WO2019026254A1

WO2019026254A1 - Control device, equipment, facility management system, control method, and program

Info

Publication number: WO2019026254A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/028305
Authority: WO
Inventors: 卓也向井
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2017-08-03
Filing date: 2017-08-03
Publication date: 2019-02-07
Also published as: JPWO2019026254A1; JP6833043B2

Abstract

The control device (100) controls equipment interconnected via a communication line and is provided with a communication unit (150) and a transmission control part (114). The communication unit (150) transmits to the equipment via the communication line a control frame for controlling operations of the equipment and a test frame for causing the equipment to evaluate communication quality. The transmission control part (114) controls the communication unit (150) so as to transmit the test frame to the equipment within the duration of a control frame interval, this being an interval of time set as the transmission interval for the control frame.

Description

CONTROL DEVICE, FACILITY EQUIPMENT, FACILITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM

The present invention relates to a control device, equipment equipment, equipment management system, control method, and program.

Development of technology for evaluating communication quality in a facility management system that manages a plurality of facility devices is in progress. For example, Patent Document 1 monitors a signal flowing through a transmission path, and when a communication abnormality is detected, analyzes the distortion of the voltage waveform of the signal at the time of the communication abnormality detection to estimate the cause of the abnormality occurrence. It is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-318471

The distortion of the voltage waveform may occur due to a failure of the communication system such as the communication line, the communication circuit, the connector or the like, a contact failure or the like, and may also occur due to a collision of signals on the communication line. Therefore, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to determine whether distortion of the voltage waveform is caused by a failure in the communication system or caused by a signal collision, and communication quality is evaluated efficiently. It is difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object thereof is to efficiently evaluate communication quality.

In order to achieve the above object, a control device according to the present invention is a control device that controls equipment connected via a communication line, and includes transmission means and transmission control means. The transmitting means transmits a control frame for controlling the operation of the facility device and a test frame for causing the facility device to perform the communication quality evaluation to the facility device via the communication line. The transmission control means controls the transmission means to transmit the test frame to the equipment within the control frame interval time set as the control frame transmission interval time.

According to the present invention, the control device transmits the test frame for performing the communication quality evaluation to the equipment within the control frame interval time. Therefore, the test frame can be transmitted to the facility equipment at a timing at which the signal collision can be avoided, and the communication quality can be efficiently evaluated.

The figure which shows the structure of the equipment management system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. Block diagram showing the configuration of the control device Block diagram showing the configuration of equipment Diagram for explaining the peak value, pulse width, sag, rise time, and fall time of each pulse of the voltage waveform Flow chart showing the flow of test frame transmission processing Flow chart showing the flow of communication quality evaluation processing Flow chart showing a flow of test frame transmission processing according to the second embodiment Diagram for explaining the operation of each device when a signal collision occurs

Hereinafter, an equipment management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, an equipment management system for managing equipment of equipment will be described as an example.

Embodiment 1
As shown in FIG. 1, the facility management system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a facility device 200 and a control device 100 that controls a plurality of facility devices 200. The control device 100 and the facility device 200 are communicably connected to each other via the communication line CL, and have a carrier sense multiple access with collision detection (CSMA / CD), which is a communication control method of Ethernet (registered trademark). Use serial communication. Further, as signals used for communication between control device 100 and facility equipment 200, any signal in a baseband method such as NRZ (Non Return to Zero) method, RZ (Return to Zero) method, AMI (Alternate Mark Inversion) method, etc. A coding scheme can be applied.

Although three equipment devices 200 are shown in FIG. 1, the number of equipment devices 200 provided in the equipment management system 1 is not limited to this, and any number of equipment devices 200 can be applied. Also, in the following, a plurality of equipment devices may be generically referred to or referred to as one of the equipment devices included in the equipment management system 1 as “equipment equipment 200”.

