Motion Engineering Incorporated

Kollmorgen Corporation

David Cline

Robert Pearce

Judy Anne Mitchell

George Borkey Yundt

Systems and methods of supporting communications over a common network connection in a master-slave field bus network with a first type of packet formatted with a time-sensitive protocol and a second type of packet formatted with a non-time-sensitive protocol are provided. The slave devices are configured with filters to prevent the first type of packet from reaching a configurator and the second type from reaching a master device. The slave devices are also configured with arbitration logic so that the packets formatted with the time-sensitive protocol are provided with a priority over the packets formatted with the non-time-sensitive protocol.

Systems and methods for supporting two different protocols on a same physical connection

A method and system for adding a node into a network operating in a cyclic state after one or more nodes have been previously removed without interrupting the synchronous traffic of the remaining nodes on the network is provided. The method includes discovering an added node by sending data to the added node in a downstream timeslot previously assigned to a removed node, the data having a delay value for scheduling a response from the added node to coincide with an upstream timeslot previously assigned to the removed node, thereby avoiding collisions with the synchronous traffic on the network; receiving the response from the added node; configuring the added node in accordance with an original configuration of the removed node; and commencing cyclic operation of the added node.

Method and system for removing and returning nodes in a synchronous network

An improved system, method, and computer-readable instructions for scheduling, transporting, and receiving inbound packets efficiently in networks with cyclic packet scheduling is provided. The method provides for scheduling upstream packet transmission slots for each node in the network so that the spacing between the packet transmission slots is reduced; for each node in the network, if there is a locally originated packet of the node to be transmitted upstream, selectively activating a forwarding buffer to receive and temporarily store a packet received from a neighboring downstream node during upstream transmission of a locally originated packet of the node; and upon completion of the upstream transmission of the locally originated packet, transmitting upstream the packet stored in the forwarding buffer.

Method and system for scheduling, transporting, and receiving inbound packets efficiently in networks with cyclic packet scheduling

A motion control system and method that includes a central controller configured to generate first and second demand control signals to be used to define actuation motion of respective first and second actuators. The central controller is in communication with first and second nodes by way of a data network, each node including at least a respective actuator configured to implement at an actuator time a motion or force-related effort based upon the respective demand control signal. Each node also includes a memory configured to store at least one respective propagation delay parameter related to a signal propagation delay between the central controller and the node. A timing mechanism establishes timing at each node based on the respective propagation delay parameter so that the actuator time at the nodes occurs simultaneously. Strictly cyclic and/or full-duplex high-speed communication can be supported. The network can be wired in a ring or as a tree and with twisted pair cabling or fiber. The central controller issues demand signals to the nodes that are actuator, servo motor drive, and/or I/O devices. The central controller can also provide a timing message that is used by the nodes, in conjunction with local delay correction circuitry, so that the simultaneous acquisition of data and the simultaneous implementation of controlled action occur.

System for motion control, method of using the system for motion control, and computer readable instructions for use with the system for motion control

System for motion control, method of using the system for motion control, and computer-readable instructions for use with the system for motion control

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Santa Barbara, CA, United States of America

David Cline