JP2003273810A - Optical connector and optical network system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To construct a network system suppressing system failures, and having high expandability and flexibility. <P>SOLUTION: In an optical network system 10, optical connectors 15-16 comprises a pair of network side terminals connected to optical fiber cables 19-22, a pair of node side terminals connected to node equipment, a first optical switch 45 for bringing network side terminals into connection statuses mutually, based on switch control signals SW and a second optical switch 46 which is brought into an exclusive connection status to the first optical switch 45 and for connecting the node side terminals to the network side terminals. The node equipment 11-14 has an MPU (microprocessor unit) 71 for controlling the first optical switch 45 to bring the network side terminals into the connection statuses mutually and controlling the second optical switch 46 to bring the node side terminals into non-connection statuses mutually, by outputting the control signals SW, when the node equipment 11-14 is brought into out of communication statuses. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector and an optical network system, and more particularly to an optical connector and an optical network system used for a vehicle-mounted network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, ITS (Intelligent Transport)
Systems) and the development of in-vehicle information equipment, advanced information processing capability is required in the vehicle.

In order to meet this demand, on-vehicle information equipment is also being networked.

Particularly, in the case of in-vehicle information equipment, an in-vehicle network using a plastic optical fiber has been proposed.

Plastic optical fibers are lightweight and
Also, since it is highly flexible, it can be easily installed in a narrow vehicle. Furthermore, it has excellent noise resistance as a characteristic of optical fiber, and is useful for building a control network system equipped with an engine and various sensors, and an information network system such as an in-car audio device that requires high-speed transmission. Used by car manufacturers.

By the way, as a topology of a vehicle-mounted network, there is a vehicle-mounted network system which adopts a ring type topology from the viewpoint that it is easy to reduce the number of connectors and cables.

[0007]

The in-vehicle network adopting the ring type topology is preferable from the viewpoint of reducing the number of connectors and cables, but the node equipment connected to the in-vehicle network fails and communication is impossible. If this happens, there is a possibility that the system down of the entire vehicle-mounted network will occur.

Further, there is a problem that it takes more time to add the node device as compared with the vehicle-mounted network adopting the bus type topology.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce the possibility of system down even when a connected node device is in a communication-disabled state, and to provide an in-vehicle network adopting a ring topology, An object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector and an optical network system that can easily add node equipment.

[0010]

In order to solve the above problems, in an optical connector for connecting an optical network and a node device, a pair of network side terminals to which the optical network is connected and the node device are connected. A pair of node-side terminals, a first optical switch that connects the network-side terminals to each other based on a control signal from the outside, and an exclusive connection state to the first optical switch based on the control signal And a second optical switch for connecting the node side terminal to the network side terminal.

According to the above configuration, the first optical switch and the second optical switch are exclusively connected based on the control signal, and the node device connection state and the node device non-connection state (node device communication (Including a failure state such as a disabled state) can be easily switched while reducing the influence on the network side.

In this case, the first optical switch may be a normally closed switch and the second optical switch may be a normally open switch.

Further, in an optical network system including a plurality of optical connectors capable of connecting node equipment and an optical fiber cable connecting the optical connectors, the optical connector is connected to the optical fiber cable. A pair of network-side terminals, a pair of node-side terminals to which the node device is connected, a first optical switch that connects the network-side terminals to each other based on a control signal, and the first optical switch based on the control signal A second optical switch that is exclusively connected to one optical switch and that connects the node-side terminal to the network-side terminal, wherein the node device is provided when the node device is in a communication-disabled state. , The control signal is output to control the first optical switch so that the network side terminals are connected to each other, and the second optical switch is connected. Having a control unit for the node terminals disconnected by controlling the switches, it is characterized in that.

According to the above configuration, the first optical switch and the second optical switch are exclusively connected to each other based on the control signal from the control unit of the node device, and the node device connection state and the node device non-connection state are established. A connection state (including a failure state such as a node device incommunicable state) can be easily switched while reducing the influence on the network side.

In this case, the first optical switch may be a normally closed switch and the second optical switch may be a normally open switch.

Further, the control signal may be set to the same logical level both when the node equipment is not connected and when the node equipment is in the communication disabled state.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the network system of the embodiment.

