WO2013128534A1

WO2013128534A1 - Relay station device and relay method and program

Info

Publication number: WO2013128534A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/054693
Authority: WO
Inventors: 直輝伊藤
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2012-02-27
Filing date: 2012-02-27
Publication date: 2013-09-06
Also published as: TW201336267A; JPWO2013128534A1; JP5686925B2

Abstract

A relay station (100) is connected to a domain (1) and a domain (2). The relay station (100) receives data from stations (200) in the domain (1), and receives data from stations (200) in the domain (2). If a data transmission timing in the domain (1) is reached, the relay station (100) transmits data received from the stations (200) in the domain (2) to the stations (200) in the domain (1), and if a data transmission timing in the domain (2) is reached, the relay station (100) transmits data received from the stations (200) in the domain (1) to the stations (200) in the domain (2).

Description

Relay station apparatus, relay method, and program

The present invention relates to a technique for relaying communication data.
In the following, the description will be focused on a technique for relaying communication data in a communication system using the token passing method.

One communication system using the token passing method is defined by IEEE 802.4.
In this method, tokens are sequentially passed to each control device (referred to as “station device” or “station”) via a communication path, and only the station that receives the token has a transmission right, so that Transmission control is performed.
In the communication system using the token passing system as described above, in recent years, there has been an increasing demand for realizing a plurality of applications on one transmission path because of an improvement in transmission speed.

Patent Document 1 discloses a method for realizing a plurality of different transmission cycles corresponding to applications on one transmission path.
In the method of Patent Document 1, a token circuit is provided for each transmission cycle, and a station that manages the token circuit (referred to as a token master) selects a circuit for each transmission cycle.
Since each tour route needs to be constructed with the token master as a base point, if the number of tour routes increases, the transmission efficiency of the entire communication system deteriorates.
That is, the time interval (communication cycle) at which each station obtains a token becomes longer.

As a system for improving transmission efficiency as a communication system, that is, for shortening the communication cycle, there is a system described in Patent Document 2.
In the method of Patent Document 2, a communication system is configured in a ring shape, and tokens are circulated in a certain direction, and a plurality of tokens are circulated simultaneously (multi-token method).
However, this method has a problem that the network topology is limited to ring connection.

It can be analogized that the system described in Patent Document 2 is implemented by star connection using a switching hub, for example, without limiting the topology.
However, in preparation for a case where a plurality of data transmitted based on a plurality of tokens reach the same node at the same time, all nodes participating in the communication system need to have a buffer corresponding to the number of tokens, resulting in high cost. There is a problem.

JP 2009-201013 A JP-A-9-270811

As described above, when a plurality of applications are realized on one transmission path, according to Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the communication cycle cannot be shortened.
Further, according to Patent Document 2, there is a problem that the network configuration is limited to ring connection.
Further, when the network configuration is not limited such as star connection, there is a problem that the cost is increased.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems. In a network where data transmission opportunities periodically arrive at each station device, the data transmission opportunities arrive at each station device with a simple configuration. The main purpose is to shorten the cycle and reliably deliver the data required for each station apparatus to each station apparatus.

The relay station apparatus according to the present invention is
A first receiving unit that receives a plurality of communication data transmitted from a plurality of station devices included in the first communication network as a plurality of first communication data;
A second receiving unit that receives a plurality of communication data transmitted from a plurality of station devices included in the second communication network as a plurality of second communication data;
A first timing detector that detects arrival of a first transmission timing that arrives at a predetermined period;
A second timing detector for detecting arrival of a second transmission timing that arrives at a predetermined period;
When the arrival of the first transmission timing is detected by the first timing detection unit, a plurality of second received by the second reception unit before the arrival of the first transmission timing is detected. A first transmission unit for transmitting second communication data transmitted from a specific station device in the second communication network to a specific station device in the first communication network;
When the arrival of the second transmission timing is detected by the second timing detection unit, a plurality of first received by the first reception unit before the arrival of the second transmission timing is detected. A second transmission unit configured to transmit, to the specific station device in the second communication network, the first communication data transmitted from the specific station device in the first communication network among the communication data. It is characterized by that.

