WO2012124159A1 - Method for setting address in network system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a technology that, in a network system, is for address error recovery that is easy and while online when there has been an address error. A master device acquires from all the slave devices that are on a network an address value set in each slave device, and extracts as an error slave device a slave device wherein an address value is set that coincides with an address value set in another slave device. Then, for the slave devices that are not the error slave device, the master device allocates the address value set in each slave device as-is as a node address, and, to the error slave device, allocates as a provisional node address an address value not allocated to the other slave devices.

Description

Address setting method in network system

The present invention relates to an address setting method in a network system having a master device and a slave device.

FA (Factor's Automation) consists of various slave devices that collect and control data of production facilities installed in the factory, and a master device (PLC: Programmable Logic Controller) that centrally manages a plurality of slave devices. The production system is controlled by the network system.

As an example of an industrial network system for the FA field, development of a technology called industrial Ethernet applying Ethernet (registered trademark) technology is progressing. Industrial Ethernet is also called industrial Ethernet or real-time Ethernet, and is a network in which Ethernet technology and equipment are introduced into the FA field at various layers. Various organizations have established and released open standards as industrial Ethernet, and EtherCAT (Ethernet for Control Automation) registered by ETG (EtherCAT Technology) is one of them.

In this type of industrial network system, various message communications are performed using the network address assigned to each slave device (network node) on the network. Several methods are known for setting the network address, such as using a static address set in advance, dynamically assigning an address, etc. It is a precondition for the normal operation of the network system that the address is appropriately set in the slave device. The most common case of address abnormality is “address duplication” in which the same address is assigned to a plurality of slave devices.

Also, in an industrial network system, in order to guarantee the reliable operation of each slave device, the address assigned to each slave device is determined centrally at the stage of designing the network configuration, and the address value is assigned to the slave device itself. In many cases, a design method of setting is adopted. In such a configuration, for example, “address unknown” in which no address value is set in the slave device, or “address unknown” in which there is a slave device in which an address value different from the address determined in the design stage exists Such an address abnormality may also occur.

Conventionally, when such an address abnormality has occurred, the network system is stopped, the slave device having the abnormality is identified, the slave device is physically disconnected from the network, and the address is reset. It is necessary to restart the computer, and the labor and time required for this series of recovery operations are problematic. In particular, in the case of a system that is already in operation in a factory or the like, the production line has to be temporarily stopped for restoration work, which greatly reduces the production efficiency. Note that the problem of address abnormality can occur not only in EtherCAT but also in other existing network systems (for example, TCP / IP, DeviceNet, CompoNet, etc.).

様 々 Various methods have been proposed for address duplication detection and advance prevention. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a method for supporting address setting of a printer connected to a PC network. Patent Document 2 discloses a method for detecting the presence of a terminal to which an unauthorized IP address is set.

However, there has not been a mechanism for automatically recovering from an address error without annoying an operator when an address error occurs.

Japanese Patent Publication “Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-282644 (published Oct. 15, 1999)” Japanese Patent Publication “Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-252924 (Released on October 16, 2008)”

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to easily and online when an address abnormality occurs in a network system composed of a master device and a plurality of slave devices. It is to provide a technique for recovering an address error.

A first aspect of the present invention is an address setting method in a network system composed of a master device and a plurality of slave devices, wherein the network system uses a node address uniquely assigned to each slave device. The node address is set in advance in each slave device itself by a processing device built in the master device or connected to the master device. Automatically assigning according to an address value, and the address setting method includes: an acquisition step in which the processing device acquires an address value set in each slave device from all slave devices on the network; The processing device overlaps with the address value set for other slave devices. An abnormal extraction step for extracting a slave device having an address value to be set as an abnormal slave device, and for the slave device that is not an abnormal slave device, the processing device uses the address value set for each slave device as it is. And an address setting step of assigning an address value not assigned to another slave device as a temporary node address to an abnormal slave device.

This network system is based on “static address assignment” in which node addresses are automatically assigned according to address values set in advance in the slave device itself. In the case of such static address assignment, for example, when a slave device having an address value overlapping with another slave device is joined to the network, an address is assigned to assign the same node address to a plurality of slave devices. A system error occurs due to duplication.