In the usual CSMA / CD system, each device on the communication line constantly monitors whether a signal is flowing through the communication line, and after confirming that a no signal state where no signal is flowing has continued for a predetermined time period , Start sending data. Further, the device that transmits data collates the transmission data and the communication data on the transmission path in bit units, and detects a collision when the collation results differ. When a collision of signals on the communication line is detected, transmission of data is stopped, and a jam signal is transmitted to notify other devices that a collision has occurred. As a result, the device that has received the jam signal can reliably discard the data in which the collision has occurred. The device that detects the collision and stops transmission starts retransmitting data after a waiting time determined randomly from a plurality of candidates has elapsed.

In the winning method, among a plurality of devices which started data transmission almost simultaneously, a device which detects collision stops data transmission, while a device which does not detect collision continues without stopping data transmission, Send to the end.

The operation of each device when a collision of the transmission signals of the device A and the device B occurs on the communication line will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the NRZ method is adopted, the signal of potential E indicates "1" and the signal of potential 0 indicates "0". Also, the data on the communication line appears as "0" when one or more devices transmit "0" and as "1" when all the devices transmit "1". As shown in FIG. 8, since device A is “0” on the communication line even though “1” is transmitted to the 5th bit, a collision is detected and transmission of the next and subsequent bits is stopped. Do. On the other hand, since the transmission data and the data on the communication line coincide with each other, the device B wins and continues the transmission of the data.

In the above example, although device B continues data transmission without detecting even if a collision occurs, distortion due to the collision may occur in the voltage waveform of data transmitted by device B . Therefore, it becomes difficult for devices other than the device A that received the transmission data of the device B to distinguish whether the distortion of the voltage waveform is due to a signal collision or a failure of the communication system.

Next, each configuration of the control device 100 and the equipment 200 included in the equipment management system 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 100 controls the control device 100 in a centralized manner, a storage unit 120 stores various programs and data, a display unit 130 displaying an image, and an input unit for receiving user input. 140, the communication unit 150 that performs data communication with the facility device 200, and the signal detection unit 160 that detects a signal flowing through the communication line CL. Each of these parts is electrically connected to each other via a bus line BL.

The control unit 110 includes a computer having a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and the like. The control unit 110 controls each component of the control device 100 by the CPU reading out various operation programs stored in the ROM and executing them on the RAM. The RAM functions as a buffer that temporarily stores, for example, frame interval information indicating the minimum time of the transmission interval of each frame, transmission state information indicating the transmission processing state of the communication unit 150, and the like.

The control unit 110 functionally includes a frame interval setting unit 111, a non-signal time measurement unit 112, a transmission state management unit 113, a transmission control unit 114, and a display control unit 115.

The frame interval setting unit 111 sets a frame interval time according to the type of command to be transmitted, and stores the set frame interval in the RAM as frame interval information. The frame interval setting unit 111 normally sets the frame interval to a control frame interval time that is a transmission interval time of a control frame. Further, when the frame interval setting unit 111 receives an operation signal instructing communication quality evaluation from the user via the input unit 140, the frame interval time is set to transmit the test frame at an interval shorter than the control frame interval time. The test frame interval time, which is the test frame transmission interval time, is set. In this embodiment, the control frame interval time is 20 milliseconds, and the test frame interval time is 10 milliseconds.

Here, in the present embodiment, the control frame is a frame in which a control command for controlling the operation of the facility device 200 is stored. The test frame is a frame that stores a test command that instructs the facility device 200 to execute communication quality evaluation. The test frame includes information of a frame type and a frame length to distinguish it from the control frame. The test frame preferably has a short data length in order to complete transmission of the entire frame in a short time. The test frame may be transmitted to each of the facility devices 200 based on a transmission schedule previously set by the user, in addition to transmission according to the operation of the user.

The non-signal time measurement unit 112 measures a non-signal time which is a continuation time of the non-signal state where no signal flows on the communication line CL. The no-signal time measurement unit 112 measures the no-signal time based on the detection signal input from the signal detection unit 160 using, for example, a counter built in the CPU.

