Gateway device for coordination between two or more wireless networks

Abstract

A gateway device is described for coordinating between a wireless base station of a first network and a radio access controller of a second network. The gateway device includes a first network interface capable of connecting to the wireless base station and a second network interface capable of connecting to the radio access controller. A scheduler is configured to schedule transmission of a plurality of data packets based on transmission criteria associated with one or more of the plurality of data packets.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the coordination between two or more wireless networks, and more specifically, to industrial networks deployed in industrial environments. Industrial networks include multiple network devices, servers, automation equipment, etc., and are responsible for communicating industrial data related to various processes within the industrial environment. Therefore, industrial networks have stringent requirements for network reliability and communication latency. Background Technology

[0002] With the introduction of 5G NPNs (non-public networks), heterogeneous networks, comprising multiple radio networks, are expected to play a crucial role in industrial communications and automation networks. For example, in factory automation, 5G telephony is expected to enhance existing (traditional) communications infrastructure. Therefore, 5G networks can coexist with other existing wireless communication systems.

[0003] Especially when using 5G NR-U (unlicensed spectrum), 5G networks will be able to operate in unlicensed ISM spectrum. Therefore, 5G networks may have to share radio resources with WLAN networks already present in industrial plants or facilities. Enabling 5G with unlicensed spectrum in the NPN is highly desirable because there are no additional costs associated with licensing fees. However, this parallel deployment of 5G and WLAN networks using the same shared spectrum can lead to interference and disturbances, negatively impacting communication latency, reliability, and other aspects.

[0004] Typically, in the context of cellular mobile communications, various technologies have been employed to address inter-network interference. One such technology utilizes a Listen-Before-Speak (LBT) mechanism (as proposed for NR-U and MuLTEfire) to achieve fair coexistence between 4G / 5G and WLAN in unlicensed spectrum. However, the use of LBT does not provide deterministic communication and, implying, is unsuitable for critical communications related to industrial control.

[0005] Another such technology involves LTE WLAN Aggregation (LWA). LWA is a feature introduced in 3GPP Rel-13 and primarily follows the LTE DC architecture using cellular and non-cellular RATs. Some references describing LWA operation include WO2014179319A1 and WO2014160763A1. However, within LWA, the WLAN cannot operate independently. Data packets transmitted via the WLAN are PDCPPDUs encapsulated in LWAAP (LWA Adaptation Protocol). Therefore, the WLAN in LWA always requires the LTE component (i.e., the participation of the base station). Thus, a method and apparatus are needed to address the aforementioned issues for joint coordination between 4G / 5G and WLAN technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, this disclosure describes a gateway device according to claim 1, a method according to claim 11, and a non-transient storage medium according to claim 12, which solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] In one aspect, this disclosure describes a gateway device for coordinating between a wireless base station of a first network and a wireless access controller of a second network. The gateway device includes multiple network interfaces and a scheduler. The multiple network interfaces include a first network interface capable of connecting to the wireless base station and a second network interface capable of connecting to the wireless access controller. The scheduler is configured to schedule the transmission of multiple data packets based on a transmission standard associated with one or more of the multiple data packets. Furthermore, a first set of data packets scheduled for transmission by the wireless base station is transmitted to the wireless base station via the first network interface in a first format inherent to the wireless base station. Similarly, a second set of data packets scheduled for transmission by the wireless access controller is transmitted to the wireless access controller via the second network interface in a second format inherent to the wireless access controller.

[0008] Therefore, the gateway device described above takes into account coordination between the wireless base station and the wireless access controller. This considers reducing interference between the wireless base station and the wireless access controller when using unlicensed spectrum. Furthermore, since the gateway device is implemented outside the base station and access controller, communication coordination does not depend on the availability of the wireless base station or wireless controller. Moreover, because the gateway device can communicate with the base station and wireless access controller in the formats inherent to each base station and wireless access controller, transmission latency can be further reduced.

[0009] In one example, multiple data packets originate from an industrial network, and each data packet includes a data packet payload associated with a process within the industrial facility. In an advantageous example, the scheduler is also configured to receive first and second transmission schedules from a wireless base station and a wireless access controller, respectively. The first transmission schedule is used to transmit one or more data packets associated with a first network. Similarly, the second transmission schedule is used to transmit one or more data packets associated with a second network. Therefore, the gateway device is able to schedule the transmission of multiple data packets according to the first and second transmission schedules. This enables the gateway device to coordinate the transmission of data packets from the first network, the second network, and the industrial network.

[0010] In one example, the transmission standard associated with one or more data packets relates to packet redundancy. According to this transmission standard, the scheduler is configured to schedule a first set of data packets to be transmitted to a first terminal gateway device using one of the wireless base station and the wireless access controller, and to schedule a second set of duplicate data packets to be transmitted to the first terminal gateway device using the other of the wireless base station and the wireless access controller. This thus achieves packet redundancy in the industrial facility and improves network reliability.

