EP1519257A2 - Data processing unit with uncoupling unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A human-machine interface device (1) has a control unit (5) like a printed circuit module and a display device (2), both interconnected via a ribbon cable (4a). A decoupling unit (6), i.e. a driver component, causes perturbing re-radiation to be minimized, as it arises on the ribbon cable during data transmission between the printed circuit module and the display device. An independent claim is also included for an automation system with a data-processing unit.

Description

The invention relates to a data processing unit with a decoupling unit.

Technical facilities are using digital, programmable Data processing systems controlled and operated. Under a technical device is any kind of technical devices and systems both in single arrangement as well as in a data networking, e.g. over one Fieldbus understood. So are under technical facilities in an industrial application individual resources too understand, such as Drives, machine tools, intelligent Transducers, sensors, etc. A technical device but can also be an entire production plant, at the with locally distributed resources an entire technical Process is operated, e.g. a chemical plant, a Production line or a processing plant.

Technical facilities are using digital, programmable Controlled and operated data processing systems, often as an automation system or component thereof are executed. In this case have automation systems special devices on which the interface between a server and the system. Such devices will be referred to as HMI device, i. Human Machine Interface. Furthermore, these devices are used as devices for "operating and observing "technical facilities, abbreviated to "B + B devices". These are the ones for direct control upstream of the technical equipment, e.g. the "PLC" Programmable Logic Controllers. This will relieves a central control device, e.g. a programmable logic PLC control.

The term HMI device is a generic term and also includes all components belonging to this group of devices, in particular also an HMI display panel or short HMI panel. As examples of such components, e.g. "Operator Panels ", often referred to as" control panels "or short as" OP " and as HMI devices or associated programming devices Used Industrial Personal Computer IPC to be named. HMI devices take over because of their special Functionality, e.g. in a networked automation system Functions, generally as default and postprocessing from data of the technical equipment to be controlled can be. This feature comes with "Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition "(SCADA) HMI device running a special software. Herewith Be provided features that provide comfort, quality and Improve safety of an operator's operation, e.g. the overview of the device to be operated and the accuracy of operations. So can over HMI devices e.g. interactive process images of the users to be served technical equipment visualized and operated, but also be configured and generated. This is on the one hand a selective display of reactions of the technical equipment possible, usually in the form of measured values and messages. on the other hand it is made possible by specific specification of operator actions, the technical equipment in desired conditions to convict. In addition to these functions "Watching and Operate "can also be plant-specific with an HMI device Configurations may be possible, e.g. the project planning of interactive process images.

A data processing unit, for example an HMI device, In particular, HMI display panel is usually off a control unit, such as a printed circuit board, and a display unit, such as a display together. The display is connected to the printed circuit board via a ribbon cable, also called foil line, connected. The display, in particular LCD display, the HMI device is over the ribbon cable driven. The display shows, for example an integrated display controller with integrated image memory on. This image memory will be at a desired Update of the image content updated. Data from the CPU to the display controller need only then transfer if the image content of the display, in particular LCD displays, to be changed. With the same picture content The data as well as any control signals can be static issue.

The printed circuit board has a command unit (Central Processing Unit - CPU) and other components, such as a RAM memory, on, which is connected to a data bus, for example a CPU address and data bus are connected. About this Data bus are the components of the printed circuit board of the CPU is controlled or data is exchanged. Consequently There is constant traffic on the bus. With this traffic there are constantly signal edges on the lines, which cause a corresponding noise emission.

Currently available HMI devices typically have the Display Controller via the ribbon cable directly to the CPU address and data bus connected. They are therefore not active Components between the CPU and the display. About the Ribbon cables are therefore all signals that are over the data bus be transmitted on the display, even if the signals or data transmitted via the CPU address and data bus are not intended for the display controller. Because it in the line, especially ribbon cable, usually to a relatively long pipe that covers several inches can act, it depends on the construction and cable laying to u. strong but at least permanent noise emission.

Disadvantage of this arrangement is in particular that the cable laying from HMI device to HMI device of a construction series between Display and CPU are different, so the noise emission is not the same. There are several, additional and costly measures, such as a ferrite shield over the ribbon cable, necessary to to ensure a correspondingly high signal to noise ratio.

