TWI501573B - Communication system, and communication terminal - Google Patents

Description

Communication system and communication terminal

The present invention generally relates to a communication system and a communication terminal, and more particularly to a communication system having a base unit and a slave unit and a communication terminal unit used therefor.

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of communication terminals 101 constituting a parent machine and a plurality of communication terminals 102 constituting a child machine are connected to the same communication line L100, and are carried out between the transmission mother machine 101 and each communication terminal 102. Communication system for communication.

As such a communication system, it is known that the transmission master 101 and the plurality of communication terminals 102 are connected by the two-wire communication line L101, and the communication between the transmission master 101 and each communication terminal 102 is realized by the time division multiplexing transmission method. The system. Such a communication system is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-49638.

In the communication system, when the transfer master 101 transmits data to each communication terminal 102, a voltage signal of a specific amplitude of the data is transmitted by the modulation pulse width. Further, when data is transmitted from the communication terminal 102 to the transmission master 101, a current signal in which the magnitude of the current is changed is used.

Furthermore, the communication terminal 102 rectifies the transmission signal supplied from the communication line L100 to generate the driving power of the communication terminal 102.

The previous communication system uses a method of generating a driving power source by rectifying and stabilizing a transmission signal transmitted from a transmission mother machine via a communication line by each slave unit (centralized supply) Electrical mode) as a way to supply power to the slave.

However, a terminal device that consumes relatively large current, such as a monitor terminal having an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) having a high-speed operation, is used as a child. In the case of the machine, there is a flaw in the transmission error. Specifically, the change (load variation) of the current flowing on the communication line L100 is changed by the transition of the operation state of the slave (for example, the ON/OFF of the LCD backlight or the activation/sleep of the CPU for image processing). In the case of a large situation, there is a distortion in the current signal, which causes a transmission error.

Here, in the case of a child machine having a relatively large current consumption, it is also considered to supply the driving power via the dedicated wiring for power supply. However, it is necessary to separately separate the dedicated wiring for power supply from the communication line, and to construct the wiring. unfavorable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described reasons, and an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration in which a drive power is supplied to a slave device from a parent machine and a slave device is used to communicate using a current signal, and the workability is not deteriorated and the transmission error can be suppressed. Communication system and communication terminal.

In the communication system of the present invention, the base unit and the plurality of slave units are connected to the first communication line, and the master unit supplies drive power to the plurality of slave units via the first communication line, and the plurality of slave units respectively generate a first signal of a current signal. The first communication line is transmitted to the first communication line, and the plurality of sub-systems are configured to be synchronized with each other, and the transmission processing using the first signal is performed only during the communication period, and is carried out only during a load variation period different from the communication period. A state transition that exceeds a variation of the above-described driving power of a certain magnitude.

In the present invention, each of the plurality of slave devices is configured to include: a communication unit that performs the transmission process within a range in which the fluctuation of the drive power does not exceed the specific width; and a function unit that uses the driver The electric power performs a specific operation; and the state is performed by changing an operation state of the functional unit from the first state to the second state. change.

In the above aspect of the invention, preferably, the parent machine transmits the second signal to the first communication line, and the second signal divides the first frame into a plurality of time zones including the communication period and the load fluctuation period. The voltage signal of the time sharing method, wherein the plurality of slaves operate by using the second signal as the drive power, and the communication period and the load fluctuation period are respectively set based on the received second signal.

In the present invention, preferably, the plurality of load fluctuation periods are plural, and the plurality of slaves perform the state transition by executing a control sequence, and the length of the control sequence is longer than the duration of the load change period. In the case of a longer period, the above control sequence is divided into a plurality of control sequences, and at least two of the plurality of sequences are executed during different load fluctuation periods in the plurality of load fluctuation periods, and the plurality of controls are Each of the sequences is assigned to any of the plurality of load change periods described above and executed sequentially.

In the present invention, preferably, the plurality of load fluctuation periods are present, and at least one of the plurality of slave devices is configured to transmit the first signal transmitted on the first communication line And switching between the third signals transmitted on the second communication line different from the first communication line, wherein the gateway device is configured to be larger when the data amount of the first signal is larger than a specific value The first signal is divided into a plurality of first signals, and at least two of the plurality of third signals obtained by performing agreement conversion on each of the plurality of first signals are different in the plurality of load fluctuation periods. In a manner of transmitting the load fluctuation period, each of the plurality of third signals is allocated to any one of the plurality of load fluctuation periods, and sequentially transmitted to the second communication line.

In the present invention, preferably, any one of the plurality of sub-machines requests the parent machine to permit the state transition before the state transition, and in the load variation period specified by the parent machine Performing the above state transition, the length of time of the load change period specified by the parent machine is within the transition of the parent machine according to the state Allow to set.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the parent machine holds in advance data of current consumption in the state transition of each of the plurality of slaves, and divides the load variation period into pieces based on the current consumption of each of the plurality of slaves. a plurality of time zones, wherein each of said plurality of slaves is allocated to any one of said plurality of time zones such that said sum of said current consumptions of said plurality of time zones is equal, and wherein said plurality of slaves The arbitrary first slave performs the state transition in the time zone allocated to the first slave in the plurality of time zones.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the base unit includes a measuring unit that measures a current consumption in the state transition of each of the plurality of slave units, and the load is changed based on a measured value of the current consumption of each of the plurality of slave units. Dividing into a plurality of time zones, and assigning each of the plurality of sub-machines to any one of the plurality of time zones in such a manner that the sum of the current consumptions of the plurality of time zones is equal, and the plurality of times The first sub-machine of any of the sub-machines is allocated to the time zone of the first sub-machine in the plurality of time zones to perform the state transition.