[0011] In one example, the transport standard associated with one or more data packets is based on one or more parameters associated with the data packet from the one or more data packets, wherein the one or more parameters associated with the data packet include the data packet priority, data packet size, and traffic class of the corresponding data packet. Therefore, based on the priority of the data packets, the gateway device can perform data packet scheduling.

[0012] In one example, the first network interface that can connect to the wireless base station is based on the Network Function API (nFAPI), and the second network interface that can connect to the wireless access controller is based on the Industrial Point Coordination Function (iPCF). Therefore, existing protocols can be used to communicate with both the wireless base station and the wireless access controller.

[0013] In one example, the gateway device is configured as a redbox to implement parallel redundant port (PRP) configuration between a first terminal gateway device and a first industrial gateway device. The first terminal gateway device is capable of PRP configuration and connecting to the wireless base station and wireless access controller, while the first industrial gateway device is not capable of PRP configuration. Therefore, the gateway device can be used to implement wireless PRP configuration. This takes into account packet and network reliability.

[0014] In a favorable example, the scheduler is also configured to detect one or more available time slots and potential interferences between one or more transmissions of the wireless base station and the wireless access controller based on first and second transmission schedules, and generate a joint transmission schedule for transmitting one or more data packets associated with the first network, one or more data packets associated with the second network, and multiple data packets from the industrial network. This reduces interference between the wireless access controller and the wireless base station while ensuring the transmission of data packets from the first, second, and industrial networks.

[0015] In a favorable example, based on the acknowledgment associated with the first set of data packets, the scheduler is configured to cancel the transmission of the second set of duplicate data packets. Therefore, resources are not consumed when sending data packets that have already been received by the first terminal gateway device. This ensures optimal use of network resources.

[0016] In one example, a first set of data packets is scheduled to be transmitted on a first spectrum to a first terminal gateway device by one of the wireless base station and the wireless access controller, and a second set of duplicate data packets is scheduled to be transmitted on a second spectrum to the first terminal gateway device by the other of the wireless base station and the wireless access controller. Accordingly, the probability of sending the first and second sets of data packets to the first terminal gateway device is increased because the probability of interference on the first and second spectrums is lower.

[0017] On the other hand, this disclosure describes a method for coordinating the transmission of multiple data packets from an industrial network using a wireless base station of a first network and a wireless access controller of a second network. The method includes: connecting to the wireless base station via a first network interface and connecting to the wireless access controller via a second network interface; receiving a first transmission schedule and a second transmission schedule, wherein the first transmission schedule is associated with the transmission of one or more data packets associated with the first network and indicates transmission priority, transmission interval, and transmission bandwidth associated with the data packets from the one or more data packets associated with the first network, and wherein the second transmission schedule is associated with the transmission of one or more data packets associated with the second network and indicates transmission priority, transmission interval, and transmission bandwidth associated with the data packets from the one or more data packets associated with the second network; generating a joint transmission schedule based on the first transmission schedule, the second transmission schedule, and transmission criteria associated with one or more data packets from the multiple data packets from the industrial network; and scheduling the transmission of a first set of data packets on the wireless base station and a second set of data packets on the wireless access controller based on the generated joint transmission schedule.

[0018] On the other hand, this disclosure describes a non-transient storage medium that uses a wireless base station of a first network and a wireless access controller of a second network to coordinate the transmission of multiple data packets from an industrial network. The non-transient storage medium includes a plurality of instructions that, when executed on one or more processors, cause the processors to connect to the wireless base station via a first network interface and to the wireless access controller via a second network interface; receive a first transmission schedule and a second transmission schedule, wherein the first transmission schedule is associated with the transmission of one or more data packets associated with the first network and indicates transmission priority, transmission interval, and transmission bandwidth associated with the data packets from the one or more data packets associated with the first network, and wherein the second transmission schedule is associated with the transmission of one or more data packets associated with the second network and indicates transmission priority, transmission interval, and transmission bandwidth associated with the data packets from the one or more data packets associated with the second network; generate a joint transmission schedule based on the first transmission schedule, the second transmission schedule, and transmission criteria associated with one or more data packets from the multiple data packets from the industrial network; and schedule the transmission of a first set of data packets on the wireless base station and a second set of data packets on the wireless access controller based on the generated joint transmission schedule. The advantages and corresponding examples of this gateway device are also applicable to this method and this non-transient storage medium. Figures 1-7 Further explanation is needed regarding these aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The following is a detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 An example portion of an example industrial network is shown, which includes a gateway device for coordinating with wireless base stations and wireless access controllers;

[0021] Figure 2 An example method for coordinating the transmission of multiple data packets using a wireless base station and a wireless access controller is shown.

