Method and apparatus for transmission in a silet communication network

Abstract

A coordinator communication device in a communication network determines that only a time period for which the coordinator communication device will have an opportunity to transmit is to start. The time period comprises a plurality of time periods, each time period i) starting with the coordinator communication device transmitting the beacon signal and ii) comprising a transmission opportunity following the beacon signal. The sending opportunity is used for the coordinator communication device. The coordinator communication device sends one or more signals to a following communication device in the communication network to prompt the following communication device to avoid sending during the time period. During one or more transmission opportunities in the time period, the coordinator communication device transmits one or more time-sensitive data packets.

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 542,289, filed October 3, 2023, entitled “PTP Accuracy for Multi-Drop10Base-T1s PLCA Network,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to communication networks, and more particularly to silent transmissions within communication networks. Background Technology

[0003] Some communication networks use a shared communication medium, and such networks typically employ collision avoidance techniques to prevent multiple communication devices from transmitting simultaneously (“collisions”), which often prevent one or more transmissions from being correctly received. For example, some communication networks use a token ring approach, in which a communication device transmits on the communication medium only if that device possesses a token (typically a set of bits), which is passed from one communication device to another in the network, ensuring that only one communication device possesses the token at any given time. As another example, some communication networks use Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technology, where communication devices are allocated corresponding time slots, in which they are allowed to transmit on the communication medium, with each time slot typically allocated to only a single communication device.

[0004] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 802.3cg defines Physical Layer (PHY) Level Collision Avoidance (PLCA) technology, in which transmission opportunities for devices in a network are scheduled in repeating time periods. Each time period begins with a coordinator sending a beacon transmission, which notifies following devices that a new time period has begun. Each device in the network has a corresponding node identifier (ID) from a set of values ​​0, 1, 2, ..., N-1, where N is the number of devices in the network. The node ID defines the order of transmission opportunities during the time period. For example, the device with node ID 0 (the coordinator) has the first transmission opportunity after the beacon transmission; the device with node ID 1 has the next transmission opportunity after the transmission opportunity of the device with node ID 0 has ended; the device with node ID 2 has the next transmission opportunity after the transmission opportunity of the device with node ID 1 has ended; and so on. When the transmission opportunity of the device with node ID N-1 ends, the time period ends, and the coordinator sends the next beacon transmission to notify that a new time period has begun. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In one embodiment, a method for time-sensitive communication in a communication network includes: at a coordinator communication device, determining that a time period in which only the coordinator communication device will have the opportunity to transmit is about to begin, the time period comprising a plurality of time cycles, i) each time cycle beginning with the coordinator communication device transmitting a beacon signal, and ii) each time cycle including a transmission opportunity for a follow-up beacon signal, the transmission opportunity being for the coordinator communication device; the coordinator communication device transmitting one or more signals to follow-up communication devices to prompt the follow-up communication devices to avoid transmission during the time period; and the coordinator communication device transmitting one or more time-sensitive data packets during one or more transmission opportunities within the time period.

[0006] In another embodiment, the communication network operates according to a communication protocol that defines a repeating first time period and specifies that each of a plurality of communication devices is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity in each first time period; and the time period includes a plurality of second time periods, each second time period including a second transmission opportunity following a beacon signal.

[0007] In another embodiment, a network interface device for communication in a communication network includes: a transmitting circuit; and a controller circuit configured to: determine that a time period in which only a coordinating communication device will have the opportunity to transmit is about to begin, the time period comprising a plurality of time cycles, each time cycle i) beginning with the coordinating communication device transmitting a beacon signal, and ii) including a transmission opportunity for a follow-up beacon signal for the coordinating communication device, the transmission circuit controlling the transmitting circuit to transmit one or more signals to follow-up communication devices to prompt the follow-up communication devices to avoid transmitting during the time period, and controlling the transmitting circuit to transmit one or more time-sensitive data packets during one or more transmission opportunities in the time period.

[0008] In another embodiment, the communication network operates according to a communication protocol that defines a repeating first time period and specifies that each of a plurality of communication devices is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity in each first time period; and the time period includes a plurality of second time periods, each second time period including a second transmission opportunity following a beacon signal. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram of an example in-vehicle communication network according to an implementation method.

[0010] Figure 2 The timing diagram shows an example timeline corresponding to the Physical Layer (PHY) level collision avoidance (PLCA) of the communication protocol defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 802.3cg.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a timing diagram of an example schedule of a coordinator communication device silencing the transmission of one or more communication devices during a time period, according to an implementation method.

[0012] Figure 4 The timing diagram illustrates an example time period in an embodiment where only the coordinator communication device has the opportunity to transmit and waits to transmit two or more beacon signals before transmitting data packets.

[0013] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of an example method for time-sensitive communication in a communication network according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of an example method for operating during a time period in which only the coordinator communication device has the opportunity to send, according to an embodiment.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of an example method for sending one or more time-sensitive data packets during a time period in which only the coordinator communication device has the opportunity to send, according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 8 This is a simplified block diagram of an example network interface configured for transmission in a silent communication network according to an implementation method. Detailed Implementation

[0017] In some embodiments described below, a coordinator device in a shared communication medium network sends one or more signals to one or more follower devices on the network to silence the transmission of one or more follower devices during a time period. Silencing the transmission of one or more follower devices during this time period is useful for performing specific operations during that time period. As an illustrative example, the coordinator device may use this time period to perform one or more operations, such as sending one or more time-sensitive data packets, performing measurements (e.g., noise / interference level measurements, noise / interference power measurements, echo measurements, etc.), and so on.

[0018] In certain environments, such as motor vehicle and industrial environments, synchronizing the clocks of devices on a network and / or transmitting data packets at relatively precise times is useful. However, using typical collision avoidance techniques employed in shared communication medium networks, it is difficult to ensure that data packets are transmitted at precise times with minimal and / or predictable delays. For example, when a data packet becomes available for transmission, there may be variable delays before the device gains the opportunity to send it using shared memory, even when using collision avoidance processes as described above.

[0019] On the other hand, according to some implementations, using the techniques described herein, a coordinator device can send one or more signals to one or more follower devices on a network to silence the transmission of one or more follower devices for a period of time, so that the coordinator device can use that period of time to send time-sensitive data packets.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram of an example in-vehicle communication network 100, in which various aspects, features, and elements described herein are implemented according to various embodiments of this disclosure. In one embodiment, the communication network 100 includes a shared communication medium 104, which comprises a twisted-pair cable, i.e., a pair of twisted metal wires. In other embodiments, the shared communication medium 104 includes other suitable communication media, such as cables with multiple pairs of twisted metal wires, coaxial cables, over-the-air transmission, etc.

[0021] Multiple network interfaces 108 and 112 are communicatively coupled to a shared communication medium 104 and configured to communicate via the shared communication medium 104. In this embodiment, the multiple network interfaces 108 and 112 are configured to operate according to a communication protocol defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standard 802.3cg, and are described with reference to IEEE standard 802.3cg for illustrative purposes only. Figure 1 In other embodiments, the multiple network interfaces 108, 112 are configured to operate according to other suitable communication protocols.

[0022] In one embodiment, the network interface 108 is included in the vehicle's electronic control unit (ECU). In another embodiment, the ECU also includes a processor and a memory (not shown) coupled to the processor. The memory stores machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform various actions.

[0023] Each of at least some of the network interfaces 112 corresponds to a vehicle component, which includes one or more of the following: i) sensors (e.g., touchscreens, pressure sensors, cameras, radar sensors, lidar sensors, temperature sensors, etc.), ii) actuators (e.g., actuators for operating door locks, switches, etc.), iii) controllers, etc. In some embodiments, each of at least some of the network interfaces 112 is coupled to a processor and / or coupled to a memory (not shown) of the processor. The memory stores machine-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform various actions.

[0024] Network interface 108 corresponds to a coordinator communication device (sometimes referred to herein simply as "coordinator 108"), and network interface 112 corresponds to a corresponding follower communication device (sometimes referred to herein simply as "follower device 112"). Coordinator 108 includes a memory 116 (e.g., one or more locations of a register, a storage device such as random access memory (RAM), a solid-state memory, etc.) that stores a parameter value indicating the number (N) of network interfaces 108, 112 in communication network 100. For simplicity, the parameter indicating the number of network interfaces 108, 112 in communication network 100 is sometimes referred to herein as "N". Coordinator 108 is configured to maintain N. For example, coordinator 108 determines N and stores N in memory 116.