Therefore, in the present invention, first, the address values of all slave devices are collected to check whether there is any duplication. If duplication is detected, the address value is not assigned as a node address as it is, but a temporary node address is assigned so that duplication with other address values does not occur. Thereby, address duplication (node address collision) is automatically avoided, and communication using the node address (communication specifying the communication destination node) can be performed.

For example, the second aspect of the present invention is a network system composed of a master device and a plurality of slave devices, and obtains an address value preset for each slave device from all slave devices on the network. Acquisition means for extracting the slave device having an address value that overlaps with an address value set for another slave device as an abnormal slave device, and a slave device that is not an abnormal slave device Assigns the address value set for each slave device as it is as a node address, and assigns an address value that is not assigned to another slave device to the abnormal slave device as a temporary node address, and the address Node address assigned by setting means or temporary With over de address, a network system, characterized in that it comprises communication means for performing communication identifying the communication destination node, the.

The third aspect of the present invention is a master device used in a network system composed of a master device and a plurality of slave devices, and is preset in each slave device from all slave devices on the network. Acquisition means for acquiring existing address values, abnormal extraction means for extracting slave devices set with address values overlapping with address values set for other slave devices as abnormal slave devices, and not abnormal slave devices Address setting that assigns the address value set for each slave device as it is to the slave device as a node address for slave devices, and assigns the address value that is not assigned to other slave devices as a temporary node address for abnormal slave devices Assigned by the address setting means Using the node address of the over-de address or temporary, is a master apparatus, characterized in that it comprises communication means for performing communication to identify the destination node, the.

According to the present invention, when an address abnormality occurs in a network system composed of a master device and a plurality of slave devices, the address abnormality can be recovered easily and online.

It is a figure which shows an example of an address setting process. It is a block diagram explaining the structural example of an industrial network system. It is a figure explaining the communication system of position address mode. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the slave information collection process performed by the master apparatus. (A) is a diagram showing an example of an address management table, (B) is a diagram showing an example of actual configuration information, and (C) is a diagram showing an example of network configuration information. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an address test | inspection / allocation process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an alias change process. It is a figure which shows the modification of an address setting process.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an address setting method in a network system conforming to the EtherCAT standard is taken up, but the subject of the present invention is not limited to this. It is composed of a master device and a plurality of slave devices, and has a mode for performing communication specifying a communication destination node using a node address uniquely assigned to each slave device, and the node address is a slave device. Any network system that is automatically (statically) assigned according to the set value can be a target to which the present invention is applied.

(Configuration of industrial network system)
First, an example of the configuration of an industrial network system targeted by the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this figure, an industrial network system 100 includes a master device 200 (PLC: Programmable Logic Controller) and a plurality of slave devices 300 directly via a cable 400, an I / O unit 500 provided in the device, and a hub device 700. Alternatively, it is formed by being indirectly connected. The slave device 300 includes a power supply unit, a motor unit, a counter unit, an image unit, a communication unit, an I / O unit, and the like. The master device 200 may be connected to a management device 600 for the user to perform operation settings of the master device 200, display of the operation status of the industrial network system 100, network design, and the like. The management device 600 includes a personal computer installed with a design support tool and a management tool.

The address setting process described later is executed by the master device 200 or the management device 600 or by the cooperation of the master device 200 and the management device 600. That is, in the present embodiment, the master device 200 and / or the management device 600 corresponds to a processing device that is an execution subject of the address setting method of the present invention.

The hub device 700 has one port (IN port) 701 connected to the upstream side when the master device side is upstream, and a plurality of ports (OUT ports) 702a to 702c connected to the downstream side. . A user can create a desired topology by connecting each device using a cable or a hub device while setting the order or branching. The branch structure can be created not only by the hub device but also by connecting a plurality of slave devices downstream from the slave device.

In EtherCAT, it is possible to divert the cable 400 that is used in a general Ethernet standard, or to manufacture it in an Ethernet equipment manufacturing facility. This realizes cost reduction.

Such an industrial network system 100 is installed in, for example, a factory and used as an FA system. The master device 200 transmits an information signal including control data through a network according to programs and operations. As a response to the request from the master device included in the information signal, the slave device 300 performs device operation based on the received information signal, and rewrite and return processing of the received information signal. Production in a factory including the industrial network system 100 is achieved by the master device controlling the contents and timing of the operation so that the slave device as a whole works together to share the work.