The transmission state management unit 113 manages the transmission processing state of the communication unit 150. In the transmission state management unit 113, for example, the communication unit 150 is not executing transmission processing of a frame “not transmitted”, transmission processing of a control frame is being performed “control frame transmission in progress”, transmission processing of a test frame Is stored in the RAM as transmission state information, which state is "during test frame transmission". The transmission state management unit 113 appropriately updates the transmission state information based on the transmission request output from the transmission control unit 114 to the communication unit 150, the transmission result notification input from the communication unit 150, and the like.

The transmission control unit 114 controls the communication unit 150 to transmit a frame to the facility device 200. The transmission control unit 114 generates a frame storing transmission data, and the communication unit 150 at the timing when the non-signal time measured by the non-signal time measurement unit 112 reaches the time set in the frame interval information stored in the RAM. And causes the communication unit 150 to start frame transmission.

The display control unit 115 controls the display unit 130 to display, for example, communication quality evaluation information received from the facility device 200.

The frame interval setting unit 111, the non-signal time measurement unit 112, the transmission state management unit 113, the transmission control unit 114, and the display control unit 115 may be realized by one computer, or may be realized by separate computers. It may be done.

The storage unit 120 includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory whose storage content can be rewritten, a hard disk drive, and the like. The storage unit 120 stores various programs used for the processing of the control unit 110, and various data such as input data and transmission / reception data.

The display unit 130 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electro-luminescent (EL) display, and displays and outputs various information output from the control unit 110. Under the control of the control unit 110, the display unit 130 displays, for example, communication quality evaluation information received from the facility device 200.

The input unit 140 includes a touch panel, operation buttons, and the like, receives data input by the user, an operation, and the like, and outputs a signal corresponding to the received input to the control unit 110. For example, the input unit 140 receives an operation of instructing communication quality evaluation by the user, and outputs that effect to the control unit 110. The touch panel may include the display screen of the display unit 130 and a touch sensor provided so as to overlap with the display screen.

The communication unit 150 is a communication interface for communicating with the facility device 200, and transmits data to the facility device 200 and receives data from the facility device 200 under the control of the control unit 110. When the communication unit 150 executes the transmission process in response to the transmission request of the control unit 110, the communication unit 150 outputs a transmission result notification indicating transmission completion or transmission error to the control unit 110. Further, when the communication unit 150 executes the reception process, the communication unit 150 outputs a reception result notification indicating reception completion or reception error to the control unit 110. If the received frame is not addressed to the own apparatus, the communication unit 150 discards the frame without notifying the control unit 110.

The signal detection unit 160 detects whether a signal is flowing on the communication line CL. The signal detection unit 160 includes, for example, a voltage sensor, constantly monitors the voltage of the communication line CL, and outputs the presence or absence of detection of a signal to the control unit 110.

The facility device 200, as shown in FIG. 3, includes a control unit 210 that generally controls the facility device 200, a storage unit 220 that stores various programs and data, and a communication unit that performs data communication with the control device 100 and the facility device 200. 230, the voltage acquisition part 240 which acquires the voltage value of the communication line CL is provided. Each of these parts is electrically connected to each other via a bus line BL.

The control unit 210 includes a computer having a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The control unit 210 controls each component of the facility device 200 by reading out various operation programs stored in the ROM and executing them on the RAM.

Functionally, the control unit 210 has a frame interval setting unit 211, a non-signal time measurement unit 212, a transmission state management unit 213, a transmission control unit 214, a measured waveform acquisition unit 215, a theoretical waveform acquisition unit 216, and a communication quality evaluation unit It has 217.

The frame interval setting unit 211 sets a frame interval time, and stores the set frame interval time in the RAM as frame interval information. The frame interval setting unit 211 differs from the frame interval setting unit 111 of the control device 100, for example, after setting the frame interval time to the control frame interval time at the time of initial setting according to the powering-down of the facility device 200. There is no change. That is, the equipment 200 always transmits the control frame to the outside based on the control frame interval time.

The non-signal time measurement unit 212 measures a non-signal time which is a continuation time of the non-signal state where no signal flows on the communication line CL. The non-signal time measurement unit 212 measures the non-signal time based on the voltage detection signal input from the voltage acquisition unit 240 using, for example, a counter built in the CPU.