[0022] Figure 3 An example resource allocation table associated with a wireless base station and an example resource allocation table associated with a wireless access controller are shown.

[0023] Figure 4 An example federated resource allocation table is shown;

[0024] Figure 5 An example method for redundant packet transmission using a wireless base station and a wireless access controller is shown.

[0025] Figure 6 An example redundant box configuration using a wireless base station and a wireless access controller is shown; and

[0026] Figure 7 An example gateway device for coordinating between a wireless base station and a wireless access controller is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Figure 1 Example section 100 of an industrial network in an industrial facility is shown. In this document, an industrial facility refers to any environment where one or more industrial processes (such as the manufacture, refining, smelting, or assembly of equipment) can be performed, including process plants, refineries, automobile factories, etc. The industrial facility may include multiple control devices connected to multiple field devices for monitoring and regulating one or more industrial processes within the industrial facility. In this document, an industrial network refers to any electronic data network, thus including office / campus networks, industrial automation networks, dedicated radio networks, and any other high-availability networks where redundancy is critical.

[0028] Part 100 includes a gateway device 110 for coordinating with a wireless base station 130 and a wireless access controller 120 to transmit multiple data packets from a portion of an industrial network 115 (hereinafter referred to as industrial network 115 for simplicity) to one or more end devices (165, 175). The multiple data packets from industrial network 115 originate from one or more industrial devices (e.g., control devices, field devices, industrial computers, etc.) within an industrial facility. Therefore, each of the multiple data packets includes a data packet payload associated with a process within the industrial facility (also referred to as an industrial plant).

[0029] Wireless base station 130 is part of cellular network 135 (illustrated as network 1). In one example, wireless base station 130 is part of a public cellular network. In another example, wireless base station 130 is part of a non-public network. Wireless base station 130 includes a central unit 140 and one or more distributed units (in... Figure 1 (shown as distributed unit 145), and one or more radio units (in) Figure 1(Illustrated as radio units 150 and 155). In one example, central unit 140 handles non-real-time protocols and services, while distributed unit 145 handles physical layer protocols and latency-critical real-time services. When transmitting and receiving radio signals, radio units (150, 155) perform link layer and physical layer signal processing. The connection between the various radio units (155, 165) and distributed unit 140 is Ethernet-based. Similarly, the connection between distributed unit 145 and central unit 140 is also Ethernet-based. Packet processing is performed according to the radio protocol stack. In one example, the radio protocol stack includes Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), Radio Link Control Protocol (RLC), Media Access Control Protocol (MAC), and one or more physical layer protocols. Entry into packet processing begins at the SDAP layer prior to transmission.

[0030] Similarly, the wireless access controller 120 is part of a wireless local area network (WLAN network 125, illustrated as network 2). Packet processing is performed according to the IP stack. In one example, packet processing is performed according to the IP protocol. The wireless access controller 120 includes a scheduler for scheduling the transmission of packets from the second network 125. Therefore, the scheduler of the wireless access controller 120 generates and maintains a second transmission schedule for transmitting packets from the second network 125.

[0031] Gateway device 110 includes one or more network interfaces and a scheduler. The one or more network interfaces include a first network interface for connecting gateway device 110 to wireless base station 130 and a second network interface for connecting gateway device 110 to wireless access controller 120. In one example, the first network interface for connecting to wireless base station 130 is based on the Network Function API (nFAPI) interface. In one example, the second network interface for connecting to wireless access controller 120 is based on Industrial Point Coordination Function (iPCF).

[0032] In one example, the first and second network interfaces of gateway device 110 are connected to the control and data planes of wireless base station 130 and wireless access controller 120.

[0033] Figure 7 An example device configuration is shown. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the example gateway device 710 includes network interfaces 710 and 715 for connecting to the wireless base station 130 and the wireless access controller 120. A scheduler is implemented in the example device 710 via one or more processors 720 and a memory module 730. Figure 7These aspects are further elaborated in the description. In one embodiment, the circuitry associated with one or more network interfaces and the scheduler are housed in the same enclosure and powered by a common first power source (not shown).

[0034] The scheduler of gateway device 110 is configured to use wireless base station 130 or wireless access controller 120 to schedule the transmission of multiple data packets from industrial network 115 to one or more terminal devices (165, 175). Combined with... Figure 2 This needs to be explained.

[0035] Figure 2 A method 200 is shown for coordinating the transmission of multiple data packets from an industrial network 115 using a wireless base station 130 of a first network 135 and a wireless access controller 120 of a second network 125. This method 200 is implemented via a gateway device 110.

[0036] In step 210, gateway device 110 connects to wireless base station 130 via a first network interface and to wireless access controller 120 via a second network interface. In one example, gateway device 110 connects to distributed unit 145 of base station 130 to receive control and scheduling information associated with base station 130. Furthermore, gateway device 110 connects to central unit 140 to transmit data packets from industrial network 115 via wireless base station 130.

