System for optimized separation of data layer and control logic in a real-time Linux application

Abstract

System for optimized separation of data plane and control plane logic in a real-time Linux application, comprising: (a) an input interface module configured to receive incoming real-time data; b) a data plane module configured to process the data using real-time scheduling policies and isolated CPU resources; (c) a control plane module configured to manage configuration, monitoring and non-real-time tasks independently of the data plane; d) an interprocess communication (IPC) module configured to enable real-time secure message exchange between the data plane module and the control plane module; e) a scheduler and core management module configured to assign processor affinity and enforce execution priorities to ensure deterministic task execution; and f) an output module configured to transmit processed results to external systems, g) where the separation of data plane and control plane logic maintains real-time performance and system reliability.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of real-time operating systems and is particularly aimed at Linux-based applications with time-critical requirements. It aims to optimize the architecture by separating the logic of the data plane and the control plane. This is particularly applicable in areas such as telecommunications, industrial automation, and embedded systems.

[0002] In modern real-time Linux applications, such as those found in telecommunications, industrial control, and network processing, developers often struggle to achieve deterministic performance. A key cause of this problem is the tight coupling of data-plane and control-plane logic within the same execution context. Time-critical tasks such as processing data packets or sensor measurements must compete with less urgent control operations, resulting in delays, jitter, and missed deadlines.

[0003] While existing real-time Linux solutions such as PREEMPT-RT provide the necessary kernel support for real-time processing, they lack a standardized method for organizing application logic into clearly separated layers. Developers are often forced to create ad hoc systems in which real-time and non-real-time code coexist, making the system more complex and difficult to maintain and prone to runtime performance degradation.

[0004] Another major problem arises when non-deterministic control tasks such as configuration updates, logging, or network communication disrupt the execution of deterministic data plane functions. These interruptions can lead to latency spikes or missed real-time deadlines, which are unacceptable in critical systems. Current architectures do not provide reliable mechanisms to prevent these types of disruptions.

[0005] The present invention addresses these limitations by introducing a modular architecture that strictly separates responsibilities for the control and data planes. It establishes an efficient communication bridge between the two planes by using real-time IPC methods and employing advanced scheduling and CPU affinity techniques to ensure that real-time operations are never interrupted. The result is a more predictable, reliable, and maintainable real-time Linux system that meets the growing demands of time-critical applications.

[0006] One goal of the present disclosure is to ensure the deterministic execution of time-critical tasks by isolating them in the data plane with real-time scheduling.

[0007] Another objective of the present disclosure is to enable seamless scaling of complex applications by modularizing the control and data processing logic.

[0008] Another goal of the present disclosure is to minimize latency spikes by isolating non-critical control operations from the real-time data flow.

[0009] Another objective of this disclosure is to facilitate troubleshooting and software updates by dividing the system into independent functional layers.

[0010] Another objective of the present disclosure is to enable real-time systems to adapt through adjustments at the control level without interrupting critical operations.

[0011] Another objective of the present disclosure is to allocate dedicated CPU cores and prioritize threads for maximum efficiency and predictable task execution.

[0012] Another objective of this disclosure is to reduce system crashes and unpredictable behavior by isolating error-prone control functions.

[0013] Another objective of this disclosure is to provide a secure and efficient communication mechanism between the data and control planes in real time.

[0014] Further objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0015] The present invention relates to a system that separates real-time logic (data plane) from non-real-time functions (control plane). This separation improves system organization, increases performance, and simplifies application development in real-time Linux environments.

[0016] Another embodiment of the present invention is that time-critical operations are performed exclusively by a high-priority data plane module running in kernel space or in real-time threads. This ensures deterministic execution, low latency, and jitter-free processing suitable for demanding real-time tasks.

[0017] Another embodiment of the present invention is the Control Plane Module, which runs at normal priority in user space and manages configuration, logging, and monitoring. Its independence enables flexible control without interrupting or delaying data plane execution.

[0018] Another embodiment of the present invention is the Inter-Process Communication (IPC) module, which connects the data and control planes via lock-free queues or shared memory. This enables fast, reliable message exchange while maintaining the real-time integrity of data plane operations.

[0019] Another embodiment of the present invention is that the system uses the Linux real-time scheduler along with CPU affinity and kernel isolation techniques.

[0020] This ensures that real-time tasks have uninterrupted access to the processor, improving predictability and throughput.

[0021] Another embodiment of the present invention inputs are passed directly to the Data Plane Module for immediate processing, bypassing unnecessary layers.

[0022] Outputs are handled through a special module that ensures timely delivery of responses to external systems or hardware.

[0023] Another embodiment of the present invention is that by clearly dividing the logic into modules, the system can be more easily scaled, debugged, and maintained over time.

[0024] It supports the integration of new features without affecting real-time behavior or system stability.

[0025] Another embodiment of the present invention is that the system is ideal for industries that require real-time guarantees, such as telecommunications, robotics, industrial automation, and networking.