The transmission state management unit 213 manages the transmission processing state of the communication unit 230. In the transmission state management unit 213, for example, the communication unit 230 does not execute transmission processing of a frame “not transmitted”, transmission processing of a control frame is being performed “control frame transmission in progress”, transmission processing of a test frame Is stored in the RAM as transmission state information, which state is "during test frame transmission". The transmission state management unit 213 appropriately updates the transmission state information based on the transmission request output from the transmission control unit 214 to the communication unit 230, the transmission result notification input from the communication unit 230, and the like.

The transmission control unit 214 controls the communication unit 230 to transmit a frame to the outside. The transmission control unit 214 generates a frame storing transmission data, and the communication unit 230 at the timing when the non-signal time measured by the non-signal time measurement unit 212 reaches the time set in the frame interval information stored in the RAM. And causes the communication unit 230 to start frame transmission.

The measured waveform acquisition unit 215 specifies the voltage waveform corresponding to the test frame received through the communication unit 230 from the voltage value of the communication line CL for a certain period input from the voltage acquisition unit 240, and measures the specified voltage waveform. It is stored in the storage unit 220 as waveform information.

The theoretical waveform acquisition unit 216 reads theoretical waveform information stored in advance in the storage unit 220, and acquires a theoretical waveform indicating an ideal voltage waveform of the test frame.

The communication quality evaluation unit 217 compares the measured waveform of the test frame indicated by the measured waveform information stored in the storage unit 220 with the theoretical waveform of the test frame acquired by the theoretical waveform acquisition unit 216, and It is evaluated whether the difference between the peak value, the sag, the pulse width, the rise time, and the fall time is within a predetermined allowable range.

Here, the peak value, pulse width, sag, rise time, and fall time of each pulse of the voltage waveform are defined, for example, as shown in FIG. The peak value is the maximum value of the voltage of the pulse. The pulse width is the time from when the voltage rises to 50% of the peak value to when it falls to 50% of the peak value. Sag is the voltage drop at the top of the pulse after rising and before falling. The magnitude of the sag is expressed as a ratio of the drop in voltage value to the peak value. The rise time is the time required for the voltage to increase from 10% to 90% of the peak value. Fall time is the time it takes for the voltage to decrease from 90% to 10% of the peak value.

Also, whether or not the communication quality evaluation unit 217 has a problem in the communication system between the control device 100 and the own device according to, for example, the ratio of the number of bits exceeding the allowable range to the total number of bits. Determine Then, communication quality evaluation information indicating the determination result is transmitted to the control device 100 via the communication unit 230.

The theoretical waveform of the test frame is derived from the theoretical value of the voltage applied to the communication line CL according to each bit when the control device 100 transmits the test frame.

The frame interval setting unit 211, the non-signal time measurement unit 212, the transmission state management unit 213, the transmission control unit 214, the measured waveform acquisition unit 215, the theoretical waveform acquisition unit 216, and the communication quality evaluation unit 217 are realized by one computer. Or each may be implemented by a separate computer.

The storage unit 220 includes a nonvolatile semiconductor memory whose storage content can be rewritten, a hard disk drive, and the like. The storage unit 220 stores various programs used for the processing of the control unit 210, various data such as input data and transmission / reception data.

In addition, the storage unit 220 includes theoretical waveform information indicating a theoretical waveform of a test frame transmitted from the control device 100, tolerance range information indicating an allowable range of a difference between an actually measured waveform and an evaluation element of the theoretical waveform, and an actually measured waveform of a test frame. Stores measured waveform information indicating.

The communication unit 230 is a communication interface for communicating with the control device 100, and transmits data to the control device 100 and receives data from the control device 100 under the control of the control unit 210.

The voltage acquisition unit 240 acquires voltage values of signals transmitted to and from the control device 100 via the communication line CL. The voltage acquisition unit 240 includes, for example, a voltage sensor and an AD (Analog to Digital) converter, samples the voltage value of the communication line CL every fixed period, converts it into a digital value, and outputs the digital value.

