WO2023209756A1 - Communication band setting device, communication band setting method, and communication band setting program - Google Patents

Abstract

An overlap identification unit (112) identifies an overlap time in which communication is performed in an overlapped manner between a plurality of sets, on the basis of the communication timing of each set of devices that perform communication. A band calculation unit (113) calculates, with respect to each of the overlap time and another time which is not an overlap time, a communication band to be allocated to a communication path used by each set. A band setting unit (114), depending on whether the time is the overlap time or the other time, toggles between a communication band calculated for the overlap time and a communication band calculated for the other time, and sets the communication band for the communication path that is used in each set.

Description

Communication band setting device, communication band setting method, and communication band setting program

The present disclosure relates to communication band setting technology.

Patent Document 1 describes dynamically changing the communication band according to communication conditions such as throughput and response rate during communication between devices, and event occurrence conditions such as file downloads. In Patent Document 1, communication settings are thereby optimized.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-003476

In factory equipment that operates on a factory production line, multiple devices communicate periodically. Furthermore, the communication timings of multiple devices may overlap. When communication timings overlap and a large amount of data such as camera images is communicated, the communication band may be compressed.

In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the allocated communication band is changed depending on the communication status and event occurrence status. However, there is no way to know in advance when the communication band will be compressed. Therefore, a situation may occur where the communication timings of multiple devices overlap and the allocated communication band is insufficient. As a result, it may become impossible to transmit data required for operation of the production line within the allowable delay time.

An object of the present disclosure is to make it possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where the communication band is insufficient even when the communication timings of multiple devices overlap.

The communication band setting device according to the present disclosure includes:
an overlap identifying unit that identifies an overlapping time when multiple sets communicate overlappingly based on the communication timing of each set of communicating devices;
a bandwidth calculating unit that calculates a communication band to be allocated to the communication route used in each group for each of the overlapping time specified by the overlapping identifying unit and other times that are not the overlapping time;
The communication band calculated for the overlap time by the band calculation unit and the communication band calculated for the other time by the band calculation unit depending on whether the time is the overlap time or the other time. and a band setting unit that switches and sets a communication band for the communication path used by each group.

In the present disclosure, overlapping times for overlapping communication are identified, and communication bands are calculated for each of the overlapping times and other times. Thereby, even if the communication timings of a plurality of devices overlap, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where the communication band is insufficient.

1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system 100 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication band setting device 10 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the communication band setting device 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of factory equipment information 132 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of communication path information 133 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of connection configuration information 134 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of duplication identification processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of communication band information 135 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of priority information 131 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of communication bands set in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a communication band setting device 10 according to a first modification. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a communication band setting device 10 according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the communication band setting device 10 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of factory equipment information 132 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of connection configuration information 134 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of display information 136 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of image data displayed by the display unit 115 according to the second embodiment.

Embodiment 1.
***Explanation of configuration***
The configuration of a communication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.
The communication system 100 includes a communication band setting device 10, a factory device 20, an external device 30, a base station 40, a terminal 50, and a terminal-side factory device 60. In FIG. 1, two terminals 50 are provided, a terminal 50a and a terminal 50b. Furthermore, five terminal-side factory apparatuses 60 are provided, from a terminal-side factory apparatus 60a to a terminal-side factory apparatus 60e.

The communication band setting device 10 is connected to the factory device 20 and the external device 30 by wire using Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like. Factory equipment 20 is wirelessly connected to terminal 50 via base station 40 . Note that the wireless connection is realized using prescribed technologies such as Wifi and 5G, as specific examples. Wifi is an abbreviation for Wireless Fidelty. 5G is an abbreviation for 5th Generation. The terminal 50 is connected to the terminal-side factory equipment 60 by wire via Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like. In FIG. 1, wired connections are represented by solid lines. Additionally, wireless connections are represented by broken lines.