In the present invention, preferably, the parent machine communicates with each of the plurality of slaves using an address assigned to each of the plurality of slaves, and divides the load variation period into the bit a plurality of time zones corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-machines, wherein the first sub-machine of the plurality of sub-machines performs the state transition in a time zone corresponding to the address of the first sub-machine among the plurality of time zones .

The communication terminal of the present invention is characterized in that it supplies drive power via a communication line and transmits a current signal to the communication terminal of the communication line, and is configured to perform transmission processing using the current signal only during communication, and The state transition accompanied by the fluctuation of the above-described driving power exceeding the specific range is performed only during the load variation period different from the above communication period.

1‧‧‧Transfer machine

2‧‧‧Communication terminal

2A‧‧‧Communication Terminal

2B‧‧‧Communication Terminal

2C‧‧‧Communication Terminal

2a‧‧‧Monitor terminal

2b‧‧‧gate device

2c‧‧‧Transfer terminal

2d‧‧‧Overlay terminal

11‧‧‧Communication Department

12‧‧‧Address Memory

13‧‧‧ Current Data Memory Department

14‧‧‧ Current Measurement Department

15‧‧‧ Current Data Memory Department

21‧‧‧Communication Department

22‧‧‧ Location Memory

23‧‧‧ Function Department

23a‧‧‧LCD controller

23b‧‧‧LCD backlight

23c‧‧‧Transfer CPU

23d‧‧‧Image Processing CPU

23e‧‧‧Sound Processing CPU

24‧‧‧Power Department

101‧‧‧Transfer mother machine

102‧‧‧Communication terminal

D1‧‧‧ time zone

D2‧‧‧ time zone

D11‧‧‧ time zone

D12‧‧‧ time zone

D1n‧‧‧ time zone

I‧‧‧ interrupt signal

L1‧‧‧ communication line

L2‧‧‧ communication line

L100‧‧‧ communication line

P‧‧‧Overlapping signals

S1‧‧‧ Load Change Request

S2‧‧‧Change notice

S3‧‧‧ State transition

T1‧‧‧ voltage transmission period

T2‧‧‧current transmission period

T3‧‧‧Load change period

T11‧‧‧Synchronous pulse period

During the period of T12‧‧‧

During the return period of T13‧‧‧

T14‧‧‧ interruption period

T15‧‧‧ Short circuit detection period

During the suspension period of T16‧‧

Time t1‧‧‧

Time t2‧‧‧

Time t11‧‧‧

Time t12‧‧‧

Time t13‧‧‧

Time t21‧‧‧

Time t22‧‧‧

Time t23‧‧‧

Time t31‧‧‧

Time t32‧‧‧

Time t33‧‧‧

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system of the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a transfer master of the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a waveform diagram showing the format of a transmission signal of the communication system of the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication terminal device of the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a waveform diagram showing a state transition of the communication terminal device of the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a waveform diagram showing a state transition of the monitor terminal of the first embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a functional unit of the monitor terminal of the first embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing another configuration of a functional portion of the monitor terminal device of the first embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a waveform diagram showing another state transition of the monitor terminal of the first embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a waveform diagram showing the state transition of the gateway device of the first embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a waveform diagram showing the state transition of the communication terminal of the second embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a sequence diagram showing a state transition of the communication terminal device of the second embodiment.

Figure 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a transfer master of the third embodiment.

Figure 14 is a sequence diagram showing a state transition of the communication terminal of the third embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a transfer master of the fourth embodiment.

Figure 16 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication system of the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a waveform chart showing the state transition of the communication terminal device of the fifth embodiment.

Figure 18 is a block diagram showing the construction of a prior communication system.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system of the following embodiment connects a parent machine, that is, a transmission master 1, a plurality of slaves, that is, a communication terminal 2, 2, a monitor terminal 2a, and a gateway device 2b, to a first communication line. The system of communication line L1.

The parent machine (transfer base unit 1) supplies drive power to a plurality of slave devices (communication terminal device 2, 2, monitor terminal device 2a, and gateway device 2b) via the first communication line (communication line L1). Each of the plurality of slaves (the communication terminal 2, 2, the monitor terminal 2a, and the gateway device 2b) transmits a first signal, which is a current signal, to the first communication line (communication line L1).

The plurality of slave devices (the communication terminal 2, 2, the monitor terminal 2a, and the gateway device 2b) are synchronized with each other, and the transmission process using the first signal is performed only during the communication period, and only the load different from the above communication period is performed. During the change period, a state transition accompanied by a change in the above-described driving power exceeding a certain range is performed.

The communication terminal device 2 of the following embodiment supplies drive power via the communication line L1, and transmits a current signal to the communication terminal of the communication line L1. The communication terminal device 2 is configured to perform a transmission process using the current signal only during the communication period, and to perform a state transition with a variation of the drive power exceeding a specific amplitude only during a load fluctuation period different from the communication period.

(Embodiment 1)

Fig. 1 shows a configuration of a communication system according to the present embodiment, and a transmission master device constituting a parent machine, a communication terminal device 2 constituting a child device, a monitor terminal device 2a, and a gateway device 2b are connected to the same communication line L1 (first 1 communication line). The communication line L1 has a two-wire type of a pair of signal lines. The monitor terminal device 2a and the gateway device 2b are one type of communication terminal device 2. Hereinafter, the communication terminal devices 2, 2, the monitor terminal device 2a, and the gateway device 2b are collectively referred to as "communication terminal device 2".

As shown in FIG. 2, the transmission master 1 is composed of a communication unit 11 and an address memory unit 12. The address of the communication terminal 2 is stored in the address memory unit 12, and the communication unit 11 performs communication control using the address of the communication terminal 2. Further, the communication unit 11 transmits a transmission signal (second signal) including a voltage waveform of the format shown in FIG. 3 to the communication line L1. The transmission signal is a voltage signal, and is a time-division multiplex signal having a retransmission (±24 V) of a voltage transmission period T1, a current transmission period T2, and a load fluctuation period T3 in which the 1-frame is divided into three.

