JP2008282188A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system which is capable of significantly enhancing a degree of flexibility, accuracy, efficiency and so on of product manufacturing in a product manufacturing plant with P2P communication for data and control signals regarding product manufacturing in a plant with high security and reliability. <P>SOLUTION: This is a communication system for product manufacturing in a plant. The plant is hierarchized into a three hierarchies, that is, a work unit hierarchy, a process unit hierarchy comprising individual process unit where one process or combination of a plurality of processes which are conducted by one or a plurality of work units are considered as one work unit, and a manufacturing unit hierarchy to manufacture products by including all of the process unit hierarchy. A P2P (peer-to-peer) method wireless communication is built at least at a part of transmission and reception of data, control signal and so on between an arbitrary unit hierarchy and another unit hierarchy, an inner part of the unit hierarchy and an inner part of machinery and so on. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system suitable for a product manufacturing factory having one or a plurality of processes such as stock, movement, processing, assembly, inspection, and aging in which various machines and devices are arranged.

  In a product manufacturing factory, various machines and devices are arranged for manufacturing a product that is a manufacturing purpose. A control system including an input device such as a sensor, an output device such as an actuator, and a controller that performs various controls such as sequence control, feedback control, and feedforward control is incorporated in these machines and devices. In this control system, the input / output device and the controller are connected by wire to transmit and receive data, control signals, and the like, while the applicant also considers performing some or all of these transmission and reception wirelessly. Wireless communication, of course, does not require wired wiring, so there is no wiring laying, connection with sensors and input / output devices on moving bodies such as rotation, where wired wiring is difficult, and machines and equipment tailored to manufacturing purposes There is an advantage that the arrangement can be changed easily and inexpensively, while data is transmitted and received in the form of electromagnetic waves and electromagnetic induction in the space and between liquids, so wiretapping, interference, noise, etc. Therefore, there are problems in communication safety, reliability, and the like, and it has not always been easy to achieve.

  On the other hand, when performing data communication between factories using the Internet, in order to solve the problems such as wiretapping, interference, noise, etc., and spoofing of the receiver, which are the same as wireless communication, it is possible to cope with, for example, VPN using encryption technology Is being deployed rapidly. VPN is a virtual private network that uses the Internet, encrypts data on the transmission side, decrypts it on the reception side, and realizes a configuration in which both are virtually connected one-to-one with a dedicated line. (See Patent Document 1).

In such a current communication system situation, the present applicant has made extensive research on the realization of a communication system that overcomes the problems of wireless communication by utilizing the advantages of VPN while paying attention to the usefulness of wireless communication especially in product manufacturing factories. Was piled up.
JP 2006-217275 A

  The present invention overcomes the problems of wireless communication in a product manufacturing factory, realizes highly reliable and highly secure wireless communication, and makes use of its usefulness to make it difficult to achieve the desired wire in the product manufacturing factory. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel communication system capable of achieving process realization such as processing, assembly, and inspection, manufacturing freedom, processing accuracy by installing a wireless sensor, and the like.

  The communication system according to the present invention is a communication system for manufacturing a product in a factory, and the factory is processed by a plurality of types such as processing, conveyance, and assembly performed for product manufacture using machines and devices (referred to as machines). Any one or a combination of the above-mentioned operations is regarded as one work unit, and a work unit hierarchy composed of these work units and one process or a combination of a plurality of processes performed by one or a plurality of work units are defined as one. A process unit hierarchy consisting of each of these process units and a manufacturing unit hierarchy that manufactures a product including all of the above process unit hierarchies are hierarchized, and an arbitrary unit hierarchy and other unit hierarchies P2P (Peer-to-Peer) wireless communication is used for at least part of the transmission and reception of data, control signals, etc. It is characterized in that the built was.

  The above products include parts, semi-finished products, and finished products.

The P2P (peer-to-peer) is a situation where a plurality of wireless communication sides can perform 1: n wireless communication with one wireless communication side, and the one wireless communication side is the plurality of wireless communication sides. P2P wireless communication is virtually narrowed down to 1: 1 wireless communication with one of the wireless communication sides of the wireless communication side. Therefore, in the present invention, this wireless communication system is virtual for convenience of explanation. private wireless (VPWL: V ertial P rivate W ire L ess) may be referred to as a communication.