The communication band setting device 10 is a computer that sets a communication band to be allocated. Here, the communication band setting device 10 sets a communication band between the base station 40 and the terminal 50. The factory device 20 is a device that is installed on a production line of a factory and controls the production line. The factory device 20 is, for example, a PLC or the like. PLC is an abbreviation for programmable logic controller. External device 30 is a computer that holds information regarding communications of communication system 100. The external device 30 controls the base station 40 using the communication band set by the communication band setting device 10, and controls the communication of the entire communication system 100.
The base station 40 is a base station for wireless communication. The terminal 50 is a computer that manages the terminal-side factory equipment 60. The terminal-side factory device 60 transmits and receives various information to and from the factory device 20. The terminal-side factory equipment 60 is, for example, a robot arm that operates on a production line, a camera that monitors the production status, and a display that displays the production status.

The configuration of the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an example. For example, the number of terminal-side factory devices 60 connected to one terminal 50 is arbitrary, and may be one or more than the number shown in FIG. 1. The number of terminals 50 connected to one base station 40 is arbitrary, and may be one or more than the number shown in FIG. 1.

In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the factory device 20 and the terminal-side factory device 60 periodically communicate and exchange data.
Note that the first embodiment will be described assuming a wireless connection configuration using a base station 40 and a terminal 50. However, the communication system 100 may be a system in which the factory equipment 20 and the terminal-side factory equipment 60 are connected by wire.

With reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the communication band setting device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.
The communication band setting device 10 includes hardware such as a processor 11, a memory 12, a storage 13, and a communication interface 14. The processor 11 is connected to other hardware via signal lines and controls these other hardware.

The processor 11 is an IC that performs processing. Specific examples of the processor 11 include a CPU, a DSP, and a GPU. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. DSP is an abbreviation for Digital Signal Processor. GPU is an abbreviation for Graphics Processing Unit.

The memory 12 is a storage device that temporarily stores data. The memory 12 is, for example, SRAM or DRAM. SRAM is an abbreviation for Static Random Access Memory. DRAM is an abbreviation for Dynamic Random Access Memory.

The storage 13 is a storage device that stores data. The storage 13 is, for example, an HDD. HDD is an abbreviation for Hard Disk Drive. Furthermore, the storage 13 may be a portable recording medium such as an SD (registered trademark) memory card, CompactFlash (registered trademark), NAND flash, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disc, Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk, or DVD. good. SD is an abbreviation for Secure Digital. DVD is an abbreviation for Digital Versatile Disk.

The communication interface 14 is an interface for communicating with an external device. The communication interface 14 is, for example, an Ethernet (registered trademark) port.

The communication band setting device 10 includes a connection configuration construction section 111, a duplication identification section 112, a band calculation section 113, and a band setting section 114 as functional components. The functions of each functional component of the communication band setting device 10 are realized by software.
The storage 13 stores programs that implement the functions of each functional component of the communication band setting device 10. This program is read into the memory 12 by the processor 11 and executed by the processor 11. Thereby, the functions of each functional component of the communication band setting device 10 are realized.

Priority information 131 is stored in the storage 13. The priority information 131 indicates the priority of transmission data for each terminal-side factory device 60.

In FIG. 1, only one processor 11 was shown. However, there may be a plurality of processors 11, and the plurality of processors 11 may cooperate to execute programs that implement each function.

***Operation explanation***
The operation of the communication band setting device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 9.
The operation procedure of the communication band setting device 10 according to the first embodiment corresponds to the communication band setting method according to the first embodiment. Further, a program for realizing the operation of the communication band setting device 10 according to the first embodiment corresponds to the communication band setting program according to the first embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 3, the flow of processing of the communication band setting device 10 according to the first embodiment will be described.
(Step S11: Information reception process)
When the communication band setting device 10 is activated, the connection configuration construction unit 111 receives information regarding the communication system 100 from the factory device 20 and the external device 30 via the communication interface 14 .
Specifically, when the communication band setting device 10 is activated, the connection configuration construction unit 111 requests the factory device 20 and the external device 30 to transmit information. The connection configuration construction unit 111 then receives factory equipment information 132 from the factory equipment 20 . Additionally, the connection configuration construction unit 111 receives communication path information 133 from the external device 30.