According to the present invention, the relay station device divides the network into the first communication network and the second communication network, and the relay station device transmits the second communication data from the second communication network to the first communication network. By transmitting to the station apparatus in the network and transmitting the first communication data from the first communication network to the station apparatus in the second communication network, the period at which the data transmission opportunity arrives at each station apparatus is shortened. In addition, data necessary for each station apparatus can be reliably delivered to each station apparatus.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network system in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 shows an internal configuration example of a station apparatus in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an internal configuration example of a relay station apparatus in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows a data flow using the network shared memory in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication sequence in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a data flow of the relay station apparatus in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration example of a data frame in Embodiment 1; FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of a token frame in the first embodiment. The figure which shows the structural example (test environment) of the network system in Embodiment 2. FIG. The figure which shows the structural example (actual environment) of the network system in Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 shows a configuration example (multiple domain) of a network system in a third embodiment. The figure which shows the structural example (low efficiency) of the network system in Embodiment 4. FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a relay station apparatus in the first to fourth embodiments. The figure which shows the structural example of the conventional network system. The figure which shows the example of a conventional communication sequence.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network system including relay station apparatus 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as “relay station 100”) according to the present embodiment.
In the example of FIG. 1, a plurality of station apparatuses 200 (hereinafter simply referred to as “station 200”), a relay station 100, and a switching hub 300 are connected by a transmission path.
One of the stations 200 becomes a representative to lead the token circulation (to become a token master).
In the example of FIG. 1, it is assumed that the station A1 (200a1) and the station B1 (200b1) lead the token circulation.
Which station becomes the token master may be set in advance, or may be selected using a separate communication protocol.

Station A1 (200a1), station A2 (200a2), and station A3 (200a3) are stations grouped for application A.
Further, the station B1 (200b1), the station B2 (200b2), and the station B3 (200b3) are stations grouped for application B, which is another application.
When there is no need to distinguish between stations, they are simply referred to as “stations”.
Station A1, station A2, and station A3 are collectively referred to as “group A stations”, and station B1, station B2, and station B3 are collectively referred to as “group B stations”.
Each station of the station A1 (200a1), the station A2 (200a2), and the station A3 (200a3) needs to receive data of other stations in the group A in order to share the data for the application A.
Similarly, each station of the station B1 (200b1), the station B2 (200b2), and the station B3 (200b3) needs to receive data of other stations in the group B in order to share the data for the application B.
Conversely, group A stations do not require data from group B stations, and similarly, group B stations do not require data from group A stations.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the domain 1 is configured by the station A1, the station A2, the station B2, and the relay station 100.
In this embodiment, it is assumed that the order of circulating tokens is also set in advance.
The station B1, the station B3, the station A3, and the relay station 100 constitute a domain 2.
Similarly, in the domain 2, the order of circulating the tokens is as described above.
Stations A1 and B2, which are representative in each domain, initially hold tokens and transmit data frames and token frames.
A configuration example of the data frame is as shown in FIG. 7, and a configuration example of the token frame is as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the data frame includes data information transmitted by the station, such as an offset of the network shared memory and actual data contents.
As shown in FIG. 8, the token frame includes information on a station that holds the token next, for example, a MAC (Media Access Control) address, a station identifier, and the like.
The station that received the token frame will hold the token.

Next, the concept of the network shared memory is shown in FIG.
For example, when the station A1 transmits a data frame, as a concept, the station A1 writes to the address assigned to the station A1 in the network shared memory.
Stations that want to use the data of the station A1 in applications, etc., here the stations A2 and A3 receive the data frame transmitted by the station A1, and conceptually data from the address assigned to the station A1 of the network shared memory Is read out.

FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration example of the station 200 included in the configuration shown in FIG.
The station 200 includes a reception processing unit 201, a transmission processing unit 202, a token processing unit 203, a memory management unit 204, an application 205, a memory 206, and the like.
The reception processing unit 201 has a function of classifying the received frame type (data frame, token frame).
The transmission processing unit 202 has a function of transmitting frames in order.
The token processing unit 203 has a function of managing the token circulation order.
The memory management unit 204 associates the real memory 206 of the station 200 with the network shared memory.
The application 205 reads data used in a program or the like from the network shared memory (real memory 206), writes data calculated by itself into the network shared memory, and the like.

FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the relay station 100.
The relay station 100 has a plurality of reception processing units, transmission processing units, and token processing units in order to participate in a plurality of domains.
In the present embodiment, relay station 100 is described as an independent station. However, for example, station A2 may have the configuration of FIG. 3 and operate as relay station 100.