The voltage transmission period T1 generates a time slot for transmitting a voltage signal for transmitting data to the communication terminal unit 2, and the transmission base unit 1 transmits data by pulse width modulation of a carrier including a pulse line of ±24V. Further, the specific pulse line at the beginning of the voltage transfer period T1 indicates the start of the frame in which the signal is transmitted, and constitutes a known sync pulse useful for synchronizing the communication terminal 2.

The current transmission period T2 is a period in which a voltage of ±24 V is generated, and the transmission master 1 receives the time slot of the superimposed signal described later from the communication terminal unit 2. That is, the current transmission period T2 is a period in which the communication terminal 2 is allowed to superimpose the superimposed signal on the transmission signal to transmit the data to the transmission mother machine 1. This current transfer period T2 corresponds to the communication period of the present invention.

The load fluctuation period T3 is a period in which a voltage of -24 V is generated, and a time slot in which the state transition of the communication terminal 2 is allowed to be transmitted by the communication terminal device 2 is prohibited.

The transfer signal transmitted from the transfer master 1 to the communication line L1 is a repolarization of ±24 V, and is repeatedly transmitted to the communication line L1. Therefore, the communication line L1 is always supplied with electric power by transmitting a signal. Therefore, in the present system, the communication terminal 2 can be supplied with driving power by using the transmission signal. However, since there is an upper limit to the power supplied from the transmission master 1, the power supplied from the transmission master 1 to the communication terminal 2 connected to the communication line L1 is limited.

Next, the configuration of the communication terminal device 2 will be described. In the following, the first communication terminal (the first child machine), which is any one of the plurality of communication terminals 2, will be described. However, the communication terminal 2 other than the first communication terminal is also used. It is the same configuration as the first communication terminal.

As shown in FIG. 4, the communication terminal 2 is composed of a communication unit 21, an address storage unit 22, a function unit 23, and a power supply unit 24. The communication unit 21 receives a voltage signal from the transmission master 1, and superimposes the superimposed signal (first signal) on the transmission signal to transmit data to the transmission master 1. The function unit 23 has a function (monitor function, gateway function, etc.) inherent to the communication terminal unit 2. The address information of the first communication terminal is stored in the address memory unit 22, and the function unit 23 is the reception destination address and the first communication end included in the voltage signal received by the communication unit 21. If the address of the terminal is the same, a specific action corresponding to the voltage signal is performed. The power supply unit 24 rectifies the transmission signal supplied from the communication line L1 to generate drive power of the first communication terminal.

Further, in the present embodiment, the respective lengths of the voltage transfer period T1, the current transfer period T2, and the load fluctuation period T3 are determined in advance.

The communication unit 21 of the communication terminal 2 receives the transmission signal transmitted from the transmission master 1 to the communication line L1, and receives the voltage signal transmitted from the transmission master 1 during the voltage transmission period T1.

Further, the communication unit 21 of the communication terminal unit 2 transmits the data to the transmission mother machine 1 by superimposing the superimposed signal on the transmission signal in the current transmission period T2. The superimposed signal is a signal obtained by changing a current flowing through the communication line L1 to transmit a current signal (first signal), and a carrier having a higher frequency than the voltage signal.

Further, the function unit 23 of the communication terminal unit 2 uses the driving power transition state generated by the power source unit 24 in the load fluctuation period T3. For example, when the communication terminal 2 is the monitor terminal 2a (see FIG. 1), the function unit 23 is configured by an LCD device having a video display function, and the function unit 23 is configured to perform LCD backlight during the load variation period T3. State transitions such as on/off.

In other words, the communication terminal device 2 includes a communication unit 21 that performs transmission processing within a range in which fluctuations in driving power do not exceed a certain range, and a function unit 23 that performs specific operations using driving power. The communication terminal unit 2 is configured to change state from the first state (for example, the state in which the LCD backlight is turned off) to the second state (for example, the state in which the LCD backlight is turned on) by the operation state of the functional unit 23.

The plurality of communication terminals 2 configured as described above can receive the transmission signals transmitted from the transmission master 1 to the communication line L1, respectively, and the synchronization pulses of the voltage transmission period T1 are synchronized with each other to set the voltage transmission period T1 and the current transmission period. T2, and load change period T3. That is, a plurality of communication terminals 2 can set voltage transmission at the same time. Period T1, current transfer period T2, and load fluctuation period T3.

Next, as an operation example of the state transition of the communication terminal device 2, the operation of the monitor terminal device 2a will be described using FIG. Fig. 5 shows the waveform of a signal transmitted on the communication line L1.

The monitor terminal 2a receives the voltage signal transmitted from the transmission master 1 in the voltage transmission period T1. The communication terminal 2 is in the current transfer period T2, and superimposes the superimposed signal P on the transfer signal to transmit data to the transfer master 1.

Further, when the LCD backlight of the monitor terminal 2a is turned off, the transfer master 1 transmits a backlight-on request (time t1) using the voltage signal during the voltage transfer period T1. The monitor terminal 2a changes the LCD backlight from the off state (first state) to the on state (second state) during the load fluctuation period T3 in the same frame as the voltage transmission period T1 in which the backlight conduction request is received ( Time t2).