Factory equipment information 132 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4.
The factory device information 132 includes a type, an IP address, a communication speed [Mbps], an initial communication start time [ms], a communication cycle [ms], and a communication data size [byte]. IP is an abbreviation for Internet Protocol. Mbps is an abbreviation for Megabits per second. ms is an abbreviation for millisecond.
The type indicates whether it is the factory device 20 or the terminal-side factory device 60. The IP address is the IP address of the factory device 20 or the terminal-side factory device 60. If the type is factory device 20, only the IP address is included. The communication speed is the communication speed required for the terminal-side factory equipment 60 to transmit data to the factory equipment 20. The initial communication start time is the time until the terminal-side factory equipment 60 starts communication processing with the factory equipment 20. The communication cycle is a cycle at which the terminal-side factory equipment 60 performs communication. The communication data size is the size of data that the terminal-side factory equipment 60 transmits to the factory equipment 20 in one cycle.

Communication path information 133 according to Embodiment 1 will be explained with reference to FIG. 5.
The communication path information 133 indicates the communication path between the factory device 20 and the terminal-side factory device 60 using an IP address. In the communication path information 133, IP addresses of devices through which communication data passes from the factory device 20 side to the terminal-side factory device 60 side are arranged in order. In the first embodiment, the IP address of the factory device 20 is set in the communication path 1. The IP address of the base station 400 is set in the communication path 2. The IP address of the terminal 50 is set in the communication path 3. The IP address of the terminal-side factory equipment 60 is set in the communication path 4 .

(Step S12: Connection configuration construction process)
The connection configuration construction unit 111 generates connection configuration information 134 based on the information received in step S11. The connection configuration information 134 indicates the communication path, communication timing, etc. of each set of devices that perform communication.
Specifically, the connection configuration construction unit 111 generates connection configuration information 134 by combining factory device information 132 and communication path information 133.

The connection configuration information 134 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6.
The connection configuration information 134 includes the communication route, the communication speed [Mbps], the initial communication start time [ms], the communication cycle [ms], and the communication data size [byte] for data sent and received on the communication route. include. The connection configuration construction unit 111 constructs the connection configuration information 134 shown in FIG. 6 by linking the IP address in the communication path of the communication path information 133 with the IP address in the factory equipment information 132.

(Step S13: Duplicate identification process)
The overlap identifying unit 112 identifies an overlapping time dt during which multiple sets communicate overlappingly, based on the communication timing of each set of communicating devices.
Specifically, the overlap identification unit 112 identifies an overlap time dt in which data transmission times overlap from the initial communication start time, communication speed, and communication data size in the connection configuration information 134. Further, the overlap identifying unit 112 identifies an overlap cycle ct in which the overlap time dt occurs from the communication cycle in the connection configuration information 134.

Duplication identification processing according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7.
FIG. 7 shows an example of the communication cycle and transmission time in the terminal-side factory equipment 60 in the communication system 100 shown in FIG. The terminal-side factory equipment 60a to the terminal-side factory equipment 60e are connected to the terminal 50a or the terminal 50b in FIG. "c1" to "c5" are communication cycles (ms). "st1" to "st5" are initial communication start times (ms). “tt1” to “tt5” are data transmission times (ms). "dt" is the overlap time dt. "ct" is the overlap period ct.
The duplication identifying unit 112 calculates the data transmission time. Specifically, the duplication identification unit 112 calculates the data transmission time by "data transmission time = communication data size ÷ communication speed x transmission efficiency x 1000". For example, when the transmission efficiency is a constant E, the data transmission time is "tt1=s1÷sp1×E×1000" from the connection configuration information 134. The transmission efficiency is set by measuring the transmission efficiency in actual communication. Transmission efficiency may also be set by other methods.
The overlap identifying unit 112 identifies the overlap time dt based on the data transmission time. Specifically, the overlap identifying unit 112 calculates the overlap time dt as follows: dt=minimum value ((st1+tt1), (st2+tt2), . . . , (st5+tt5))−maximum value (st1, st2, . . . st5)". Note that if the overlapping time dt is a negative value, it is assumed that there is no overlapping data transmission time. In FIG. 7, the overlap time dt is (st1+tt1) of the terminal-side factory device 60a−st3 of the terminal-side factory device 60c.
The overlap identifying unit 112 identifies the overlap period ct. The terminal-side factory equipment 60a and the terminal-side factory equipment 60e communicate periodically. Therefore, the duplication specifying unit 112 specifies the duplication period ct by "the communication period of the terminal-side factory device 60 where ct=maximum value (st1, st2, . . . , st5)". In FIG. 7, the overlap cycle ct is the communication cycle c3 of the terminal-side factory device 60c.