Next, test frame transmission processing executed by the control unit 110 of the control device 100 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The test frame transmission process is a process of transmitting a test frame for signal analysis while transmitting each frame to the facility device 200. Control unit 110 starts test frame transmission processing in response to, for example, receiving an operation of instructing communication quality evaluation by the user via input unit 140.

When the test frame transmission process is started, the control unit 110 first generates a test frame addressed to the facility device 200 to be subjected to communication quality evaluation (step S101).

Subsequently, the control unit 110 determines whether the transmission state of the communication unit 150 is "non-transmission" (step S102). The control unit 110 refers to the transmission state information stored in the RAM to determine whether or not "non-transmission", and confirms whether or not the transmission of the control frame executed in advance is completed. If it is determined that the transmission state is not "non-transmission" (step S102; NO), the control unit 110 repeats the process of step S102 and stands by until the transmission state becomes "non-transmission".

On the other hand, when it is determined that the transmission state is "non-transmission" (step S102; YES), the control unit 110 sets the transmission state of the communication unit 150 to "under test frame transmission" (step S103). Specifically, the transmission state management unit 113 of the control unit 110 changes the transmission state information stored in the RAM to “during test frame transmission”.

When the transmission state is "non-transmission", there is no signal flow on the communication line CL, and the control device 100 and the facility device 200 normally waits for transmission of a frame until the control frame interval time elapses. Do. The control unit 110 sets the transmission state to “during test frame transmission” to execute the following processing in order to transmit the test frame while the frame device 200 is waiting for frame transmission.

Control unit 110 sets the frame interval time to the test frame interval time (step S104). Specifically, the frame interval setting unit 111 of the control unit 110 changes the frame interval information stored in the RAM to the test frame interval time. The test frame interval time is shorter than the normal control frame interval time, and is, for example, 10 milliseconds.

Next, the control unit 110 determines whether the no signal time has reached the test frame interval time (step S105). The control unit 110 determines with reference to the non-signal time measured by the non-signal time measurement unit 112, that is, the count value of the built-in counter. When it is determined that the non-signal time has not reached the test frame interval time (step S105; NO), the control unit 110 repeats the process of step S105 and waits until the non-signal time reaches the test frame interval time. .

On the other hand, when it is determined that the no-signal time has reached the test frame interval time (step S105; YES), the control unit 110 outputs a test frame transmission request to the communication unit 150 (step S106). The communication unit 150 that has received the test frame transmission request transmits the test frame.

After outputting the test frame transmission request to the communication unit 150, the control unit 110 determines whether a transmission result notification has been input from the communication unit 150 (step S107). When it is determined that the transmission result notification has not been input (step S107; NO), the control unit 110 repeats the processing of step S107 and waits until the transmission result notification is input.

If it is determined that the transmission result notification has been input (step S107; YES), the control unit 110 sets the frame interval time to the control frame interval time (step S108). Then, the control unit 110 sets the transmission state to "non-transmission" (step S109), and ends the test frame transmission process.

Next, the communication quality evaluation process executed by the control unit 210 of the facility device 200 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The communication quality evaluation process is a process of evaluating the communication quality between the control device 100 and the facility device 200 by comparing the measured waveform of the test frame and the theoretical waveform. In response to receiving the test frame from control device 100, control unit 210 executes communication quality evaluation processing.

When the communication quality evaluation process is started, the control unit 210 first acquires the measured waveform of the test frame (step S201). Specifically, the measured waveform acquisition unit 215 of the control unit 210 refers to the measured waveform information stored in the storage unit 220, and acquires the measured waveform of the test frame.

Next, the control unit 210 acquires a theoretical waveform of a test frame (step S202). Specifically, the theoretical waveform acquisition unit 216 of the control unit 210 reads out and acquires the theoretical waveform of the test frame indicated by the theoretical waveform information stored in the storage unit 220 from the storage unit 220.