The network system 10 is roughly classified into node devices 11-14 and each node device 11-14.
Optical connectors 15 to 18 corresponding to each of the above, and an optical fiber cable 19 to connect between the respective connectors 15 to 18
22 and.

Of the node devices 11-14, the node device 11 functions as a master device for controlling the entire network system 10, and the other node devices 12-14.
Is functioning as a slave device.

More specifically, the node equipment 11 is constructed as a main controller when the network system 10 is constructed as a vehicle-mounted network system.

Here, the general configuration of the node equipment 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the node device 11 functioning as a master device.

The node device 11 is roughly divided into the MPU 7
1, ROM 72, non-volatile RAM 73, RAM 74, communication IC 75, opto-electric conversion unit 25, display 77
And an operation unit 78.

The MPU 71 functions as a control unit for controlling the entire node equipment 11 based on a control program stored in the ROM 72 in advance. In addition, the MPU 71
Control information for controlling the node devices 12 to 14 stored in advance in the ROM 72 and a non-volatile RAM 73
(Or, each of the node devices 12 to 14 is controlled based on the control information stored in advance in the RAM 74).

The ROM 72 stores the control program of the master device 11 and the node device 12 scheduled to be controlled in advance.
Stores control information of a plurality of node devices including the above.

By the way, the node devices 12 to 14 (slave devices) also have the same configuration as the node device 11, but the node device 11 should provide a user interface function in addition to the configuration of the node devices 12 to 14. The difference is that a display unit 77 and an operation unit 78 are provided. Although it is possible to provide a display unit and an operation unit for the node devices 12 to 14, however, due to the characteristics of the in-vehicle device, the node devices 12 to 14 have a configuration in which they are not provided.

The node devices 12 to 14 are devices that operate in cooperation with other node devices or independently under the control of the node device 11 that is the master device. For example, the node devices 12 to 14 include a tuner, an MD player, and a CD.
It is configured as an audio / visual device such as a player, a CD changer, a DVD player, and various in-vehicle devices such as a car navigation system, a vehicle-mounted refrigerator, and an emergency call system.

Further, the node equipments 12 to 14 respectively include optical-electrical conversion units 26 to 28 as interfaces with the network side.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the connector and the node equipment. Since the node devices 11 to 14 are the same except for the part that realizes the master function, the node device 12 will be described as an example in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the node device 12 is roughly divided into an optical-electrical conversion unit 26 and a communication IC 75.
And an MPU 71 that controls the entire node device 12.

The optical-electrical converting unit 26 receives the optical digital data from the network side and outputs it as an electric digital signal (photodiode) 35.
And a light emitting unit (LE for transmitting the inputted electric digital signal to the network side as optical digital data).
D) 36 and an opto-electric conversion controller 37 that controls the timing of transmitting and receiving digital signals.

The communication IC 75 has a function of performing overall communication control in the node device 12.

The MPU 71 controls the entire node equipment 12 and outputs a switch control signal SW for controlling the switching state of the optical connector 16. The switch control signal SW will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, the optical connector 16 corresponding to the node equipment 12 has the same structure as the other optical connectors 15, 17, and 18.

The optical connector 16 is roughly classified into a first network side terminal 41, a second network side terminal 42, and
A first node side terminal 43, a second node side terminal 44, a first optical switch 45, and a second optical switch 46 are provided.

The first network side terminal 41 is a terminal for receiving the optical digital signal, to which the optical fiber cable 19 functioning as a receiving optical fiber cable is connected.

The second network side terminal 42 is a terminal for transmitting an optical digital signal to which the optical fiber cable 20 which functions as a pair with the first network side terminal 41 and which functions as an optical fiber cable for transmission is connected. .

The first node side terminal 43 is optically connected to the light receiving portion 35 of the photoelectric conversion unit 26.

The second-node-side terminal 44 functions as a pair with the first-node-side terminal 43 to function as the opto-electric conversion unit 2.
6 is optically connected to the light emitting unit 36.

The first optical switch 45 brings the first network side terminal 41 and the second network side terminal 42 into the connection state / non-connection state based on the control signal SW from the MPU 71 of the node equipment 12.