[0025] According to IEEE standard 802.3cg, each of network interfaces 108 and 112 has a corresponding node identifier (ID), which is selected from a set of values ​​{0, 1, 2, ..., N-1}. More specifically, network interface 108 (coordinator) has node ID 0, and network interface 112 (follower device) has a corresponding node ID selected from a set of values ​​{1, 2, ..., N-1}.

[0026] Coordinator 108 includes memory 120 (e.g., registers, one or more locations of memory devices such as RAM, solid-state memory, etc.), which stores the device ID of coordinator 108. In one embodiment, memory 116 and memory 120 correspond to different storage devices (e.g., different registers, different RAM, different solid-state memory, etc.). In another embodiment, memory 116 and memory 120 correspond to different sets of one or more memory locations within a single memory device.

[0027] Each follower device 112 includes a memory 124 (e.g., a register, one or more locations in a memory device such as RAM, solid-state memory, etc.) that stores values ​​indicating N devices in the communication network 100. Each follower device 112 is configured to maintain N. For example, each follower device 112 determines N and stores a value indicating N in the memory 124.

[0028] Each follower device 112 also includes a memory 128 (e.g., a register, one or more locations in a memory device such as RAM, solid-state memory, etc.), which stores the device ID of the follower device 112. In some embodiments, the memory 124 and the memory 128 correspond to different memory devices (e.g., different registers, different RAM, different solid-state memory, etc.). In other embodiments, the memory 124 and the memory 128 correspond to different sets of one or more storage locations in a single memory device.

[0029] As described above, IEEE standard 802.3cg defines Physical Layer (PHY) Level Collision Avoidance (PLCA) technology, in which transmission opportunities for network interfaces 108 and 112 in communication network 100 are scheduled in repeated time periods. Each time period begins with a beacon transmission sent by coordinator 108, which notifies follower device 112 that a new time period has begun. The node IDs of network interfaces 108 and 112 define the order of transmission opportunities during the time period. For example, coordinator 108 (with node ID 0) has the first transmission opportunity after the beacon transmission; follower device 112-1 (with node ID 1) has the next transmission opportunity after coordinator 108's transmission opportunity ends; follower device 112-2 (with node ID 2) has the next transmission opportunity after follower device 112-1's transmission opportunity ends; and so on. When the transmission opportunity of follower device 112-(N-1) (with node ID N-1) ends, the time period ends, and coordinator 108 sends the next beacon transmission to notify that a new time period has begun.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a timing diagram illustrating a schedule 200 corresponding to the PLAC technology of IEEE standard 802.3cg. Schedule 200 comprises multiple repeating time periods 204. Each time period 204 begins with the coordinator 108 sending a beacon signal 208, which notifies the follower device 112 that a new time period 204 has begun. Additionally, during each time period 204, each of the network interfaces 108, 112 is provided with a corresponding transmission opportunity 212. For example, after the beacon signal 208 ends, the coordinator 108 is provided with transmission opportunity 212-1; the follower device 112-1 is provided with transmission opportunity 212-2; the follower device 112-2 is provided with transmission opportunity 212-3; and so on. When transmission opportunity 212-N ends, time period 204 ends, and the coordinator 108 sends the next beacon signal 208 to notify the follower device 112 that a new time period 204 has begun.

[0031] During transmission opportunity 212, network interfaces 108 and 112 with node IDs corresponding to transmission opportunity 212 are allowed to begin transmission. Each transmission opportunity 212 has a minimum duration Tmin. Therefore, if network interfaces 108 and 112 with node IDs corresponding to transmission opportunity 212 do not transmit during transmission opportunity 212, the transmission opportunity 212 has a duration of Tmin. Otherwise, if network interfaces 108 and 112 with node IDs corresponding to transmission opportunity 212 begin transmission during transmission opportunity 212, the transmission opportunity 212 ends when network interfaces 108 and 112 finish transmission, assuming the transmission duration is greater than Tmin. Therefore, according to an embodiment, each network interface 108 and 112 is configured to determine when transmission opportunity 212 ends based on measuring the duration from the start of transmission opportunity 212 and determining when the duration equals Tmin. Additionally, according to an embodiment, when transmission begins during transmission opportunity 212, each network interface 108 and 112 is configured to determine when transmission opportunity 212 ends based on determining when transmission ends.

[0032] In this implementation, each network interface 108, 112 includes a counter that maintains a count of the current transmission opportunity 212 during the indication time period 204. Now refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one implementation, coordinator 108 includes a counter 140, and follower 112 includes a corresponding counter 144. In another implementation, counters 140 and 144 are used by network interfaces 108 and 112 to track the current transmission opportunity 212. For example, each network interface 108 and 112 increments counters 140 and 144 in response to determining that a transmission opportunity has ended. In another implementation, when counter 140 indicates that the current transmission opportunity is transmission opportunity 212-N, and in relation to (e.g., in response to) the end of transmission opportunity 212-N, coordinator 108 resets counter 140 to zero. Additionally, when counter 140 indicates that the current transmission opportunity is transmission opportunity 212-N, and in relation to (e.g., in response to) the end of transmission opportunity 212-N, coordinator 108 sends a beacon 208 to notify follower 112 that a new time period 204 is about to begin.

[0033] Similarly, according to an implementation, when counter 144 indicates the current transmission opportunity is transmission opportunity 212-N, and in response to the end of transmission opportunity 212-N, the follower device 112 resets counter 144 to zero. Additionally, in some implementations, the follower device 112 is configured to reset counter 144 to zero in response to receiving beacon 208 from coordinator 108. If the counter 144 of the follower device 112 deviates from the schedule 200 for some reason (e.g., counter 144 indicates count 5 when actual transmission opportunity 212 corresponds to counter value 6), resetting counter 144 to zero in response to receiving beacon 208 is useful for facilitating the follower device 112 to resynchronize counter 144 for the next time period 204.

[0034] Using schedule 200, each transmission opportunity 212 has a variable duration. Therefore, network interfaces 108, 112 may have difficulty ensuring the transmission of time-sensitive data packets at a precise time with minimal and / or predictable delay. For example, there may be a variable delay between when a data packet becomes available for transmission and before network interfaces 108, 112 obtain a transmission opportunity 212, so the time delay before transmitting the data packet may be too large and / or unpredictable for applications requiring minimal and / or precise time transmission.

[0035] In some embodiments described below, coordinator 108 sends one or more signals to one or more follower devices 112 on communication medium 104 to silence the transmission of one or more follower devices 112 during a time period. Coordinator device 108 can then use that time period to perform one or more operations, such as sending time-sensitive data packets, performing measurements (e.g., noise / interference level, noise / interference power, etc.), etc.

[0036] Figure 3 This is a timing diagram illustrating an example schedule 300 according to an embodiment, in which the coordinator 108 silences the transmissions of one or more follower devices 112 during a time period. According to some embodiments, schedule 300 is in the form of... Figure 1 The example communication network 100 is implemented in the communication network, and for ease of explanation, refer to... Figure 1 Timetable 300 is described. In other embodiments, timetable 300 is implemented in a different suitable communication network than communication network 100. Similarly, in some embodiments, communication network 100 implements a different suitable timetable than timetable 300.

[0037] Timetable 300 includes references above. Figure 2Multiple time periods 204 are described. Additionally, the time schedule 300 includes a time period 304 between two time periods 204. During the time period 304, the follower device 112 avoids sending, as described below. In some embodiments, the time period 304 is sometimes referred to herein as "coordinator-only time period 304" because only the coordinator 108 sends during the time period 304.

[0038] Coordinator 108 includes network silent controller 160 ( Figure 1 It is configured to determine when the communication network 100 enters the coordinator-only time period 304. According to various embodiments, determining when the communication network 100 enters the coordinator-only time period 304 includes determining that time-sensitive data packets are ready to be sent. According to various embodiments, the time-sensitive data packets correspond to one or more of the following: i) a data packet to be sent at a determined time with a specific precision; ii) a data packet to be sent with a maximum delay between a) a first time when the controller of the communication device initiates the transmission of the data packet and b) a second time when the transmission of the data packet begins on the shared communication medium 104; and iii) a data packet to be sent with a determined delay between a) the first time when the controller initiates the transmission of the data packet and b) the second time when the transmission of the data packet begins on the shared communication medium 104 (e.g., with a specific precision regarding the determined delay, determining the delay to be between the maximum and minimum delays, etc.).