In other words, the communication terminal 2 such as the monitor terminal 2a sets the current transfer period T2 in which the communication terminal 2 transmits the superimposed signal P to a period different from the load change period T3 in which the state of the function unit 23 is changed. Therefore, by the state transition of the communication terminal 2 (on/off of the LCD backlight, etc.), even if the current fluctuation (load variation) flowing on the communication line L1 becomes large, the overlapping signal P including the current signal is not present. Distortion occurs in the transmission, and transmission errors can be suppressed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, even if the transmission power is supplied from the transmission master 1 to the communication terminal 2 via the communication line L1, and the communication terminal 2 communicates using the current signal, the workability is not deteriorated and the suppression can be suppressed. Transmission error.

Further, the communication terminal 2 performs a state transition by executing a control sequence. Further, when the length of time of one control sequence is longer than the time length of the load fluctuation period T3, the function unit 23 of the communication terminal unit 2 divides one control sequence into a plurality of control sequences. The communication terminal device 2 assigns each of the plurality of control sequences to a plurality of types so that at least two of the divided plurality of sequences are executed in a different load fluctuation period T3 in the plurality of load variation periods T3. Any one of the load change periods T3 is executed in order.

Hereinafter, the state transition of the monitor terminal 2a will be described using FIG. Figure 6 shows the pass The waveform of the signal transmitted on the signal line L1.

First, as shown in FIG. 7, the functional unit 23 of the monitor terminal 2a includes an LCD controller 23a and an LCD backlight 23b. Further, when the LCD controller 23a: is turned off and the LCD backlight 23b is turned off, the transfer master 1 transmits a backlight ON request using the voltage signal in the voltage transfer period T1 (time t11). The control sequence of the backlight terminal operation of the monitor terminal 2a can be divided into a first sequence in which the LCD controller 23a is switched from off to on, and a second sequence in which the LCD backlight 23b is switched from off to on. Therefore, the monitor terminal 2a changes the LCD controller 23a from the off state to the on state (time t12) in the load fluctuation period T3 in the same frame as the voltage transmission period T1 in which the backlight conduction request is received. Next, the monitor terminal 2a changes the LCD backlight 23b from the off state to the on state in the load fluctuation period T3 in the next frame (time t13).

Therefore, since the communication terminal unit 2 can divide and execute one control sequence across a plurality of load fluctuation periods T3, it is not necessary to lengthen the time length of the load fluctuation period T3, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in transmission efficiency due to the extension of the load fluctuation period T3.

Next, when the function unit 23 of the monitor terminal 2a includes the LCD controller 23a, the LCD backlight 23b, the transfer CPU 23c, the video processing CPU 23d, and the sound processing CPU 23e as shown in FIG. 8, the monitor terminal 2a performs the operation of FIG. State transition. Fig. 9 shows the waveform of a signal transmitted on the communication line L1.

In this case, the control sequence for the backlight conduction operation of the monitor terminal 2a can be divided into four sequences. The first sequence causes the transfer CPU 23c to be activated from the sleep state, and the second sequence causes the image processing CPU 23d and the sound processing CPU 23e to be activated from the sleep state. The third sequence switches the LCD controller 23a from off to on, and the fourth sequence switches the LCD backlight 23b from off to on.

First, when the LCD controller 23a: off, the LCD backlight 23b: off, the transfer CPU 23c: off, the image processing CPU 23d: off, and the sound processing CPU 23e: off, the transfer master 1 transmits and uses in the voltage transfer period T1. The backlight of the voltage signal is turned on. Seeking (time t21). The monitor terminal 2a activates the transfer CPU 23c from the sleep state in the load fluctuation period T3 in the same frame as the voltage transfer period T1 in which the backlight-on request is received (time t22). Further, the monitor terminal 2a activates the video CPU 23d and the sound processing CPU 23e from the sleep state in the load fluctuation period T3 in the next frame (time t23). Next, the monitor terminal 2a changes the LCD controller 23a from the off state to the on state (time t24) in the load variation period T3 in the next frame. Next, the monitor terminal 2a changes the LCD backlight 23b from the off state to the on state in the load fluctuation period T3 in the next frame (time t25).

In this case, the communication terminal device 2 also divides and executes one control sequence across a plurality of load fluctuation periods T3, and can suppress a decrease in transmission efficiency due to the extension of the load fluctuation period T3.

Next, as an operation example of the state transition of the communication terminal device 2, the operation of the gateway device 2b (see FIG. 1) will be described using FIG. The functional unit 23 of the gateway device 2b performs protocol conversion between the communication line L1 (first communication line) and the communication line L2 (second communication line). Specifically, the function unit 23 of the gateway device 2b converts the superimposed signal P (first signal) transmitted on the communication line L1 into another communication protocol signal (third signal) transmitted on the communication line L2. And sent to the communication line L2. Further, the function unit 23 of the gateway device 2b converts the signal of the other communication protocol transmitted on the communication line L2 into the superimposed signal P, and transmits it to the communication line L1. Further, the function unit 23 of the gateway device 2b performs a transmission operation (state transition operation) of a signal that has undergone the contract conversion in the load fluctuation period T3. Further, the signal transmitted on the communication line L2 is generated using a communication protocol such as RS485, RS422, or Ethernet (registered trademark).

Fig. 10 shows a signal waveform ("on communication line L2") of a signal waveform ("communication line L1") on the communication line L1 and a protocol conversion by the gateway device 2b and transmitted to the communication line L2. Further, the function unit 23 of the gateway device 2b is a predetermined value that is transmitted in advance in the load fluctuation period T3 that is to be converted in one time. In the larger case, the overlapping signal P is divided into a plurality of numbers. The function unit 23 of the gateway device 2b converts each of the divided superimposed signals (first signals) P into a third signal of another communication protocol. The gateway device 2b distributes each of the plurality of third signals to a plurality of load variations such that at least two of the plurality of third signals are transmitted in different load fluctuation periods T3 in the plurality of load fluctuation periods T3. Any one of the periods T3 is sequentially transmitted to the communication line L2. In the example of FIG. 10, the superimposed signal (first signal) P is divided into two, and each of the two signals (the third signal) after the protocol conversion is assigned to the load variation period T3 of the two different frames. Each of them is sent to the communication line L2.