The object of the present invention is to provide a data processing unit, For example, specify HMI device in which the control of the display unit, for example display, by the control unit, such as printed circuit board, improved becomes.

This task is performed by a data processing unit at least one display unit and a command unit, wherein the command unit and the display unit by means of a Data transmission device for communicating data with each other are connected, with at least one decoupling unit between the command unit and the display unit solved.

Advantage of this arrangement is in particular that thereby the Display unit, such as the display, in particular the Display controller no direct connection to the command unit, For example, CPU, since the data transfer device, for example, a CPU address and data bus and a connected ribbon cable is interrupted is. Data or signals transmitted via the data bus are not automatically on the display controller at.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention is the Decoupling unit can be activated or deactivated. About that In addition, the data processing unit is for data transmission between the command unit and the display unit when activated Decoupling provided. Furthermore, the Command unit and the display unit with deactivated decoupling unit physically decoupled. This is done by the decoupling unit a high-impedance state.

This ensures that signals or data over the data bus, only to the display unit, For example, display controllers are transferred when the Decoupling unit is activated, i. only if the Data or signals are also provided for the display. at the decoupling unit remains the transfer of other data deactivated, ie in the high-resistance state, i. the traffic on the CPU address and data bus remains for the display controller invisible, since in these cases no physical Connection between command unit, for example CPU, and display unit, for example display, in particular display controller exist. This creates in these cases no interference on the ribbon cable.

According to another particularly advantageous embodiment According to the invention, the decoupling unit has means which a self-activation of the decoupling unit in a transmission of data intended for the display unit are, cause and / or deactivation of the decoupling unit cause when data transfer to the display unit finished. This has the advantage that this, for example does not have to be controlled externally, but automatically is going on.

According to another particularly advantageous embodiment According to the invention, the decoupling unit is a driver module. In addition, the decoupling unit at least a resistor, wherein the resistor is a pull-up or is a pull-down resistor. By combining with such resistors in the activated state, the edge steepness in the signal or data transmission to the display unit decreased. This results in a lower noise emission on the ribbon cable. Driver chips are very inexpensive and can be very easily with resistors, in particular Combined pull-up or pull-down resistors so that traditional computing devices, For example, HMI devices retrofitted very easily and inexpensively can be.

Noise emissions or interference radiation via the ribbon cable So only stand in the direct data or signal transmission to the display unit, wherein the noise emissions by combining the driver module with pull-up or minimized pull-down resistors beyond that becomes. This also leads to a lower dispersion the emission values for the individual HMI devices of a series. In addition, the CPU data address bus experiences less capacitive loading through the LCD display and the ribbon cable. On cost-intensive shielding measures of the ribbon cables, for example, by ferrites, in the inventive Arrangement to be omitted altogether. By the According to the invention lower noise radiation on the ribbon cable between LCD display and, for example, printed circuit board In addition, there are further cost advantages shortened development times, otherwise in the reduction the noise emission would occur.

According to another particularly advantageous embodiment invention, the data processing unit is an HMI device, which is also used in an automation system is provided. It can be particularly advantageous for operating and monitoring of or in industrial plants, In particular, automation systems are used.

Particularly advantageous is the operation of an automation system with at least one data processing unit according to the invention in the industrial environment.

FIG 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer bekannten Datenverarbeitungseinheit, beispielsweise HMI-Gerät,

FIG 2

einen beispielhaften Vergleich des Datenverkehrs auf dem Datenbus und dem Flachbandkabel des bekannten HMI-Geräts,

FIG 3

eine schematische Darstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Datenverarbeitungseinheit, beispielsweise HMI-Gerät und

FIG 4

einen beispielhaften Vergleich des Datenverkehrs auf dem Datenbus und dem Flachbandkabel des erfindungsgemäßen HMI-Geräts

Furthermore, preferred embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. As far as elements with the same functionalities are described in different figures, they are marked with the same reference numerals. Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of a known data processing unit, such as HMI device,

