Extended diagnostics system for earth fault, duplicate address detection and noise detection in AS-interface networks

When troubleshooting a communications system (such as machines controlled by industrial networks) under or not the operation conditions, engineers or technicians try to use some standard format to come to a quicker solution. Industrial communications system do not always follow the tried and tested rules ⁽¹⁾, which previously worked with hardwired inputs and outputs. There are some new methods ⁽⁷⁾, helps to reach the solution, but sometimes there is no possibility to recognize and eliminate problems under the operation conditions, without changing the main control unit for new one or temporary switching existing network segment to external control unit. The paper shows some samples of troubleshooting a communications system of a complex machine controlled by AS-i industrial network, which should to be done not under operation conditions. Also the basis of extended diagnostic system helping with detection of: earth fault, duplicate address and noise has been described.