Further, the control signal SW is set to the same logical level both when the node equipment is not connected and when the node equipment is in the communication disabled state. Further, the first optical switch 45 is a normally closed switch. Therefore, when the node device 12 is not connected, the first network side terminal 41 and the second network side terminal 42 are connected.

The second optical switch 46 is exclusively connected to the first optical switch 45 based on the control signal SW from the MPU 71 of the node equipment 12. That is, when the first optical switch 45 is in the connected state, the first node side terminal 43 is set in the non-connected state to the first network side terminal 41, and the second node side terminal 44 is set in the second network side. The terminal 42 is not connected. Also,
If the first optical switch 45 is not connected, the first
The node side terminal 43 is set to the connection state with respect to the first network side terminal 41, and the second node side terminal 44 is set to the second network / non-connection state.

As described above, the control signal SW is set to the same logic level both when the node equipment is not connected and when the node equipment is in the communication disabled state. Further, the second optical switch 46 is a normally open switch. Therefore, when the node device 12 is not connected, the first node side terminal 43 and the second node side terminal 44 are not connected to the corresponding network side terminals.

In this case, the first optical switch 45 and the second optical switch 46 can be either mechanical optical switches or electronic optical switches using an optical IC.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.

The MPU 71 of each node device 11-14
When it is in a state where it can normally communicate, the switch control signal SW for setting the first optical switch 45 to the open state (off state) and the second optical switch 46 to the closed state (on state) is used. Output to the corresponding optical connectors 15-18.

As a result, the first optical switch 45 is in the open state (off state) and the second optical switch 46 is in the closed state (on state).
Becomes

That is, for example, in the case of the node equipment 12, the optical fiber cable 19 includes the first network side terminal 41, the second optical switch 46 and the first node side terminal 4.
It is connected to the light receiving portion 35 via 3. On the other hand, the optical fiber cable 20 is connected to the light emitting unit 36 via the second network side terminal 42, the second optical switch 46, and the second node side terminal 44.

Therefore, an equivalent diagram of the connection state of the entire network system 10 is as shown in FIG. 4, and a ring type network in which four node devices 11 to 14 are connected in a ring shape is constructed.

On the other hand, the MPU 7 of each node equipment 11-14
When the communication device 1 is in the communication disabled state, the first optical switch 45 closes (on) the second optical switch 46.
Switch control signal S to open the switch (off state)
W is output to the corresponding optical connectors 15-18.

As a result, the first optical switch 45 is closed (on state) and the second optical switch 46 is open (off state).
Becomes

That is, for example, in the case of the node equipment 12, the optical fiber cable 19 is connected to the optical fiber cable 20 via the first network side terminal 41, the first optical switch 45 and the second network side terminal 42.

Therefore, when viewed from the network side, the node equipment 12 is in a non-connection state, and an equivalent diagram of the connection state of the entire network system 10 is as shown in FIG. 5, and the three node equipments 11, 13, 14 are shown. Will be connected to form a ring network.

Along with this, the node device 11, which is the master device, detects that the communication from the node device 12 has been interrupted, and notifies the user that the node device 12 has been disconnected from the network via the display unit. Becomes

According to the above-described embodiment, even when the node device is in the incommunicable state, the node device can be separated from the network in a state in which the other node device can communicate with the network. It is possible to prevent the system 10 as a whole from going down.

Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described.

In the above description, the node equipment was connected to all the optical connectors in advance. However, as shown in FIG. 6, when there is a possibility that the node equipment 60 will be added in the future, the network 10 will be used. It is also possible to previously provide an optical connector 61 having the same configuration as the above-mentioned optical connector.

More specifically, the first network side terminal 41 of the optical connector 61 is connected to the optical connector 17 of the node equipment 13 by the optical fiber cable 21B. The second network side terminal 42 of the optical connector 61 is
The optical connector 18 of the node equipment 14 is connected by an optical fiber cable 21A.

As a result, the optical connector 61, the optical fiber cable 21A and the optical fiber cable 21B are
It functions as an equivalent to the optical fiber cable 21 shown in FIG.

