer unit 122 transmits the periodic frame 210 in the transfer right direction 501.

In step S106, the frame transfer unit 122 determines whether or not the irregular communication is possible. Specifically, the frame transfer unit 122 determines that the irregular communication can be performed when the own communication device has the transfer right and the maximum unscheduled traffic (also referred to as the unscheduled communication possible amount) has not been transmitted. If irregular communication is possible, the frame transfer unit 122 proceeds to step S107. If the irregular communication cannot be performed, the frame transfer unit 122 proceeds to step S109.

In step S107, the frame transfer unit 122 determines whether or not the material transmitted by the irregular communication is useful. That is, the frame transfer unit 122 determines whether or not the irregular communication is necessary. If irregular communication is necessary, the frame transfer unit 122 proceeds to step S108. If the irregular communication is not necessary, the frame transfer unit 122 proceeds to step S109.

In step S108, the frame generating unit 121 generates an irregular frame 220 containing the data of the irregular communication. The frame transfer unit 122 transmits the irregular frame 220 to the next communication device via the first communication port 101. That is, the frame transfer unit 122 transmits the non-period frame 220 in the transfer right direction 501.

In step S109, the transmission right control unit 110 generates a right frame containing the transmission right of the next communication device, and broadcasts it to all other communication devices. Thereafter, the process returns to step S103.

In step S110, the transmission right control unit 110 determines whether or not the transmission right is owned by the next communication device. That is, the transmission right control unit 110 determines whether or not the communication device itself has owned the previous transmission right. In the case where the transfer right is owned by the next communication device, the processing proceeds to step S111. If no, the process proceeds to step S114.

In step S111, the communication port control unit 140 executes the communication port control process S20 for invalidating the first communication port 101 when the transfer right is owned by the next communication device. The so-called invalidation of the communication port is such that the output input cannot be performed by the communication port. Invalidating the communication port is also called blocking communication.

In step S112 to step S113, when the communication port control unit 140 invalidates the first communication port 101, it is determined whether or not there is an irregularity of the data transmitted when the transmission right is not owned by the own communication device. The information transmitted. The transmitting unit 120, when there is data that is not regularly transmitted, An irregular frame 220 containing data transmitted from time to time is generated. The transmitting unit 120 transmits the non-period frame 220 from the second communication port 102 to the first communication port 101 of the previous communication device of the own communication device. That is, the transmitting unit 120 transmits the non-period frame 220 to the irregular communication direction opposite to the direction of the transmission right.

In step S112, the frame transfer unit 122 determines whether or not the data transmitted by the irregular communication is useful. That is, the frame transfer unit 122 determines whether or not the irregular communication is necessary. If irregular communication is necessary, the frame transfer unit 122 proceeds to step S113. If irregular communication is not necessary, the process returns to step S103.

In step S113, the frame generating unit 121 generates an irregular frame 220 containing data of irregular communication. The frame transfer unit 122 transmits the non-period frame 220 to the previous communication device via the second communication port 102. That is, the frame transfer unit 122 transmits the irregular frame 220 in the irregular communication direction 502.

In step S114, the transmission right control unit 110 determines whether or not the transmission right is owned by the next communication device. That is, the transmission right control unit 110 determines whether or not the communication device itself has owned the last transmission right. If the transfer right is owned by the next communication device, the process proceeds to step S115. If no, the process proceeds to step S116.

In step S115, the communication port control unit 140 executes a process of validating the first communication port 101 when the transfer right is owned by the next communication device. The so-called communication is effective, so that it can input and output from the communication port. Making the communication valid is also called unblocking and blocking. In the communication device, when the communication port control unit 140 activates the first communication port 101, the first communication port 101 receives the irregular frame 220 transmitted from the second communication port 102 of the next communication device.

In step S116, the transmitting unit 120 determines whether or not there is a transfer with ownership. The communication device of the right is the data that is transmitted irregularly for the purpose of the transmission. When there is a data transfer destination for the communication device having the transfer right, the transfer unit 120 proceeds to step S117. When there is no data to be transmitted by the communication device having the transmission right, the transmission unit 120 returns the processing to step S103.

In step S117, the frame generating unit 121 generates an irregularity frame 220 containing data that is not regularly transmitted by the communication device having the transmission right for the purpose of transmission. The frame transfer unit 122 transmits the non-period frame 220 to the previous communication device through the second communication port 102. That is, the frame transfer unit 122 transmits the irregular frame 220 in the irregular communication direction 502 opposite to the transfer right direction 501.

In step S116 and step S117, the processing is performed when the communication device having the transmission right is neither the own communication device nor the next communication device nor the next communication device (that is, [No] in step S103, [NO] in step S110, and [NO] in step S114). At this time, if it is desired to perform the irregular communication for the purpose of the communication device having the transmission right, the non-period frame 220 is transmitted in the irregular communication direction 502 opposite to the transmission right direction 501.

Fig. 7 is a view showing communication using the communication processing S10 of the communication system 500 of the present embodiment. Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing the stage of Fig. 7 (1). Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing the stage of Fig. 7 (2). Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing the stage of Fig. 7 (3). Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing the stage of Fig. 7 (4).