The domain 1 side reception processing unit 101 receives a frame from the station 200 included in the domain 1 and classifies the type of the received frame (data frame or token frame).
The domain 1 side reception processing unit 101 corresponds to an example of a first reception unit.
The data frame received by the domain 1 side reception processing unit 101 corresponds to an example of first communication data.

The domain 2 side reception processing unit 104 receives a frame from the station 200 included in the domain 2 and classifies the type of the received frame (data frame or token frame).
The domain 2 side reception processing unit 104 corresponds to an example of a second reception unit.
The data frame received by the domain 2 side reception processing unit 104 corresponds to an example of second communication data.

When the domain 1 side reception processing unit 101 receives a token frame from the station 200 included in the domain 1, the domain 1 side token processing unit 103 transmits the data frame transmission timing to the station 200 in the domain 1 (first Is sent to the domain 1 side transmission processing unit 102, which will be described later, to instruct the transmission of the data frame to the station 200 in the domain 1.
The domain 1 side token processing unit 103 corresponds to an example of a first timing detection unit.

The domain 2 side token processing unit 106, when the domain 2 side reception processing unit 104 receives a token frame from the station 200 included in the domain 2, transmits a data frame transmission timing (second time) to the station 200 in the domain 2 Is sent to the domain 2 side transmission processing unit 105, which will be described later, to instruct the transmission of the data frame to the station 200 in the domain 2.
The domain 2 side token processing unit 106 corresponds to an example of a second timing detection unit.

The domain 1 side transmission processing unit 102 transmits a frame to the station 200 included in the domain 1.
More specifically, when receiving an instruction from the domain 1 side token processing unit 103, the domain 1 side transmission processing unit 102 receives the domain 2 side reception before the domain 1 side token processing unit 103 detects the transmission timing. The processing unit 104 transmits the data received from the station 200 in the domain 2 to the station 200 in the domain 1.
The domain 1 side transmission processing unit 102 transmits the data received from the group A station in the domain 2 to the group A station in the domain 1, and the data received from the group B station in the domain 2 1 to group B stations in 1.
After transmitting the data to the stations in the domain 1, the domain 1 side transmission processing unit 102 transmits the token frame to the station A1 in the domain 1.
The domain 1 side transmission processing unit 102 corresponds to an example of a first transmission unit.

The domain 2 side transmission processing unit 105 transmits a frame to the station 200 included in the domain 2.
More specifically, when receiving an instruction from the domain 2 side token processing unit 106, the domain 2 side transmission processing unit 105 receives the domain 1 side reception before the domain 2 side token processing unit 106 detects the transmission timing. The processing unit 101 transmits data received from the station 200 in the domain 1 to the station 200 in the domain 2.
The domain 2 side transmission processing unit 105 transmits the data received by the domain 1 side reception processing unit 101 from the group A station in the domain 1 to the group A station in the domain 2, and the domain 1 side reception processing unit 101 The data received from the group B station in the domain 1 is transmitted to the group B station in the domain 2.
After data transmission to a station in domain 2, domain 2 side transmission processing section 105 transmits a token frame to station B1 in domain 2.
The domain 2 side transmission processing unit 105 corresponds to an example of a second transmission unit.

The memory management unit 107 is the same as the memory management unit 204 in FIG. 2, the application 108 is the same as the application 205 in FIG. 2, and the memory 109 is the same as the memory 206 in FIG.
In the relay station 100, the application 108 may be omitted.

A communication sequence according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 5, a solid arrow represents a data frame, a dashed arrow represents a token frame, and a black circle represents a token.

First, a communication sequence in the domain 1 will be described.
First, the station A1 has a token and transmits a data frame to the station A2 and the relay station 100.
Thereafter, station A1 sends a token frame to station A2 and passes the token to station A2.
Next, the station A2 holds the token, and the station A2 transmits the data frame to the station A1 and the relay station 100.
Station A2 then sends a token frame to station B2 and passes the token to station B2.
Next, the station B2 holds the token, and the station B2 transmits the data frame to the relay station 100.
Thereafter, the station B2 transmits a token frame to the relay station 100, and passes the token to the relay station 100.
Finally, the relay station 100 holds a token.
The relay station 100 transmits data from the domain 2 to the stations A1, A2, and B2.
More specifically, the data of the station A3 obtained by communication with the domain 2 is transmitted to the stations A1 and A2.
Further, the data of the stations B1 and B3 are transmitted to the station B2.
Thereafter, the relay station 100 transmits a token frame to the station A1, and returns the token to the first station A1.
Thereafter, the station A1 again holds the token and repeats the same processing.