When designing the industrial network system 100, it is necessary to design in consideration of the topology such as the connection order between slave devices and the port number of the hub device. However, ordinary users do not always have expertise and experience like SEs and customer engineers. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a design support tool for helping the design work by making the topology easy to understand by graphical display. The design support tool is provided as a function of the management apparatus 600. In the design support tool, using the GUI displayed on the display of the management device 600, it is easy to select the slave device model, select the connection order and connection port (topology design), specify the node address assigned to each slave device, etc. Provide users with a design environment that can be done quickly.

(Master-slave communication mode)
In the industrial network system 100 according to the present embodiment, three modes of a position address mode, a node address mode, and a logical address mode are prepared as communication methods between the master device 200 and the slave device 300. Details will be described below.

(1) Position address mode In this mode, the master-slave communication is performed using the position address. The position address is a network address that is addressed in the order of connection when viewed from the master device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a communication method in the position address mode. In this example, for simplicity of explanation, a simple topology in which four slave devices 300a to 300d are connected in series to the master device 200 is shown. In the case of such a topology, position addresses of 0x0000, 0xFFFF, 0xFFFE, and 0xFFFD are assigned in the order closer to the master device 200.

In the position address mode, the master device 200 adds the position address of the destination slave device to the message and transmits the message. When each slave device receives the message, it confirms the added address, and if it is “0x0000”, it determines that the message is addressed to itself. On the other hand, if the message is not addressed to itself, the slave device increments the address added to the message (adds 1).

For example, when sending a message to the third slave device 300c, “0xFFFE” is added to the message. Then, in the process of passing through the first slave device 300a and the second slave device 300b, the address added to the message is sequentially incremented and becomes “0x0000” when reaching the third slave device 300c. As a result, the slave device 300c receives the message as addressed to itself.

Since the position address is determined by the physical connection order of the slave devices, there is an advantage that no address abnormality such as address duplication occurs. However, the position address fluctuates depending on the network state (connection order and number of slave devices, topology, etc.), and is not suitable for performing critical communication. Therefore, communication by position address is used only for low-level communication processing such as collecting slave information at the time of network startup, for example, communication processing related to monitoring and management of slave devices and communication processing related to task execution, etc. Communication using node addresses and logical addresses described below is used.

(2) Node Address Mode In this mode, master-slave communication is performed using a node address that the master device 200 assigns to each slave device 300. Each slave device 300 has an address value set in advance by the user, and this address value is held in a nonvolatile memory in the slave device. The master device 200 reads an address value from each slave device 300 when the network is activated, and in principle assigns a node address having the same value as the address value to each slave device 300. In order to clearly distinguish the address value as the setting value set in the slave device from the address value of the node address assigned to the slave device and used for communication, the address value as the setting value is hereinafter referred to as “alias”. Called.

As described above, since the node address is a statically assigned address, communication independent of the network state is possible (that is, the node address does not change even if the network state changes). Therefore, for example, this mode is used when event-type message communication specifying the slave device (node) of the communication partner is required, such as communication processing related to monitoring and management of the slave device.

However, regarding static address assignment, the above-mentioned address abnormality may occur. In other words, if there is a slave device with the same alias setting on the network, or if a slave device newly added to the operating network has the same alias setting as another slave device, the address duplication (node A system error occurs due to an address conflict. Further, when an alias is not set for the slave device (address is undecided), an error that a node address cannot be assigned to the slave device occurs.

(3) Logical address mode This mode is used for cyclic communication using data called a frame. A frame consists of data of a predetermined length, and a data area assigned to each slave device 300 is provided in the frame. The logical address in this mode corresponds to an address indicating its own data area in the frame.

Frames periodically transmitted from the master device 200 pass through all the slave devices 300 in order, and then are returned by the slave device at the rear end (the most downstream side) and returned to the master device 200. Each slave device 300 reads and writes data to and from its own data area when the frame passes through the device. As a result, high-speed data transmission and real-time performance are realized. Communication processing related to task execution is performed exclusively in the logical address mode.

(Address setting process)
Next, the address setting process according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 to 7.

(1) Collection of Slave Information FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of slave information collection processing (network scan processing) executed by the master device 200. FIGS. 1A to 1D are diagrams illustrating an example of address setting processing.