(Step S14: Bandwidth calculation process)
The bandwidth calculation unit 113 calculates the communication bandwidth to be allocated to the communication route used in each group for each of the overlapping time dt specified in step S13 and the other time ot that is not the overlapping time dt. Here, the band calculation unit 113 calculates the communication band between the base station 40 and the terminal 50a and the communication band between the base station 40 and the terminal 50b for the overlap time dt and the other time ot. Bandwidth calculation unit 113 stores the calculated communication band as communication band information 135.

Communication band information 135 according to the first embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 8.
The communication band information 135 includes the transmission path for setting the communication band, and the communication band for the overlap time dt and other time ot.
The transmission path for setting the communication band is a communication path portion that is commonly used by a plurality of groups. In the first embodiment, the two are between base station 40 and terminal 50a and between base station 40 and terminal 50b. In the communication band information 135, the base station 40, the terminal 50a, and the terminal 50b are each indicated by an IP address. The communication path for setting the communication band is specified by searching for the combination of communication path 2 and communication path 3 in the connection configuration information 134. A method for identifying a communication path for setting a communication band is determined depending on the configuration of the communication system 100.
The communication band for the overlap time dt and the other time ot is calculated based on the communication speed, communication cycle, and communication data size in the connection configuration information 134. The communication band at the overlap time dt is calculated with reference to the priority information 131 stored in the storage 13.

Priority information 131 according to the first embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 9.
In the priority information 131, priorities are defined in n stages according to data communicated between the factory equipment 20 and the terminal-side factory equipment 60. In the first embodiment, the priority is defined as three levels "A>B>C" (A indicates high priority).
The priority information 131 is set in advance depending on the level of necessity of the data to be communicated. For example, data communicated between the factory device 20 and the terminal-side factory device 60 is given high priority if it is necessary for the operation of the factory's production line. As a specific example, when controlling an apparatus using sensor data and camera image data, the priority information 131 is set such that the sensor data and camera image data have high priority.

The method for calculating communication bandwidth will be explained.
A method for calculating the communication band at other times will be explained. For other times ot, the bandwidth calculation unit 113 calculates the communication path used by each group so that each communication path is allocated a communication band that is greater than or equal to the sum of the communication speeds of the groups using that communication path. Calculate the communication bandwidth to be allocated to. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the bandwidth calculation unit 113 calculates the sum of the communication speeds of the sets that use a communication path as the communication band of that communication path.
A communication path between the base station 40 "IP400" and the terminal 50a "IP501" will be described. This communication path is used from the terminal-side factory equipment 60a to the terminal-side factory equipment 60c. Therefore, the communication band bw11 of this communication path is the sum of the communication speed of the terminal-side factory equipment 60a, the communication speed of the terminal-side factory equipment 60b, and the communication speed of the terminal-side factory equipment 60c. That is, bw11=sp1+sp2+sp3. When sp1=sp2=sp3=100, bw11=300 (Mbps).
A communication path between the base station 40 "IP400" and the terminal 50b "IP502" will be described. This communication path is used by the terminal-side factory equipment 60d and the terminal-side factory equipment 60e. Therefore, the communication band bw12 of this communication path is the sum of the communication speed of the terminal-side factory equipment 60d and the communication speed of the terminal-side factory equipment 60e. That is, bw12=sp4+sp5. When sp4=sp5=100, bw12=200 (Mbps).

A method of calculating the communication band for the overlap time dt will be explained. Regarding the overlapping time dt, the bandwidth calculation unit 113 refers to the priority information 131 and calculates whether the high-priority route, which is the communication route used by the group including the device whose transmission data has a high priority, is selected from other communication routes. The communication band is calculated so that the communication band is allocated preferentially than the communication band. In other words, the bandwidth calculation unit 113 preferentially allocates a communication bandwidth to a high-priority route that exchanges high-priority data.
Here, the bandwidth calculation unit 113 increases the communication bandwidth of the high priority route compared to the communication bandwidth of other times ot. On the other hand, the bandwidth calculation unit 113 reduces the communication bandwidth of communication routes other than the high priority route compared to the communication bandwidth of other times ot. For example, in FIG. 9, there are two communication paths between the base station 40 "IP400" and the terminal 50a "IP501" for the terminal-side factory equipment 60 having priority "A". There is one communication path between the base station 40 "IP400" and the terminal 50b "IP502". In this case, the band calculation unit 113 increases the communication band of the former and decreases the communication band of the latter.