Therefore, since the load fluctuation occurs due to the transmission operation (state transition operation) of the gateway device 2b only in the load fluctuation period T3, distortion is not generated in the superimposed signal P including the current signal, and transmission errors can be suppressed. Further, since the gateway device 2b can divide and transmit signals across a plurality of load fluctuation periods T3, it is not necessary to lengthen the time period of the load fluctuation period T3, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in transmission efficiency due to the extension of the load fluctuation period T3.

(Embodiment 2)

The communication system of the present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted.

The state transition of any one of the plurality of communication terminals 2 (the first slave) will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12 . Fig. 11 shows the waveform of the signal transmitted on the communication line L1, and Fig. 12 shows the communication sequence.

First, the communication unit 21 of the communication terminal 2 transmits the load change request S1 to the transfer master 1 using the superimposition signal P of the current transfer period T2 before the state transition of the function unit 23 (time t31). That is, the communication terminal device 2 requests the transfer master 1 to allow the state transition before performing the state transition of the first communication terminal. Further, the communication unit 21 of the communication terminal device 2 adds information on the length of time required for the state transition of the function unit 23 to the load change request S1.

In the voltage transmission period T1 of the communication unit 11 of the transmission master 1 in the frame for permitting state transition (in this case, the next frame), the communication terminal that is the transmission source of the load change request S1 2. The change of the transmission use voltage signal allows notification S2 (time t32). The transfer master 1 adds the information on the length of the load change period T3 to the change permission notification S2. The length of the load change period T3 specified by the change permission notification S2 is set to be longer than the time required for the state transition based on the load change request S1 received by the transfer master 1. Further, the transfer master 1 adjusts the time length of the load change period T3 of the frame allowing the state transition to the above-specified time length.

The function unit 23 of the communication terminal device 2, which is the transmission source of the load change request S1, performs the state transition S3 in the load fluctuation period T3 in the same frame as the voltage transmission period T1 in which the change permission notification S2 is received (t33).

Therefore, the transmission master 1 can dynamically allocate the time length of the load change period T3 for the state transition and the load change period T3 to the communication terminal 2 based on the content of the state transition. In other words, it is possible to achieve an improvement in the efficiency of the load fluctuation period T3 or an improvement in the control response of the load fluctuation period T3.

(Embodiment 3)

In the communication system of the present embodiment, the transmission master 1 is provided with a current data storage unit 13 as shown in FIG. The current data storage unit 13 stores in advance data on the current consumption required for the state transition of each of the communication terminals 2.

Further, the transmission master 1 divides the load fluctuation period T3 into a plurality of time zones based on the current consumption of each of the communication terminals 2, and sets each communication so that the sum of the current consumptions of the time zones is equal. Terminal 2 is assigned to any time zone (packet). The first communication terminal (the first slave) of any of the plurality of communication terminals 2 is in a time zone allocated to the first communication terminal among the plurality of time zones, and the state transition is performed.

Specifically, the current data storage unit 13 of the transmission master 1 stores in advance the data of the current consumption of the communication terminal unit 2 shown in Table 1 "communication terminal 2A: 100 mA, communication terminal 2B: 500 mA, communication terminal" Machine 2C: 400 mA". The communication terminal 2 The data on the current consumption of the unit is the current data consumed in the communication terminal 2 without considering the loss caused by the voltage drop of the communication line L1.

As shown in FIG. 14, the transmission master 1 divides the load fluctuation period T3 into two time zones D1 and D2, and assigns one communication terminal 2B to the time zone D1 and two communication terminals to the time zone D2. Grouping of machines 2A, 2C. In addition, FIG. 14 shows the waveform of the signal transmitted on the communication line L1.

When the communication unit 11 of the transmission master 1 is self-starting, the packet result is transmitted to each of the communication terminals 2A to 2C using the voltage signal of the voltage transmission period T1, and each of the communication terminals 2A to 2C can recognize each of them. The time zone to which it is assigned. Next, each of the communication terminals 2A to 2C performs a state transition in the time zone assigned to each of the load fluctuation periods T3. That is, the sum of the current consumptions in the time zone D1 (the maximum value) is 500 mA, the sum of the current consumptions in the time zone D2 (the maximum value) is 500 mA, and the sum of the current consumptions of the time zones D1 and D2 (the maximum Values become equal to each other.

Therefore, the driving power of the communication terminal device 2 required for the state transition can be equally distributed in the load fluctuation period T3, and the power supply of the transmission mother machine 1 can be used efficiently in the load fluctuation period T3. Moreover, since the peak value of the driving power supplied from the transmission master 1 to the communication line L1 can be suppressed, the supply circuit of the transmission master 1 can be configured inexpensively.

(Embodiment 4)

In the communication system of the present embodiment, the transmission master 1 includes a current measuring unit 14 and a current data storage unit 15 as shown in FIG.

The current measuring unit 14 measures the current supplied from the transfer master 1 to the communication line L1. The current consumption of each of the communication terminals 2 is actually measured. Specifically, after the transmission master 1 is started, the current measuring unit 14 sequentially transmits an operation request to each of the communication terminals 2 using the voltage signal of the voltage transmission period T1. The function unit 23 of the communication terminal device 2 that has received the operation request performs a state transition such as sleep/startup in the load change period T3. The current measuring unit 14 measures the current consumption of the communication terminal unit 2 when the function unit 23 of the communication terminal unit 2 has performed a state transition. The current measuring unit 14 sequentially transmits the operation request to each of the communication terminal devices 2, and measures the respective currents supplied during the state transition of the subordinate communication terminal device 2, and stores the measurement results in the current data storage unit 15.