The master device 200 executes the processing shown in FIG. 4 when the network is started or when the network configuration is changed (slave device joining or leaving). First, the master device 200 confirms the number of slave devices present on the network (step S100). For example, the total number of slave devices can be acquired by counting up the data (initial value = 0) transmitted from the master device 200 by each of the slave devices 300a to 300c and returning the result to the master device 200. This process is executed in the position address mode. In the example of FIG. 1A, the number of slaves is “3”.

Next, the master device 200 reads profile information and slave connection information from each of the slave devices 300a to 300c (step S101). The profile information is information for identifying the slave device, and includes, for example, a product code, a vendor ID, a revision number, and the like of the slave device. The slave connection information is information for understanding the connection configuration (topology) of the slave device, and includes, for example, information for specifying the connection destination device and port of the slave device. Based on this information, it is possible to grasp the components of the entire network and their topology.

Next, the master device 200 reads the alias set in the slave device from each of the slave devices 300a to 300c, and updates the address management table (step S102). The address management table is information in which aliases of all slave devices 300a to 300c are listed, and is used for address abnormality determination and node address assignment to be described later.

FIG. 5A is an example of an address management table obtained from the network of FIG. 1A, and aliases are described as “0x1, 0x2, 0x1” in the order of position addresses. Note that the address management table includes information on the value of the node address assigned to the slave device in addition to the information on the alias of the slave device (however, since the node address assignment is performed in the subsequent processing, the step (At the time of S102, the value of the node address is blank). The processing of steps S101 and S102 is also executed in the position address mode.

After executing the processing of steps S101 and S102 for all the slave devices 300a to 300c, the master device 200, based on the profile information, slave connection information, and address management table, actual configuration information representing the configuration of the network. Is created (step S103).

FIG. 5B is an example of actual configuration information obtained from the network of FIG. In this example, the first slave device 300a is a device identified by “product code: a1, vendor ID: A, revision number: 002 (a1-A-002)”, and device “MASTER” (master device) ) And the alias setting is “0x1”. The second slave device 300b is identified by “a3-A-000” and is connected to the “Out1” port of the device “a1-A-002” (slave device 300a), and the alias setting is “0x2”. It is. The third slave device 300c is identified by “b0-B-005” and connected to the “Out2” port of the device “a3-A-000” (slave device 300b), and the alias setting is “0x1”. It is.

(2) Address abnormality inspection and address assignment FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of address inspection / assignment processing. This process is executed by the master device 200 following the slave information collection process of FIG.

First, the master device 200 refers to the address management table for the first slave device 300a, thereby confirming whether the alias of the slave device 300a overlaps with the aliases of the other slave devices 300b and 300c (step). S200). If there is no duplication, the process proceeds to step S201. If duplication is detected, the process proceeds to step S204.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 5A, the alias of the slave device 300a is “0x1”, which is the same as the alias of the slave device 300c. Therefore, in step S204, the master device 200 refers to the address management table, selects an address value that is not assigned to another slave device, and sets the address value as the “temporary node address” in the slave device 300a. . In this embodiment, among the free addresses excluding the alias and node address described in the address management table (that is, the address value scheduled to be assigned and the address value already assigned), the temporary value is assigned to the temporary node. Select as address. Therefore, the temporary node address “0x3” is assigned to the slave device 300a. This node address assignment is also executed in the position address mode. The value of the assigned node address is written in the address management table as shown on the right side of FIG.

Note that the method of selecting a temporary node address is not limited to the above algorithm, and any algorithm may be used as long as address duplication with other slave devices can be avoided. For example, the largest value among the available addresses may be selected, or a certain number of address values may be reserved for the temporary node address in advance and selected from them.

Next, the master device 200 confirms whether there is an alias overlap for the second slave device 300b as well (step S200). As shown in FIG. 5A, the alias of the slave device 300b is “0x2”, and there is no address duplication. Therefore, the master device 200 proceeds to step S201, and confirms whether or not the node address described in the network configuration information (setting information) includes one that matches the alias of the slave device 300b.

An example of network configuration information is shown in FIG. The network configuration information is data acquired from the design support tool or management tool of the management apparatus 600, and is data in which profile information, slave connection information, address information, etc. of each slave apparatus constituting the network system are described. It is. The type of information included in the network configuration information is substantially the same as that included in the actual configuration information shown in FIG. 5B, but the actual configuration information is information collected from the actual network system. On the other hand, the network configuration information is different in that it is design information (information indicating the network configuration intended by the user). If the network system is assembled as designed, the contents of both will be the same, but if the slave device model or connection destination is incorrect or the alias setting is incorrect, the network configuration information and the actual configuration information will not match. Become.