Therefore, according to this configuration, the node equipment 6
In the unconnected state of 0, the first optical switch 45 is in the closed state (on state) and the second optical switch 46 is in the open state (of
f state), the equivalent diagram of the connection state of the entire network system 10 is as shown in FIG. 4, and it is possible to build a ring network in which four node devices 11 to 14 are connected in a ring shape. it can.

Then, when the node equipment 60 is connected thereafter, the switch control signal SW from the node equipment 60 is input to the first optical switch 45 and the second optical switch 46, and the first optical switch 45 is in the open state ( off state)
Since the second optical switch 46 is closed (on state),
5 node devices 11-14 and node device 6 easily
A ring network in which 0s are connected in a ring shape can be constructed.

Therefore, according to this modification, even if the topology is a ring type network system, the topology is a bus type network system.
It is possible to easily add node equipment and easily expand the network system.

In the above description, the control information of the node device which is the slave device is stored in the ROM of the node device 11 which is the master device in advance.
PROM (Erasable programmable ROM), EEPRO
M (Electrically erasable programmable ROM), NV
A memory device such as a RAM (Nonvolatile RAM) that functions as a read-only storage device at normal times can be similarly applied. Further, it can be configured to be stored in an external storage device such as a hard disk or various optical disks.

In the above description, the program for causing the computer to function as the node device (master device or slave device) is stored in advance in the ROM and RA is stored.
Although the case where the program is expanded to M or the like and executed is described, it is possible to record these programs in an external recording device such as a hard disk and start them, or record these programs in a removable recording medium such as an optical disk and install them. It can also be configured to be downloaded and installed via a network. When downloading, it is possible to download each time it is executed.

[0066]

According to the present invention, the system down of the optical network system can be suppressed, and the addition of node equipment and the extension of the network system can be easily performed. That is, it is possible to construct an optical network system that is easy to operate, highly expandable, and highly flexible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a network system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a node device that functions as a master device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration block diagram of an optical connector and a node device.

FIG. 4 is an equivalent diagram of a connection state of the entire network system in a normal operation state.

FIG. 5 is an equivalent diagram of a connection state of the entire network system when one node device is in a communication disabled state.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration block diagram of a network system of a modified example of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 network system 11 node equipment (master equipment) 12-14 node equipment (slave equipment) 15-18 optical connector 19-22 Optical fiber cable 25 Optical-electrical conversion unit 35 Light receiving part (photodiode) 36 Light emitting part (LED) 37 Photo-electric conversion controller 41 1st network side terminal 42 Second network side terminal 43 1st node side terminal 44 Second node side terminal 45 First optical switch 46 Second optical switch 71 MPU (control unit) 72 ROM 73 Non-volatile RAM 74 RAM 75 Communication IC 77 Display 78 Operation part SW switch control signal

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An optical connector for connecting an optical network and a node device, comprising: a pair of network side terminals to which the optical network is connected; a pair of node side terminals to which the node device is connected; A first optical switch that connects the network-side terminals to each other based on the control signal, and a node that connects the node-side terminal to the network side exclusively based on the control signal. An optical connector, comprising: a second optical switch connected to the terminal. 2. The optical connector according to claim 1, wherein The first optical switch is a normally closed switch, The second optical switch is a normally open switch, An optical connector characterized in that 3. An optical network system comprising a plurality of optical connectors capable of connecting node equipment and an optical fiber cable for connecting the optical connectors, wherein the optical connector is connected to the optical fiber cable. A pair of network-side terminals, a pair of node-side terminals to which the node device is connected, a first optical switch that connects the network-side terminals to each other based on a control signal, and the first optical switch based on the control signal A second optical switch that is exclusively connected to one optical switch and that connects the node-side terminal to the network-side terminal, wherein the node device is provided when the node device is in a communication-disabled state. And outputting the control signal to control the first optical switch to bring the network side terminals into a connected state, Controls the switch with a control unit for the node terminal disconnected, an optical network system, characterized in that. 4. The optical network system according to claim 3, wherein the first optical switch is a normally closed switch, and the second optical switch is a normally open switch. 5. The optical network system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the control signal is set to the same logical level both when the node equipment is not connected and when the node equipment is in a communication disabled state. Optical network system characterized by