[0026] The present invention relates to a system for real-time Linux applications that optimizes the separation of data plane and control plane logic. By isolating time-critical operations within a high-priority data plane module and delegating configuration, logging, and management tasks to a separate control plane module, the system ensures deterministic, low-latency performance. Real-time inter-process communication, CPU core isolation, and scheduler tuning further improve responsiveness and stability. This approach enhances scalability, maintainability, and reliability, making it ideal for applications in telecommunications, industrial control, robotics, and other fields requiring precise real-time execution. Input Interface Module

[0027] This module is responsible for receiving external real-time inputs such as network packets, sensor signals, or hardware interrupts. It acts as the entry point into the system and forwards incoming data immediately and without delay to the Data Plane Module. It supports high-throughput data input and operates in a real-time context to minimize latency. Data Plane Module

[0028] The Data Plane Module is the central real-time processing unit of the system. It performs all time-critical operations, including data analysis, transformation, forwarding, and immediate decision-making. This module runs either in kernel space or in isolated user-space threads configured with real-time scheduling policies (e.g., SCHED_FIFO, SCHED_RR). It is optimized for low latency and jitter-free operation, ensuring deterministic response times. IPC communication module

[0029] As a bridge between the data and control modules, the inter-process communication (IPC) module is designed to be real-time and non-blocking. It uses mechanisms such as shared memory buffers, lock-free message queues, or Netlink sockets to transfer configuration data, state updates, and status messages between the data plane and control plane modules. This communication is unidirectional or bidirectional depending on operational requirements, but is always designed to ensure uninterrupted real-time flow. Control Plane Module

[0030] The Control Plane Module resides in user space and is responsible for orchestrating and managing the system. It handles configuration updates, system monitoring, error logging, and external communication via APIs (e.g., REST, CLI tools). Because its functions are not time-dependent, this module operates at normal or background thread priority and does not interfere with the real-time execution of the data plane. Scheduler and core management module

[0031] This module governs task prioritization and CPU resource allocation. It is tightly integrated with the Linux real-time scheduler to ensure that data-plane threads always receive the highest execution priority. Using CPU affinity and core isolation techniques, it allocates specific processor cores to real-time tasks and protects them from interruptions by control-plane or background processes. This module is essential for maintaining system determinism and throughput under load. Output / Actuation Module

[0032] After the data is processed by the Data Plane Module, the result is passed to the Output Module, which is responsible for triggering actuators, sending processed packets, updating displays, or logging the final data state. This module ensures that outputs are executed according to schedule and integrates with physical I / O systems or network interfaces.

[0033] The invention is explained again below with reference to the figure. It shows: Fig. : a system flow diagram that represents the interaction between the input interface, the data plane, the control plane, the IPC, the scheduler, and the output modules.

[0034] Fig.illustrates the system for real-time Linux applications. When data or input events (e.g., packets or sensor signals) enter the system through the input interface module, they are immediately forwarded to the data plane module, which is optimized for real-time performance. This module processes the inputs using high-priority threads or kernel-level execution, ensuring low latency and deterministic responses. The scheduler and core management module plays a critical role by assigning real-time tasks to isolated CPU cores and enforcing strict execution priorities to prevent interference from background or non-critical operations.

[0035] At the same time, the Control Plane Module operates independently in user space, performing configuration, monitoring, and management tasks without impacting real-time performance. Communication between the Data and Control Modules is facilitated by the IPC Communication Module, which uses real-time secure channels for exchanging messages, status updates, and control commands. After the Data Plane completes its processing, the results are forwarded to the Output / Actuation Module, which provides the final response—be it triggering an actuator, forwarding a packet, or updating a display. The developed system ensures predictable execution, flexible control, and efficient resource management for real-time Linux applications.

Claims

[1] System for optimized separation of data plane and control plane logic in a real-time Linux application, comprising: (a) an input interface module configured to receive incoming real-time data; b) a data plane module configured to process the data using real-time scheduling policies and isolated CPU resources; (c) a control plane module configured to manage configuration, monitoring and non-real-time tasks independently of the data plane; d) an interprocess communication (IPC) module configured to enable real-time secure message exchange between the data plane module and the control plane module; e) a scheduler and core management module configured to assign processor affinity and enforce execution priorities to ensure deterministic task execution; and f) an output module configured to transmit processed results to external systems, g) where the separation of data plane and control plane logic maintains real-time performance and system reliability. [2] The system of claim 1, wherein the IPC module uses lock-free queues, shared memory buffers, or Netlink sockets for communication between the modules. [3] The system of claim 1, wherein the scheduler and core management module isolates one or more CPU cores exclusively for real-time processing of the data plane. [4] The system of claim 1, wherein the control plane module is configured to connect to external systems via REST APIs, command line interfaces, or user interfaces. [5] The system of claim 1, wherein the input interface module is configured to process high-throughput data streams from sensors, network interfaces, or external devices. [6] The system of claim 1, wherein the output module ensures timely actuation, network response, or storage based on the processed real-time data results.

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