Single-signal transmission of safe process information

• US 20040199837A1
• Filed: 01/16/2004
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Kalhoff, Johannes, Horn, Steffen, Stallmann, Oliver, Meyer-Grafe, Karsten, Gast, Torsten
• Granted Patent: US 7,562,261 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/712
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 9/03 with multiple-channel loop, i.e. redundant control systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0061 Error detection codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/06 using space diversity

Abstract

The invention relates to the transmission of safe process signals between input and output units in a safety system.

The object of the invention is to indicate a way in which the transmission and, in consequence, the processing of safe process information are ensured in a considerably simplified manner.

The invention therefore provides that, for transmission of safe process information, two or more process signals (S₂₁₁-S₂₁₂, S₂₂₁-S₂₂₂, S₁₀₀) which are detected redundantly in order to identify an event which is relevant to system safety, are converted to a single process signal (S₁, S₁₁₀) for system-based further processing.

Claims

1. A method for transmission of safe process information, comprising:

detecting two or more process signals redundantly;

identifying an event that is relevant to system safety; and

converting said process signals to a single process signal for further system-based processing.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, said redundantly detected process signals are detected in said conversion process via two or more channels, and wherein said single process signal is transmitted via one channel.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said detection process is in digital or analog form.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conversion process is carried out to form a digital process signal.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising transmitting a 1-bit data item as the useful content of said single process signal.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said transmission of said single process signal is protected.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said single process signal has useful content, and wherein at least one check bit is attached to said useful content in response to said conversion process.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising using a CRC method to produce said at least one check bit.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conversion process is carried out at a point in a process signal transmission path capable of being predetermined.

10. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said single process signal is converted to two or more additional process signals that are carried via separate channels in a system output component that is capable of being predetermined.

11. An apparatus for safe transmission of process signals, comprising:

a plurality of process signals being supplied on two or more channels and detected redundantly for system safety; and

a converter for conversion of process signals to a single process signal, said single process signal being capable of being transmission via one channel.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising means for system-based further processing of said single process signal.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said converter has associated with it an input component, an output component, an intelligent unit, and a mechatronic unit.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said converter is capable of producing a 1-bit data item.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said converter comprises a logic AND gate.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said converter has means for protection of said single process signal.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said converter has, for protection purposes, means for generation of at least one check bit and for attachment of said at least one check bit to a signal content of said single process signal.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said converter is designed for application of a CRC method.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said converter comprises hardware and/or software elements.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising at least one network for an automation system.

21. (Canceled)