FIG. 2

an exemplary comparison of the traffic on the data bus and the ribbon cable of the known HMI device,

FIG. 3

a schematic representation of a data processing unit according to the invention, for example, HMI device and

FIG. 4

an exemplary comparison of the data traffic on the data bus and the ribbon cable of the HMI device according to the invention

1 shows a schematic representation of a known data processing unit 1, for example, HMI device, in particular HMI display panel. Such an HMI device 1 consists of a control unit 5, for example, printed circuit board, and a Display unit 2, for example a display, in particular an LCD display via a data transmission device 4, 4a, for example consisting of a CPU address and data bus and a connected ribbon cable, connected to each other. The display 2 points an integrated display controller 2a, the control signals or data transmitted by the printed circuit board 5, evaluates and implements. The display 2, in particular LCD display, of the HMI device 1 is thus over the ribbon cable 4a, or also called foil line, driven.

The printed circuit board 5 has a command unit 3, for example CPU (Central Processing Unit), and other components 8a, 8b, 8c, for example, RAM memory, etc., on, on a data bus 4, such as a CPU address and data bus are connected. Via the data bus 4, the components 8a, 8b, 8c, the printed circuit board 5 is driven by the CPU 3 or exchanged data. Thus, there is constant traffic on the data bus 4 before.

In FIG 1 is further shown that the data bus 4 directly with the ribbon cable 4a and this with the display Controller 2a is connected directly. It is thus no active components between the CPU 3 and the display 2. About the ribbon cable 4a are therefore all signals that are transmitted via the data bus 4 and then on the display 2 if the signals or data are not for the display controller 2a and the display 2, but for example the components 8a, 8b, 8c, are determined. Thus lies the continuous data traffic also on the display controller 2a. With This traffic is a constant change of signal edges connected to the lines, which has a corresponding noise emission 9 effect. Since it is in the ribbon cable 4a usually around a relatively long pipe that is several inches Depending on the design and cable routing, it can to u. strong, but at least permanent Noise emissions 9.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary comparison of the data traffic on the data bus 4 and the ribbon cable 4a of the known HMI device 1. The rhombuses of the respective data traffic 11, 12 symbolize the data, or signals, for example Control signals via the data bus 4 or the ribbon cable 4a are transmitted. The numbers in the diamonds of each Traffic 11, 12 symbolize the respective Receiver, according to the names of FIG 1. It shows that the data traffic 11 on the data bus 4 identical with the traffic being 12, which is via the ribbon cable 4a is applied to the display controller 2a of the display 2.

3 shows a schematic representation of an inventive HMI device 1. According to the invention, this is a decoupling unit 6, for example, a driver module, between the data bus 4 and the ribbon cable 4a installed so that the direct connection between the display 2, in particular the display controller 2a, and the CPU 3 is interrupted. Data or signals which are transmitted via the data bus 4, are therefore not automatically on the display controller 2a at. The driver module 6 is both activated and deactivated. According to the invention, a data transmission to the Display controller 2a, for example, from the CPU 3, only in activated state of the driver module 6 possible. In deactivated State of the driver chip 6 are CPU 3 and display 2 physically decoupled. This requires the driver block 6 can be switched to a high-impedance state.

Due to the decoupling invention it comes on the Ribbon cable 4a to no signal edge change while For example, the CPU 3 to other components 8a, 8b, 8c, For example, the RAM memory, which also accesses the Noise radiation 9 on the ribbon cable 4 a in these cases is avoided because during CPU access to other components 8a, 8b, 8c, the connection of the CPU 3 to the display 2 quasi interrupted, i. the traffic on the data bus 4 in these cases for the display controller 2a and the Display 2 remains invisible. Signals or data are only then transferred to the display controller 2a when the driver chip 6 is activated, i. only if a transmission of data or signals to the display 2 are provided.

Advantageously, the driver module 6 activates at a transmission of data necessary for the display controller 2a are determined, even. Is the data transmission terminated to the display controller 2a, the driver module moves automatically turn itself back to the deactivated Status. An external control is not necessary. The Control signals for activation or deactivation of the driver module 6 can of course also from the CPU 3 via the data bus 4 are transmitted to the driver module 6.