  On the wireless communication side, a work unit hierarchy includes a plurality of wireless sensors in a machine or the like and a wireless bridge in a controller, and a process unit hierarchy or a manufacturing unit hierarchy includes one process unit among a plurality of process units. Between a process unit and the like. In each of these unit layers, VPWL communication can be performed. Hereinafter, VPWL communication may be referred to as necessary. In addition, in VPWL communication, wireless nodes communicate directly with each other without using other access points. Infrastructure mode VPWL communication, which is a communication mode having an automatic relay function, and ad hoc mode VPWL communication having an automatic relay function are used. Including. These include communication via an access point having a relay function or a hub function.

  The wireless node here is a wireless controller, a wireless sensor, a wireless I / O device, a wireless repeater, or the like. For example, a wireless sensor includes a sensor head, a communication unit that performs wireless communication, a CPU that performs processing such as sensor drive, communication unit control, and data encryption. The wireless I / O device also includes an input / output unit, a communication unit that performs wireless communication, and a CPU that performs processing such as input / output driver, communication unit control, data and control signal encryption, and the like.

  In the present invention, since it is a communication system that performs VPWL communication for transmission / reception of data, control signals, etc. between an arbitrary unit hierarchy and another unit hierarchy, inside a unit hierarchy, and inside a machine or the like, wired wiring is difficult. In addition to the above-mentioned advantages such as connection to sensors and input / output devices on a rotating body such as rotation, and reduction of wiring laying costs, leakage, wiretapping, interference, etc., which are problems in wireless communication, are also prevented. P2P communication can be performed only when necessary, ensuring high communication safety and reliability, and dramatically improving the degree of freedom, accuracy and efficiency in product manufacturing at the product manufacturing plant. I can do it now. In particular, VPWL communication that can withstand FA (factory automation) can be improved by improving the functions of processes such as processing, assembly, and inspection that were difficult to achieve with cable by actively adding VPWL communication that can withstand factory automation (FA). A next-generation FA system can be constructed.

  According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, when there is wireless communication between three or more wireless nodes within each unit layer, wireless communication of a P2P (peer-to-peer) scheme in a mesh network between these wireless nodes. Is to do.

  In this aspect, when the number of arranged wireless nodes is 3 or more, the VPWL communication between the wireless nodes is mesh-type wireless, so that detour transmission of the communication, ensuring safety, output of the mounted wireless transmission / reception unit, frequency, etc. Long-distance wireless communication exceeding the capability can be ensured. It is effective in a unit hierarchy having a large scale of work unit hierarchy and process unit hierarchy. VPWL communication is performed by hardware such as a directional antenna, various electromagnetic shields, frequency channel switching, encryption logic, IPv6 (Internet Protocol It is preferable to construct a VPWL by combining software such as a version 6) compliant addressing system.

  In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the work unit hierarchy includes a controller that performs sequence control, feedback control, feedforward, and the like on a machine, an input device that inputs the state of the machine and the workpiece to the controller, and a controller. Output devices that control machines and the like in response to control signals and data, and at least some of the input devices communicate with the controller through VPWL.

  One preferable aspect of the present invention is to use, for example, a leaky coaxial cable having an antenna function including a radio wave directional antenna function and a leakage prevention function, electromagnetic induction communication, or the like in a small work unit hierarchy.

  According to the communication system of the present invention, data related to product manufacturing, control signals, and other various signals can be communicated with high safety and high reliability in the factory by the VPWL method. It is possible to improve processes such as processing, assembly, inspection, etc., which are difficult to realize with cable manufacturing of products at factories, freedom of manufacturing, processing accuracy by installing wireless sensors, and the like.

  Hereinafter, a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter abbreviated as the present communication system) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the communication system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in this communication system, a factory 1 to which the communication system is applied is divided into a work unit hierarchy 2, a process unit hierarchy 4, a manufacturing unit hierarchy 6 for high safety and reliability of communication. It is hierarchized in three layers.

  The unit of work level 2 is processing, conveyance, assembly, etc. performed for product manufacture using various machines and devices (hereinafter, machines 8) such as processing machines, carry-in machines, assembling apparatuses, inventory storages, and unloading machines. One of the plurality of types of work 9 or a combination of the plurality of kinds of work 9 is defined as one work unit 10, and the work unit 10 is a hierarchy of the individual work units 10. The products include product materials, various parts constituting the products, semi-finished products leading to products, and products as finished products. There are various operations in the manufacture of products at the stage of the manufacturing process. There are operations at each stage in product materials, parts manufacturing, unit assembly, unit inspection, product assembly, product inspection, and the like. Also, depending on the size of the factory, there are various types of machines and work units. There is a case where the work unit 10 also constitutes one work unit 10 by machining alone, or a work unit 10 is constituted by two works of machining and conveyance. This work unit hierarchy 2 is a cell level of a machine or device.