Next, a communication sequence in the domain 2 will be described.
The basic operation is the same as that of domain 1 communication.
First, the station B1 has a token and transmits a data frame to the station B3 and the relay station 100.
Station B1 then sends a token frame to station B3 and passes the token to station B3.
Next, the station B3 holds the token, and the station B3 transmits the data frame to the station B1 and the relay station 100.
Station B3 then sends a token frame to station A3 and passes the token to station A3.
Next, the station A3 holds the token, and the station A3 transmits the data frame to the relay station 100.
Thereafter, the station A3 transmits a token frame to the relay station 100 and passes the token to the relay station 100.
Finally, the relay station 100 holds a token.
The relay station 100 transmits data from the domain 1 to the stations B1, B3, and A3.
More specifically, the data of the station B2 obtained by communication with the domain 1 is transmitted to the stations B1 and B3.
Further, the data of the stations A1 and A2 are transmitted to the station A3.
Thereafter, the relay station 100 transmits a token frame to the station B1, and returns the token to the first station B1.
Thereafter, the station B1 again holds the token and repeats the same processing.

In the communication sequence shown in FIG. 5, in the relay station 100, the domain 1 side reception processing unit 101 receives the data frame from the station A1, and the data included in the data frame from the station A1 (data shown in FIG. 7). Is transferred to the memory management unit 107, and the memory management unit 107 stores the data from the station A1 in the area allocated to the station A1 in the memory 109.
When data frames are received from the stations A2 and B2, data is stored in the same procedure.
Further, the domain 2 side reception processing unit 104 receives the data frame from the station B1, transfers the data included in the data frame from the station B1 (data shown in FIG. 7) to the memory management unit 107, and the memory management unit 107. Stores the data from the station B1 in the area allocated to the station B1 in the memory 109.
When data frames are received from the stations B3 and A3, data is stored in the same procedure.

When the domain 1 side reception processing unit 101 receives a token frame from the station B2, the domain 1 side reception processing unit 101 transfers the token frame to the domain 1 side token processing unit 103, and the domain 1 side token processing unit 103 Detects the arrival of the transmission timing of domain 1, and instructs the transmission of data to domain 1.
The domain 1 side token processing unit 103 requests the memory management unit 107 to output data (data of the stations B1, B3, and A3) received from the domain 2 by the domain 2 side reception processing unit 104.
Then, the domain 1 side transmission processing unit 102 inputs the corresponding data from the memory management unit 107, generates a data frame including the input data, and transmits the data frame to the domain 1 station 200.
Here, the domain 1 side token processing unit 103 may generate two data frames including a data frame including only the data of the stations B1 and B3 and a data frame including only the data of the station A3.
One data frame including all data of the stations B1, B3, and A3 may be generated.
In the former case, a data frame including only the data of the stations B1 and B3 is transmitted to the station B2, and a data frame including only the data of the station A3 is transmitted to the stations A1 and A3.
In the latter case, the generated single frame is transmitted to all of the stations A1, A3, and B2, and each station discards unnecessary data (data of stations in other groups).

When the domain 2 side reception processing unit 104 receives a token frame from the station A3, the domain 2 side reception processing unit 104 transfers the token frame to the domain 2 side token processing unit 106, and the domain 2 side token processing unit 106 Detects the arrival of the transmission timing of the domain 2, and instructs the domain 2 side transmission processing unit 105 to transmit data to the domain 2.
The domain 2 side token processing unit 106 requests the memory management unit 107 to output the data received from the domain 1 by the domain 1 side reception processing unit 101 (data of the stations A1, A2, and B2).
Then, the domain 2 side transmission processing unit 105 inputs corresponding data from the memory management unit 107, generates a data frame including the input data, and transmits the data frame to the domain 2 station 200.
Here, the domain 2 side token processing unit 106 may generate two data frames including a data frame including only the data of the stations A1 and A2 and a data frame including only the data of the station B2.
One data frame including all data of the stations A1, A2, and B2 may be generated.
In the former case, a data frame including only the data of the stations A1 and A2 is transmitted to the station A3, and a data frame including only the data of the station B2 is transmitted to the stations B1 and B3.
In the latter case, one generated frame is transmitted to all of the stations B1, B3, and A3, and each station discards unnecessary data (data of stations in other groups).