[0039] According to another embodiment, determining when the communication network 100 enters the coordinator-only time period 304 includes determining that time-sensitive data packets will be transmitted at a specific future time. According to another embodiment, determining when the communication network 100 will enter the coordinator-only time period 304 includes determining that a signal quality measurement will be performed, wherein the signal quality measurement requires the following device 112 to avoid transmission. According to various embodiments, the signal quality measurement includes noise level and / or power measurements, interference level and / or power measurements, etc.

[0040] According to various embodiments, when the network silence controller 160 is included in the physical layer (PHY) processor of the network interface 108, determining when the communication network 100 enters the coordinator-only time period 304 includes receiving signals from a processor corresponding to a layer in the communication protocol stack that is different from the PHY layer (e.g., a Media Access Control (MAC) layer or a layer above the MAC layer), from a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) controller, from a signal quality measurement controller, from an echo measurement controller, etc. According to various embodiments, when the network silence controller 160 is included in the MAC layer processor of the network interface 108, determining when the communication network 100 enters the coordinator-only time period 304 includes receiving signals from a processor corresponding to a layer in the communication protocol stack that is different from the MAC layer (e.g., a layer above the MAC layer), from a PTP controller, from a signal quality measurement controller, from an echo measurement controller, etc.

[0041] In other embodiments, the network silence controller 160 additionally or alternatively establishes coordinator-only time periods 304 according to a schedule and / or time intervals, and determines when the communication network 100 enters a coordinator-only time period 304 according to the schedule and / or time intervals. As an illustrative example, according to an embodiment, the network silence controller 160 establishes coordinator-only time periods 304 at one-second intervals (or other suitable time intervals). In some such embodiments, the coordinator-only time periods 304 therefore occur at predictable times, and the coordinator 108 knows when time-sensitive data packets can be sent, i.e., knows when at least some of the coordinator-only time periods 304 will occur.

[0042] In one implementation, in response to determining that the communication network 100 is about to enter the coordinator-only time period 304, the network silence controller 160 sends one or more signals to the follower device 112 to prompt the follower device 112 to avoid sending during the coordinator-only time period 304, as further described below. The one or more signals prompting the follower device 112 to avoid sending during the coordinator-only time period 304 are sometimes referred to herein as “one or more silence signals”. In response to receiving one or more silence signals from the coordinator 108, the follower device 112 avoids sending during the coordinator-only time period 304.

[0043] Similar to each time period 204, coordinator 108 sends beacon signal 308-1 at the beginning of only coordinator time period 304. In some embodiments, sending beacon signal 308-1 prompts follower device 112 to reset counter 144 to zero if they have not already done so (e.g., because transmission opportunity 28-1N has ended). As in each time period 204, transmission opportunity 312-1 for coordinator 108 follows the transmission of beacon signal 308-1. However, unlike time period 204, coordinator 108 sends another beacon signal 308-2 with respect to the end of transmission opportunity 312-1. In some embodiments, sending beacon signal 308-2 prompts follower device 112 to reset counter 144 to zero. As in each time period 204, transmission opportunity 312-2 for coordinator 108 follows the transmission of beacon signal 308-2. Regarding the end of transmission opportunity 312, another beacon signal 308 is repeatedly transmitted until the coordinator-only time period 304 ends.

[0044] According to the embodiment, the transmission prompt follower device 112 for beacon signals 308-2 to 308-P (where P is a suitable integer greater than 1) keeps the counter 144 reset to zero, as described above. This prevents the follower device 112 from having a transmission opportunity during the coordinator-only period 304. Therefore, according to the embodiment, only the coordinator 108 has a transmission opportunity 312 during the coordinator-only period 304. Beacon signals 308-2 to 308-P are examples of silence signals.

[0045] In some implementations, coordinator 108 may optionally send a first data packet (e.g., during transmission opportunities 212-11 of time period 204-1, or during an earlier time period 204) to notify follower 112 that coordinator-only time period 304 will begin at the end of time period 204-1. In response to the first data packet notifying follower 112 that coordinator-only time period 304 will begin at the end of time period 204-1, follower 112 avoids transmission during coordinator-only time period 304. Thus, the first data packet is another example of a silence signal.

[0046] In one embodiment, the first data packet is configured to prompt the follower device 112 to set the memory 124 to a value indicating that there is only one node in the communication network 100 during the coordinator-only time period 304. According to this embodiment, setting the memory 124 to indicate that there is only one node in the communication network 100 during the coordinator-only time period 304 causes the follower device 112 to avoid sending data during the coordinator-only time period 304.

[0047] In one implementation, coordinator 108 may optionally send a second data packet (e.g., during transmission opportunity 308-P of coordinator-only time period 304, or during an earlier time period 308 of coordinator-only time period 304) to notify follower device 112 that coordinator-only time period 304 will end after transmission opportunity 312-P. In another implementation, the second data packet is configured to prompt follower device 112 to set the value of memory 124 back to a value indicating N nodes in the communication network 100.

[0048] According to one implementation, during one or more transmission opportunities 312, the coordinator 108 transmits one or more time-sensitive data packets. See again... Figure 1 The coordinator 108 includes a time-sensitive communications controller 164, which is configured to generate time-sensitive messages and / or data packets for transmission via the communications medium 104.

[0049] In some implementations, the time-sensitive communications controller 164 provides a control signal to the network silence controller 160, wherein the control signal indicates that the time-sensitive communications controller 164 has a time-sensitive message to be sent via the communication medium 104; the network silence controller 160 determines when the coordinator-only time period 304 begins based on the control signal from the time-sensitive communications controller 164.

[0050] In another embodiment, the time-sensitive communications controller 164 provides a time-sensitive message to the MAC layer processor (not shown) of the coordinator 108 to be transmitted via the communication medium 104, and the MAC layer processor generates a time-sensitive data packet including the time-sensitive message. Additionally, the MAC layer processor informs the network silence controller 160 that it has a time-sensitive data packet to be transmitted via the communication medium 104; the network silence controller 160 determines when the coordinator-only time period 304 will begin based on the time-sensitive data packet generated by the MAC processor.

[0051] In implementations, the Time-Sensitive Communication (TSC) controller 164 includes, is included in, or is coupled to a PTP controller. PTP is a protocol for synchronizing the clocks of devices on a network to sub-microsecond precision. In PTP, a time transmitter device on the network maintains a master clock, and one or more time receiver devices on the network maintain corresponding client clocks synchronized with the master clock. To facilitate synchronization of client clocks with the master clock, the time transmitter device sends timestamped data packets to the time receiver devices, the timestamps being based on the master clock. The time receiver devices use the timestamps to adjust their client clocks to synchronize with the master clock. In implementations including a PTP controller, the PTP controller generates PTP messages, such as PTP synchronization messages and other PTP messages. In at least some implementations, at least some of the PTP messages are time-sensitive (e.g., timestamped messages and / or messages to be included in timestamped data packets) and are sent by the coordinator 108 as time-sensitive data packets during a coordinator-only time period. As an illustrative example in the PTP context, according to some implementations, a coordinator device can silence the transmissions of one or more follower devices during a time period, allowing the coordinator device to use that time period to send specific time-sensitive PTP packets, such as timestamped packets.

[0052] According to embodiments, during one or more transmission opportunities 312, the coordinator 108 additionally or alternatively performs one or more signal quality measurements. For example, in some embodiments, the time-sensitive communications controller 164 includes, is included in, or is coupled to a signal quality measurement controller configured to perform one or more signal quality measurements during one or more transmission opportunities 312. According to embodiments, the signal quality measurement controller includes a hardware state machine that performs actions corresponding to performing the signal quality measurements. Additionally or alternatively, in another embodiment, the signal quality measurement controller includes a processor coupled to a memory storing machine-readable instructions, and the machine-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform actions corresponding to performing the signal quality measurements.

[0053] According to embodiments, during one or more transmission opportunities 312, the coordinator 108 additionally or alternatively performs one or more echo measurements. For example, in some embodiments, the time-sensitive communications controller 164 includes, is included in, or is coupled to an echo measurement controller configured to perform one or more signal echo measurements during one or more transmission opportunities 312. According to embodiments, the echo measurement controller includes a hardware state machine that performs actions corresponding to performing the echo measurements. Additionally or alternatively, in another embodiment, the signal quality measurement controller includes a processor coupled to a memory storing machine-readable instructions, and the machine-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform actions corresponding to performing the echo measurements.

[0054] In one embodiment, the Time-Sensitive Communications (TSC) controller 164 includes a hardware state machine that performs actions corresponding to time-sensitive communications such as those described herein. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the TSC controller 164 includes a processor coupled to a memory storing machine-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform actions corresponding to time-sensitive communications such as those described herein.