  The process unit hierarchy 4 is a hierarchy comprising one process unit or a combination of a plurality of processes performed by one or more work units 10 as one process unit 12. A manufacturing process of one product is divided into a plurality of process units 12, and one or a plurality of processes are included in each divided process unit 12, and one or a plurality of work units 10 belong to each process. .

  The manufacturing unit hierarchy 6 is a hierarchy for manufacturing products including all the process unit hierarchies 12 and includes a factory server 34.

  In the communication system of the embodiment, in the above three unit hierarchies 2, 4 and 6, between any unit hierarchies and other unit hierarchies, inside the unit hierarchies, and inside the machine etc. 8 in the work unit hierarchies 2 In the transmission / reception of data and control signals, etc., at least part of the P2P wireless communication based on the VPWL system with high reliability and safety was constructed, which was difficult to realize by wire in the product manufacturing factory. It is possible to improve the process realization of assembly, inspection, etc., the degree of freedom of manufacturing, the processing accuracy by installing a wireless sensor, and the like.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of P2P communication by the VPWL method in the work unit 10 in the work unit hierarchy 2. In FIG. 2, illustration of the machines 8 inside the work unit hierarchy 2 is omitted. In the work unit 10, as described above, the work 9 is performed by using various machines and devices such as the machine 8, such as a processing machine, a loading machine, an assembling apparatus, an inventory storage, and an unloading machine. Any one or a plurality of combinations of them is defined as one work unit 10. The work unit hierarchy 2 is a hierarchy including these work units 10 individually.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of VPWL communication for performing the operation 9 by the machine 8 in the operation unit 10. For example, a controller (P2P) 14 for performing sequence control, feedback control, feedforward, etc. on the processing operation of the processing machine. A wireless sensor 16 or a wired sensor 18 that is an input device for detecting and inputting the state of a machine 8 or a workpiece to be processed (not shown) to the controller (P2P) 14, a rotary encoder 20, and the controller (P2P). 14 includes an output device that controls the machine 8 in response to a control signal from the motor 14, an actuator 24, and the like. The controller (P2P) 14, the wired sensor 18, the rotary encoder 20, the motor 22, the actuator 24, etc. are wired to the controller (P2P) 14 by a driver 26. The driver 26 is wired to the controller (P2P) 14. The controller (P2P) 14 includes a wireless bridge (including a repeater and a hub) 28. The wireless bridge 28 can also receive data from the wireless sensor 16 wirelessly, cause the controller (P2P) 14 to perform predetermined processing, and wirelessly transmit the data to an external factory server or another controller. The sensor signal from the wired sensor 18 is given from the driver 26 to the controller (P2P) 14 and can be wirelessly transmitted to the outside by the wireless bridge 28. Further, external wireless data, wireless control signals, and the like are received by the wireless bridge 28 and input to the controller (P2P) 14. The controller (P2P) 14 instructs the wireless sensor 16 and the wireless IO via a wireless bridge, and drives and controls the motor 22 and the like through a driver 26 by wire. In FIG. 2, wireless communication is indicated by a dotted line (...), and wired communication is indicated by a solid line (-). When a plurality of wireless sensors 16 are arranged in the work unit 10, 1: n wireless communication is performed from the wireless sensor 16 to the wireless bridge 28, but the wireless bridge 28 communicates with the wireless sensor 16 with a wireless hub or frequency channel. Since P2P communication is realized by switching or the like, in this example, the wireless sensor 16 and the wireless bridge 28 are VPWL communication in the infrastructure mode. Of course, the above is only an example, and input devices such as sensors and output devices such as display devices may be wireless or wired as necessary. Radio in either the structure mode or the ad hoc mode can be used as appropriate. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a part of the work unit 10 is indicated by a double dotted line, and a mesh type radio (N: M communication) can also be used as shown by a double dotted line in FIG. VPWL communication for performing P2P wireless communication with one work unit 10 from among the other work units 10 is in a 1: n relationship with the other work units 10. Can do.

  Further, between the work units 10, parallel communication, serial communication, device net, CC-Link (refer to ISO standard), and the like can be used.

