An algorithm to build schedule table for schedule-based fieldbus to reduce communication jitter to its minimum

• Published in: ISA transactions 2022-08, Vol.127, p.423-436
• Main Authors: Liang, Geng, Li, Wen, Cui, Qingru, Liu, Guoping
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Co-prime; Communication; Communication jitter; Fieldbus; Schedule table
• ISSN: 0019-0578; 1879-2022
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isatra.2021.08.022

Schedule-based fieldbus is applied widely in industrial control. Building schedule table (ST) can affect the time-critical performance for communication greatly. Communication jitters can cause some unexpected results in bus traffic scheduling and longer jitters can even cause severe delay in time-critical application. Communication jitter and evenness in arrangement of variables to be scheduled in micro-cycles in ST were two important issues dealing with the performance. An algorithm to build schedule table based on numerical co-prime method was proposed in this paper. Communication jitter in ST was investigated. Concept dealing with rank of ST was introduced. Numerical co-prime method to evaluate rank of ST was proposed. The algorithm and procedure to build schedule table based on the proposed numerical co-prime method were presented and exemplified in detail. Performance analysis and comparison of the proposed algorithm to HCF/LCM method was presented. It was proved that the proposed algorithm can reduce communication jitter to its minimum value and the longest time consumed to schedule variable in one micro-cycle, and greatly reduce the possibility the time consumed to schedule variables exceeded micro-cycle. •Communication jitter in schedule table (ST) with its impact was investigated.•Concept dealing with rank of ST was introduced.•Numerical co-prime method to evaluate rank of ST was proposed.•The algorithm and procedure to build schedule table based on the proposed method was presented•Performance analysis and comparison of the proposed method was presented