FIG. 6 shows a state of data exchange with the network shared memory with a focus on the relay station 100.
The relay station 100 receives data from the station A1, the station A2, and the station B2 in the domain 1 and transmits them to the domain 2 side.
Further, the relay station 100 receives the data of the station A3, the station B1, and the station B3 in the domain 2 and transmits them to the domain 1 side.
In the present embodiment, relay station 100 transmits all the data of domain 1 to domain 2, but the data to be transmitted may be selected according to the actual application.
For example, when the station A3 does not use the data of the station A1 in the network configuration of FIG. 1 and the communication sequence of FIG. 5, the relay station 100 may not transmit the data of the station A1 to the domain 2 (the station A2 Send data only).

The network configuration shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the network configuration shown in FIG. 14 in which the relay station 100 is arranged between the station A2 and the right switching hub 300.
In the network configuration of FIG. 14, since the network is not divided by the relay station 100, the time interval (communication cycle) at which each station obtains a token becomes long.

Also in FIG. 14, each station has the same attributes as in FIG.
That is, the station A1, the station A2, and the station A3 are application A stations, and the station B1, the station B2, and the station B3 are application B stations.
In the configuration of FIG. 14, the station A1 is a token master.

Next, a communication sequence in the network configuration of FIG. 14 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 15, first, the station A1 has a token and transmits data frames to the stations A2 and A3.
Thereafter, the station A1 transmits a token frame to the station A2, and passes the token to the station A2.
Next, the station A2 will hold the token, and the station A2 transmits data frames to the stations A1 and A3. Thereafter, a token frame is transmitted, and the token is passed to the station B2.
Next, the station B2 will hold the token, and the station B2 transmits the data frame to the stations B1 and B3.
Thereafter, the data frame and the token frame are transmitted in the same procedure, and one transmission cycle is completed when the station A1 receives the token frame from the station B3.
Thus, the stations in group A do not need to receive data from the stations in group B, and the stations in group B do not need to receive data from the stations in group A, but stations A1, A2, B2 , A 3, B 1, B 3 in order of tokens to all stations, one transmission cycle is not completed.
For this reason, the time interval (corresponding to the length of the arrow shown on the left in FIG. 15) at which each station obtains a token becomes longer.

On the other hand, by connecting the relay station 100 to the network configuration shown in FIG. 14 and dividing the network into the domain 1 and the domain 2, the time interval at which each station obtains a token can be shortened.
In other words, in this embodiment, tokens are circulated in domain 1 and domain 2 divided by relay station 100 to exchange data within the domain, and relay station 100 mediates data exchange between domains. .
As a result, for example, when viewed from the domain 1, data conventionally required to be obtained by passing tokens to the station A3, the station B1, and the station B3 can be obtained all at once by passing the tokens to the relay station 100. Since the data of the station B3 can be obtained, the communication cycle can be shortened (corresponding to the length of the arrow shown on the left in FIG. 5).
At this time, since the relay station 100 mediates data of each domain, each station may transmit and receive similar data regardless of the presence or absence of the relay station 100.

Thus, in this embodiment, the communication cycle can be shortened when a plurality of applications are realized on one transmission path.
Even when the network configuration is a star connection or the like, the communication cycle can be shortened at a low cost.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a control device having a function of dividing a network into small units (domains) so that tokens can be circulated in parallel for each domain and mediating data transferred between domains is described. did.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control device that controls to select data to be transferred between domains and not to transmit data unnecessary for other domains has been described.