The communication using the communication processing S100 of the communication system 500 of the present embodiment will be specifically described using Figs. 7 to 11 . Here, it is assumed that the communication device 100_4 wants to perform a large amount of irregular communication with the communication device 100_3.

In the stage (1) of Fig. 7, each communication device 100 determines the use of the transmission The data transfer direction (transfer right direction 501) of the communication device of the right transfer 200 and the data transfer direction (the irregular communication direction 502) of the communication device not having the transfer right 200. Further, each communication device 100 determines a control target communication port to be valid or invalid after the transfer right is moved.

In step S10 of Fig. 7, the communication device 100_1 having the transmission right 200 transmits the periodic frame 210 to the transmission right direction 501. Next, the communication device 100_1 broadcasts the right frame of the transmission right including the next communication device 100_2 to the other communication device. At this time, irregular communication has not been performed in this cycle, so the amount of irregular communication may be n=1. As described above, the amount of irregular communication n indicates the maximum amount that can be transmitted irregularly in one cycle. Here, the maximum amount of irregular transmission that can be performed in one cycle is taken as an example.

In step S11 of Fig. 7, the communication device 100_2 having the transmission right 200 transmits the periodic frame 210 to the transmission right direction 501. The communication device 100_2 broadcasts the periodic frame 210. In addition, the communication device 100_2 also transmits the non-period frame 220 in the transmission right direction 501.

Since the irregular traffic of one cycle has been transmitted, in step S12 of FIG. 7, when the right frame of the transmission right including the communication device 100_3 is broadcast, the amount of irregular communication n=0.

In step S13 of Fig. 7, the communication device 100_3 having the transmission right 200 broadcasts the periodic frame 210 to the other communication device in the transmission right direction 501. Further, the communication device 100_3 receives the irregular frame 220 from the communication device 100_4 by the irregular communication in the irregular communication direction 502.

In step S14 of Fig. 7, the transmission right 200 is returned again before the communication device 100_4 ends all the irregular communication of the communication device 100_3. Have a biography The communication device 100_4 of the right transmission 200 broadcasts the periodic frame 210 to other communication devices, and simultaneously transmits the irregular frame 220 according to the transmission right direction 501, but the communication device may be n=0 in the irregular transmission in step S12. 100_4 Unable to communicate irregularly. The communication device 100_4 broadcasts a right frame containing the transmission right of the communication device 100_1.

As shown in Fig. 9, the state of the communication port of each communication device at the start of the (2) phase of Fig. 7 is that the first communication port 101 of the communication device 100_3 having the previous transmission right 200 becomes invalid. The communication device I00_4 having the transmission right 200 broadcasts a token frame containing the transmission right 200 of the communication device 100_1. The new cycle begins here, so irregular communication may be a quantity of n=1.

As shown in Fig. 10, in the (3) stage of Fig. 7, the communication device 100_4 invalidates the first communication port 101, and the communication device 100_3 activates the first communication port 101.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the (4) stage of FIG. 7, the communication device 100_2 and the communication device 100_3 can perform the irregular communication in the irregular communication direction 502 with respect to the communication device 100_1 having the transmission right 200. In addition, the communication device 100_4 can perform irregular communication in the irregular communication direction 502 for all of the communication devices 100. Further, the communication device 100_1 can perform regular communication and irregular communication in the transmission right direction 501 as usual.

Thereafter, the communication system 500 patrols the transmission right 200 between the four communication devices 100, and repeats the communication cycle.

Other composition

In the above-described embodiment, the method of transmitting the token is described. However, if the topology is a ring type, each communication device can always grasp the communication system of the communication device having the transmission right (for example, the time division method between the communication devices) This embodiment can also be applied to the communication system.

In the above-described embodiment, two communication ports, such as the first communication port 101 and the second communication port 102, are used as the communication port of the transmission/reception frame, but two or more communication ports may be provided.

Further, in addition to the first communication port 101 and the second communication port 102, an input interface, an output interface, and a communication device, which will be described later, may be provided. Further, the first communication port 101 and the second communication port 102 may be provided as an input interface, an output interface, and a part of the communication device.

The input interface is a communication port connected to an input device such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a touchpad. Specifically, the input interface is a USB terminal. In addition, the input interface can also be a communication port connected to a LAN (Local Area Network).

The output interface is a communication port for the cable connection of a display such as a screen device. Specifically, the output interface 940 is a USB terminal or an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) terminal. Specifically, the screen device is an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Alternatively, the output interface can be connected to an output device such as a printing device.

The communication machine has a receiver and a transmitter. Specifically, the communication device is a communication chip or a NIC (Network Interface Card). The communication device has the function of a communication unit for data communication. The receiver is a receiving machine that receives data, and the transmitter is a sending machine that transmits data.

In the present embodiment, the function of the "part" of the communication device 100 is implemented by software. However, in the modified example, the function of the "part" of the communication device 100 can be implemented by hardware.