There are the following three methods for determining the amount of increase in the communication band of the high priority route. (1) Method using a fixed increase amount. (2) A method of determining based on the ratio of high priority communications. (3) A method of determining using weights indicating the amount of increase in communication bandwidth, which are set for each priority level.

(1) A method that also uses a fixed increase amount will be explained.
The bandwidth calculation unit 113 predetermines the amount of increase as a constant such as "200 (Mbps)". The bandwidth calculation unit 113 calculates the communication bandwidth of the high priority route as the communication bandwidth of other times ot+a constant "200 (Mbps)". In addition, the bandwidth calculation unit 113 calculates the communication bandwidth of communication routes other than the high priority route by subtracting the communication bandwidth of other times ot by a constant "200 (Mbps)".
For example, assume that the communication bands are bw11=300 (Mbps) and bw12=300 (Mbps) at another time ot. Then, the communication band for the overlap time dt is bw21=300+200=500 (Mbps) and bw22=300-200=100 (Mbps).

(2) A method of determining based on the ratio of high priority communications will be explained.
Bandwidth calculation unit 113 calculates the number of groups that include devices with priority levels higher than the standard among the groups using the high-priority route, and the number of devices with priorities higher than the standard among the groups using other communication paths. The amount of increase is determined according to the ratio to the number of pairs containing. Then, the bandwidth calculation unit 113 calculates the communication bandwidth of the high priority route as the communication bandwidth of the other time ot+the amount of increase. Furthermore, the bandwidth calculation unit 113 calculates the communication bandwidth of communication routes other than the high-priority route as the communication bandwidth at other times ot minus the amount of increase.
For example, assume that a ratio with a priority of "A" is used. In FIG. 9, there are two terminal-side factory devices 60 with priority "A" that have communication paths between the base station 40 "IP400" and the terminal 50a "IP501". The terminal-side factory equipment 60 with priority "A" has one communication path between the base station 40 "IP400" and the terminal 50b "IP502". The ratio will be "2:1".
For example, assume that the communication bands are bw11=300 (Mbps) and bw12=300 (Mbps) at another time ot. In this case, for example, the amount of increase is calculated so that the total communication band of bw11 and bw12 is distributed according to the ratio. That is, 400-300=100 is calculated as the increase amount so that (300+300)×2/3=400 is distributed to bw21. Then, the communication band for the overlap time dt is bw21=(300+100)=400 (Mbps) and bw22=(300-100)=200 (Mbps).

Note that the ratio of the terminal-side factory devices 60 with priority "A" may be the same (for example, "1:1"). In this case, the bandwidth calculation unit 113 may calculate the value of the communication bandwidth based on the ratio of the terminal-side factory equipment 60 having the priority "B".
For example, assume that the priority of the IP address "ip2" is "C" in the priority information 131 shown in FIG. Then, the terminal-side factory equipment 60 with priority "A" has one communication path between the base station 40 "IP400" and the terminal 50a "IP501". The terminal-side factory equipment 60 with priority "A" has one communication path between the base station 40 "IP400" and the terminal 50b "IP502". In other words, the ratio of terminal-side factory equipment 60 with priority "A" is the same. In this case, the terminal-side factory equipment 60 with priority "B" is considered. Then, the ratio of terminal-side factory equipment 60 whose priority is "A" or "B" is specified. Then, the ratio becomes "2:1".