[0037] In step 220, gateway device 110 receives a first transmission schedule and a second transmission schedule from wireless base station 130 and wireless access controller 120. The first transmission schedule is associated with the transmission of one or more data packets from first network 135. Similarly, the second transmission schedule is associated with the transmission of one or more data packets from second network 125. In one example, gateway device 110 receives the first transmission schedule associated with wireless base station 130 from a first scheduler of distributed unit 145 of wireless base station 130.

[0038] The first transmission scheduling instruction associates the transmission priority, transmission interval, transmission bandwidth, and one or more corresponding terminal devices with respect to one or more data packets from one or more data packets associated with the first network 135, and the transmission is scheduled to that corresponding terminal device. In one example, the first transmission schedule is a resource allocation table that includes one or more resource reservation blocks for terminal devices over a period of time. The resource allocation table is generated based on data packets sent from the first network 135 to the terminal devices.

[0039] Figure 3Part A illustrates an exemplary first transmission schedule. The purpose of generating the first transmission schedule 310 is to reserve resources for four devices (shown as devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the schedule or table 310). The first transmission schedule 310 includes five time slots T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5. In the first time slot T1, radio resources for wireless base station 130 are reserved for device 1 for transmitting a first set of data packets (with high priority) from the first network 135. This is illustrated as resource reservation block 320. In the second time slot T2, no reservation is made because no transmission is scheduled. In the third time slot T3, radio resources for wireless base station 130 are reserved for device 3 for transmitting a second set of data packets (with low priority) from the first network 135. This is illustrated as resource reservation block 330. In the fourth time slot T4, radio resources for wireless base station 130 are reserved for device 4 for transmitting a third set of data packets (with low priority) from the first network 135. This is illustrated as resource reservation block 340. There is no reservation in the fifth time slot T5 because there is no transmission to schedule.

[0040] Similarly, the second transmission schedule indicates transmission priority, transmission interval, transmission bandwidth, and one or more corresponding terminal devices, wherein the transmission priority, transmission interval, and transmission bandwidth are associated with data packets from one or more packets associated with the second network 125, and the transmission is scheduled to the corresponding terminal device. In one example, the second transmission schedule is a resource allocation table that includes one or more resource reservation blocks for terminal devices over a period of time. This resource allocation table is generated based on data packets sent from the second network 125 to the terminal devices. In one example, the second transmission schedule is received from a second scheduler of the radio access controller.

[0041] Figure 3Part B illustrates an exemplary second transmission schedule 360. The purpose of generating the second transmission schedule 360 ​​is to reserve resources for four devices (shown as devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the schedule or table 360). The second transmission schedule 360 ​​includes five time slots T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5. In the first time slot T1, radio resources for the radio access controller 120 are reserved for device 3 for transmitting a fourth group of packets (with high priority) from the second network 125. This is illustrated as resource reservation block 370. In the second time slot T2, no reservation is made because no transmission is scheduled. In the third time slot T3, radio resources for the radio access controller 120 are reserved for device 2 for transmitting a fifth group of packets (with medium priority) from the second network 125. This is illustrated as resource reservation block 380. In the fourth time slot T4, no reservation is made because no transmission is scheduled. In the fifth time slot T5, radio resources are reserved for the wireless access controller 120 for device 4 to transmit the sixth group of data packets (with low priority) from the second network 125. The diagram shows resource reservation block 390.

[0042] In step 230, gateway device 110 (i.e., the scheduler of gateway device 110) generates a joint transmission schedule based on a first transmission schedule, a second transmission schedule, and transmission standards associated with one or more data packets from a plurality of data packets from the industrial network. Here, the transmission standard refers to the configuration or scheme used by wireless base station 130 or wireless access controller 120 when performing the transmission of corresponding data packets. In one example, the transmission standard associated with one or more data packets is based on one or more parameters associated with the data packets from the one or more data packets. Examples of one or more parameters include the data packet priority, data packet size, and traffic class of the corresponding data packet. Figure 4 These aspects will be explained further.

[0043] Figure 4An example combined transport schedule 400 generated by the scheduler of gateway device 110 is shown. This combined transport schedule 400 is generated based on a first transport schedule 310, a second transport schedule 360, and transport standards associated with one or more packets from multiple packets originating from industrial network 115. The purpose of generating the combined transport schedule 400 is to reserve resources for four devices (shown as devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the schedule or table 400). The combined transport schedule 400 includes eight time slots T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, and T8. The combined transport schedule 400 also includes resource reservation blocks (shown as blocks 410, 415, 419, 425, 429, 420, 435, and 430). Resource reservation blocks 410, 420, and 430 are associated with packet transmissions from first network 135 (illustrated as blocks with beveled lines). Similarly, resource reservation blocks 415, 425, and 435 are associated with packet transmissions from the second network 125 (illustrated as blocks with vertical profile lines). Furthermore, resource reservation blocks 419 and 429 are associated with packet transmissions (i.e., multiple packets) from the industrial network 115 (illustrated as blocks with cross profile lines).