In this embodiment, an example in which relay station 100 relays data between two domains, domain 1 and domain 2, has been described. However, data may be relayed between three or more domains. Good.
In this case, in addition to the configuration of FIG. 3, a reception processing unit, a transmission processing unit, and a token processing unit corresponding to the third and subsequent domains are provided.
For example, if the relay station 100 relays data between the domains 1 to 3, a domain 3 side reception processing unit, a domain 3 side transmission processing unit, and a domain 3 side token processing unit are added.
In this case, focusing on domain 1, the domain 1 side reception processing unit 101 is an example of the first reception unit, the domain 1 side transmission processing unit 102 is an example of the first transmission unit, and the domain 1 side token processing unit 103 is an example of the first timing detection unit.
The domain 2 side reception processing unit 104 and the domain 3 side reception processing unit are examples of the second reception unit, the domain 2 side transmission processing unit 105 and the domain 3 side transmission processing unit are examples of the second transmission unit, The domain 2 side token processing unit 106 and the domain 3 side token processing unit are examples of the second timing detection unit.
Focusing on domain 2, the domain 2 side reception processing unit 104 is an example of the first reception unit, the domain 2 side transmission processing unit 105 is an example of the first transmission unit, and the domain 2 side token processing unit 106 is This is an example of the first timing detection unit.
The domain 1 side reception processing unit 101 and the domain 3 side reception processing unit are examples of the second reception unit, the domain 1 side transmission processing unit 102 and the domain 3 side transmission processing unit are examples of the second transmission unit, The domain 1 side token processing unit 103 and the domain 3 side token processing unit are examples of the second timing detection unit.
The same applies to domain 3.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a network configuration example of the test environment in the present embodiment.
In this embodiment, domains are divided and exist independently for each specific application.
For example, there are cases in which each domain is constructed separately and the domains are connected after testing due to different application designers.
The relay station 100 in FIG. 9 performs tests for each domain even if the other domains are not actually connected by simulating the communication contents of the other domains for the domain to be tested. It becomes possible to do.
That is, whether the relay station 100a connected to the domain 1 is communicating with the network (the domain 2 that does not actually exist) that the domain 1 is a communication destination in the domain 1 test. Emulate like this.
Specifically, the relay station 100a generates data that the domain 1 station recognizes as data from the domain 2 station, and transmits the data to the domain 1 station.
Further, the relay station 100a behaves as if it has transmitted data received from a domain 1 station to a domain 2 station.
Similarly, the relay station 100b connected to the domain 2 communicates with the network (the domain 1 that does not actually exist) that the domain 2 is a communication destination in the domain 2 test. Emulate as if.
Domain 1 and domain 2 correspond to the test target network.

FIG. 10 shows an actual network configuration example in the present embodiment.
As described with reference to FIG. 9, the relay station 100a is an actual network configuration based on the domain 1 test that simulates the domain 2 and the relay station 100b that tests the domain 2 that simulates the domain 1. It is possible to reduce troubles at the time of starting up the network and reduce costs such as shortening the delivery time.

In this embodiment,
A control device that simulates a system that is not actually connected and enables a test that assumes the actual system in advance has been described.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 11 shows a network configuration example in this embodiment.
As described above, the function of dividing the domain may be provided as an internal function of the station.
Also, by connecting stations having a relay function, domain division can be subdivided (multiple domains can be configured).
By dividing the tokens in the divided domains 1 to 3 in parallel, it is possible to achieve a higher speed than simply providing a relay station and dividing the token into two.

Hereinafter, an outline of the operation will be described.
In the present embodiment, the station A1 receives the data of the stations B1 to B2 and the stations C1 to C3 according to the application and transmits them to the domain 1.
The station A1 transmits the data of the stations A1 to A3 to the station B1 and the station C1.
Similarly, the station B1 receives the data of the stations A1 to A3 and the stations C1 to C3 according to the application and transmits them to the domain 2.
Further, the station B1 transmits the data of the stations B1 and B2 to the station A1 and the station C1.
The station C1 communicates in the same manner.
Depending on the application, the relay station can further reduce the communication time by limiting the data content transmitted to other relay stations or domains.

In the present embodiment, a communication system has been described in which a plurality of control devices are provided, the control devices are connected, and the domains are configured in a multiplexed manner.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 12 shows a network configuration example in this embodiment.
Depending on the position of the relay station 100, the effect of shortening the communication cycle by domain division may be small, or conversely, the communication cycle may be increased by dividing the domain.
In the present embodiment, a station that represents the network, for example, the station A1, collects link connection status information of each station and makes the network configuration known in advance.
When it is found that the domain division effect is small or there is no domain division effect, the relay station 100 is simply relayed to the frame, and the operation described in the first embodiment is not performed.
In this case, the relay station 100 transmits the data frame from the domain 1 station to the domain 2 station regardless of the arrival of the transmission timing, regardless of the reception of the token frame. The data frame from the station is transmitted to the station in domain 1.

Thereby, the influence when a communication period becomes large by domain division | segmentation can be suppressed.
In this embodiment, the station A1 determines the effect of domain division, but the relay station itself may determine the effect of domain division.
The effect of domain division is determined by calculating and comparing the communication time before and after domain division from the data frame, token frame size, transmission path bandwidth, and token processing time.