[0055] When coordinator time period 304 begins, one or more other data packets may already be queued at coordinator 308 for transmission before the time-sensitive data packet. At least in some such scenarios, if one or more other data packets are transmitted during transmission opportunity 312-1 before the time-sensitive data packet is transmitted, the timestamp value in the time-sensitive data packet may be significantly different from the time the time-sensitive data packet appears on communication medium 104, compared to when the time-sensitive data packet is transmitted first during transmission opportunity 312 and before one or more other data packets.

[0056] In some implementations, the coordinator 308 waits to send two or more beacon signals 308 before sending the time-sensitive data packet during the coordinator-only time period 304; that is, the coordinator 308 waits at least until the transmission opportunity 312-2 for sending the time-sensitive data packet. Waiting to send the time-sensitive data packet in this way helps ensure that the time-sensitive data packet is sent first during a later transmission opportunity 312 (i.e., transmission opportunity 312-2 or later), for example, by ensuring that any data packets queued before the time-sensitive data packet are sent during one or more previous transmission opportunities 312.

[0057] Figure 4This is a timing diagram illustrating an example coordinator-only time period 400 according to an embodiment, in which coordinator 108 waits to send two or more beacon signals 308 before sending time-sensitive data packets. According to some embodiments, coordinator-only time period 400 is in the form of... Figure 1 The example communication network 100 is implemented in the communication network, and for ease of explanation, refer to... Figure 1 The coordinator-only time period 400 is described. In other embodiments, the coordinator-only time period 400 is implemented in a different suitable communication network than communication network 100. Similarly, in some embodiments, communication network 100 implements another suitable coordinator-only time period different from coordinator-only time period 400.

[0058] Coordinator time period 400 similar Figure 3 The coordinator time period 304 is used only, and for the sake of brevity, elements with the same reference numerals are not described in detail. In some embodiments, the coordinator time period 400 is used in a timetable that is the same as or similar to timetable 300. In other embodiments, the coordinator time period 400 is used in a suitable timetable that is different from timetable 300.

[0059] Coordinator 108 determines (e.g., time-sensitive communications controller 164 and / or network silence controller 160 determines) a delay 404 prior to the start of time-sensitive transmission 412. According to one embodiment, determining the delay 404 includes determining the number of beacon signals 308 corresponding to the delay 404. According to another embodiment, determining the delay 404 additionally or alternatively includes determining a time value corresponding to the delay 404.

[0060] According to the implementation, the determined delay 404 indicates the opportunity 312 to initiate the time-sensitive transmission 412. Although Figure 4 The delay 404 is illustrated as corresponding to the transmission of two beacon signals 308, but in other implementations and / or scenarios, the delay 404 corresponds to the transmission of more than two beacon signals 308.

[0061] After delay 404, coordinator 108 initiates time-sensitive transmission 412 (e.g., transmission of time-sensitive data packets). In some embodiments, time-sensitive transmission 412 is the first transmission to occur during transmission opportunity 312. In some embodiments, transmitting time-sensitive data packets 412 before transmitting any other data packets during transmission opportunity 312 helps ensure that the timestamp value in the time-sensitive data packets is more accurate (relative to the time the time-sensitive data packets appear on communication medium 104) compared to transmitting time-sensitive data packets during transmission opportunity 312 after the transmission of one or more other data packets.

[0062] Figure 5This is a flowchart of an example method 500 for time-sensitive communication in a communication network according to an embodiment. In the embodiment, method 500 is performed in a communication network operating according to a communication protocol that defines a recurring first time period, wherein the communication protocol specifies that each of a plurality of communication devices is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity in each first time period. For example, according to an embodiment, the communication protocol uses PLAC technology, as described herein with reference to... Figure 2 The described technique. In other embodiments, method 500 is performed in a communication network operating according to another suitable communication protocol.

[0063] In an implementation, method 500 is as follows: Figure 1 The method is implemented in the communication network 100, and for ease of explanation, the method 500 refers to... Figure 1 The following description is provided. In other embodiments, method 500 is implemented in a different suitable communication network than communication network 100. In this embodiment, method 500 is... Figure 1 The method is implemented by coordinator 108. In other embodiments, method 500 is implemented by another suitable communication device different from coordinator 108.

[0064] In the implementation method, such as Figure 3 The example timetable 300 is used to implement the timetable method 500, and for ease of explanation, the method 500 is described with reference to the timetable 300. In the implementation, methods such as... Figure 4 The example implements method 500 using only the coordinator time period 400, and for ease of explanation, method 500 is described with reference to only the coordinator time period 400. In other implementations, method 500 is implemented using a suitable timetable different from timetable 300 and / or a suitable coordinator time period different from only the coordinator time period 400.

[0065] At box 504, the coordinator communication device determines (e.g., coordinator 108 determines, network silence controller 160 determines, etc.) that a time period in which only coordinator 108 will have the opportunity to transmit is about to begin. This time period includes multiple second time cycles, each second time cycle i) beginning with the coordinator communication device transmitting a beacon signal, and ii) including a second transmission opportunity following the beacon signal, which is used by the coordinator communication device. For example, in an implementation, the time period is... Figure 3 The time period is 304. In another embodiment, this time period is Figure 4 The time period is 400. In other embodiments, this time period is different. Figure 3 The time period 304 and Figure 4 Another suitable time period is 400.

[0066] At block 508, the coordinator sends (e.g., coordinator 108 sends) one or more signals to a following communication device (e.g., following device 112) to prompt the following communication device to avoid sending during that time period. In an embodiment, the one or more signals sent at block 508 include beacon signals (e.g., beacon signal 308). In an embodiment, the communication protocol specifies that: i) the coordinator communication device will send a beacon signal to notify the corresponding start of each first time period, and ii) the coordinator communication device has a corresponding initial first transmission opportunity immediately following the beacon signal in each first time period; and sending one or more signals at block 508 includes, for each of a plurality of second transmission opportunities during that time period, the coordinator communication device immediately following the second transmission opportunity to send a subsequent beacon signal.

[0067] In another embodiment, the communication protocol specifies that, for each first time period, i) each communication device in the communication network is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity during the first time period, and ii) after all communication devices in the communication network have had transmission opportunities during the first time period, the coordinator communication device will send the next beacon signal to notify the start of the next first time period; the follower communication device maintains corresponding parameters indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network; and sending one or more signals at block 508 includes, with respect to the time period, sending a data packet prompting the follower communication device to set the corresponding parameters of the follower communication device to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network.

[0068] At block 512, the coordinator communication device transmits (e.g., coordinator 108 transmits) one or more time-sensitive data packets during one or more second transmission opportunities within that time period. According to an embodiment, transmitting one or more time-sensitive data packets at block 512 includes transmitting a data packet including a timestamp indicating the time of the coordinator communication device's clock at the time the coordinator communication device transmits the data packet. For example, in an embodiment, transmitting the timestamped data packet facilitates the follower communication device synchronizing its corresponding clock with the coordinator communication device's clock. Transmitting the timestamped data packet includes transmitting a synchronization message defined by PTP to facilitate the follower communication device synchronizing its corresponding clock with the coordinator communication device's clock.

[0069] In another embodiment, method 500 further includes: coordinator communication device maintenance (e.g., coordinator 108 maintenance) indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network; and regarding the time period, coordinator communication device setting (e.g., coordinator 108 maintenance) parameters to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network.

[0070] In another embodiment, method 500 further includes: the coordinator communication device waiting (e.g., coordinator 108 waiting) for the coordinator communication device to transmit at least two beacon signals during the time period; and only after waiting for the coordinator communication device to transmit at least two beacon signals during the time period does the coordinator communication device begin to transmit (e.g., coordinator 108 begins to transmit) one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period.

[0071] In another embodiment, method 500 further includes: a coordinator communication device determining (e.g., coordinator 108 determining) the number of beacon signals to be transmitted during the time period before beginning to transmit one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period, wherein the number of beacon signals is at least two; and the coordinator communication device only beginning to transmit (e.g., coordinator 108 beginning to transmit) one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period after transmitting that number of beacon signals during the time period.

[0072] Figure 6 This is according to the implementation method for use during only the coordinator time period, for example, only the coordinator time period 304 ( Figure 3 ) and / or only the coordinator time period 400 ( Figure 4 A flowchart of an example method 600 operating during the process. In an implementation, method 600 relates to... Figure 5 Method 500 is executed. In another embodiment, method 600 is executed with respect to a different suitable method for a silent communication network than method 500.