[0044] As previously mentioned, the joint transmission schedule 400 is generated by the scheduler of gateway device 110. Continuing this example, the scheduler of gateway device 110 analyzes the first transmission schedule 310 and the second transmission schedule 360. The scheduler of gateway device 110 detects one or more available time slots that are not reserved. For example, by analyzing the first and second transmission schedules 310 and 360, the scheduler of gateway device 110 identifies time slots T2 and T5 as available in the first transmission schedule 310 and time slots T2 and T4 as available in the second transmission schedule 360. The scheduler of gateway device 110 then checks the priorities of multiple groups of packets with resource reservations based on the priorities of multiple packets from industrial network 115. In this example, the transmission criterion associated with one or more packets from multiple packets from industrial network 115 is the transmission priority (also called priority) associated with each packet. In this example, a high, medium, and low priority scheme is used to schedule the transmission of packets.

[0045] Therefore, the scheduler of gateway device 110 compares the priorities of the first, second, and third groups of data packets (from the first network 135) with the priorities of multiple data packets from industrial network 115. Similarly, the scheduler of device 110 compares the priorities of the fourth, fifth, and sixth groups of data packets (from the second network 125) with the priorities of multiple data packets from industrial network 115. In the current example, the multiple data packets from industrial network 115 (hereinafter referred to as industrial data packets for simplicity) include a high-priority first subgroup of industrial data packets and a medium-priority second subgroup of industrial data packets.

[0046] Based on priority and available time slot checks, the scheduler of gateway device 110 reserves resources for the wireless base station to transmit a first group of data packets from the first network 135 to device 1, because the first group of data packets has high priority. This is illustrated as resource reservation block 410. Then, the scheduler of gateway device 110 reserves resources for the wireless access controller to transmit a fourth group of data packets from the second network 125 to device 3, because the fourth group of data packets has high priority. This is illustrated as resource reservation block 415. Then, the scheduler of gateway device 110 reserves resources for the wireless base station 130 to transmit a first subgroup of industrial data packets from industrial network 115 to device 2, because the first subgroup of data packets has high priority. This is illustrated as resource reservation block 419. Then, the scheduler of gateway device 110 reserves resources for the wireless access controller 120 to transmit a fifth group of data packets from the second network 125 to device 2, because the fifth group of data packets has medium priority. This is illustrated as resource reservation block 425. Then, the scheduler of gateway device 110 reserves resources in wireless access controller 120 for transmitting a second subgroup of industrial data packets from industrial network 115 to device 2, since the first subgroup of data packets has medium priority. This is illustrated as resource reservation block 429. Then, by reserving resources in the remaining time slots (illustrated as blocks 420, 435, 430), the second group of data packets from first network 135, the sixth group of data packets from second network 125, and the third group of data packets from first network 135 are scheduled.

[0047] In step 240, the scheduler of gateway device 110 schedules the transmission of multiple data packets of industrial network 115 on wireless base station 130 and wireless access controller 120 based on the generated joint transport schedule 400. Continuing the example above, the scheduler of gateway device 110 transmits the joint transport schedule 400 to wireless base station 130 and wireless access controller 120. Then, gateway device 110 sends a first subgroup of industrial data packets to wireless base station 130. Before sending the first subgroup of industrial data packets to wireless base station 130, gateway device 110 converts or encapsulates the first subgroup of industrial data packets from the industrial protocol to the corresponding protocol of the wireless protocol stack associated with wireless base station 130. In one example, the data packets are converted into SDAP SDU (Service Data Adaptation Protocol Service Data Unit) or PDCP PDU (Packet Data Convergence Protocol Data Unit). Similarly, gateway device 110 transmits a second subgroup of industrial data packets to wireless access controller 120. Before sending the second subgroup of industrial data packets, gateway device 110 converts or encapsulates the second subgroup of industrial data packets from the industrial protocol to the appropriate protocol of the TCP / IP stack associated with wireless base station 130. In one example, the industrial data packets are converted into IP data packets. Subsequently, according to the generated schedule 400, the first and second subgroups of industrial data packets are sent via wireless base station 130 and wireless access controller 120.

[0048] In one embodiment, in the case of a low-memory device, the scheduler of gateway device 110 analyzes the first and second transmission schedules 310 and 360 and determines one or more open time slots. The scheduler of gateway device 110 then schedules the transmission of the industrial data packet in an available time slot where no other transmissions are scheduled. For example, because no transmissions are scheduled in time slot T2, the industrial data packet is scheduled to be transmitted in time slot T2.