As described above, in the present embodiment,
The control device has been described that determines whether or not to divide a domain from network configuration information collected in advance and notifies the control device according to claims 1 and 3 of whether or not to divide the domain.

Finally, a hardware configuration example of relay station 100 shown in Embodiments 1 to 4 will be described with reference to FIG.
The relay station 100 is a computer, and each element of the relay station 100 can execute processing by a program.
Further, the program can be stored in a storage medium so that the program can be read from the storage medium by a computer.
As a hardware configuration of the relay station 100, an arithmetic device 901, an external storage device 902, a main storage device 903, a communication device 904, and an input / output device 905 are connected to the bus.

The arithmetic device 901 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a program.
The external storage device 902 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, or a hard disk device.
The main storage device 903 is a RAM (Random Access Memory) and corresponds to the memory 109.
The communication device 904 corresponds to the physical layer of the domain 1 side reception processing unit 101, the domain 1 side transmission processing unit 102, the domain 2 side reception processing unit 104, and the domain 2 side transmission processing unit 105.
The input / output device 905 is, for example, a touch panel display device.

The program is normally stored in the external storage device 402, and is sequentially read into the arithmetic device 901 and executed while being loaded in the main storage device 403.
The program is a program that realizes the function described as “unit” shown in FIG.
Further, an operating system (OS) is also stored in the external storage device 902. At least a part of the OS is loaded into the main storage device 903, and the arithmetic device 901 executes “OS” shown in FIG. ”Is executed.
The application 108 is also stored in the external storage device 402 and is sequentially executed by the arithmetic device 901 while being loaded in the main storage device 403.
In the description of the first to fourth embodiments, “determining”, “determining”, “extracting”, “detecting”, “setting of”, “registering”, “ Information, data, signal values, and variable values indicating the results of the processing described as “selection”, “generation of”, “input of”, “output of”, and the like are stored as files in the main storage device 903. Has been.
In addition, data received from each station is stored in the main storage device 903.
Further, the encryption key / decryption key, random number value, and parameter may be stored in the main storage device 903 as a file.

Note that the configuration of FIG. 13 is merely an example of the hardware configuration of relay station 100, and the hardware configuration of relay station 100 is not limited to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 13 and may be other configurations. .
Further, the station 200 shown in the first to fourth embodiments may have the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 13 or may have another hardware configuration.

Further, the relay method according to the present invention can be realized by the procedure shown in the first to fourth embodiments.

In the first to fourth embodiments, the description has been made with respect to a network in which token passing is performed. However, a transmission opportunity of each station periodically arrives, and a station in which a transmission opportunity arrives transmits data. If so, the functions of relay station 100 shown in the first to fourth embodiments can be applied to other types of networks.

100 relay station, 101 domain 1 side reception processing unit, 102 domain 1 side transmission processing unit, 103 domain 1 side token processing unit, 104 domain 2 side reception processing unit, 105 domain 2 side transmission processing unit, 106 domain 2 side token processing Part, 107 memory management part, 108 application, 109 memory, 200 stations, 201 reception processing part, 202 transmission processing part, 203 token processing part, 204 memory management part, 205 application, 206 memory, 300 switching hub.