[0073] In an implementation, method 600 is as follows: Figure 1 The method is implemented in the communication network 100, and for ease of explanation, method 600 refers to... Figure 1 Description. In other embodiments, method 600 is implemented in a different suitable communication network than communication network 100. In embodiments, method 600 is... Figure 1 The method is implemented by coordinator 108. In other embodiments, method 600 is implemented by another suitable communication device different from coordinator 108.

[0074] In an implementation, method 600 is as follows: Figure 3 The example timetable 300 is implemented within the context of the timetable, and for ease of explanation, method 600 is described with reference to timetable 300. In the implementation, method 600 is... Figure 4The example is implemented only in the context of coordinator time period 400, and for ease of explanation, method 600 is described with reference to coordinator time period 400 only. In other implementations, method 600 is implemented in the context of a suitable timetable different from timetable 300 and / or a suitable coordinator time period different from coordinator time period 400 only.

[0075] Method 600 begins when the coordinator communication device starts a coordinator-only time period. At block 608, the coordinator communication device sends (e.g., coordinator 108 sends) a beacon signal. For example, coordinator 108 sends beacon 308 during coordinator-only time period 304 and / or coordinator-only time period 400.

[0076] At block 612, the coordinator communication device transmits (e.g., coordinator 108 transmits) data packets during the transmission opportunity of the beacon following block 608. For example, coordinator 108 transmits data packets during transmission opportunity 312 following beacon signal 308. Alternatively, the coordinator communication device does not transmit anything during the transmission opportunity of the beacon following block 608. In such a case, in the embodiment, the transmission opportunity ends after Tmin from the end of beacon signal transmission. Otherwise, when transmitting data packets, the transmission opportunity ends at the end of data packet transmission.

[0077] At box 616, the coordinator communication device determines (e.g., coordinator 108 determines, network silence controller 160 determines, etc.) whether the coordinator-only time period has ended. In response to determining that the coordinator-only time period has ended, the process ends. On the other hand, in response to determining that the coordinator-only time period has not ended, the process returns to box 608, where the coordinator communication device sends the next beacon signal. The transmission of the next beacon signal begins immediately after (or even before) the end of the transmission opportunity to help prevent follower device 112 (e.g., follower device 112-1) from attempting to transmit during the transmission opportunity. If coordinator 108 sends a data packet at box 612, the transmission of the next beacon signal begins immediately after the end of the data packet transmission, for example, any time gap between the end of the data packet transmission and the start of the beacon transmission is small enough that follower device 112 (e.g., follower device 112-1) will not detect that communication medium 104 is idle. Similarly, if the coordinator 108 does not send a data packet at block 612, the transmission of the next beacon signal will begin before, at, or immediately after the end of the transmission opportunity (at Tmin), for example, any time gap between the end of the transmission opportunity and the start of the beacon transmission is small enough that the follower 112 (e.g., follower 112-1) will not detect that the communication medium 104 is idle.

[0078] Figure 7 It is according to the implementation method for use during only the coordinator time period, for example only the coordinator time period 304 ( Figure 3 ) and / or only the coordinator time period 400 ( Figure 4 A flowchart of an example method 700 for sending one or more time-sensitive data packets during a certain period. In an implementation, method 700 relates to... Figure 5 Method 500 is executed. In another embodiment, method 700 is executed with respect to a different suitable method for a silent communication network than method 500. In this embodiment, method 700 is performed with respect to... Figure 6 Method 600 is used to perform this. In another embodiment, method 700 is performed with respect to a different, suitable method, different from method 600, for operation during the coordinator-only time period.

[0079] In an implementation, method 700 is as follows: Figure 1 The method is implemented in the communication network 100, and for ease of explanation, method 700 refers to... Figure 1 Description. In other embodiments, method 700 is implemented in a different suitable communication network than communication network 100. In embodiments, method 700 is... Figure 1 The method is implemented by coordinator 108. In other embodiments, method 700 is implemented by another suitable communication device different from coordinator 108.

[0080] In an implementation, method 700 is as follows: Figure 3 The example timetable 300 is implemented within the context of the timetable, and for ease of explanation, method 700 is described with reference to timetable 300. In the implementation, method 700 is... Figure 4 The example is implemented only in the context of coordinator time period 400, and for ease of explanation, method 700 is described with reference to coordinator time period 400 only. In other implementations, method 700 is implemented in the context of a suitable timetable different from timetable 300 and / or a suitable coordinator time period different from coordinator time period 400 only.

[0081] Method 700 begins when the coordinator communication device starts a coordinator-only time period. At block 708, the coordinator communication device waits (e.g., coordinator 108 waits) to send at least two beacon signals during the coordinator time period. For example, coordinator 108 waits to send at least two beacons 308 during coordinator-only time period 304 and / or coordinator-only time period 400.

[0082] In one implementation, method 700 further includes the coordinator communication device determining (e.g., coordinator 108 determines) a delay time period (e.g., delay time period 404) between the start of the coordinator time period and the start of time-sensitive data packet transmission. In another implementation, the delay time period is determined as the number of beacon signals to be sent before the start of time-sensitive data packet transmission. In yet another implementation, the delay time period is determined in units of time.

[0083] At box 712, the coordinator communication device sends (e.g., coordinator 108 sends) one or more time-sensitive data packets during the coordinator time period only after sending at least two beacon signals. For example, coordinator 108 sends time-sensitive data packet 412 only after sending at least two beacons 308 during the coordinator-only period 400.

[0084] Refer again Figure 3 and Figure 4 According to embodiments, in some implementations, the coordinator 108 authorizes the follower device 112 to access one or more transmission opportunities 312, allowing the follower device 112 to transmit during one or more transmission opportunities 312. For example, in one implementation, the coordinator 108 sends a data packet to the follower device 112 during an earlier transmission opportunity, informing the follower device 112 that it can transmit in a later transmission opportunity. In another implementation, in response to receiving a data packet, the follower device 112 transmits a data packet (or some other signal, such as a test signal) during a transmission opportunity 312.

[0085] Figure 8 This is a simplified block diagram of an example network interface 800 according to an embodiment configured for transmission in a silent communication network. In the embodiment, network interface 800 corresponds to... Figure 1 Network interface 108. In another embodiment, network interface 800 is different from... Figure 1 The communication network 100 operates within a suitable communication network. Additionally, in some embodiments, Figure 1 The network interface 108 has a different structure than the network interface 800.

[0086] In some implementations, network interface 800 is configured to operate according to a schedule, such as Figure 3 The timetable 300 or another suitable timetable. In some implementations, the network interface 800 is configured to operate according to a coordinator-only time period, such as... Figure 3 Coordinator time period only 304, Figure 4 The coordinator-only time period 400 or another suitable coordinator-only time period. In various implementations, network interface 800 is configured to perform... Figures 5 to 7 One or more methods. In other implementations, network interface 800 performs different... Figures 5 to 7 Other suitable methods of the method. In other implementations, Figures 5 to 7 One or more methods are implemented by a network interface having a suitable structure different from network interface 800.

[0087] Network interface 800 includes a MAC processor 804 coupled to PHY processor 808. In one embodiment, MAC processor 804 is configured to perform MAC layer protocol operations on data packets received via and to be transmitted via communication medium 104. MAC processor 804 operates according to a communication protocol such as that described herein or another suitable communication protocol. In one embodiment, MAC processor 804 operates according to the IEEE standard 802.3cg protocol.

[0088] The MAC processor 804 provides data packets to the PHY processor 808 for transmission via the communication medium 104. Additionally, the MAC processor 804 receives data packets from the PHY processor 808, which correspond to signals received by the PHY processor 808 via the communication medium 104.

[0089] The PHY processor 808 is configured to receive data packets from the MAC processor 804, generate a transmission signal corresponding to the data packets, and transmit the signal via the communication medium 104. Similarly, the PHY processor 808 is configured to receive signals from the corresponding communication medium 104, decode data packets from the received signals, and then transmit the data packets to the MAC processor 804.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the MAC processor 804 includes a processor coupled to a memory storing machine-readable instructions, and the machine-readable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform actions corresponding to MAC layer protocol operations. Alternatively or alternatively, according to another embodiment, the MAC processor 804 includes a hardware state machine that performs actions corresponding to MAC layer protocol operations.

[0091] The PHY processor 808 includes components such as filters, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), and amplifiers. According to one embodiment, the PHY processor 808 also includes a hardware state machine configured to control the PHY processor 808 to perform actions corresponding to PHY protocol operations. Alternatively, according to another embodiment, the PHY processor 808 includes a processor coupled to a memory storing machine-readable instructions, and when executed by the processor, the machine-readable instructions cause the processor to perform actions corresponding to PHY protocol operations.