(3) A method for making a determination using weights indicating the amount of increase in communication bandwidth, which are set for each priority level, will be explained.
Weights indicating the amount of increase in communication bandwidth are set in advance for each priority level. The bandwidth calculation unit 113 calculates, for the high priority route, the sum of the weights set in the priority levels of devices included in the group that uses the high priority route. Band calculation section 113 calculates the amount of increase corresponding to the sum of the weights. Then, the bandwidth calculation unit 113 calculates the communication bandwidth of the high priority route as the communication bandwidth of the other time ot+the amount of increase.
For example, a weight of "+50 (Mbps)" is set for priority "A", "0 (Mbps)" for priority "B", and "-50 (Mbps)" for priority "C". Suppose that Assume that the communication bands are bw11=300 (Mbps) and bw12=300 (Mbps) at another time ot. In the priority information 131 shown in FIG. 9, the communication path between the base station 40 "ip400" and the terminal 50a "ip501" is as follows: two with priority "A", one with priority "B", and one with priority "C". ” is 0 units. Further, in the communication path between the base station 40 "IP400" and the terminal 50b "IP502", one terminal has priority "A", 0 terminals have priority "B", and one terminal has priority "C". Therefore, the communication band for the overlap time dt is bw21=300+100=400 (Mbps), and bw22=300-0=300 (Mbps).

Note that the bandwidth calculation unit 113 may calculate the communication bandwidth of communication routes other than the high-priority route as the communication bandwidth at other times ot minus the amount of increase. In this case, bw22=300-100=200 (Mbps).

(Step S15: Time determination process)
The band setting unit 114 determines whether or not the time data “YYYY/MM/DD hh:mm:ss.SSS” held by the factory device 20 has been received from the factory device 20 . The time data is transmitted from the factory device 20 at the timing of starting the control process. The timing to start the control process is the timing to communicate with the terminal-side factory device 60 and start processing on the production line.
When the band setting unit 114 receives the time data, it advances the process to step S16. On the other hand, if the band setting unit 114 has not received the time data, it waits until the time data is received, and returns the process to step S15.

(Step S16: Time synchronization process)
The band setting unit 114 synchronizes the time of the communication band setting device 10 with the time indicated by the time data received in step S15.

(Step S17: Time zone determination process)
Band setting unit 114 determines whether the current time of communication band setting device 10 is another time ot or overlapping time dt.
If the current time is another time ot, the band setting unit 114 advances the process to step S18. On the other hand, if the current time is the overlap time dt, the band setting unit 114 advances the process to step S19.

(Step S18: Other time control processing)
The band setting unit 114 reads out the communication band set for each communication path for other times ot from the communication band information 135. Then, the band setting unit 114 instructs the external device 30 to set the read communication band for each communication path.

(Step S19: Overlap time control process)
The band setting unit 114 reads the communication band set for each communication route for the overlap time dt from the communication band information 135. Then, the band setting unit 114 instructs the external device 30 to set the read communication band for each communication path.

The communication band set in the first embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 10.
Based on the time data of the factory device 20, the time of the communication system 100 is synchronized to "t1". Based on the overlap time dt and the overlap period ct, communication bands "bw11" and "bw12" at other times ot are set for time "t1". Thereafter, at time "t1+ct-dt", the communication bands "bw21" and "bw22" at the overlap time dt are set. Then, at time "t1+ct", communication bands "bw11" and "bw12" at other times ot are set. After this, the communication band settings are periodically switched.

***Effects of Embodiment 1***
As described above, in the communication band setting device 10 according to the first embodiment, the overlapping time dt for performing overlapping communication is specified, and the communication band is calculated for each of the overlapping time dt and the other time t. Thereby, even if the communication timings of a plurality of devices overlap, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation where the communication band is insufficient.

Further, the communication band setting device 10 according to the first embodiment changes communication band allocation according to the priority regarding the overlap time dt. This makes it possible to transmit the data necessary for operating the production line of a high-priority factory within the allowable delay time.

Further, the communication band setting device 10 according to the first embodiment sets the communication band using information held in advance in the factory device 20 and the external device 30. Thereby, user operations such as inputting information necessary for communication band setting on the communication band setting device 10 side can be omitted.

***Other configurations***
<Modification 1>
In the first embodiment, each functional component is realized by software. However, as a first modification, each functional component may be realized by hardware. Regarding this first modification, differences from the first embodiment will be explained.

With reference to FIG. 11, the configuration of the communication band setting device 10 according to Modification 1 will be described.
When each functional component is realized by hardware, the communication band setting device 10 includes an electronic circuit 15 instead of the processor 11, memory 12, and storage 13. The electronic circuit 15 is a dedicated circuit that realizes the functions of each functional component, the memory 12, and the storage 13.