After acquiring the measured waveform and the theoretical waveform of the test frame, the communication quality evaluation unit 217 compares the measured waveform and the theoretical waveform to evaluate the communication quality between itself and the control device 100 (step S203). . The communication quality evaluation unit 217 determines the tolerance range information stored in the storage unit 220 for each difference between the peak value, sag, pulse width, rise time, and fall time of each bit of the measured waveform and the theoretical waveform of the test frame. It is determined whether or not it is within the indicated allowable range. Then, the communication quality evaluation unit 217 evaluates whether the communication quality is appropriate according to, for example, the ratio of the number of bits of which the difference exceeds the allowable range to the total number of bits.

After executing the processing of step S203, the control unit 210 controls the communication unit 230 to transmit communication quality evaluation information indicating the evaluation result of communication quality to the control device 100 (step S204), and performs communication quality evaluation processing. finish.

As described above, in the facility management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the control device 100 transmits the test frame to the facility device 200 within the control frame interval time set as the control frame transmission interval. As described above, the facility device 200 transmits the test frame for instructing the execution of the communication quality evaluation to the facility device 200 during the frame transmission standby time of the facility device 200. Thus, the facility device 200 receives the voltage waveform of the received test frame. When distortion exceeding the allowable range is generated, it can be easily determined that a failure in the communication system has occurred, and communication quality can be efficiently evaluated.

Control device 100 further includes a no-signal time measurement unit 112 that measures a no-signal time when no signal flows through communication line CL, and the timing when the no-signal time reaches a test frame interval time shorter than the control frame interval time. Then, the test frame is transmitted to the equipment 200. As a result, a test frame in which no signal collision has occurred can be reliably transmitted to the facility device 200 during the frame transmission standby time of the facility device 200, and communication quality can be efficiently evaluated.

Second Embodiment
Although the control apparatus 100 transmits the test frame to the equipment 200 at the timing when the signal collision within the transmission interval of the control frame is less likely to occur in the first embodiment, the transmission timing of the test frame is not limited to this. . In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the accuracy of evaluation of communication quality is enhanced by transmitting a test frame at a timing at which the possibility of a signal collision is low.

Since the configuration of the facility management system according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, the second embodiment will be described using the reference numerals used in the first embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be described. I omit it.

The test frame transmission process performed by the control unit 110 of the control device 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The test frame transmission process according to the second embodiment is a process of transmitting a dummy frame and a test frame. The dummy frame is a frame storing a dummy command that does not cause the facility device 200 to execute effective processing, and is transmitted to the facility device 200 prior to transmission of a test frame. That is, the control device 100 transmits a test frame to the facility device 200 within this period after securing a standby time for frame transmission of the facility device 200 by transmitting a dummy frame before sending a test frame. Two frames, a dummy frame and a test frame, are transmitted within the control frame interval time. Control unit 110 starts test frame transmission processing in response to, for example, receiving an operation instructing the start of communication evaluation by the user via input unit 140.

When the test frame transmission process is started, the control unit 110 first generates a dummy frame and a test frame addressed to the facility device 200 that is the target of communication quality evaluation (step S301).

Subsequently, the control unit 110 determines whether the transmission state of the communication unit 150 is "non-transmission" (step S302). The control unit 110 refers to the transmission state information stored in the RAM to determine whether or not "non-transmission", and confirms whether or not the transmission of the control frame executed in advance is completed. When it is determined that the transmission state is not "non-transmission" (step S302; NO), the control unit 110 repeats the process of step S302 and stands by until the transmission state becomes "non-transmission".

On the other hand, when it is determined that the transmission state is "non-transmission" (step S302; YES), the control unit 110 sets the transmission state of the communication unit 150 to "under test frame transmission" (step S303). The transmission state management unit 113 sets the transmission state information stored in the RAM to “during test frame transmission”.

Control unit 110 sets the frame interval time to the dummy frame interval time (step S304). The transmission state management unit 113 sets the frame interval information stored in the RAM as the dummy frame interval time. The dummy frame interval time is sufficiently shorter than the normal control frame interval time, for example, 5 milliseconds.

Next, the control unit 110 determines whether the non-signal time has reached the dummy frame interval time (step S305). If it is determined that the non-signal time has not reached the dummy frame interval time (step S305; NO), the control unit 110 repeats the process of step S305 and waits until the non-signal time reaches the dummy frame interval time. .