[0092] PHY processor 808 includes the memories 116 and 120 discussed above. Additionally, PHY processor 808 includes the counter 140 discussed above. In one embodiment, PHY processor 808 includes a network silencing controller 160. In another embodiment, network silencing controller 160 includes a hardware state machine that performs actions corresponding to silent transfers as described herein. Alternatively, in another embodiment, network silencing controller 160 includes a processor coupled to a memory storing machine-readable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform actions corresponding to silent transfers, such as those described herein. In some embodiments, network silencing controller 160 is decoupled from PHY processor 808.

[0093] In some embodiments, the PHY processor 808 includes circuitry configured to perform signal level measurements on the shared communication medium 104. In other embodiments, the PHY processor 808 additionally or alternatively includes circuitry configured to perform power level measurements on the shared communication medium 104. In other embodiments, the PHY processor 808 additionally or alternatively includes circuitry configured to perform echo measurements on the shared communication medium 104.

[0094] A time-sensitive communications controller 164 is coupled to a MAC processor 804. The time-sensitive communications controller 164 generates messages (e.g., PTP messages or other suitable messages) and provides these messages to the MAC processor 804 for transmission via the communication medium 104. Additionally, the time-sensitive communications controller 164 receives messages (e.g., PTP messages or other suitable messages) from the MAC processor 804, which are received via the communication medium 104.

[0095] In some implementations, the time-sensitive communication controller 164 is omitted.

[0096] Implementation 1: A method for time-sensitive communication in a communication network operating according to a communication protocol, the method comprising: at a coordinator communication device, determining that a time period in which only the coordinator communication device will have the opportunity to transmit is about to begin, the time period comprising a plurality of time cycles, each time cycle i) beginning with the coordinator communication device transmitting a beacon signal, ii) including a transmission opportunity for a follow-up beacon signal, the transmission opportunity being for the coordinator communication device; the coordinator communication device transmitting one or more signals to follow-up communication devices to prompt the follow-up communication devices to avoid transmission during the time period; and the coordinator communication device transmitting one or more time-sensitive data packets during one or more transmission opportunities in the time period.

[0097] Implementation Method 2: According to the method of Implementation Method 1, wherein: the communication protocol specifies that: i) the coordinator communication device will send a beacon signal to notify the corresponding start of each first time period, and ii) the coordinator communication device has a corresponding initial first transmission opportunity immediately following the beacon signal in each first time period; and sends one or more signals to prompt the following communication devices to avoid transmitting during that time period, including, for each of the multiple transmission opportunities during that time period, the coordinator communication device immediately following the transmission opportunity to send a subsequent beacon signal.

[0098] Implementation 3: According to the method of Implementation 2, wherein: the communication protocol further specifies that, for each first time period, i) each communication device in the communication network is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity during the first time period, and ii) after all communication devices in the communication network have had transmission opportunities in the first time period, the coordinator communication device will send the next beacon signal to notify the start of the next first time period; and the method further includes: maintaining a parameter at the coordinator communication device indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network, and setting the parameter at the coordinator communication device with respect to the time period to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network.

[0099] Implementation 4: According to the method of Implementation 3, wherein the follower communication device maintains other parameters indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network, and wherein sending one or more signals to prompt the follower communication device to avoid sending during a time period further includes: with respect to the time period, the coordinator communication device sending a data packet prompting the follower communication device to set the corresponding parameters of the follower communication device to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network.

[0100] Implementation 5: A method according to any one of Implementations 1 to 4, wherein: the communication protocol specifies that, for each first time period, i) each communication device in the communication network is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity during the first time period, and ii) after all communication devices in the communication network have had transmission opportunities during the first time period, the coordinator communication device will send the next beacon signal to notify the start of the next first time period; the follower communication device maintains corresponding parameters indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network; and sends one or more signals to prompt the follower communication device to send data packets during the time period that avoid include: with respect to the time period, the coordinator communication device sends a data packet that prompts the follower communication device to set the corresponding parameters of the follower communication device to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network.

[0101] Implementation 6: The method according to any one of Implementations 1 to 5 further includes: at the coordinator communication device, waiting for the coordinator communication device to send at least two beacon signals during the time period; and only after waiting for the coordinator communication device to send at least two beacon signals during the time period, the coordinator communication device begins to send one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period.

[0102] Implementation 7: The method according to Implementation 6 further includes: determining at the coordinator communication device the number of beacon signals to be transmitted during the time period before starting to transmit one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period, wherein the number of beacon signals is at least two; and the coordinator communication device only starting to transmit one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period after transmitting the number of beacon signals during the time period.

[0103] Implementation method 8: The method according to any one of implementation methods 1 to 7, wherein transmitting one or more time-sensitive data packets includes: transmitting a data packet including a timestamp during one of the transmission opportunities, the timestamp indicating the time of the clock of the coordinator communication device when the coordinator communication device transmits the data packet.

[0104] Implementation 9: According to the method of Implementation 8, sending a data packet including a timestamp includes: sending a data packet including a timestamp, the timestamp being used to facilitate the follower communication device synchronizing its corresponding clock with the coordinator communication device's clock.

[0105] Implementation 10: According to the method of Implementation 9, sending a data packet including a timestamp includes: sending a synchronization message defined by a Precise Time Protocol (PTP) to facilitate the follower communication device to synchronize its corresponding clock with the clock of the coordinator communication device.

[0106] Implementation 11: According to any one of Implementations 1 to 11, the communication protocol defines a repeating first time period and specifies that each of the plurality of communication devices is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity in each first time period; and the time period includes a plurality of second time periods, each second time period including a second transmission opportunity following a beacon signal.

[0107] Implementation 12: A network interface device for communicating in a communication network operating according to a communication protocol, the network interface device being configured to operate as a coordinator communication device, and comprising: a transmitting circuit; and a controller circuit configured to: determine that a time period in which only the coordinator communication device will have the opportunity to transmit is about to begin, the time period comprising a plurality of time cycles, each time cycle i) beginning with the coordinator communication device transmitting a beacon signal, and ii) including a transmission opportunity for a follow-up beacon signal for the coordinator communication device, controlling the transmitting circuit to transmit one or more signals to follow-up communication devices to prompt the follow-up communication devices to avoid transmitting during the time period, and controlling the transmitting circuit to transmit one or more time-sensitive data packets during one or more transmission opportunities within the time period.

[0108] Implementation 13: A network interface device according to Implementation 12, wherein: the communication protocol specifies that: i) the coordinator communication device will send a beacon signal to notify the corresponding start of each first time period, and ii) the coordinator communication device has a corresponding initial first transmission opportunity immediately following the beacon signal in each first time period; and the controller circuit is configured to control the transmission circuit to send a subsequent beacon signal immediately following the transmission opportunity for each of the multiple transmission opportunities during the time period.

[0109] Implementation 14: A network interface device according to Implementation 13, wherein the controller circuitry includes a memory, and wherein: the communication protocol further specifies that, for each first time period, i) each communication device in the communication network is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity during the first time period, and ii) after all communication devices in the communication network have had transmission opportunities during the first time period, the coordinator communication device will send the next beacon signal to notify the start of the next first time period; and the controller circuitry is configured to: maintain a parameter stored in the memory indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network, and set the parameter to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network with respect to a time period.

[0110] Implementation 15: A network interface device according to Implementation 14, wherein the follower communication device maintains other parameters indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network, and wherein the controller is further configured to: control the transmission circuit to send data packets with respect to a time period, the data packets prompting the follower communication device to set corresponding parameters of the follower communication device to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network.

[0111] Implementation 16: A network interface device according to any one of Implementations 12 to 15, wherein: the communication protocol specifies that, for each first time period, i) each communication device in the communication network is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity during the first time period, and ii) after all communication devices in the communication network have had transmission opportunities during the first time period, the coordinator communication device will send a next beacon signal to notify the start of the next first time period; the follower communication device maintains corresponding parameters indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network; and the control transmission circuitry sends a data packet with respect to that time period, the data packet prompting the follower communication device to set corresponding parameters of the follower communication device to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network.

[0112] Implementation 17: A network interface device according to any one of Implementations 12 to 16, wherein the controller is further configured to: wait for the transmitting circuit to transmit at least two beacon signals during a time period; and only after the transmitting circuit has transmitted at least two beacon signals during the time period, control the transmitting circuit to begin transmitting one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period.