Claims

A first receiving unit that receives a plurality of communication data transmitted from a plurality of station devices included in the first communication network as a plurality of first communication data;
A second receiving unit that receives a plurality of communication data transmitted from a plurality of station devices included in the second communication network as a plurality of second communication data;
A first timing detector that detects arrival of a first transmission timing that arrives at a predetermined period;
A second timing detector for detecting arrival of a second transmission timing that arrives at a predetermined period;
When the arrival of the first transmission timing is detected by the first timing detection unit, a plurality of second received by the second reception unit before the arrival of the first transmission timing is detected. A first transmission unit for transmitting second communication data transmitted from a specific station device in the second communication network to a specific station device in the first communication network;
When the arrival of the second transmission timing is detected by the second timing detection unit, a plurality of first received by the first reception unit before the arrival of the second transmission timing is detected. A second transmission unit configured to transmit, to the specific station device in the second communication network, the first communication data transmitted from the specific station device in the first communication network among the communication data. A relay station apparatus characterized by that.
The first transmitter is
When the arrival of the first transmission timing is detected by the first timing detection unit, a plurality of second received by the second reception unit before the arrival of the first transmission timing is detected. Transmitting the second communication data transmitted from the station device belonging to a specific group in the second communication network among the communication data to the station device belonging to the specific group in the first communication network;
The second transmitter is
When the arrival of the second transmission timing is detected by the second timing detection unit, a plurality of first received by the first reception unit before the arrival of the second transmission timing is detected. Of the communication data, the first communication data transmitted from the station device belonging to the specific group in the first communication network is transmitted to the station device belonging to the specific group in the second communication network. The relay station apparatus according to claim 1.
The first transmitter is
Second communication data transmitted from a specific station device among two or more station devices belonging to the specific group in the second communication network is transmitted to the specific group in the first communication network. The relay station apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the relay station apparatus transmits to a specific station apparatus to which the station belongs.
The second transmitter is
First communication data transmitted from a specific station device among two or more station devices belonging to the specific group in the first communication network is transmitted to the specific group in the second communication network. The relay station apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the relay station apparatus transmits to a specific station apparatus to which the station belongs.
The first receiving unit includes:
A data transmission opportunity arrives at each station device at a predetermined cycle, and the first data is received from each station device included in the first network in which data transmission is performed by the station device at which the transmission opportunity has arrived,
The second receiver is
A data transmission opportunity arrives at each station device every predetermined period, and the second data is received from each station device included in the second network in which data transmission is performed by the station device at which the transmission opportunity has arrived. The relay station apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
The relay station device
Relaying communication data between a first communication network where token passing is performed and a second communication network where token passing is performed in parallel with token passing of the first communication network;
The first receiving unit includes:
Receiving a token circulating in the first communication network at a predetermined cycle from any station device in the first communication network;
The first timing detector is
When the token is received by the first receiver, it is determined that the first transmission timing has arrived,
The second receiver is
Receiving a token circulating in the second communication network at a predetermined cycle from any station device in the second communication network;
The second timing detector is
6. The relay station apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the token is received by the second receiving unit, it is determined that the second transmission timing has arrived.
The relay station device
The communication data is relayed between the first communication network and the second communication network obtained by dividing a token passing network including a plurality of station devices. Relay station device.
The relay station device
The relay station apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relay station apparatus is one of a station apparatus included in the first communication network and a station apparatus included in the second communication network.
The relay station device
When connected to the network under test,
The relay station apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relay station apparatus emulates such that communication is performed between the test target network and a network that is the communication target of the test target network.
The first transmitter is
In a predetermined case, regardless of the first transmission timing, any second communication data received by the second receiving unit is transmitted to any station apparatus in the first communication network. And
The second transmitter is
In a predetermined case, regardless of the second transmission timing, any first communication data received by the first reception unit is transmitted to any station apparatus in the second communication network. The relay station apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The relay station device
Receiving a plurality of communication data transmitted from a plurality of station devices included in the first communication network as a plurality of first communication data;
Receiving a plurality of communication data transmitted from a plurality of station devices included in the second communication network as a plurality of second communication data;
Detecting the arrival of the first transmission timing arriving at a predetermined period;
Detecting the arrival of the second transmission timing arriving at a predetermined period;
When the arrival of the first transmission timing is detected, a specific station in the second communication network among the plurality of second communication data received before the detection of the arrival of the first transmission timing Transmitting the second communication data transmitted from the device to a specific station device in the first communication network;
When the arrival of the second transmission timing is detected, a specific station in the first communication network among the plurality of first communication data received before detection of the arrival of the second transmission timing A relay method comprising: transmitting first communication data transmitted from a device to a specific station device in the second communication network.
A first reception process for receiving a plurality of communication data transmitted from a plurality of station devices included in the first communication network as a plurality of first communication data;
A second reception process for receiving a plurality of communication data transmitted from a plurality of station devices included in the second communication network as a plurality of second communication data;
A first timing detection process for detecting arrival of a first transmission timing that arrives at a predetermined period;
A second timing detection process for detecting the arrival of the second transmission timing that arrives at a predetermined period;
When the arrival of the first transmission timing is detected by the first timing detection process, a plurality of second received by the second reception process before the detection of the arrival of the first transmission timing is detected. A first transmission process for transmitting, out of communication data, second communication data transmitted from a specific station device in the second communication network to a specific station device in the first communication network;
When the arrival of the second transmission timing is detected by the second timing detection process, a plurality of first received by the first reception process before the arrival of the second transmission timing is detected. A second transmission process for transmitting the first communication data transmitted from the specific station device in the first communication network to the specific station device in the second communication network of the communication data; A program characterized by being executed.