US 11,778,073 B2 · Protocol converter and automation system

Abstract

In an automation system, a protocol converter is provided between a first network and a second network for converting safety-related messages between the first and second networks that use different network protocols for message exchange. In the protocol converter, a single-channel filter connected to a single-channel interface determines messages having a first safety communication protocol from messages received from the interface over the first network and messages having a second safety communication protocol received over the second network. An at least dual-channel safety module connected to the single-channel filter then converts the messages with the first safety communication protocol determined by the single-channel filter into messages with the second safety communication protocol, or converts the messages with the second safety communication protocol determined by the single-channel filter into messages with the first safety communication protocol.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A protocol converter for converting safety-relevant messages between a first network and a second network,

wherein the first and second networks use different network protocols for message exchange,
wherein the first network comprises at least one first subscriber having a first safety communication layer which processes a first safety communication protocol, and
wherein the second network comprises at least one second subscriber having a second safety communication layer which processes a second safety communication protocol;
the protocol converter comprising a single-channel interface which allowing for message exchange with the first network and/or with the second network,
a single-channel filter connected to the interface for determining messages with the first safety communication protocol and messages with the second safety communication protocol from messages received by the interface, and
an at least dual-channel safety module connected to the single-channel filter for converting messages with the first safety communication protocol detected by the filter into messages with the second safety communication protocol and for converting messages with the second safety communication protocol detected by the single-channel filter into messages with the first safety communication protocol, respectively.

3 more elements

An automation system comprising a first network and a second network using different network protocols,

wherein the first network comprises at least one first subscriber having a first safety communication layer processing a first safety communication protocol,
wherein the second network comprises at least one second subscriber having a second safety communication layer processing a second safety communication protocol, and
wherein between the first network and the second network a protocol converter for converting safety-relevant messages between a first network and a second network is provided;
the protocol converter comprising:
a single-channel interface which allowing for message exchange with the first network and/or with the second network,
a single-channel filter connected to the interface for determining messages with the first safety communication protocol and messages with the second safety communication protocol from messages received by the interface device, and
an at least dual-channel safety module connected to the single-channel filter for converting messages with the first safety communication protocol detected by the filter into messages with the second safety communication protocol and for converting messages with the second safety communication protocol detected by the single-channel filter into messages with the first safety communication protocol, respectively.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Protocol converter and automation system

Life of this patent

Protocol converter and automation system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19