Method, interface and network for cyclical sending of Ethernet telegrams
AssigneeBeckhoff Automation GmbH
InventorsDirk Janssen, Hans Beckhoff
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
When data are sent in the form of Ethernet messages on an Ethernet transmission link using an interface to link a node to the Ethernet transmission link, the data to be sent are converted using a conversion unit in line with a transmission standard of the Ethernet protocol in order to provide Ethernet messages, and a transmission unit is used for ongoing transmission of the provided Ethernet messages, with Ethernet messages being output onto the Ethernet transmission link continuously.
Claims21
A method for transmitting data as Ethernet messages, in compliance with an Ethernet transmission protocol, on an Ethernet network having a baud rate, said method comprising the steps of:
- converting the data, during transmission, into a plurality of Ethernet messages;
- imposing a break time between transmission of each of the plurality of Ethernet messages;
- adjusting at least one transmission parameter to ensure that, at the baud rate and with the imposed break time, Ethernet messages are transmitted continuously during an entire cycle time of a cycle;
- and
- transmitting said plurality of Ethernet messages sequentially, cyclically, and continuously during one or more cycles.
A node for an Ethernet network, the node compliant with an Ethernet transmission protocol and comprising a control unit including:
- means for converting data into a plurality of Ethernet messages;
- means for adjusting at least one transmission parameter to ensure that Ethernet messages are transmitted continuously during an entire cycle time of a cycle;
- and
- means for transmitting said plurality of Ethernet messages sequentially, cyclically and continuously during one or more cycles with a prescribed break time between transmissions.
An Ethernet network comprising:
- an Ethernet transmission link;
- a plurality of nodes connected to said Ethernet transmission link, each of said plurality of nodes having a control unit including:
- means for converting data into a plurality of Ethernet messages;
- means for adjusting at least one transmission parameter to ensure that Ethernet messages are transmitted continuously during an entire cycle time of a cycle;
- and
- means for transmitting said plurality of Ethernet messages sequentially, cyclically and continuously during one or more cycles with a prescribed break time between transmissions;
- and
- a transmission channel for transmitting the plurality of Ethernet messages without collision.
A method for transmitting data as Ethernet messages, in compliance with an Ethernet transmission protocol, on an Ethernet network having a baud rate, said method comprising the steps of:
- converting the data, during transmission, into a plurality of Ethernet messages;
- imposing a break time between transmission of each of the plurality of Ethernet messages;
- calculating a maximum size of each of said plurality of Ethernet messages as an arithmetic difference between (a) a product of the baud rate of the Ethernet network and the cycle time and (b) an arithmetic total of a length of a start identifier, a length of a preamble, a length of a checksum, and the break time between transmissions;
- and
- transmitting each of said plurality of Ethernet messages sequentially, cyclically, and continuously during a cycle having a cycle time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.