Design and Implementation of Medium Redundant Dual-network POWERLINK Communication Systems

Abstract

The medium redundancy is achieved thanks to two different physical networks. Each node shall be linked to both physical networks via a Link Selector. Ethernet data before heading to Media Access Controller, in order to achieve the medium redundancy, there is a Link Selector functional block, it can put three physical networks of the best quality network data to the Media Access Controller. This will ensure the robustness and stability of the physical network. The data delay is only a few microseconds time, does not affect the normal operation of network. All combinations of line and star (or tree) topology are allowed. The line topology will require external hubs or internal hubs with four ports.