The electronic circuit 15 may be a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, a logic IC, a GA, an ASIC, or an FPGA. GA is an abbreviation for Gate Array. ASIC is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. FPGA is an abbreviation for Field-Programmable Gate Array.
Each functional component may be realized by one electronic circuit 15, or each functional component may be realized by being distributed among a plurality of electronic circuits 15.

<Modification 2>
As a second modification, some of the functional components may be realized by hardware, and other functional components may be realized by software.

The processor 11, memory 12, storage 13, and electronic circuit 15 are referred to as a processing circuit. That is, the functions of each functional component are realized by the processing circuit.

Embodiment 2.
The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the connection configuration and the communication band assigned to the communication path are displayed. In the second embodiment, this different point will be explained, and the explanation of the same point will be omitted.

***Explanation of configuration***
The configuration of the communication band setting device 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12.
The communication band setting device 10 differs from the communication band setting device 10 shown in FIG. 2 in that it is connected to a display device 141 via a communication interface 14. The display device 141 is an LCD or the like. LCD is an abbreviation for Liquid Crystal Display.
The communication band setting device 10 differs from the communication band setting device 10 shown in FIG. 2 in that it includes a display unit 115 as a functional component. The functions of the display unit 115, like other functional components, are realized by software or hardware.
The communication band setting device 10 also differs from the communication band setting device 10 shown in FIG. 2 in that display information 136 is stored in the storage 13. The display information 136 is content for representing the connection configuration.

***Operation explanation***
The operation of the communication band setting device 10 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 17.
The operation procedure of the communication band setting device 10 according to the second embodiment corresponds to the communication band setting method according to the second embodiment. Further, a program for realizing the operation of the communication band setting device 10 according to the second embodiment corresponds to the communication band setting program according to the second embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 13, the flow of processing of the communication band setting device 10 according to the second embodiment will be described.
The processing from step S21 to step S29 is the same as the processing from step S11 to step S19 in FIG.

(Step S30: Display processing)
The display unit 115 displays the connection configuration of the communication path and the communication band set for the communication path on the display device 141.
Specifically, the display unit 115 refers to the connection configuration information 134 and identifies the connection configuration of the communication path. The display unit 115 refers to the display information 136 and generates image data representing the connection configuration. The display unit 115 displays the communication band read out in step S28 or step S29 near the corresponding transmission path in the image data.

Factory equipment information 132 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14.
The factory equipment information 132 includes a name in addition to the information shown in FIG. The name is information for identifying the factory device 20 and the terminal-side factory device 60.

The connection configuration information 134 according to the second embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 15.
In addition to the information shown in FIG. 6, the connection configuration information 134 includes a name for each device on the communication path. For the factory equipment 20 and the terminal-side factory equipment 60, the names included in the factory equipment information 132 are set. Regarding the base station 40 and the terminal 50, names are set by the connection configuration construction unit 111 according to their positions in the connection configuration information 134. Specifically, communication path 2 is set as a name of base station, and communication path 3 is set as a name of terminal. Note that the names of the base station 40 and the terminal 50 may be set based on their IP addresses.

Display information 136 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 16.
Display information 136 includes names and display contents for factory equipment 20, base station 40, terminal 50, and terminal-side factory equipment 60. The content is, for example, an image such as an icon image that allows each device to be identified.

Image data displayed by display unit 115 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 17.
The display unit 115 acquires content corresponding to each device on the connection configuration indicated by the connection configuration information 134 from the display information 136. The display unit 115 represents each device in the connection configuration with content, represents the connection relationship represented by the connection configuration with a line, and generates image data representing the connection configuration. In FIG. 17, on the display unit 115, devices connected by wire are connected by solid lines, and devices connected by wireless are connected by broken lines. The display unit 115 indicates the communication band read out in step S28 or step S29 near the corresponding transmission path in the image data. In FIG. 17, the display unit 115 makes the lines of transmission paths with large communication band values thick and the lines of transmission paths with small communication band values thin. This makes it easier to visually recognize the size of the communication band.