On the other hand, when it is determined that the no signal time has reached the dummy frame interval time (step S305; YES), the control unit 110 outputs a transmission request for a dummy frame to the communication unit 150 (step S306). The communication unit 150 that has received the dummy frame transmission request transmits the dummy frame. The facility device 200 that has received the dummy frame discards the dummy frame without performing special processing, including the facility device 200 that is the destination of the dummy frame.

After outputting a transmission request for a dummy frame to the communication unit 150, the control unit 110 determines whether a transmission result notification has been input from the communication unit 150 (step S307). If it is determined that the transmission result notification has not been input (step S307; NO), the control unit 110 repeats the process of step S307 and waits until the transmission result notification is input.

When it is determined that the transmission result notification has been input (step S307; YES), the control unit 110 sets the frame interval time to the test frame interval time (step S308). Specifically, the frame interval setting unit 111 of the control unit 110 sets the frame interval information stored in the RAM as the test frame interval time. Also, when the communication unit 150 completes the transmission of the dummy frame, the no-signal time measurement unit 112 of the control unit 110 restarts the measurement of the no-signal time.

Next, the control unit 110 determines whether the no signal time has reached the test frame interval time (step S309). The control unit 110 determines whether the measurement time by the no-signal time measurement unit 112 has reached the test frame interval time set in the frame interval information. If it is determined that the non-signal time has not reached the test frame interval time (step S309; NO), the control unit 110 repeats the process of step S309 and waits until the non-signal time reaches the test frame interval time. .

If it is determined that the no signal time has reached the test frame interval time (step S309; YES), the control unit 110 outputs a test frame transmission request to the communication unit 150 (step S310). The communication unit 150 that has received the test frame transmission request transmits the test frame.

When receiving the test frame, the facility apparatus 200 at the test frame destination compares the measured waveform of the test frame with the theoretical waveform to evaluate the communication quality, as in the first embodiment. Then, the facility device 200 transmits communication quality evaluation information to the control device 100.

After outputting the test frame transmission request to the communication unit 150, the control unit 110 determines whether a transmission result notification has been input from the communication unit 150 (step S311). If it is determined that the transmission result notification has not been input (step S311; NO), the control unit 110 repeats the process of step S311 and waits until the transmission result notification is input.

If it is determined that the transmission result notification has been input (step S311; YES), the control unit 110 sets the frame interval time to the control frame interval time (step S312), and after setting the transmission state to "non-transmission" (step S312) Step S313) The test frame transmission process ends.

As described above, in the facility management system 1 according to the present embodiment, the control device 100 sequentially transmits the dummy frame and the test frame to the facility device 200 within the control frame interval time. As described above, by transmitting the dummy frame before transmitting the test frame, the test frame can be transmitted at a timing at which the possibility of the signal collision is further reduced, and the communication quality can be evaluated more efficiently. it can.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, even if the control device 100 includes the function of the control device 100 and the control device 100 includes the function of the control device 100, the control device 100 and the control device 200 may evaluate the communication quality with each other. Good. In addition, the facility management system 1 may include a facility management device that manages the control device 100 and the facility device 200. For example, the facility management device may manage communication quality evaluation information between the devices in an integrated manner.

For example, the function of the signal detection unit 160 of the control device 100 is realized by the communication interface included in the communication unit 150, and the function of the voltage acquisition unit 240 of the facility device 200 is realized by the communication interface included in the communication unit 230. Thus, the signal detection unit 160 and the voltage acquisition unit 240 may be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the operation program executed by the CPU provided in the control device 100 and the facility device 200 is stored in advance in the ROM. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation program for executing the above-described various processes may be implemented in the above general-purpose computer, a framework, a work station, etc. according to the above embodiment. It may function as a device corresponding to the control device 100 or the facility device 200.

A method for providing such a program is arbitrary, and for example, it can be distributed by being stored in a computer readable recording medium (flexible disc, CD (Compact Disc) -ROM, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), etc.). It may be provided by storing the program in a storage on the network such as the Internet and downloading it.

