面向运动控制的5G与EtherCAT融合组网方案设计及其性能评估

Design and performance evaluation of 5G and EtherCAT integrated networking solution for motion control

  • 摘要: 为推动5G深入工业核心生产环节,提出了基于5G的EtherCAT运动控制系统架构,实现了PLC与EtherCAT主站在5G核心网侧的云化部署,通过5G网络直接控制终端侧的伺服设备完成运动控制任务. 首先,针对该系统中存在的5G与工业以太网协议兼容问题提出了基于VxLAN的融合组网方案,方案利用网络虚拟化技术在5G网络上层搭建二层虚拟隧道用于传输EtherCAT数据帧;然后,针对5G与工业以太网性能差异问题,量化分析网络时延抖动因素对运动控制稳定性的影响,在数学上建立了系统时延抖动与稳定控制周期之间的约束模型;最后,分别在5G网络(R15版本)和有线网络环境下测试网络性能,以及不同控制周期的运动控制稳定性. 实验结果表明,融合组网方案能够实现5G兼容EtherCAT数据传输. 同时验证了在满足约束的条件下,能够在存在抖动的网络环境中实现运动控制应用,并证明5G网络能够满足25ms周期的低精度运动控制.

     

    Abstract: In the context of Industry 4.0, traditional industrial control system architectures are undergoing structural transformations. The industry envisions leveraging 5G technology to reshape industrial control networks and to build a new generation of more flexible and open cloud–edge–device industrial control architectures. In this emerging architecture, industrial controllers are migrated from the field to the cloud, enabling large-scale collaborative control of field devices via 5G networks. However, in current industrial control systems, the connection between controllers, actuators, and sensors relies heavily on industrial ethernet protocols. For motion control tasks, in particular, the synchronization mechanism provided by the EtherCAT protocol is essential to enable precise and synchronized multi-axis motion. Therefore, to apply 5G in core industrial production processes, it is necessary to explore compatibility solutions between 5G and industrial ethernet protocols such as EtherCAT, as well as to evaluate the capability of 5G networks to support motion control tasks. In this study, an EtherCAT motion control system integrating 5G and cloud-based PLC is designed. To address the technical challenges inherent in such a system, the following solutions are proposed: (1) To solve the compatibility issue between 5G and EtherCAT industrial Ethernet protocols, a VXLAN-based integrated networking scheme is introduced. This scheme utilizes network virtualization to construct a Layer 2 virtual tunnel over the 5G network, enabling the transmission of EtherCAT data frames over 5G. (2) In view of the performance differences between 5G and industrial ethernet, this study conducts a quantitative analysis of the impact of network delay jitter on motion control stability. A mathematical model is established between system delay jitter and the stable control cycle, providing theoretical guidance for using 5G in motion control applications. Based on the above technical solutions, a 5G–EtherCAT integrated motion control test platform is developed. The PLC and EtherCAT master are deployed within the 5G core network, and servo motor control is realized via the 5G network. Finally, motion control performance tests are conducted under various control cycles in both the 5G–EtherCAT integrated network scenario and a wired network scenario. The experimental results verify the correctness of the theoretical model and demonstrate that 5G network (Release 15) can support low-precision motion control applications with a 25ms control cycle.

     

/

返回文章
返回