Specifically, the current data storage unit 15 of the transmission master 1 stores the measurement data of the current consumption shown in Table 2, "communication terminal 2A: 150 mA, communication terminal 2B: 550 mA, communication terminal 2C: 700 mA". Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the transmission master 1 divides the load fluctuation period T3 into two time zones D1 and D2, and assigns two communication terminals 2A and 2B to the time zone D1, and assigns one to the time zone D2. Grouping of communication terminals 2C.

In other words, the transmission master 1 divides the load fluctuation period T3 into a plurality of time zones based on the actual current consumption of each of the communication terminals 2, and equalizes the sum of the current consumptions of the time zones (the maximum value). The mode assigns the communication terminal 2 to any time zone. The first communication terminal (the first slave) of any of the plurality of communication terminals 2 is in a time zone allocated to the first communication terminal among the plurality of time zones, and the state transition is performed.

The communication unit 11 of the transmission master 1 uses the voltage signal of the voltage transmission period T1 to divide the above points. The group results are transmitted to each of the communication terminals 2A to 2C, and each of the communication terminals 2A to 2C can recognize the time zone to which they are assigned. Next, each of the communication terminals 2A to 2C performs a state transition in the time zone assigned to each of the load fluctuation periods T3. That is, the sum of the current consumptions in the time zone D1 (the maximum value) is 700 mA, and the sum of the current consumptions in the time zone D2 (the maximum value) is 700 mA, and the sum of the current consumptions of the time zones D1 and D2 (maximum value) ) become equal to each other.

The actual driving power supplied from the transmission master 1 is a combination of the power consumption of the single communication terminal unit 2 and the power loss portion of the communication line L1 from the transmission mother machine 1 to the communication terminal unit 2. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the current supplied from the transmission master 1 to the communication line L1 is measured at the state transition of the communication terminal 2, and each communication terminal 2 is assigned to each communication terminal 2 based on the actual current consumption of each communication terminal 2. Any time zone. In other words, it is possible to realize a grouping in which the influence of the system configuration such as the loss due to the voltage drop of the communication line L1 is considered, and the power (the maximum value) of the transmission master 1 supplied to the communication line L1 can be made in each time zone. In an equal manner, each communication terminal 2 is assigned to any time zone.

Therefore, based on the actual current consumption, the drive current of the communication terminal 2 required for the state transition can be equally distributed in the load fluctuation period T3, and the power supply of the transmission master 1 can be used more efficiently in the load variation period T3. . Moreover, since the peak value of the driving power supplied from the transmission master 1 to the communication line L1 can be more reliably suppressed, the supply circuit of the transmission master 1 can be configured inexpensively.

(Embodiment 5)

Fig. 16 shows the configuration of the communication system of the present embodiment, and the communication terminal 2 is constituted by the transmission terminal 2c and the overlapping terminal 2d. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described. Hereinafter, when the transmission terminal 2c and the overlapping terminal 2d are not distinguished, the communication terminal 2 is referred to.

Communication between the communication signal transmitted on the communication line L1 in the communication between the transmission master 1 and the communication terminal 2 and the communication on the transmission path L1 in the communication with the overlapping terminal 2d Signal communication protocols are different. The communication signal of the former is a voltage signal of a repolarization whose pulse width is modulated, and the communication signal of the latter is a current signal which is modulated by a carrier having a higher frequency than the communication signal of the former. Hereinafter, the communication signal of the former is referred to as a "transmission signal", and the communication signal of the latter is referred to as an "overlapping signal".

Further, the communication unit 21 of the transmission terminal 2c has a transmission/reception function of the transmission signal, and the communication unit 21 of the superposition terminal 2d has a transmission/reception function of each of the transmission signal and the superimposed signal.

The transmission signal used in the communication between the transmission master 1 and the communication terminal 2 has a specific format, and is repeatedly transmitted by the transmission master 1 to the communication line L1. Each of the communication terminals 2 has an address (identification information), and the communication terminal transmitted by the retransmission base unit 1 includes the address of the communication terminal 2, and the communication terminal 2 is designated and an instruction is given to each terminal from the transmission master 1. . That is, the communication terminal device 2 can individually give an instruction to the communication terminal unit 2 by means of time division multiplexing. Further, a period during which the communication terminal 2 notifies the transmission parent 1 of the information is provided in the transmission signal.

The transmission terminal 2c is provided with two types of monitoring terminals and control terminals, which receive a monitoring input from a switch or a sensor (not shown), and request the transmission master 1 to perform load control; the control terminal The device is connected to a load (not shown) and controls the load in accordance with an instruction from the transfer master 1.

The transmission master 1 includes a relationship table in which a switch or a sensor (hereinafter, a switch and a sensor are collectively referred to as a monitoring mechanism) and a load are associated with each other. By registering the relationship between the monitoring mechanism and the load in advance in the relation table, the transfer master 1 controls the load that has been associated with the monitoring mechanism in accordance with the change in the operation of the switch or the output of the sensor. The content of the control load for the monitoring organization is sometimes included in the relationship table.

Further, in the transmission signal (second signal), as shown in FIG. 17, a repolarization having a synchronization pulse period T11, a transmission period T12, a return period T13, an interruption period T14, a short detection period T15, and a pause period T16 is used. (±24V) signal. The transfer master 1 repeatedly transmits the transfer signal.

The sync pulse period T11 indicates the start of the frame in which the signal is transmitted, and has two periods in which the voltage polarities are different. The voltage polarity is changed from +24V to -24V during the period of the synchronization pulse period T11.

