PROCEDURE FOR THE CONFIGURATION OF A BUS-TYPE DATA TRANSMISSION NETWORK

Abstract: The invention relates to a procedure for the configuration of a bus-type data transmission network (6a,6b) which can be connected and disconnected at any of the nodes (1a-1d) and in which the nodes can be set for communication in either or both directions. The configuration procedure of the invention comprises the following steps: a) initiation of configuration from a selectable node by activating the transmission of a carrier wave to all nodes, causing each node to open its switches connecting/disconnecting the data transmission lines (6a,6b) of the for configuration, b) transmission of a configuration message from the selected configuring node (1b) in one or both directions along the bus to the nearest neighboring node(s) (1c), whose physical address(es) relative to the selected node (1b) are contained in the message, c) retransmission of the configuration message to the next nodes (1d) in succession, the physical address(es) of these nodes relative to the selected configuring node (1b) being contained in the message, until the whole network has been configured and all nodes (1a-1d) have been informed of their physical location relative to the configuring station (1b), d) distribution of the information gathered in the configuration node (1b), containing a description of the whole data transmission network, to all nodes in the network.

Description: The present invention relates to a procedure for the configuration of a bus-type data transmission network which can be connected and disconnected at any of the nodes and in which the nodes can be set for communication in either or both directions. In the data transmission networks known so far, different nodes are only identified as logical addresses, i.e. as types of device etc., while the physical location of the nodes is ignored. In certain applications, particularly in local networks where the nodes typically have a low data processing capacity but are movable (see e.g. FR-A-2121318) and may have several functions, it has been found that it is important to obtain information relating to the physical location of the nodes. Characteristically, such networks often have an open and dispersed structure and should also be insensitive to damage suffered by individual nodes and similar interruptions. Since the practical networks, especially local ones, must be simple and comply with industrial standards, the above requirements can only be met by configuring the existing networks in a suitable manner. The object of the present invention is to achieve a data transmission network in which these characteristics are combined so as to produce a very flexible local network which functions automatically and in which the physical location of the nodes is known. The procedure of the invention for configuring a data transmission network is thus characterized in that the configuration operation comprises at least the following steps: a) Initiation of configuration from a selectable node by activating the transmission of a carrier wave to all nodes, causing each node to open its switches connecting/disconnecting the data transmission lines for configuration. b) Transmission of a configuration message from the selected configuring node in one or both directions along the bus to the nearest node(s), whose physical address(es) relative to the selected node are contained in the message. c) Retransmission of the configuration message to the next nodes in succession, the physical address(es) of these nodes relative to the selected configuring node being contained in the message, until the whole network has been configured and all nodes have been informed of their physical location relative to the configuring station. d) Distribution of the information gathered in the configuring node, containing a description of the whole data transmission network, to all nodes in the network. The most significant advantage achieved by the invention is the fact that a network thus configured meets the requirements stated above, and that normal network lines can be used for configuration, obviating the need for a separate line. The network is therefore completely open, allowing nodes to be freely added or removed. The other advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized by what is presented in the claims stated below. In the following, the invention is described by the aid of an example, reference being made to the drawing attached, wherein: Fig. 1 is a diagram representing an example solution as provided by the invention, the network comprising four nodes. The invention is based on a bus-type data transmission network comprising any number of nodes. In the example described below, it is assumed that the local network is implemented in a train in such manner that each carriage and the locomotive constitute a node in the network. The function of the network is to provide the information indicating where in the train each carriage or the locomotive is located, so that this information can be utilized by the conductor and other railway officials during the passage of the train on its route and especially in connection with operations at railway stations involving changes of carriages or other arrangements whereby the right carriages have to be coupled to the right locomotive. Moreover, the information on the carriages can be reported further e.g. to a national rolling stock monitoring system. As stated above, the control of the local network is decentralized and automatic. This means that the network can be configured from any one of the carriages by the press of a button, that carriages can be freely added or removed from the trains, and that the configuration information is updated automatically by virtue of the operation of the network. Fig. 1 shows a data transmission network built on the principle of the invention, implemented in a train comprising four nodes, i.e. a locomotive and three carriages. Each node is provided with a microcomputer 2 which is capable of ordinary data transmission within the network, and with appropriate interface