[0113] Implementation 18: The network interface device according to Implementation 17, wherein the controller is further configured to: determine the number of beacon signals that the transmitting circuit will transmit during the time period, wherein the number of beacon signals is at least two, before starting to transmit one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period; and control the transmitting circuit to start transmitting one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period only after the transmitting circuit has transmitted that number of beacon signals during the time period.

[0114] Implementation 19: A network interface device according to any one of Implementations 12 to 18, wherein the network interface further includes a clock, and wherein the controller is further configured to control the transmitting circuit to transmit a data packet including a timestamp, the timestamp indicating the time of the clock of the coordinator communication device when the coordinator communication device transmits the data packet.

[0115] Implementation 20: A network interface device according to implementation 19, wherein the controller is further configured to control the transmitting circuit to transmit data packets including timestamps, the timestamps being used to facilitate the follower communication device to synchronize the corresponding clock of the follower communication device with the clock of the coordinator communication device.

[0116] Implementation 21: A network interface device according to implementation 20, wherein the network interface further includes a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) controller, and wherein the controller is further configured to control the transmitting circuit to send a synchronization message from the PTP controller, the synchronization message being defined by PTP to facilitate the follower communication device to synchronize the corresponding clock of the follower communication device with the clock of the coordinator communication device.

[0117] Implementation 22: A network interface device according to any one of Implementations 12 to 21, wherein the communication protocol defines a repeating first time period and specifies that: each of the plurality of communication devices is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity in each first time period; and the time period includes a plurality of second time periods, each second time period including a second transmission opportunity following a beacon signal.

[0118] Some of the various blocks, operations, and techniques described above can be implemented using hardware, a processor executing firmware instructions, a processor executing software instructions, or any suitable combination thereof. When implemented using a processor executing software or firmware instructions, the software or firmware instructions can be stored in any suitable computer-readable storage medium. The software or firmware instructions may include machine-readable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause one or more processors to perform the various actions described above.

[0119] When implemented in hardware, the hardware may include one or more of the following: discrete components, integrated circuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs).

[0120] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, these examples are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the invention. Changes, additions and / or deletions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Claims (as amended under Article 19 of the Treaty) 1. A method for time-sensitive communication in a communication network operating according to a communication protocol, the communication protocol defining a recurring first time period, wherein the communication protocol specifies that each of a plurality of communication devices is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity in each first time period, the method comprising: At the coordinator communication device, a time period in which only the coordinator communication device will have the opportunity to transmit is determined to begin, the time period comprising a plurality of second time periods, each second time period i) beginning with the coordinator communication device transmitting a beacon signal and ii) including a second transmission opportunity following the beacon signal, the second transmission opportunity being for the coordinator communication device; The coordinator communication device sends one or more signals to the follower communication device to terminate each second time period in conjunction with the end of the corresponding second transmission opportunity, thereby prompting the follower communication device to avoid transmitting during the time period; and The coordinator communication device transmits one or more time-sensitive data packets during one or more second transmission opportunities within the time period. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The communication protocol specifies that: i) the coordinator communication device will send a beacon signal to notify the corresponding start of each first time period; and ii) the coordinator communication device has a corresponding initial first transmission opportunity in each first time period immediately following the beacon signal; and Sending one or more signals to terminate each second time period in conjunction with the end of the corresponding second transmission opportunity to prompt the follower communication device to avoid transmission during the time period includes: for each of the multiple second transmission opportunities during the time period, the coordinator communication device immediately following the second transmission opportunity to send a subsequent beacon signal. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The communication protocol further specifies that, for each first time period, i) each communication device in the communication network is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity during the first time period, and ii) after all communication devices in the communication network have had a transmission opportunity in the first time period, the coordinator communication device will send the next beacon signal to notify the start of the next first time period; and The method further includes: The coordinator communication device maintains a parameter indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network, and Regarding the time period, the parameter is set at the coordinator communication device to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the follower communication device maintains corresponding other parameters indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network, and wherein sending the one or more signals to terminate each second time period in conjunction with the end of a corresponding second transmission opportunity to prompt the follower communication device to avoid transmission during the time period further includes: Regarding the time period, the coordinator communication device sends a data packet that prompts the follower communication device to set the corresponding parameters of the follower communication device to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The communication protocol specifies that for each first time period, i) each communication device in the communication network is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity during the first time period, and ii) after all communication devices in the communication network have had a transmission opportunity in the first time period, the coordinator communication device will send the next beacon signal to notify the start of the next first time period; The follow-up communication device maintains a parameter indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network; and Sending one or more signals to terminate each second time period in conjunction with the end of the corresponding second transmission opportunity to prompt the follower communication device to avoid transmission during the time period includes: with respect to the time period, the coordinator communication device sending a data packet that prompts the follower communication device to set the follower communication device's corresponding parameters to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network. 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: At the coordinator communication device, wait for the coordinator communication device to send at least two beacon signals during the time period; and The coordinator communication device only begins to send the one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period after waiting for the coordinator communication device to send the at least two beacon signals during the time period. 7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: Before coordinating the transmission of one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period, the number of beacon signals to be transmitted during the time period is determined at the coordinator communication device, wherein the number of beacon signals is at least two; and The coordinator communication device only begins sending the one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period after the number of beacon signals has been sent during the time period. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein sending the one or more time-sensitive data packets comprises: During one of the second transmission opportunities, a data packet including a timestamp is transmitted, the timestamp indicating the time of the coordinator communication device's clock when the coordinator communication device transmits the data packet. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein sending the data packet including the timestamp comprises: The data packet including the timestamp is sent, the timestamp being used to facilitate the follower communication device synchronizing its corresponding clock with the coordinator communication device's clock. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein sending the data packet including the timestamp comprises: Sending synchronization messages defined by the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) to facilitate the follower communication device synchronizing its corresponding clock with the coordinator communication device's clock. 11. A network interface device for communicating in a communication network operating according to a communication protocol, the communication protocol defining a recurring first time period, wherein the communication protocol specifies that each of a plurality of communication devices is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity in each first time period, the network interface device being configured to operate as a coordinator communication device, and comprising: Transmitting circuit; and The controller circuit is configured to: A time period is determined to begin in which only the coordinator communication device will have the opportunity to transmit. This time period comprises a plurality of second time periods, each second time period i) beginning with the coordinator communication device transmitting a beacon signal and ii) including a second transmission opportunity following the beacon signal, the second transmission opportunity being used by the coordinator communication device. The transmitting circuit is controlled to send one or more signals to the following communication device to terminate each second time period in conjunction with the end of a corresponding second transmission opportunity, thereby prompting the following communication device to avoid transmitting during the time period. The transmitting circuit is controlled to transmit one or more time-sensitive data packets during one or more second transmitting opportunities within the time period. 12. The network interface device according to claim 11, wherein: The communication protocol specifies that: i) the coordinator communication device will send a beacon signal to notify the corresponding start of each first time period; and ii) the coordinator communication device has a corresponding initial first transmission opportunity in each first time period immediately following the beacon signal; and The controller circuit is configured to control the transmitting circuit to transmit a subsequent beacon signal immediately following each of the multiple second transmitting opportunities during the time period. 13. The network interface device of claim 12, wherein the controller circuitry includes a memory, and wherein: The communication protocol further specifies that, for each first time period, i) each communication device in the communication network is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity during the first time period, and ii) after all communication devices in the communication network have had a transmission opportunity in the first time period, the coordinator communication device will send the next beacon signal to notify the start of the next first time period; and The controller circuit is configured to: Maintain parameters stored in the memory, the parameters indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network, and Regarding the time period, the parameter is set to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network. 14. The network interface device of claim 13, wherein the follower communication device maintains corresponding other parameters indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network, and wherein the controller is further configured to: Regarding the time period, the transmitting circuit is controlled to send data packets, which prompt the following communication device to set the corresponding parameters of the following communication device to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network. 15. The network interface device according to claim 11, wherein: The communication protocol specifies that for each first time period, i) each communication device in the communication network is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity during the first time period, and ii) after all communication devices in the communication network have had a transmission opportunity in the first time period, the coordinator communication device will send the next beacon signal to notify the start of the next first time period; The follow-up communication device maintains a parameter indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network; and The transmitting circuit is controlled to transmit data packets over the time period, the data packets prompting the following communication device to set corresponding parameters of the following communication device to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network. 16. The network interface device according to claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to: Waiting for the transmitting circuit to transmit at least two beacon signals during the time period; and The transmitting circuit is controlled to begin transmitting the one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period only after the transmitting circuit has transmitted the at least two beacon signals during the time period. 17. The network interface device according to claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to: Before commencing transmission of the one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period, the number of beacon signals that the transmitting circuit will transmit during the time period is determined, wherein the number of beacon signals is at least two; and The transmitting circuit is only controlled to begin transmitting the one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period after the transmitting circuit has transmitted the number of beacon signals during the time period. 18. The network interface device of claim 11, wherein the network interface further includes a clock, and wherein the controller is further configured to: The transmitting circuit is controlled to transmit data packets including timestamps, the timestamps indicating the time of the coordinator communication device's clock when the coordinator communication device transmits the data packets. 19. The network interface device according to claim 18, wherein the controller is further configured to: The transmitting circuit is controlled to transmit the data packet including the timestamp, which facilitates the follower communication device to synchronize its corresponding clock with the coordinator communication device's clock. 20. The network interface device of claim 19, wherein the network interface further comprises a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) controller, and wherein the controller is further configured to: The transmitting circuit is controlled to send a synchronization message defined by the PTP from the PTP controller to facilitate the follower communication device to synchronize its corresponding clock with the clock of the coordinator communication device.

