Devices and method for assigning network addresses

• US 9,819,639 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2012
• Issued: 11/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Televic Rail NV (Daninvest NV)
• Original Assignee: Televic Rail NV (Daninvest NV)
• Inventors: Van Den Wouwer, Dirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Zele, Krista
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chambers, Michael A
• Application Number:
  US14/381,389
• Publication Number:
  US 20150134802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,805 Days
• Field of Search: 370255, 709201-203, 709220-226, 709245
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 15/0072 On-board train data handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/413 with random access, e.g. carrier-sense multiple-access with collision detection [CSMA-CD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/69 using geographic information, e.g. room number
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/50 Address allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5038 for local use, e.g. in LAN or USB networks, or in a controller area network [CAN]

Abstract

A switching device comprises a terminal pair arranged for signal transmission and reception. Circuitry is adapted for generating a stimulus signal to a plurality of network devices forming a daisy chain and for receiving a response signal to the stimulus signal. The circuitry is arranged for deriving from at least the response signal an indication of a network device of the plurality being operational or not. Processing means is arranged for assigning a location-based network address to the network device of the plurality considering the derived indication.

Claims

1. A method for assigning a location-based network address to a network device in a network comprising:

a plurality of network devices forming a daisy chain, said network devices comprising a communication device arranged for exchanging communication data with an application,

a first connection device arranged for connecting in a first position a first terminal pair with said for exchanging communication data,

a second connection device arranged for connecting in a first position a second terminal pair with said communication device arranged for exchanging communication data and an electrical circuit providing a connection with at least said first or said second connection device so that a connection can be established between said electrical circuit and at least one port of said first or second terminal pair when said first or second connection device is in a second position,

said first and second connection device further arranged for being switched to interconnect in a bypass mode while having said electrical circuit in parallel in case of a malfunctioning network device, the method comprising the steps of;

detecting in a switching device, based on a response signal received from said network, a change in topology of said network comprising a plurality of network devices by a change in the number of observed electrical circuits;

sending a command instructing at least one network device of said plurality having no location-based network address to open said second connection device;

receiving a request for assigning a network address from a network device of the at least one network device having no location-based network address yet;

measuring an electrical quantity of said response signal to determine the number of malfunctioning network devices in said daisy chain between said switching device and said network device from which said request was received;

assigning with said switching device a location-based network address to said network device from which said request was received, taking into account the number of said malfunctioning network devices.

2. The method for assigning a location-based network address as in claim 1, wherein said first and second connection means operate independently from each other.

3. The method for assigning a location-based network address as in claim 1, wherein said application controls said first and second connection means.

4. The method for assigning a location-based network address as in claim 1, wherein said electrical circuit is a resistor or a capacitor.

5. The method for assigning a location-based network address as in claim 1, wherein said electrical circuit is a single-wired flash device.

6. A network comprising a plurality of network devices forming a daisy chain, each network device comprising:

a first terminal pair for connecting a first transmit/receive wire pair;

a second terminal pair for connecting a second transmit/receive wire pair;

a communication device arranged for exchanging communication data with an application, said communication comprising a request for obtaining a network address;

a first connection device arranged for establishing in a first position connection between said first terminal pair and said communication device arranged for exchanging communication data;

a second connection device arranged for establishing in a first position connection between said second terminal pair and said communication device arranged for exchanging communication data;

wherein said network device further comprises an electrical circuit providing a connection with at least said first or said second connection device, so that a connection can be established between said electrical circuit and at least one port of said first or second terminal pair when said first or second connection device is in a second position, said first and second connection device further arranged for being switched to interconnect in a bypass mode while having said electrical circuit in parallel in case of a malfunctioning network device, said network further arranged for receiving a command instructing at least one network device of said plurality having no location-based network address to open said second connection device, for sending a request for assigning a network address from a network device of the at least one network device having no location-based network address yet and for sending a response signal comprising an electrical quantity allowing the determination of the number of malfunctioning network devices.

7. A transportation vehicle comprising a network as in claim 6.