In step S201, if the network configuration information does not match the slave device alias (address unknown), the process proceeds to step S204, and a temporary node address is assigned. If no alias is set for the slave device (address is undecided), the same network configuration information does not exist, so the process proceeds to step S204 and a temporary node address is assigned.

If the network configuration information includes a match with the alias “0x2” of the slave device 300b, the master device 200 also checks the profile information and the slave connection information (step S202). Although not shown, if the profile information and slave connection information do not match, an error message indicating that confirmation is required may be output to the display of the management apparatus 600 or the address setting process may be interrupted. Good.

Thereafter, the master device 200 assigns the same value “0x2” as the alias set in the slave device 300b to the slave device 300b as a node address (step S203). The assigned node address value is written in the address management table.

Next, the master device 200 confirms whether there is an alias overlap for the third slave device 300c as well (step S200). As shown in FIG. 5A, the alias of the slave device 300c is “0x1”, and there is an address overlap. Therefore, in step S204, the temporary node address “0x4” is assigned to the slave device 300c.

FIG. 1B shows a state in which node addresses have been set for all slave devices 300a to 300c. As described above, it is understood that temporary node addresses different from aliases are set in the first and third slave devices 300a and 300c that have caused address duplication.

Through the above process, node addresses without address duplication are assigned, and thereafter, message communication can be performed not only in the position address mode but also in the node address mode.

(3) Alias Change FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of alias change processing. This process is a process applied to each abnormal slave device when there is a slave device (referred to as an abnormal slave device) to which a temporary node address is assigned in the address check / assignment process of FIG. . In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the following processing is executed by the management device 600 connected to the master device 200.

The management device 600 rewrites the alias setting of the abnormal slave device with a new address value (step S300). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a new address value is designated by the user who operates the management apparatus 600. Any new address value may be selected as long as it does not overlap with another slave device alias. Of course, the management apparatus 600 can automatically determine instead of designating the user (for example, the temporary node address selected in step S204 in FIG. 6 may be selected as a new address value as it is). The process of rewriting the alias setting is performed by node address mode communication using a temporary node address.

Next, the management device 600 performs mailbox communication setting for the abnormal slave device to enter the mailbox communication state (step S301). Then, the management device 600 transmits a slave restart request to the abnormal slave device by mailbox communication, and restarts the abnormal slave device (step S302). Thereby, the alias rewritten in step S300 is validated in the slave device. Note that the processing in steps S302 and S303 is also performed by node address mode communication using a temporary node address.

Through the above processing, the alias setting of the abnormal slave device can be changed to a value that does not overlap with the alias of the other slave device by online work from the management device 600. FIG. 1C shows the alias setting of each slave device after the alias change process. It can be seen that the aliases of the slave devices 300a and 300c that have caused address duplication have been changed to different values. When the alias of the slave device is changed, the address information of the network configuration information stored in the management device 600 is updated automatically or by a user operation accordingly.

(4) Address Reset After changing the alias setting of the abnormal slave device by the method described in FIG. 7, the master device 200 re-executes the address check / assignment process of FIG. As a result, a formal node address according to the changed alias setting is automatically and promptly assigned to each of the slave devices 300a to 300c (see FIG. 1D).

As described above, in the address setting method of this embodiment, when an alias overlap is detected, an alias is not assigned as a node address as it is, but another address value is assigned as a temporary node address. Thereby, address duplication (node address collision) is automatically avoided, and communication in the node address mode can be performed. Then, by rewriting the alias setting of the slave device and restarting the slave device using communication in the node address mode, it is possible to change the alias (eliminate the cause of the address abnormality) online. Therefore, offline work such as network system stop and slave device disconnection / setting change can be eliminated, so that the recovery work of address abnormality is much more efficient than before.