When the above process is executed by sharing the OS (Operating System) and the application program, or in cooperation with the OS and the application program, only the application program may be stored in the recording medium or the storage. It is also possible to superimpose a program on a carrier wave and distribute it via a network. For example, the program may be posted on a Bulletin Board System (BBS) on a network, and the program may be distributed via the network. Then, this program may be activated and designed to execute the above-described processing by executing the same as other application programs under the control of the OS.

The present invention is capable of various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope. In addition, the embodiment described above is for describing the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the scope of the present invention is indicated not by the embodiments but by the claims. And, various modifications applied within the scope of the claims and the meaning of the invention are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be suitably adopted in a facility management system that manages a plurality of facility devices.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facility management system, 100 ... Control apparatus, 110 ... Control part, 111 ... Frame interval setting part, 112 ... Non-signal time measurement part, 113 ... Transmission state management part, 114 ... Transmission control part, 115 ... Display control part, 120: storage unit 130: display unit 140: input unit 150: communication unit 160: signal detection unit 200: facility device 210: control unit 211: frame interval setting unit 212: non-signal time measurement unit , 213: transmission state management unit, 214: transmission control unit, 215: measured waveform acquisition unit, 216: theoretical waveform acquisition unit, 217: communication quality evaluation unit, 220: storage unit, 230: communication unit, 240: voltage acquisition unit , BL ... bus line, CL ... communication line

Claims

A control device for controlling equipment connected via a communication line, the control device comprising:
A control frame for controlling the operation of the facility device, and a transmitting means for transmitting a test frame for causing the facility device to perform communication quality evaluation to the facility device via the communication line;
Transmission control means for controlling the transmission means to transmit the test frame to the equipment within a control frame interval time set as the control frame transmission interval time;
Control device.
A signal-free time measuring means for measuring a duration of a signal-less state in which no signal flows through the communication line;
The transmission control means receives the test frame as the equipment when the duration of the no signal state measured by the no signal time measuring means reaches a test frame interval time shorter than the control frame interval time. Send to
The control device according to claim 1.
The transmission control means controls the transmission means to transmit a dummy frame to the facility device prior to transmission of the test frame within the control frame interval time period.
The control device according to claim 1.
An equipment controlled by a controller connected via a communication line,
Receiving means for receiving a test frame instructing execution of communication quality evaluation from the control device via the communication line;
Measured waveform acquisition means for acquiring a measured waveform of the test frame;
Theoretical waveform acquisition means for acquiring a theoretical waveform of the test frame;
Communication quality evaluation means for evaluating communication quality based on comparison between the measured waveform and the theoretical waveform;
Equipment equipment.
An equipment management system comprising a controller and equipment equipment connected via a communication line, the equipment management system comprising:
The controller is
A control frame for controlling the operation of the facility device, and a transmitting means for transmitting a test frame for causing the facility device to perform communication quality evaluation to the facility device via the communication line;
Transmission control means for controlling the transmission means to transmit the test frame to the equipment within a control frame interval time set as the control frame transmission interval time;
The equipment is
Receiving means for receiving the control frame and the test frame from the control device via the communication line;
Measured waveform acquisition means for acquiring a measured waveform of the test frame;
Theoretical waveform acquisition means for acquiring a theoretical waveform of the test frame;
Communication quality evaluation means for evaluating communication quality based on comparison between the measured waveform and the theoretical waveform;
Equipment management system.
A control method of a control device for controlling equipment connected via a communication line, the control method comprising:
A control frame for controlling the operation of the equipment, and a transmitting step of transmitting a test frame for causing the equipment to perform communication quality evaluation to the equipment via the communication line;
Controlling the transmitting step to transmit the test frame to the equipment within a control frame interval time set as the control frame transmission interval time;
Control method.
A control computer that controls equipment connected via a communication line,
A control frame for controlling the operation of the facility device, and a transmitting means for transmitting a test frame for causing the facility device to perform communication quality evaluation via the communication line,
Transmission control means for controlling the transmission means to transmit the test frame to the equipment within a control frame interval time set as the control frame transmission interval time,
A program to function as