A communication device 100 according to a modification of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Composition.

As shown in FIG. 12, the communication device 100 has the hardware of the first communication port 101 and the second communication port 102.

The processing circuit 909 is a dedicated circuit for realizing the functions of the aforementioned "portion" and the memory unit 150. Specifically, the processing circuit 909 is a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programming processor, a logic IC, a GA (Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). ).

The communication device 100 may be provided with a plurality of processing circuits instead of the processing circuit 909. These plural processing circuits implement the function of "part" as a whole. Each processing circuit is the same as the processing circuit 909 and is a dedicated circuit.

In another variation, the function of the communication device 100 is implemented by a combination of software and hardware. That is, a part of the functions of the communication device are implemented by dedicated hardware, and the remaining functions can be implemented by software.

Processor 910, memory device 920, and processing circuit 909 are collectively referred to as "processing circuits." That is, the configuration of the communication device is the configuration shown in any of Figs. 3 and 12, and the function of the "part" and the memory unit 150 are realized by the processing circuit.

The Department can also be rewritten as "Steps", "Programs" or "Processing". In addition, the function of "part" can also be realized by firmware.

Description of the effects of the embodiment

As described above, in the communication device 100 of the present embodiment, the blocked control target communication port is determined based on the movement of the transfer right. In addition, it is determined that the data of the communication device having the transmission right (regular communication, irregular communication) is transmitted in the transmission direction. Irregular communication direction of the communication device to and to the communication device that does not have the transmission right. Therefore, the communication device having the blocked communication port can perform irregular communication in the irregular communication direction with all the communication devices on the path of the communication system. Therefore, it is possible to improve the transmission efficiency of the regular communication and the irregular communication in the communication system. Further, since the communication system is a ring-shaped topology, the communication device having the communication port is blocked as the terminal communication device. Therefore, there must be an object communication device on the path, and the data can be reliably transmitted. Therefore, this method can be realized even when each control device fails to grasp the position of another control device.

Although the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above, any one of the elements described as the "part" in the description of the present embodiment may be used alone or in any combination of several of them. That is, the functional blocks of the communication device are arbitrary as long as the functions described in the above embodiments can be realized. These functional blocks may be constructed in any combination or in any block to constitute a communication device. Further, the communication device may be composed of a plurality of devices instead of one device.

Further, although the first embodiment has been described, the plural portions of the embodiment may be combined and implemented. Alternatively, one of the embodiments may be implemented. In addition, the whole or part of this embodiment can be implemented in combination in any manner.

In addition, the above-described embodiments are preferably illustrative in nature, and the invention is not intended to limit the scope of the application or the application, and various modifications may be made as needed.

Claims (7)

A communication device is included in a communication system in which a plurality of communication devices having a first communication port and a second communication port are connected in a ring shape, and the communication system causes transmission rights of the transmission frame to be sequentially Moving between the plurality of communication devices, the communication device comprising: a transmitting unit, generating a periodic frame containing the periodically transmitted data transmitted while the transmission right is owned by the own device, and the periodic frame is The first communication port transmits to the second communication port of the next communication device of the device itself; and the communication port control unit causes the first communication port when the transfer right is owned by the next communication device. invalid. The communication device according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the communication unit: when the communication port control unit invalidates the first communication port, determines that the transfer right is not owned by the own device; Whether the data of the data is not regularly transmitted, and when the data is not regularly transmitted, an irregular frame containing the data of the irregular transmission is generated, and the irregular frame is sent from the second communication device to the device itself. The first communication port of the previous communication device is transmitted. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the communication port control unit activates the first communication port when the transfer right is owned by the next communication device. According to the communication device described in claim 3, when the communication port control unit activates the first communication port, the first communication port receives the irregularity transmitted from the second communication port of the next communication device. Frame. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the communication device includes a transmission right control unit that detects which of the plurality of communication devices is owned by the communication device. A communication method is a communication method of a communication device included in a communication system in which a plurality of communication devices having a first communication port and a second communication port are connected in a ring shape, and the communication system enables transmission The transmission right of the frame is sequentially moved between the plurality of communication devices, and the communication method is: a transmission unit that generates a periodic frame including periodically transmitted data when the transmission right is owned by the own device. Transmitting the periodic frame from the first communication port to the second communication port of the next communication device of the device itself; and the communication port control unit, if the transfer right is owned by the next communication device; , the first communication port is invalidated. A communication program product, which is a communication program product included in a communication device in a communication system, wherein the communication device is a computer, and the plurality of communication devices having the first communication port and the second communication port in the communication system are connected into a ring And the communication system causes the transmission right of the transmission frame to be sequentially moved between the plurality of communication devices, the communication program product causing the communication device to perform: a transmission process to generate a situation in which the transmission right is owned by the device itself a periodic frame for periodically transmitting data of the transmitted data, transmitting the periodic frame from the first communication port to the second communication port of the next communication device of the device itself; and communication/control processing at the transmission right By the next communication device described above In the case of possession, the first communication port is invalidated.