(Modification)
In the above embodiment, temporary node addresses are assigned to all slave devices in which address duplication is detected in the slave information collection process (FIG. 4), that is, both slave devices 300a and 300c in the example of FIG. I try to assign it. However, even if one of the slave devices with overlapping addresses is assigned a node address according to the alias setting and a temporary node address is assigned to the remaining one, the address duplication is eliminated.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, a case is assumed in which a new slave device 300c having a duplicate address is added to an operating network system. In such a case, it should be ensured that the already operating parts (slave devices 300a, 300b) are not affected. Therefore, in the case of a slave device that is already in operation, step S200 in FIG. 6 may be skipped, and the address duplication determination in step S200 may be performed only for a newly joined slave device. Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the node addresses as aliases are assigned to the slave devices 300a and 300b, and the temporary node address “0x3” is assigned only to the slave device 300c. . Subsequent alias change processing and the like are the same as those in the above embodiment. According to this method, address duplication can be avoided without changing the node address of the slave device in operation, so that the risk of affecting the production line and the like can be minimized.

A first aspect of the present invention is an address setting method in a network system composed of a master device and a plurality of slave devices, wherein the network system uses a node address uniquely assigned to each slave device. The node address is set in advance in each slave device itself by a processing device built in the master device or connected to the master device. Automatically assigning according to an address value, and the address setting method includes: an acquisition step in which the processing device acquires an address value set in each slave device from all slave devices on the network; The processing device overlaps with the address value set for other slave devices. An abnormal extraction step for extracting a slave device having an address value to be set as an abnormal slave device, and for the slave device that is not an abnormal slave device, the processing device uses the address value set for each slave device as it is. And an address setting step of assigning an address value not assigned to another slave device as a temporary node address to an abnormal slave device.

This network system is based on “static address assignment” in which node addresses are automatically assigned according to address values set in advance in the slave device itself. In the case of such static address assignment, for example, when a slave device having an address value overlapping with another slave device is joined to the network, an address is assigned to assign the same node address to a plurality of slave devices. A system error occurs due to duplication.

Therefore, in the present invention, first, the address values of all slave devices are collected to check whether there is any duplication. If duplication is detected, the address value is not assigned as a node address as it is, but a temporary node address is assigned so that duplication with other address values does not occur. Thereby, address duplication (node address collision) is automatically avoided, and communication using the node address (communication specifying the communication destination node) can be performed.

In the address setting method of the present invention, the processing device further includes a changing step of changing an address value set in the abnormal slave device to an address value that does not overlap with an address value set in another slave device. It is preferable. Thereby, an appropriate address value that does not overlap with other slave devices is set for the slave device in which the address abnormality has occurred. Therefore, at least at the next network activation, the appropriate address value after the change is reflected, and a formal node address (not “temporary”) is assigned to the slave device.

Preferably, after changing the address value of the abnormal slave device in the changing step, the processing device may execute the obtaining step, the abnormal extracting step, and the address setting step again. As a result, a formal node address according to the changed address value is automatically and promptly assigned to each slave device.

Note that the address value set in the abnormal slave device can be automatically determined by the processing device, or can be selected (input) by the user operating the processing device. Further, the re-execution of the address setting after changing the address value may be performed not by the processing apparatus automatically but by a user instruction. Of course, it is possible to reduce the labor and time required for the recovery work more automatically by automating everything, but even in the case of a user operation, according to the present invention, it is possible to give an instruction online from the processing apparatus. Off-line work such as stoppage, slave device detachment, and setting changes can be eliminated, and recovery work can be made much more efficient.

It is preferable that the process of changing the address value of the abnormal slave device is performed by communication using the temporary node address assigned to the abnormal slave device. Further, the network system has a mode for performing communication using a position address determined by the connection order when viewed from the master device, and is set to each slave device from all slave devices on the network. The process of acquiring the address value is preferably performed by communication using the position address.

In the abnormal extraction step, it is preferable that a slave device for which an address value is not set is also extracted as an abnormal slave device. Thus, it is possible to recover from a so-called “address undecided” abnormality.

Further, the processing device stores in advance setting information in which a node address to be assigned to each slave device on the network is stored. In the abnormality extraction step, the processing device matches the node address described in the setting information. It is preferable that a slave device having an address value for which there is nothing to be extracted is also extracted as an abnormal slave device. Thereby, it is possible to recover from the so-called “address unknown” abnormality.