In addition, the driver module 6 according to the invention with a resistor 7, for example a pull-up or a Pull-down resistor, coupled. By combining with Such a pull-up resistor is activated during the transition from State in the deactivated state of the driver block 6 the edge steepness in the signal or data transmission lowered to the display controller. This creates a lower noise emission 9 on the ribbon cable 4a. Driver chips 6 are very inexpensive and can very easy with resistors 7, in particular pull-up or Pull-down resistors are combined so that conventional ones Data processing units 1, for example HMI devices, can be retrofitted very easily and inexpensively.

Noise emissions or interference radiation via the ribbon cable 4a stand so only in the direct data or Signal transmission to the display controller 2a and the display 2, in which case the noise emissions through the Combination of driver chip 6 with pull-up or pull-down resistors 7 is minimized. This also happens to a smaller dispersion of the radiation values at the individual HMI devices of a production series. Furthermore the data bus 4 experiences a lower capacitive load through the display 2 and the ribbon cable 4a. On costly Shielding measures of the ribbon cable 4a, for example by ferrite, can in the inventive arrangement be completely dispensed with. By the invention lower noise emission 9 on the ribbon cable 4a between Display 2, in particular LCD display, and printed circuit board In addition, there are additional cost advantages shortened development times, otherwise in the reduction the disturbance radiation 9 incurred by constructive measures would.

The inventive HMI device 1 can be particularly advantageous for operating and monitoring of or in industrial plants, In particular, automation systems are used.

4 shows an exemplary comparison of the data traffic on the data bus 4 and the ribbon cable 4a of the invention HMI device 1. The rhombuses of the respective data traffic 11, 12 symbolize according to FIG 2, the data or signals, For example, control signals via the data bus 4 or the ribbon cable 4 a are transmitted. The numbers in symbolize the diamonds of the respective data traffic 13, 14 again the respective recipients, according to the designations FIG. 1 shows that the data traffic 14, which via the ribbon cable 4a on the display controller 2a of the display 2 is present, compared to the traffic 13, the on the data bus 4 is applied, by the inventive arrangement on the transmission of data to the display controller 2a is limited. All other data transfers are only on Data bus 4 on.

In summary, the present invention relates to a data processing unit 1, for example HMI device, with a Decoupling unit 6, for example a driver module. The HMI device 1 consists of a control unit 5, for example, printed circuit board, and a display unit 2, For example, display, via a ribbon cable 4a with each other are connected. The driver module according to the invention 6 ensures that noise emissions 9, during data transmission between printed circuit board 5 and display 2 on the Ribbon cables 4a arise to be minimized.

Claims (13)

Data processing unit (1) with at least one display unit (2) and a command unit (3), wherein the command unit (3) and the display unit (2) by means of a data transmission device (4,4a) for the transmission of data connected to each other, with at least one decoupling unit (6) between the command unit (3) and the display unit (2). Data processing unit according to claim 1,
characterized in that the decoupling unit (6) can be activated or deactivated. Data processing unit according to one of claims 1 or 2,
characterized in that the data processing unit (1) is provided for data transmission between the command unit (3) and the display unit (2) when the decoupling unit (6) is activated. Data processing unit according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the command unit (3) and the display unit (2) are physically decoupled when the decoupling unit (6) is deactivated. Data processing unit according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the decoupling unit (6) assumes a high-impedance state. Data processing unit according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the decoupling unit (6) comprises means which cause a self-activation of the decoupling unit (6) in a transmission of data, which are intended for the display unit (2), and / or cause deactivation of the decoupling unit (6), if the data transmission to the display unit (2) is completed. Data processing unit according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the decoupling unit (6) is a driver module. Data processing unit according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the decoupling unit (6) has at least one resistor (7). Data processing unit according to claim 8,
characterized in that the resistor (7) is a pull-up or a pull-down resistor. Data processing unit according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the data processing unit (1) is an HMI device. Data processing unit according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the display unit (2) is an LCD display. Data processing unit according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the data processing unit (1) is provided for use in an automation system. Automation system with at least one data processing unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

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