  FIG. 4 shows a communication example of the VPWL method in any one process unit 12 among the plurality of process units 12 constituting the process unit hierarchy 4. 10a is a work unit for processing by the processing machine, 10b is a work unit for carrying in by the loading machine, 10c is a work unit for carrying out by the unloading machine, and 10d is a work unit for loading and unloading by the inventory device. is there. An example of communication in the process unit 12 is that the wireless bridge 28 in the controller (P2P) 14 included in each of the work units 10a to 10d and the wireless bridge 32 and P2P (peer-to-peer) included in the controller 30 in the process unit 12 are described. Peer type VPWL communication.

  When the process unit 12 does not include the controller (P2P) 14, as shown in FIG. 5, the wireless sensor 16 in the process unit 12 and the wireless bridge 32 and P2P (peer-to-peer) included in the controller 30 in the process unit 12 Peer) type VPWL communication may be performed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, mesh-type P2P (peer-to-peer) VPWL communication may be performed between the process units 12 by wireless bridges 32 included in the respective controllers 30. Moreover, between the process units 12, parallel communication, serial communication, a device net, CC-Link, etc. can be used.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of communication with a plurality of process units 12 in the manufacturing unit hierarchy 6. Each process unit 12 includes a wireless bridge 32, and mesh wireless communication is performed between these wireless bridges 32, and mesh wireless communication is performed between the wireless bridge 32 of each process unit 12 and the factory server 34 of the manufacturing unit hierarchy 6. Communicate. Even in the manufacturing unit hierarchy 6, VPWL communication is performed between the process units 12 and between the process unit 12 and the factory server 34. The entire manufacturing unit hierarchy 6 performs wired or wireless communication with the company intranet 36. Also in this case, parallel communication, serial communication, device net, CC-Link, ProfiBus, FL-net, industrial Ethernet (registered trademark), etc. can be used between the process units 12. As the intranet 36, Ethernet (registered trademark), fire wire (ISO 1394), or the like can be used.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of P2P (peer-to-peer) VPWL communication using the leaky coaxial cable 38 between the wireless sensor 16 and the wireless bridge 28 in the work unit hierarchy 2. The dotted line (...) indicates that the wireless sensor 16 and the wireless bridge 28 are wirelessly communicated through the space 40 and the leaky coaxial cable 38. Even in the leaky coaxial cable 38, data, signals, and the like are wirelessly communicated in a TEM mode (Transvers Electro Magnetic Mode).

  FIG. 9 shows a wireless sensor 16 with a dedicated chip and a built-in antenna, and a leaky coaxial cable 38 in which a slot opened in a net line portion having a specific position and shape determined by radiation field strength, frequency, environment, etc. functions as an antenna. These peripheral casings, mechanisms, partitions, and the like are electromagnetically shielded 37 with a shielding paint or the like. As a typical example, it is used as an antenna and radio transmission path for FM broadcasting in a tunnel or train radio. Reference numeral 38a denotes a receiving antenna slot, and 38b denotes a wireless receiving antenna. Reference numeral 43 denotes a wireless controller or wireless sensor controller, which is connected to the transmission antenna 38b by impedance matching so as to be able to transmit and receive data and the like.

  When the slot length of the leaky coaxial cable 38 is an integral multiple of a quarter wavelength of the radio wave, the radio wave emitted from the slot has directivity. The leaky coaxial cable 38 is provided with an appropriate slot, so that a minimum necessary leak and a necessary and sufficient transmission function 41 can be obtained, and VPWL communication can be realized.

  The wireless sensor 16 and the wireless bridge 28 may be directly connected by a leaky coaxial cable 38, but when the wireless sensor 16 and the leaky coaxial cable 38 cannot be directly connected, a space 40 is interposed. When the space 40 is a short distance, the leaky coaxial cable 38 can wirelessly communicate data and the like by electromagnetic induction from the wireless sensor 16. In the case of this electromagnetic induction, the radio signal from the radio sensor 16 is abruptly attenuated by the square of the distance, so there is no leakage to others and the frequency used is also different. Therefore, the wireless signal from the wireless sensor 16 becomes wireless communication by the P2P (peer-to-peer) system from the leaky coaxial cable 38 to the wireless bridge 28 even if there is a space. The electromagnetic induction system also has the feature that it can easily supply power wirelessly. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, wireless signals from a plurality of wireless sensors 16 are input to the wireless bridge 28 and n: 1 wireless communication is performed from the wireless bridge 28 side, but 1: 1 from the wireless sensor 16 side. Wireless communication is established, and P2P (peer-to-peer) VPWL communication is performed. The space 40 is preferably electromagnetically shielded with a paint or sheet having an electromagnetic absorption effect on the mechanical part, screen, etc., except for the radio wave transmission path of the target. Alternatively, electromagnetic shielding not only in the space 40 but also in the transmission path from the antenna included in the wireless sensor 16 to the leaky coaxial cable 38 is effective. It is preferable to perform impedance matching between the wireless sensor 16 and the leaky coaxial cable 38 and between the leaky coaxial cable 38 and the wireless bridge 28. The use of the leaky coaxial cable 38 is preferable in that the battery type wireless sensor 16 can save power because leakage and interference of data and signals are prevented and transmission can be performed with a minimum required radio wave output.