[0049] In another embodiment, the scheduler of the gateway device 110 is configured to detect one or more potential interferences between one or more transmissions of the wireless base station 130 and the wireless access controller 120 based on the first and second transmission schedules (310 and 360).

[0050] For example, the scheduler of gateway device 110 can analyze the first transmission schedule 310 and the second transmission schedule 360, and detect potential interference in time slots T1 and T3. Potential interference may occur because potential transmissions from wireless base station 130 to device 1 and from wireless access controller 120 to device 3 are scheduled in time slot T1. Similarly, potential interference may occur because potential transmissions from wireless base station 130 to device 3 and from wireless access controller 120 to device 2 are scheduled in time slot T3. Therefore, while generating the joint transmission schedule 400, the scheduler of gateway device 110 avoids potential interference by ensuring that only one of wireless base station 130 and wireless access controller 120 transmits in a specific time slot.

[0051] Although the above example is explained using the potential interference caused by transmissions in the same time slot, the scheduler of device 110 is configured to detect conflicting transmissions to the same terminal device or using the same radio resources in the same time slot. Therefore, in the case of a conflict related to frequency resources, the scheduler can schedule the transmissions of base station 130 on the first frequency and the transmissions of radio access controller 120 on the second frequency in the same time slot.

[0052] In one embodiment, gateway device 110 can provide packet redundancy for industrial data packets. (Reference) Figure 5 This will be explained further.

[0053] Figure 5 An example method 500 for redundant packet transmission using a wireless base station 130 and a wireless access controller 120 is illustrated. In this current example, for one or more packets associated with multiple packets from an industrial network 115, a transmission standard indicates packet redundancy requirements associated with the one or more packets. In other words, for each of the one or more packets, two equivalent packets are transmitted to the receiving device via two separate communication paths.

[0054] Therefore, according to the transmission standard of one or more data packets, the scheduler of device 110 is configured to copy one or more data packets marked for data packet redundancy and create a first set of (original) data packets and a second set of copied data packets. Then, in step 510, the scheduler of device 110 schedules the first set of data packets to transmit them to the first terminal device 165 using one of the wireless base station 130 and the wireless access controller 120, and schedules the second set of copied data packets to transmit them to the first terminal device 165 using the other of the wireless base station 130 and the wireless access controller 120.

[0055] Then, in step 520, the first set of data packets is transmitted to the first terminal 165 on the first spectrum using one of the wireless base station 130 and the wireless access controller 120. After the first set of data packets has been transmitted via one of the wireless base station 130 and the wireless access controller 120, in step 530, the scheduler of the gateway device 110 checks whether an acknowledgment for the transmission of the first set (copy) data packets has been received from the first terminal device. If an acknowledgment has been received from the first terminal, in step 540, the scheduler of device 110 cancels the scheduled transmission of the second set of copy data packets via the other of the wireless base station 130 and the wireless access controller 120. Then, in step 550, the scheduler of device 110 relinquishes the resource reservation at the other of the wireless base station 130 and the wireless access controller 120. The other of the wireless base station 130 and the wireless access controller can then use the relinquished radio resources to schedule and transmit data packets from their respective networks (i.e., the first network for the wireless base station and the second network for the wireless access controller). Then, in step 560, the transmission of one or more data packets is considered complete.

[0056] If no acknowledgment is received, in step 545, the second set of copied data packets is scheduled for transmission via another of the wireless base station 130 and the wireless access controller 120. Then, in step 555, the scheduler checks again whether an acknowledgment for either the first or second set of copied data packets has been received from the first terminal. If an acknowledgment has been received, in step 560, the transmission of one or more data packets is considered complete. If no acknowledgment is received, the scheduler restarts method 500 and attempts to retransmit the first set of data packets.

[0057] In one example, the second set of duplicate data packets is scheduled to be transmitted to the first terminal device 165 on a second spectrum, different from the first spectrum (as associated with the transmission of the first set of data packets), using another of the wireless base station 130 and the wireless access controller 120, to improve packet delivery. This increases the probability of packet delivery because the likelihood of interference across different spectrums is lower.

[0058] In yet another example, gateway device 110 can have a redundant box configuration. Combined with Figure 6 This needs to be explained. Figure 6 A network segment including gateway device 620 (similar to device 110) is shown. Device 620 is connected to industrial device 610. Industrial device 610 has only a single port for connection and therefore cannot support PRP configuration. Therefore, the PRP configuration for industrial device 610 is provided by device 620.