Note that the present invention can be specified as an address setting method including at least a part of the above processing, or can be specified as a network system or a master device including at least a part of means for realizing the above processing. Each of the above processes and means can be freely combined as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

For example, the second aspect of the present invention is a network system composed of a master device and a plurality of slave devices, and obtains an address value preset for each slave device from all slave devices on the network. Acquisition means for extracting the slave device having an address value that overlaps with an address value set for another slave device as an abnormal slave device, and a slave device that is not an abnormal slave device Assigns the address value set for each slave device as it is as a node address, and assigns an address value that is not assigned to another slave device to the abnormal slave device as a temporary node address, and the address Node address assigned by setting means or temporary With over de address, a network system, characterized in that it comprises communication means for performing communication identifying the communication destination node, the.

The third aspect of the present invention is a master device used in a network system composed of a master device and a plurality of slave devices, and is preset in each slave device from all slave devices on the network. Acquisition means for acquiring existing address values, abnormal extraction means for extracting slave devices set with address values overlapping with address values set for other slave devices as abnormal slave devices, and not abnormal slave devices Address setting that assigns the address value set for each slave device as it is to the slave device as a node address for slave devices, and assigns the address value that is not assigned to other slave devices as a temporary node address for abnormal slave devices Assigned by the address setting means Using the node address of the over-de address or temporary, is a master apparatus, characterized in that it comprises communication means for performing communication to identify the destination node, the.

100: Industrial network system 200: Master device 300, 300a, 300b, 300c, 300d: Slave device 600: Management device

Claims (9)

An address setting method in a network system composed of a master device and a plurality of slave devices,
The network system has a mode in which communication is performed by specifying a communication destination node using a node address uniquely assigned to each slave device,
The node address is automatically assigned according to an address value preset in each slave device itself, by a processing device built in the master device or connected to the master device,
The address setting method is:
The processing device obtains an address value set in each slave device from all slave devices on the network; and
An abnormal extraction step in which the processing device extracts, as an abnormal slave device, a slave device in which an address value overlapping with an address value set in another slave device is set;
For the slave device that is not an abnormal slave device, the processing device assigns the address value set for each slave device as a node address as it is, and for the abnormal slave device, an address value that is not assigned to another slave device. Address setting step for assigning as a temporary node address;
An address setting method comprising: The processing device further includes a changing step of changing an address value set in the abnormal slave device to an address value that does not overlap with an address value set in another slave device. The address setting method described. The address according to claim 2, wherein after the address value of the abnormal slave device is changed by the changing step, the processing device executes the acquisition step, the abnormal extraction step, and the address setting step again. Setting method. 4. The address setting method according to claim 2, wherein the process of changing the address value of the abnormal slave device is performed by communication using a temporary node address assigned to the abnormal slave device. The address setting method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the abnormality extraction step, a slave device for which an address value is not set is also extracted as an abnormal slave device. The processing device stores in advance setting information in which a node address to be assigned to each slave device on the network is described,
6. The abnormality extraction step, wherein a slave device having an address value that does not match a node address described in the setting information is also extracted as an abnormal slave device. The address setting method according to any one of the above. The network system has a mode for performing communication using a position address determined by the connection order when viewed from the master device,
The process of acquiring an address value set in each slave device from all slave devices on the network is performed by communication using the position address. The address setting method described in the section. A network system composed of a master device and a plurality of slave devices,
An acquisition means for acquiring an address value preset in each slave device from all slave devices on the network;
An abnormal extraction means for extracting a slave device in which an address value overlapping with an address value set in another slave device is set as an abnormal slave device;
For slave devices that are not abnormal slave devices, the address value set for each slave device is assigned as the node address as is, and for abnormal slave devices, address values that are not assigned to other slave devices are assigned as temporary node addresses. Address setting means to be assigned as
A communication means for performing a communication specifying a communication destination node using the node address assigned by the address setting means or a temporary node address;
A network system comprising: A master device used in a network system composed of a master device and a plurality of slave devices,
Obtaining means for obtaining an address value preset in each slave device from all slave devices on the network;
An abnormal extraction means for extracting a slave device in which an address value overlapping with an address value set in another slave device is set as an abnormal slave device;
For slave devices that are not abnormal slave devices, the address value set for each slave device is assigned as the node address as is, and for abnormal slave devices, address values that are not assigned to other slave devices are assigned as temporary node addresses. Address setting means to be assigned as
Using the node address assigned by the address setting means or a temporary node address, a communication means for performing communication specifying a communication destination node;
The master apparatus characterized by having.

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