  FIG. 10 shows a construction example of leaky coaxial cable connection by electromagnetic induction transmission / reception units 49 and 51 between a transmission side (sensor / IO) 45 and a reception side (connection portion with a leaky coaxial cable) 47. In FIG. 10, since the attenuation of radio waves is inversely proportional to the distance and the attenuation of electromagnetic induction is inversely proportional to the square of the distance, electromagnetic induction communication (referred to as non-contact communication) is overwhelmingly attenuated. Actually, non-contact communication is communication of several mm to several tens of mm. Since attenuation is severe, short-distance communication is achieved, but it is strong against leakage and interference, and is also suitable for highly reliable communication of VPWL communication. Electromagnetic induction can supply not only signals but a considerable amount of power in the case of propagation through transformer coupling by L (inductance). The power supply of the sensor / IO installed in the moving body can also be performed. 13.56 MHz is used for money cards and RFID such as SUICA, and 135 KHz is used for refueling systems and in-factory communications. There are many related (application, system) patents. This VPWL is a system (for example, non-contact sensor, electromagnetic induction, leaky coaxial cable, controller) incorporating the latest software technology such as absolute ID conversion and encryption.

  FIG. 11 shows a communication example in the work unit 10 in the work unit hierarchy 2. 11A, an example of communication between one wireless sensor 16 in the machine 8 or the like and the wireless bridge 28 in the controller (P2P) 14 in the work unit 10, and FIG. 11B shows a plurality of infrastructure modes. Communication example between the wireless sensor 16 and the wireless bridge 28 in the controller (P2P) 14, and FIG. 11C shows a communication example between the plurality of wireless sensors 16 in the ad hoc mode and the wireless bridge 28 in the controller (P2P) 14. Indicates. Both show examples of VPWL communication.

  FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of the wireless sensor 16. The wireless sensor 16 includes a CPU bus 40. A CPU (including ROM, RAM, etc.) 42, a dedicated transmission / reception dedicated LSI 44, a general-purpose IO driver 46, a primary battery 48, an external power supply unit 50, and various sensor interfaces 52 are connected to the CPU bus 40 by a CPU bus. An external power supply 54 such as a solar cell is connected to the external power supply unit 50, various sensor heads 56 are connected to various sensor interfaces 52, and various IOs and switches 58 are connected to the general-purpose IO driver 46. The dedicated transmission / reception dedicated LSI 44 includes a transmission / reception control circuit 60, a transmission circuit 62, and a reception circuit 64. Further, the SW and the LED 66 constitute a switch for mode switching and a display unit for operation state, and are controlled by the CPU 42.

  The ROM in the CPU 42 stores programs such as operation of the transmission / reception control circuit 60 of the dedicated LSI 44 for transmission / reception, connection of the controller (P2P) 14 with the wireless bridge 28, switching of the wireless mode, frequency, etc., and control of the SW and LED 66. In accordance with this program, the CPU 42 controls the transmission / reception operation of the dedicated transmission / reception LSI 44, the sensor drive, the input / output drive, and the like.

  The sensor interface 52 is an interface that controls one or a plurality of sensor heads 56 so that the CPU 42 recognizes and inputs a detection signal.

  The radio wave of the VPWL communication according to the embodiment is a wireless communication covering a wide range such as a specific low power radio, a Zigbee radio, a Bluetooth radio, a UWB (ultra wide band), a wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11) and the like.

  In the mesh type wireless communication, it is preferable to use an encryption logic having an authentication function and a non-repudiation function for transmission / reception of transmission data in order to establish P2P wireless communication. For example, as shown in FIG. A cryptographic authenticator of the scheme can be used. In FIG. 13, VPWL communication is performed in plain text with data and control signals from the input / output device such as the wireless sensor 16 and the communication source 70 such as the factory server 34 to the communication destination 72 such as the wireless bridge 28 and other factory server 24. The plaintext is processed by the hash processing or random number processing unit 74 and encrypted by the encryption unit 76, and the message is decrypted by the decryption unit 78 as an encryption authenticator (tag) of the one-time password method, and the tag match determination circuit unit If it matches at 80, the message is accepted as GO, and if it does not match, the message is not accepted as NG. In this case, the tag match determination circuit unit 80 inputs the processing output of plain text by the hash processing or random number processing unit 82 for the above determination.