[0059] Furthermore, gateway device 620 is connected to first terminal device 650 via wireless base stations (or UEs) 630 and (or UEs) 635 of the first network and wireless access controllers 640 and 645 of the second network. The first network is a cellular network and the second network is a WLAN network. To implement PRP configuration between industrial device 610 and first terminal device 650, gateway device 620 creates a first VLAN between wireless base stations 630 and 635 and terminal device 650. Similarly, gateway device 620 creates a second VLAN between wireless access controllers 640 and 645 and terminal device 650. Then, upon receiving a data packet from industrial device 610, gateway device 620 executes method 500 as described above. EP application No. EP16157779, filed by the applicant on February 29, 2016, further explains these aspects.

[0060] In one example, the first terminal device 620 is capable of deduplicating data packets received from the gateway device 620 via the first and second VLANs. The first terminal device 650 includes a network interface capable of checking whether a received data packet is a copy of a data packet previously received by the first terminal device 650. If the data packet is a copy, it is discarded.

[0061] This disclosure may take the form of a computer program product, which includes program modules accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable medium storing program code for use by or in connection with one or more computers, processing units, or instruction execution systems. For example, a configuration module may be implemented on one or more devices.

[0062] Therefore, this disclosure describes a gateway device 700. Gateway device 700 is similar to devices 110 and 620. Gateway device 700 includes two or more network interfaces 710 and 715, one or more processors 720, and non-transient storage medium 730. Non-transient storage medium 730 contains multiple instructions (733 and 736) for coordinating the transmission of multiple data packets from an industrial network.

[0063] When scheduling instruction 733 is executed, one or more processors 720 connect to the wireless base station (130) via a first network interface (710) and to the wireless access controller (120) via a second network interface (715). The one or more processors 720 then receive a first transmission schedule and a second transmission schedule from the wireless access controller, the first transmission schedule being associated with the wireless base station. The one or more processors 720 then generate a joint transmission schedule based on the first transmission schedule, the second transmission schedule, and transmission criteria associated with one or more data packets from a plurality of data packets from the industrial network. The one or more processors 720 then schedule the transmission of a first set of data packets on the wireless base station and the transmission of a second set of data packets on the wireless access controller based on the generated joint transmission schedule. When transmission instruction 736 is executed, the one or more processors 720 transmit the industrial data packets scheduled for transmission to the corresponding wireless base station and wireless access controller according to the joint transmission schedule.

[0064] For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer-readable non-transient storage medium can be any means capable of containing, storing, transmitting, propagating, or transmitting a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. This medium can be electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or a semiconductor system (or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium that itself acts as a signal carrier, excluding those defined as physical computer-readable media, including semiconductor or solid-state memory, magnetic tape, removable computer floppy disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disks, and optical disks, such as read-only optical disk storage (CD-ROM), rewritable optical disks, and DVDs. As known to those skilled in the art, the processing units and program code used to implement each aspect of this technology can be centralized or distributed (or a combination thereof).

[0065] While a few industrial devices have been referenced in the description of this disclosure, many industrial devices may be utilized in the context of this disclosure. Although this disclosure has been described in detail with reference to certain embodiments, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to those embodiments. In view of this disclosure, many modifications and variations will be available to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of this disclosure as described herein. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. All changes, modifications, and variations made within the equivalent meaning and scope of the claims should be considered within its scope. All advantageous embodiments claimed in the method claims can also be applied to the device / non-transient storage medium claims.

Claims

1. A gateway device (110) for coordinating between a wireless base station (130) of a first network (135) and a wireless access controller (120) of a second network (125), the gateway device (110) comprising: Multiple network interfaces, including a first network interface (710) capable of connecting to the wireless base station (130) and a second network interface (715) capable of connecting to the wireless access controller (120). The scheduler is configured to schedule the transmission of the plurality of data packets based on a transmission standard associated with one or more of the plurality of data packets, wherein the transmission standard associated with the one or more data packets is related to data packet redundancy; The first set of data packets scheduled to be transmitted by the wireless base station (130) is transmitted to the wireless base station (130) by the first network interface (710) in a first format inherent to the wireless base station (130), and the second set of data packets scheduled to be transmitted by the wireless access controller (120) is transmitted to the wireless access controller (120) by the second network interface (715) in a second format inherent to the wireless access controller (120). The scheduler is further configured to receive a first transmission schedule and a second transmission schedule (310, 360) from the wireless base station (130) and the wireless access controller (120), respectively; wherein the first transmission schedule (310) is used to transmit one or more data packets associated with the first network (135); wherein the second transmission schedule (360) is used to transmit one or more data packets associated with the second network (125); and wherein the scheduler is further configured to detect the intervals between one or more transmissions at the wireless base station (130) and the wireless access controller (120) based on the first and second transmission schedules (310, 360). One or more available time slots and potential interferences are considered, and a joint transmission schedule (400) is generated for transmitting one or more data packets associated with the first network (135), one or more data packets associated with the second network (125), and multiple data packets from the industrial network (115), wherein, according to the transmission standard, the scheduler is configured to schedule a first set of data packets to be transmitted to a first terminal device (165) using one of the wireless base station (130) and the wireless access controller (120) and to schedule a second set of duplicate data packets to be transmitted to the first terminal device (165) using the other of the wireless base station (130) and the wireless access controller (120).