***Effects of Embodiment 2***
As described above, the communication band setting device 10 according to the second embodiment visually displays the connection configuration and the communication band assigned to the communication path. This allows the user of the communication band setting device 10 to easily recognize the setting status.

Note that "unit" in the above description may be read as "circuit," "step," "procedure," "process," or "processing circuit."

The embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure have been described above. Some of these embodiments and modifications may be implemented in combination. Moreover, any one or some of them may be partially implemented. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications, and various changes can be made as necessary.

100 communication system, 10 communication band setting device, 11 processor, 12 memory, 13 storage, 14 communication interface, 15 electronic circuit, 111 connection configuration construction unit, 112 duplication identification unit, 113 band calculation unit, 114 band setting unit, 115 display Part, 131 Priority information, 132 Factory equipment information, 133 Communication route information, 134 Connection configuration information, 135 Communication band information, 136 Display information, 20 Factory equipment, 30 External equipment, 40 Base station, 50 Terminal, 60 Terminal side factory Device.

Claims (9)

an overlap identifying unit that identifies an overlapping time when multiple sets communicate overlappingly based on the communication timing of each set of communicating devices;
a bandwidth calculating unit that calculates a communication band to be allocated to the communication route used in each group for each of the overlapping time specified by the overlapping identifying unit and other times that are not the overlapping time;
The communication band calculated for the overlap time by the band calculation unit and the communication band calculated for the other time by the band calculation unit depending on whether the time is the overlap time or the other time. A communication band setting device comprising: a band setting unit that switches and sets a communication band for a communication path used in each group. The bandwidth calculation unit refers to priority information indicating the priority of transmission data for each device, and determines whether the transmission data is used by a set including a device with a high priority for the duplication time specified by the duplication identification unit. 2. The communication band setting device according to claim 1, wherein the communication band is calculated so that the communication band is allocated to a high priority path, which is a communication path, more preferentially than other communication paths. The bandwidth calculation unit is
Regarding the above-mentioned other times, the communication band allocated to the communication path used by each group is allocated so that each communication path is allocated a communication band greater than the sum of the communication speeds of the groups using that communication path. calculate,
3. The communication band setting device according to claim 2, wherein for the overlapping time, a communication band allocated to the high-priority route is increased more than a communication band allocated to the other time. 4. The communication band setting device according to claim 3, wherein the band calculation unit increases the communication band by a fixed increase amount for the high priority route for the overlapping time. The priority information indicates a priority level,
Regarding the overlap time, the bandwidth calculation unit calculates, for the high priority route, the number of sets that include devices with a priority level higher than a reference level among the sets using the high priority route, and the other communication 4. The communication band setting device according to claim 3, wherein the communication band is increased by an amount corresponding to a ratio of the number of groups including devices with a priority level higher than the standard among the groups using the route. The priority information indicates a priority level,
A weight indicating the amount of increase in the communication band is set for each priority level,
The bandwidth calculation unit calculates the overlapping time by an amount of increase indicated by the sum of weights set in priority levels for devices included in the group using the high priority route, for the high priority route. The communication band setting device according to claim 3, which increases the communication band. The communication band setting device further includes:
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a connection configuration of a communication path used in each group and a communication band set for a communication path used in each group. Communication band setting device. a computer, based on the communication timing of each set of communicating devices, identifies overlapping times when multiple sets communicate overlappingly;
a computer calculates a communication band to be allocated to the communication route used in each group for each of the overlapping time and other times that are not the overlapping time;
The computer switches between the communication band calculated for the overlap time and the communication band calculated for the other time depending on whether the time is the overlap time or the other time, and A communication band setting method for setting a communication band for a communication route to be used. Duplication identification processing that identifies overlapping times during which multiple groups communicate overlappingly based on the communication timing of each group of communicating devices;
Bandwidth calculation processing that calculates a communication band to be allocated to the communication route used in each group for each of the overlapping time specified by the overlapping identification processing and other times that are not the overlapping time;
Depending on whether the time is the overlap time or the other time, the communication band calculated for the overlap time by the band calculation process and the communication band calculated for the other time by the band calculation process. A communication band setting program that causes a computer to function as a communication band setting device that performs a band setting process of switching and setting a communication band for a communication path used by each group.

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