circuits 3,4,5 (shown for only one node in the drawing). The programs required for the configuration of the network as provided by the invention are also stored in the microcomputer. In view of the level of complexity of the individual operations performed by the nodes, these tasks could easily be handled e.g. by a programmable logic circuits. However, since each node has to be able to cope with different tasks, e.g. configuration of the whole network, without recourse to special measures, it is naturally preferably to employ a microcomputer as the core of the logic in each node, the necessary operational programs being stored in the computer. However, as the operation of such computers belongs to the realm of conventional data transmission technology and the necessary hardware is commercially available, the computers and their operation constitute no part of the present invention and will therefore not be described in detail in this context. The data transmission bus consists of a pair of conductors 6a and 6b, which in a normal situation constitute a continuous line extending from one end of the train to the other. The nodes are connected to the bus via a relay or a semiconductor switch 7, whose twin terminals 7a and 7b change their state simultaneously but in a mutually opposite sense, terminal resistors 8 and matching transformers 9a and 9b. The relays 7 are so connected that their contacts are always closed when the relays are in the de-energized state, so that the conductors 6a and 6b of the bus are connected as a continuous line through the whole train. Configuration of the local network in the train, after which the user will know the location of each node in the network, is effected e.g. as follows: Configuration of a non-configured train is started e.g. by the conductor or another member of the train personnel from any one of the nodes, in our example in fig. 1 from the node in carriage 1b. In the initial situation - differing from that in fig. 1 - the switches 7b in all nodes are closed. As explained later, fig. 1 represents a final situation. The first step is to activate the carrier wave generator (not shown), which sends a surge of signal pulses, called a carrier-wave surge, whose duration exceeds that of the longest data message allowed in the network. The carrier wave can be identified even if the network impedances are ill-matched (no terminal resistors used). Thus the microcomputers 2 of the nodes can easily identify the carrier wave via transformers 9a or 9b by logical deduction, using carrier sensors 5. After the carrier has been transmitted for a time long enough to ensure that it has been registered by all nodes, the microcomputers 2 open the switches 7b, simultaneously closing the switches 7a. The carrier-wave generator is now automatically switched off. In this way, a network is produced in which each node is only able to communicate with its "next-door" neighbors to the right and left on the line, because when switches 7b are open, the signal proceeding from transformer 9a can only go left as far as the next node, and correspondingly, the signal from transformer 9b can only go right. For successful communication between neighbors, it is of essential importance that the terminal resistors 8 be connected via switches 7a to the lines 6a and 6b. Without the terminal resistors, data can not be reliably transmitted because of interference due to reflection and other causes. Each microcomputer sends its data to the bus via a coder 3 and receives data from the bus via a decoder 4. The coding may consist in ordinary modulation or similar processing which increases the operational length of the network. Next, the configuration node, in the present case carriage 1b, sends a configuration message in either direction, either via transformer 9a or transformer 9b, to the next node. If configuration is always started in the same direction, e.g. towards the rear end of the train, this provides the advantage that carriages automatically know from which direction the configuration message arrives, so that they can easily indicate their orientation in the train e.g. by including corresponding data in their acknowledgement signal. Let us assume that the first configuration message is received by carriage 1c. The content of the message is the relative address of carriage 1c as seen from the carriage 1b, i.e. the message is of the type "you are the first to the right". Carriage 1c acknowledges receipt of the message and in turn sends a message to the next node on its right, telling it e.g. "you are the second to the right". After receiving an acknowledgement signal from this neighbor, the node in carriage 1c closes its switch 7b. The process continues in the same way until the right-hand end of the bus, in this case carriage 1d, is reached. This node also tries to send a message to the right, but as no acknowledgement is received, the node sends a corresponding message along the line 6a,6b now connected between carriages 1b and 1d. The state of the relay 7 in carriage 1d is not changed, so the terminal resistors 8 of this node remain connected. When the configuring node in carriage 1b finds all nodes to the right have acknowledged receipt of the configuration message, the same procedure is started in the direction to the left of the configuring carriage. Once the left-hand section of the data transmission network has been configured in a corresponding manner, the microcomputer in carriage 1b possesses complete information regarding the relative physical addresses of the locomotive and all carriages in the train. The acknowledgement signal sent by each node during configuration also contains an accurate specification of the type and number of the carriage etc. Thus, in general terms, information on both the logical and physical addresses of the nodes has been provided. As a last step in the configuration process, the "train map" now stored in the memory of the microcomputer in carriage 1b is transmitted, applying a normal procedure of local communication, in message form to all the other carriages and the locomotive, thus placing all nodes in the