2. The gateway device (110) according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of data packets originate from an industrial network (115), and each data packet includes a data packet payload associated with a process in the industrial facility.

3. The gateway device (110) according to claim 1, wherein, The first network interface that can connect to the wireless base station (130) is based on the Network Function API (nFAPI) interface, and the second network interface that can connect to the wireless access controller (120) is based on the Industrial Point Coordination Function (iPCF).

4. The gateway device (110) according to claim 1, wherein, The gateway device (110) is configured as a Redbox (620) for implementing a parallel redundant port (PRP) configuration between the first terminal device (650) and the first industrial device (610), wherein the first terminal device is capable of PRP configuration and connecting to the wireless base station (630) and the wireless access controller (620), and the first industrial device is not capable of PRP configuration.

5. The gateway device (110) according to claim 1, wherein, Based on the confirmation associated with the first set of data packets, the scheduler is configured to cancel the transmission of the second set of duplicate data packets.

6. The gateway device (110) according to claim 1, wherein, The first set of data packets is scheduled to be transmitted by one of the wireless base station (130) and the wireless access controller (120) on the first spectrum to the first terminal device (165), and the second set of duplicate data packets is scheduled to be transmitted by the other of the wireless base station (130) and the wireless access controller (120) on the second spectrum to the first terminal device (165).

7. A method (200) for coordinating the transmission of multiple data packets from an industrial network (115) using a wireless base station (130) of a first network (135) and a wireless access controller (120) of a second network (125), the method (200) comprising: It is connected (210) to the wireless base station (130) via a first network interface (710) and connected to the wireless access controller (120) via a second network interface (715). Receive (220) a first transmission schedule (310) and a second transmission schedule (360), wherein the first transmission schedule (310) is associated with the transmission of one or more data packets associated with the first network (135) and indicates the transmission priority, transmission interval and transmission bandwidth associated with the data packets from one or more data packets associated with the first network (135), and wherein the second transmission schedule (360) is associated with the transmission of one or more data packets associated with the second network (125) and indicates the transmission priority, transmission interval and transmission bandwidth associated with the data packets from one or more data packets associated with the second network (125); Based on the first transmission schedule (310), the second transmission schedule (360), and the transmission standard associated with one or more data packets from the industrial network (115), a joint transmission schedule (400) is generated (230), wherein the transmission standard associated with the one or more data packets is related to data packet redundancy; and Based on the generated joint transmission schedule (400), the transmission of a first set of data packets on the wireless base station (130) and a second set of data packets on the wireless access controller (120) is scheduled (240), wherein, according to the transmission standard, the first set of data packets is scheduled to be transmitted to a first terminal device (165) using either the wireless base station (130) or the wireless access controller (120), and the second set of duplicate data packets is scheduled to be transmitted to the first terminal device (165) using the other of the wireless base station (130) or the wireless access controller (120).

8. A non-transient storage medium (730) for coordinating the transmission of multiple data packets from an industrial network (115) using a wireless access controller (120) of a first network (135) and a second network (125), the non-transient storage medium (730) comprising a plurality of instructions (733, 736) which, when executed on one or more processors (720), cause the processors (720) to: It is connected to the wireless base station (130) via a first network interface (710) and to the wireless access controller (120) via a second network interface (715); Receive the first transmission schedule (310) and the second transmission schedule (360), wherein, The first transmission schedule (310) is associated with the transmission of one or more data packets associated with the first network (135) and indicates the transmission priority, transmission interval and transmission bandwidth associated with data packets from one or more data packets associated with the first network (134), and wherein the second transmission schedule (360) is associated with the transmission of one or more data packets associated with the second network (125) and indicates the transmission priority, transmission interval and transmission bandwidth associated with data packets from one or more data packets associated with the second network (125); Based on the first transmission schedule (310), the second transmission schedule (360), and the transmission standard associated with one or more data packets from the industrial network (115), a joint transmission schedule (400) is generated, wherein the transmission standard associated with the one or more data packets is related to data packet redundancy; and Based on the generated joint transmission schedule (400), the transmission of a first set of data packets on the wireless base station (135) and a second set of data packets on the wireless access controller (125) is scheduled, wherein, according to the transmission standard, the first set of data packets is scheduled to be transmitted to a first terminal device (165) using one of the wireless base station (130) and the wireless access controller (120), and the second set of duplicate data packets is scheduled to be transmitted to the first terminal device (165) using the other of the wireless base station (130) and the wireless access controller (120).

Images