  In addition, when the number of wireless nodes in a highly reliable P2P transmission or VPWL system increases, a highly reliable VPWL can be obtained by using an address system based on the IPv6 standard and software such as TDD (Time Division Duplex). Communication can be established. Further, although the VPWL communication is constructed between the unit layers by the wireless bridge 28, the VPWL communication can also be constructed by a gateway or a hub. Although the factory has three hierarchies in the embodiment, the present invention can also be implemented in one or two hierarchies. Furthermore, although the leaky coaxial cable 38 is used in the work unit 10, other various directional antennas, PLC (power line carrier communication), and the like can be used.

  The communication system according to the embodiment described above is a system that uses the VPWL method for transmitting and receiving data and control signals in the factory, and therefore does not require wired wiring. Of course, there are advantages such as connection with sensors and input / output devices on a moving body such as rotation that is difficult to perform, and easy and inexpensive arrangement change of machines and equipment according to the manufacturing purpose. It is possible to ensure highly secure and reliable P2P communication without wiretapping, interference, etc., and dramatically increase the degree of freedom, accuracy and efficiency in product manufacturing at the product manufacturing plant. be able to. In particular, it is possible to improve the functions of processes such as processing, assembly, and inspection that were difficult to realize by wire by actively adding VPWL communication that can withstand factory automation (FA) to the wire-based communication system configuration. A generation FA system can be constructed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hierarchical configuration of a factory to which a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a VPWL communication system in a work unit in the work unit hierarchy. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of mesh type wireless communication between work units. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a VPWL communication system in a process unit in the process unit hierarchy. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the VPWL communication system in the process unit in the process unit hierarchy. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of mesh type wireless communication between process units. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a VPWL communication system in the manufacturing unit hierarchy. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system between a wireless sensor and a wireless bridge in a work unit. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing connections between the wireless sensor, the leaky coaxial cable, and the wireless controller. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing VPWL construction by the electromagnetic induction transmitting / receiving unit on the transmission side and the reception side. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating various communication system examples of a wireless sensor and a wireless bridge in a work unit. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless sensor. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a system for transmitting VPWL communication data (message) together with a one-time password type authenticator.

Explanation of symbols

1 Factory 2 Work Unit Hierarchy 4 Process Unit Hierarchy 6 Manufacturing Unit Hierarchy 8 Machine 10 etc. Work Unit 12 Process Unit 14 Controller (P2P)
16 Wireless sensor 18 Wired sensor 20 Encoder 22 Motor 28 Wireless bridge 30 Controller 32 Wireless bridge 34 Factory server

Claims (5)

In a communication system for manufacturing products in a factory,
These factories may be any one or a combination of a plurality of types of operations such as processing, conveyance, assembly, etc. performed for product manufacture using machines and devices (referred to as machines) as a unit of work. A work unit hierarchy composed of individual work units, a process unit hierarchy composed of each of these process units, and a process unit hierarchy composed of one process or a combination of a plurality of processes performed by one or more work units, and the above process unit hierarchy Hierarchy is made up of three levels of manufacturing unit hierarchies that manufacture products including all, and transmission and reception of data, control signals, etc. between arbitrary unit hierarchies and other unit hierarchies, inside unit hierarchies, and inside machines etc. A communication system characterized in that P2P (peer-to-peer) wireless communication is constructed at least in part.   When wireless communication between three or more wireless nodes exists in each unit hierarchy, wireless communication of P2P (peer-to-peer) method is performed between these wireless nodes using mesh type wireless communication. The communication system according to claim 1.   In the above-mentioned work unit hierarchy, a controller such as a sequencer for controlling the machine or the like, an input device for inputting the machine or the work state to the controller, and controlling the machine or the like in response to control signals and data from the controller. The wireless communication is performed as a wireless node between at least some of the input / output devices and the controller by a P2P (peer-to-peer) method. Communication system.   The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the at least some input / output devices are a wireless sensor and a wireless input / output.   5. A leaky coaxial cable having an antenna function including a radio wave directional antenna function and a leakage prevention function for the P2P (peer-to-peer) wireless communication. A communication system according to claim 1.

Images