The transmission period T12 is a period in which the transmission master 1 transmits an instruction to the communication terminal 2, and a time slot is generated in which the transmission source 1 transmits a voltage signal to the communication terminal 2. The transfer master 1 transmits data by pulse width modulation of a carrier composed of pulse lines of ±24V. The voltage signal includes mode information indicating the type of the transmission signal, an address specifying the address of the communication terminal 2 individually, and control information for displaying the indication content.

In the return period T13, a voltage of +24 V is generated, and the communication master 2 notifies the transmission master 1 of the period of time, and the transmission master 1 waits for the signal to be transmitted without transmitting a signal.

During the interruption period T14, a voltage of -24 V is generated, and during the period of detecting the interrupt signal output from the communication terminal unit 2, the short-circuit detection period T15 generates a voltage of +24 V and is used to detect the period of the short circuit of the communication line L1. During the pause period, T16 generates a voltage of -24V and does not transmit data during the period.

When each of the communication terminals 2 includes its own address in the address included in the transmission period T12 of the transmission signal received via the communication line L1, the communication terminal 2 performs the operation based on the control information included in the transmission period T12. For example, if it is a control terminal device, the control content for the load is included in the control information of the transmission signal, so the load is controlled according to the control content. The control result of the operation of the switch of the monitoring terminal or the load of the control terminal is synchronized with the return period T13 (corresponding to the communication period of the present invention) and transmitted back to the transfer master 1 with the current mode signal (current signal).

The current mode signal (first signal) is a two-state current signal indicated by a state in which the line between the open communication line L1 and the line between the communication line L1 are short-circuited via the low impedance element. For example, the communication terminal unit 2 has a return circuit in which a capacitor and a resistor are connected in series, and the retrace transistor is turned on/off in a state where a DC voltage rectified by the transmission signal is applied to the replying circuit. Thereby, the communication line L1 flows into the communication terminal 2 The magnitude of the current changes, and the communication terminal 2 can generate a current signal on the communication line L1 and transmit the current signal to the transmission master 1.

The transmission master 1 often periodically changes the address of the communication terminal 2 included in the transmission signal and performs regular polling of the communication terminal 2 in sequence. In the case of frequent polling, in the communication terminal 2 in which the address included in the transmission signal coincides with its own address, if the control information is included in the transmission signal, the control information is acquired and the operation is performed, and the operation is performed. The status is returned to the transfer master 1 during the postback period T13.

However, when the communication terminal 2 generates a monitor input or the like, it synchronizes with the interruption period T14 of the transmission signal and causes the interruption signal I to be generated in the communication line L1 (refer to FIG. 17). For example, after the monitoring terminal receives the monitoring input from the switch, the interrupt signal I is generated during the interruption period T14. When detecting the interrupt signal I, the transmission master 1 searches for the communication terminal 2 that has generated the interrupt signal I, and accesses the communication terminal 2 to obtain the address of the communication terminal 2.

After the address of the communication terminal 2 to which the interrupt signal I has been generated is acquired by the transfer master 1, the transfer master 1 designates the address and transmits back the data of the monitor input or the like to the communication terminal 2. The transmission master 1 generates a transmission signal including control information of the communication terminal 2 that has been set up with a load associated with each of the monitoring inputs in advance based on the monitoring input returned from the communication terminal 2, and Send to communication line L1. Therefore, the load is controlled in accordance with a request (operation of a switch, etc.) from the communication terminal 2 that has generated the interrupt signal I.

As described above, the transmission master 1 frequently performs frequent polling and sequentially accesses all the communication terminals 2. Further, after receiving the interrupt signal from any of the communication terminals 2, the transmission master 1 accesses the communication terminal 2 that has generated the interrupt signal I and receives the request from the communication terminal 2. As such, the polling will be performed frequently, and the action of preferentially processing the request from the communication terminal 2 that has generated the interrupt signal I after the generation of the interrupt signal I is referred to as interrupt polling.

On the other hand, the superimposing terminal 2d is, for example, a measurement terminal that measures the amount of power consumed by the load, a monitor terminal that displays the measurement result of the measurement device, and the like. The overlapping terminal 2d communicates with the transmitting parent machine 1 using the above-described frequent polling and interrupt polling communication. Further, the superimposing terminal 2d can mutually communicate the superimposed signals for transmission on the communication line L1, for example, the monitor terminal collects the measurement results of the measurement terminal.

The superimposed signal P superimposed on the transmission signal and transmitted on the communication line L1 is used in the communication between the overlapping terminals 2d. Specifically, the superimposed signal P is transmitted in the overlapable period (corresponding to the communication period of the present invention) which is appropriately selected from the synchronization pulse period T11 and the pause period T16 of the transmission signal. The superimposed signal P (first signal) is a signal obtained by changing a current flowing through the communication line L1 to transmit a current signal of a data and a carrier having a higher frequency than a voltage signal.

Further, the transmission signal transmitted from the transmission master 1 to the communication line L1 is a repolarization, and since frequent polling is being performed, power is often supplied to the communication line L1 by transmitting a signal. Therefore, in the present system, the communication terminal 2 can be supplied with driving power by using the transmission signal. However, since there is an upper limit in the power supplied from the transmission master 1, the power supplied from the transmission master 1 to the communication terminal 2 connected to the communication line L1 is limited.

Further, the communication terminal 2 instructs the communication terminal 2 to start up by communicating with the transfer master 1 using the above-described frequent polling, interrupt polling, and the overlapping terminal 2d using the overlap signal P. State transitions such as dormancy. Each of the functional units 23 of the communication terminal 2 instructing the state transition causes the state to be changed using the driving power generated by the power supply unit 24 in the short-circuit detecting period T15. That is, the short-circuit detecting period T15 also serves as the load variation period of the present invention.

For example, when the overlay terminal 2d is a monitor terminal, the function unit 23 is configured by an LCD device having an image display function, and the function unit 23 is configured to turn on/off the LCD backlight during the short detection period T15. State transition.

Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the transmission master 1 divides the short detection period T15 into the same number of time regions D11, D12, ..., D1n as the address of the subordinate communication terminal 2, and assigns each time zone. 1 communication terminal 2. Any one of the plurality of communication terminals 2 (the first child machine) is allocated to the plurality of time zones D11, D12, ..., A state transition is performed in the time zone of the first communication terminal in D1n.

The processing for allocating the time zone to the communication terminal 2 is performed automatically when the transfer master 1 performs the address setting process of the communication terminal 2. Therefore, since the address setting processing and the time zone allocation processing can be performed at the same time, for example, a communication sequence for allocating a time zone is not required. In other words, the step of allocating the time zone is not required, and the cost increase by the circuit such as the additional current measuring unit can be suppressed.

When the address of the communication terminal 2 is set, the communication unit 11 of the transmission master 1 transmits the result of the distribution of the time zone to each of the communication terminals 2 using the voltage signal of the voltage transmission period T1, and each of the communication terminals 2 The time zone corresponding to the respective address can be identified. Further, each of the communication terminals 2 performs a state transition in a time zone allocated to each of the short-circuit detecting periods T15.

Therefore, in the short-circuit detection period T15, it is possible to prevent the state transition of each of the communication terminal devices 2 from being concentrated at the same time point, and it is possible to control the load fluctuation in the load fluctuation period T3 to be substantially constant, and to efficiently use the load variation period T3. . Moreover, since the peak value of the driving power supplied from the transmission master 1 to the communication line L1 can be suppressed, the power supply circuit of the transmission mother machine 1 can be configured inexpensively.

1‧‧‧Transfer machine

2‧‧‧Communication terminal

2a‧‧‧Monitor terminal

2b‧‧‧gate device

L1‧‧‧ communication line

L2‧‧‧ communication line

Claims (10)

A communication system is characterized in that a parent machine and a plurality of slave devices are connected to a first communication line, and the master device supplies drive power to the plurality of slave devices via the first communication line, and the plurality of slave devices respectively transmit a first signal, which is a current signal. To the first communication line; and the plurality of sub-systems are configured to be synchronized with each other, and the transmission processing using the first signal is performed only during the communication period, and the load variation period is different only during the load fluctuation period different from the communication period A state transition of a change in the above-described driving power of a specific magnitude. The communication system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of sub-machines is configured to include: a communication unit that performs the transmission processing within a range in which the fluctuation of the driving power does not exceed the specific amplitude; and a function unit that uses The driving power performs a specific operation; and the state transition is performed by transitioning from the first state to the second state by the operating state of the functional unit. A communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said parent machine transmits a second signal to said first communication line, and said second signal divides said frame into a plurality of times including said communication period and said load variation period a voltage signal with a time division method; and the plurality of sub-machines operate by using the second signal as the driving power, and setting the communication period and the load variation based on the received second signal period. The communication system of claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the load fluctuation periods exist; and the plurality of slaves perform the state transition by executing a control sequence, When the length of time of the control sequence is longer than the time length of the load fluctuation period, the control sequence is divided into a plurality of control sequences, and the load variation period is different during the load fluctuation period In a manner of at least two of the plurality of sequences, each of the plurality of control sequences is allocated to any one of the plurality of load fluctuation periods and sequentially executed. The communication system of claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the load fluctuation periods exist; and at least one of the plurality of slave devices performs the first signal transmitted on the first communication line And converting the third signals transmitted on the second communication line different from the first communication line to each other; and the gateway device is configured to be larger than a specific value of the first signal The first signal is divided into a plurality of first signals, and each of the plurality of first signals transmits at least one of a plurality of predetermined converted third signals during a load fluctuation period different from the plurality of load fluctuation periods In two ways, each of the plurality of third signals is allocated to any one of the plurality of load fluctuation periods, and is sequentially transmitted to the second communication line. The communication system of claim 1 or 2, wherein any one of the plurality of slaves is requested to allow the state machine to allow the state transition before the state transition is performed, and the load change specified by the parent machine The state transition is performed during the period, and the length of time during which the load change period is specified by the parent machine is set based on the content of the state transition. The communication system of claim 1 or 2, wherein said parent machine holds data of current consumption in said state transition of said plurality of slaves in advance, and said load fluctuation period is based on said current consumption of each of said plurality of slaves Dividing into a plurality of time zones, and so that the sum of the current consumptions of the plurality of time zones is equalized Each of the plurality of sub-machines is allocated to any one of the plurality of time zones; and any one of the plurality of sub-machines is allocated to the time zone of the first sub-machine in the plurality of time zones The above state transition is performed. The communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the parent machine includes a measuring unit that measures a current consumption in the state transition of each of the plurality of slaves, and the load is based on a measured value of the current consumption of each of the plurality of slaves And dividing the variable period into a plurality of time zones, and assigning each of the plurality of slaves to any one of the plurality of time zones in such a manner that the sum of the current consumptions of the plurality of time zones is equal; The first sub-machine of any of the plurality of sub-machines is allocated to the time zone of the first sub-machine in the plurality of time zones to perform the state transition. The communication system of claim 1 or 2, wherein said parent machine communicates with each of said plurality of slaves using an address assigned to each of said plurality of slaves, and divides said load variation period into a plurality of time zones corresponding to each of the plurality of sub-addresses; and any one of the plurality of sub-machines is in a time zone corresponding to the address of the first sub-machine in the plurality of time zones, Perform the above state transition. A communication terminal device that supplies driving power via a communication line and transmits a current signal to the communication line, and is configured to perform transmission processing using the current signal only during communication, and only to communicate with the above-described communication A state transition accompanying a change in the above-described driving power exceeding a certain range is performed during a period of different load fluctuations during the period.