Claims

1. A method for time-sensitive communication in a communication network operating according to a communication protocol, said communication protocol defining a repeating first time period, wherein, The communication protocol specifies that each of the multiple communication devices is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity in each first time period, and the method includes: At the coordinator communication device, a time period in which only the coordinator communication device will have the opportunity to transmit is determined to begin, the time period comprising a plurality of second time periods, each second time period i) beginning with the coordinator communication device transmitting a beacon signal and ii) including a second transmission opportunity following the beacon signal, the second transmission opportunity being for the coordinator communication device; The coordinator communication device sends one or more signals to the follower communication device to prompt the follower communication device to avoid sending during the stated time period; and The coordinator communication device transmits one or more time-sensitive data packets during one or more second transmission opportunities within the time period.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The communication protocol specifies that: i) the coordinator communication device will send a beacon signal to notify the corresponding start of each first time period, and ii) the coordinator communication device has a corresponding initial first transmission opportunity in each first time period following the beacon signal; and Sending one or more signals to prompt the follower communication device to avoid sending during the time period includes: for each of a plurality of second transmission opportunities during the time period, the coordinator communication device immediately following the second transmission opportunity to send a subsequent beacon signal.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The communication protocol also specifies that for each first time period, i) each communication device in the communication network is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity during the first time period, and ii) after all communication devices in the communication network have had a transmission opportunity in the first time period, the coordinator communication device will send the next beacon signal to notify the start of the next first time period; and The method further includes: The coordinator communication device maintains a parameter indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network, and Regarding the time period, the parameter is set at the coordinator communication device to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The follower communication device maintains other parameters indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network, and wherein sending one or more signals to prompt the follower communication device to avoid sending during the time period further includes: Regarding the time period, the coordinator communication device sends a data packet that prompts the follower communication device to set the corresponding parameters of the follower communication device to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The communication protocol specifies that for each first time period, i) each communication device in the communication network is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity during the first time period, and ii) after all communication devices in the communication network have had a transmission opportunity in the first time period, the coordinator communication device will send the next beacon signal to notify the start of the next first time period; The following communication device maintenance indicates the corresponding parameter of the number of communication devices in the communication network; and Sending one or more signals to prompt the following communication device to avoid sending during the time period includes: regarding the time period, the coordinating communication device sending a data packet prompting the following communication device to set appropriate parameters of the following communication device to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: At the coordinator communication device, wait for the coordinator communication device to send at least two beacon signals during the time period; and The coordinator communication device only begins to send the one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period after waiting for the coordinator communication device to send the at least two beacon signals during the time period.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: Before coordinating the transmission of one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period, the number of beacon signals to be transmitted during the time period is determined at the coordinator communication device, wherein the number of beacon signals is at least two; and The coordinator communication device only begins sending the one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period after the number of beacon signals has been sent during the time period.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Sending the one or more time-sensitive data packets includes: During one of the second transmission opportunities, a data packet including a timestamp is transmitted, the timestamp indicating the time of the coordinator communication device's clock when the coordinator communication device transmits the data packet.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, Sending the data packet including the timestamp includes: The data packet including the timestamp is sent, the timestamp being used to facilitate the follower communication device synchronizing its corresponding clock with the coordinator communication device's clock.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, Sending the data packet including the timestamp includes: Sending synchronization messages defined by the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) to facilitate the follower communication device synchronizing its corresponding clock with the coordinator communication device's clock.

11. A network interface device for communicating in a communication network operating according to a communication protocol, the communication protocol defining a recurring first time period, wherein, The communication protocol specifies that each of the multiple communication devices is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity in each first time period, the network interface device is configured to operate as a coordinator communication device, and includes: Transmitting circuit; and The controller circuit is configured to: A time period is determined to begin in which only the coordinator communication device will have the opportunity to transmit. This time period comprises a plurality of second time periods, each second time period i) beginning with the coordinator communication device transmitting a beacon signal and ii) including a second transmission opportunity following the beacon signal, the second transmission opportunity being used by the coordinator communication device. Control the transmitting circuit to send one or more signals to the following communication device to prompt the following communication device to avoid transmitting during the said time period, and The transmitting circuit is controlled to transmit one or more time-sensitive data packets during one or more second transmitting opportunities within the time period.

12. The network interface device according to claim 11, wherein: The communication protocol specifies that: i) the coordinator communication device will send a beacon signal to notify the corresponding start of each first time period; and ii) the coordinator communication device has a corresponding initial first transmission opportunity in each first time period immediately following the beacon signal; and The controller circuit is configured to control the transmitting circuit to transmit a subsequent beacon signal immediately following each of the multiple second transmitting opportunities during the time period.

13. The network interface device according to claim 12, wherein, The controller circuit includes a memory, and wherein: The communication protocol further specifies that, for each first time period, i) each communication device in the communication network is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity during the first time period, and ii) after all communication devices in the communication network have had a transmission opportunity in the first time period, the coordinator communication device will send the next beacon signal to notify the start of the next first time period; and The controller circuit is configured to: Maintain parameters stored in the memory, the parameters indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network, and Regarding the time period, the parameter is set to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network.

14. The network interface device according to claim 13, wherein, The follow-up communication device maintains other parameters indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network, and wherein the controller is further configured to: Regarding the time period, the transmitting circuit is controlled to send data packets, which prompt the following communication device to set the corresponding parameters of the following communication device to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network.

15. The network interface device according to claim 11, wherein: The communication protocol specifies that for each first time period, i) each communication device in the communication network is provided with a corresponding first transmission opportunity during the first time period, and ii) after all communication devices in the communication network have had a transmission opportunity in the first time period, the coordinator communication device will send the next beacon signal to notify the start of the next first time period; The follow-up communication device maintains a parameter indicating the number of communication devices in the communication network; and The transmitting circuit is controlled to transmit data packets over the time period, the data packets prompting the following communication device to set corresponding parameters of the following communication device to indicate that there is only one communication device in the communication network.

16. The network interface device according to claim 11, wherein, The controller is also configured to: Waiting for the transmitting circuit to transmit at least two beacon signals during the time period; and The transmitting circuit is controlled to begin transmitting the one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period only after the transmitting circuit has transmitted the at least two beacon signals during the time period.

17. The network interface device according to claim 16, wherein, The controller is also configured to: Before commencing transmission of the one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period, the number of beacon signals that the transmitting circuit will transmit during the time period is determined, wherein the number of beacon signals is at least two; and The transmitting circuit is only controlled to begin transmitting the one or more time-sensitive data packets during the time period after the transmitting circuit has transmitted the number of beacon signals during the time period.

18. The network interface device according to claim 11, wherein, The network interface also includes a clock, and the controller is further configured to: The transmitting circuit is controlled to transmit data packets including timestamps, the timestamps indicating the time of the coordinator communication device's clock when the coordinator communication device transmits the data packets.

19. The network interface device according to claim 18, wherein, The controller is also configured to: The transmitting circuit is controlled to transmit the data packet including the timestamp, which facilitates the follower communication device to synchronize its corresponding clock with the coordinator communication device's clock.

20. The network interface device according to claim 19, wherein, The network interface also includes a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) controller, wherein the controller is further configured to: The transmitting circuit is controlled to send a synchronization message defined by the PTP from the PTP controller to facilitate the follower communication device to synchronize its corresponding clock with the clock of the coordinator communication device.

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