network into an equal position. The invention also allows configuration of the network by a process in which the switches 7b are not closed until the end of the train has been reached. In this case the acknowledgement signal contains no identification of the carriage or the node, so that this information has to be sent either separately by each carriage or along with the acknowledgement signal sent by the last carriage, provided that the information has been accumulated in this last node. A third variant is also possible, by which the configuring carriage sends a configuration message to each carriage in turn and receives their acknowledgements. In this case, the switch 7b naturally has to be closed at the latest after receipt of the acknowledgement, so that a configuration message can be sent to the next carriage. In this configuration procedure, the node which was last configured has to observe the progress of the configuration and, if it finds that it is the last one in the network, i.e. that no acknowledgement signal is received within a given time, the node has to open its switch 7b without a separate compound from the configuring carriage, because in this situation only one of the thermal resistors 8 in the network is connected, involving a degree of uncertainty in the interpretation of the message. The final acknowledgement is received as in the first alternative directly via the continuous bus established. Further, the invention allows simultaneous configuration of the network in both directions from the configuring node. The equipment and procedures required differ in no way from those described above, but the programs needed by the microcomputers 2 are somewhat more complex. In the application described in the present example, simultaneous configuration in both directions will not bring any appreciable advantage in respect of the time consumed, but in fast data transmission networks in the speed of operation has a radically different priority. Connection of new carriages to the network. A non-configured carriage is passive in relation to the network. On the other hand, a configured train keeps on sending regular sensing impulses via its terminal nodes, so that it immediately recognizes the addition of a new carriage. The sensing impulses preferably consist of the carrier-wave pulse trains mentioned above. After this, the carriage that was the last one before the addition configures the network in the direction of the new carriage or carriages as explained above, whereupon the configuration information is distributed to all nodes in the network as also explained above. When for instance two non-configured sets of carriages are coupled, the sets are initially in an equal position as both are transmitting sensing impulses. Thus the two sets of carriages are attempting to configure each other, so that this situation corresponds to the so-called Collision Detection situation in local networks. Between the attempts, the local network in each set is open to commands, and the one that first manages to send a configuration signal to the other when the latter is in this condition obtains the authority to reconfigure the whole train. The only difference is that in this case configuration is started completely automatically. These operations are not indicated in the drawing, because the configuration process itself is fully analogous to that described above. Removal of carriages from the train. Removal of carriages from a train configured as provided by the invention can be effected by giving the system a corresponding message from any one of the nodes. The system reacts by releasing the relay switches 7b in the carriage which will be the last one after the removal, so that the switches 7a of this node simultaneously connect the terminal resistors 8 to the network. Carriages can also be disconnected without prior notice if the network is provided with an advanced type of diagnosing/recovery algorithm as illustrated by the following example. Recovery A local network implemented as provided by the invention is inherently tolerant of malfunctions for the reason alone that the network is not interrupted by a defective node, because the switches 7b are closed both during normal operation and in the de-energized state. Moreover, since each node knows the configuration of the whole network, it is possible to construct algorithms by which the nodes, relying on this physical configuration, diagnose each other. In the event of malfunction in any node, the network can be reconfigured. The result of the reconfiguration is a network in which the defective node is bypassed, because the line switches 7b of a defective node are always closed, regardless of the nature of the fault. A diagnosing system allowing satisfactory recovery of the network even if the bus is interrupted can be implemented e.g. by providing each node with a timer which "fires" at predetermined intervals to start transmission of diagnostic messages to the terminal nodes of the network. If the messages are acknowledged, the network is in order. If not, the node registers the direction of the fault, opens its bus contact 7b and waits for diagnostic impulses from the fault direction. If it receives any, the node will know that it is not the last active node in the direction towards the defective one and closes its bus contact 7b, thus charging the next node with the task of locating the fault. Finally, one of the nodes will find that no diagnostic impulses are received from the direction in question within a given time, so that this node will know that it is the last one in working order in the direction towards the fault. The node concerned then automatically becomes the terminal node of the network in that direction. Following the same algorithm, the section of the network beyond the defective node is also configured, the result being two networks in working order, with the defective node between them. It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to the example described above, and that the embodiments of the invention may instead be varied within the scope of the following claims.

