US 11,778,073 B2
Protocol converter and automation system
Holger Büttner, Berlin (DE); Jens Sachs, Petershagen (DE); Robert Zutz, Verl (DE); and Daniel Schlotthauer, Berlin (DE)
Assigned to Beckhoff Automation GmbH, Verl (DE)
Filed by Beckhoff Automation GmbH, Verl (DE)
Filed on Oct. 18, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/968,474.
Application 17/968,474 is a continuation of application No. PCT/EP2021/063320, filed on May 19, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 113 572.6 (DE), filed on May 19, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0039256 A1, Feb. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. H04L 69/08 (2022.01); H04L 12/40 (2006.01)
CPC H04L 69/08 (2013.01) [H04L 12/40189 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A protocol converter for converting safety-relevant messages between a first network and a second network,
wherein the first and second networks use different network protocols for message exchange,
wherein the first network comprises at least one first subscriber having a first safety communication layer which processes a first safety communication protocol, and
wherein the second network comprises at least one second subscriber having a second safety communication layer which processes a second safety communication protocol;
the protocol converter comprising a single-channel interface which allowing for message exchange with the first network and/or with the second network,
a single-channel filter connected to the interface for determining messages with the first safety communication protocol and messages with the second safety communication protocol from messages received by the interface, and
an at least dual-channel safety module connected to the single-channel filter for converting messages with the first safety communication protocol detected by the filter into messages with the second safety communication protocol and for converting messages with the second safety communication protocol detected by the single-channel filter into messages with the first safety communication protocol, respectively.