Claims: Procedure for the configuration of a bus-type data transmission network (6a,6b) which can be connected and disconnected at any of the nodes (1a-1d) and in which the nodes can be set for communication in either or both directions characterized in that the configuration operation comprises at least the following steps: a) initiation of configuration from a selectable node by activating the transmission of a carrier wave to all nodes, causing each node to open its switches connecting/disconnecting the lines (6a,6b) of the data transmission network for configuration, b) transmission of a configuration message from the selected configuring node (1b) in one or both directions along the bus to the nearest neighboring node(s) (1c), whose physical address(es) relative to the selected node (1b) are contained in the message, c) retransmission of the configuration message to the next nodes (1d) in succession, the physical address(es) of these nodes relative to the selected configuring node (1b) being contained in the message, until the whole network has been configured and all nodes (1a-1d) have been informed of their physical location relative to the configuring station (1b), d) distribution of the information gathered in the configuring node (1b), containing a description of the whole data transmission network, to all nodes in the network. Procedure according to claim 1, characterized in that the network is configured and the data transmission lines (6a,6b) connected between all nodes (1a-1d) from the configuring station (1b) first in one direction, whereupon these operations are repeated from the configuring node (1b) in the other direction. Procedure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the communication required for configuration of the network is implemented in such manner that the first node (1c) in a given direction of the network to which a configuration message is sent by the configuring node (1b) acknowledges receipt of the message and in turn transmits a corresponding configuration message to the next node (1d) and, after receiving an acknowledgement from the latter, closes its switches connecting the network lines (6a,6b). Procedure according to claim 3, characterized in that the nodes which have received a configuration message only close their switches connecting the network lines (6a,6b) after the configuring process has advanced to the end (1d) of the data transmission network. Procedure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the communication required for configuration of the network is implemented in such manner that the configuring node (1b) itself transmits the configuration messages separately to each node in turn and also receives all the acknowledgement signals, connecting the network lines (6a,6b) node by node at receipt of the acknowledgement. Procedure according to one of the claims 1-5, characterized in that connection of one or more non-configured nodes to the network is effected by an arrangement in which the end stations (1a,1d) of the network regularly generate sensing impulses by means of which the addition of new nodes is immediately recognized, whereupon the terminal node (1a,1d) reconfigures the network with respect to the new nodes, whereupon all nodes of the network are informed of the new configuration. Procedure according to one of the claims 1-5, characterized in that, to couple two configured networks together, the networks are allowed to try to configure each other on the so-called Collision Detection principle, whereby the one of the networks which obtain the authority to configure the other will reconfigure the whole network thus formed. Procedure according to one of the claims 1-7, characterized in that a monitoring arrangement is employed by which the nodes keep on checking the condition of each other by means of regular enquiries. Procedure according to one of the claims 1-8, characterized in that the data transmission network is a local network installed in a train in such manner that each carriage and the locomotive contain one or more nodes (1a-1d) of the network.

Inventors: HAAPALA, KARI, KUOSMANEN, KARI, MIKKOLA, LAURI, RISSANEN, OLLI
Applicants: INSINOEOERITOIMISTO BERTEL EKENGREN OY
Application year: 1988
Main classification: H04L12
IPC codes: H04Q9, G06F12, H04L12