Wired / wireless hybrid network and associated communication method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wired / wireless hybrid network (10) comprising: - a user equipment (12); - a communication node (14); - a plurality of switches (16A, 16B, 16C) connected to the communication node (14) by a wired Ethernet TSN network (22) and to the user equipment (12) by a wireless 3GPP network (20), the user equipment (12) implementing an equipment-side translator (32); - one or more user plane functions (18A, 18B) each implementing a network-side translator (28A, 28B). The network is characterized in that the translator (32, 28A, 28B) is configured to replicate each AS and / or Qbv frame originating from the communication node (14) or from the user equipment (12) with a view to transmitting replicas of this frame via the wireless network using different paths.

Description

[0001] TITLE: Hybrid wired-wireless network and associated communication method

[0002] The present invention relates to a hybrid wired-wireless network. The present invention also relates to a communication method implemented in such a network.

[0003] In particular, the invention relates to interconnected networks of the ETHERNET TSN type and of the 3GPP type (or any later version) and makes it possible to make such a network highly resilient and reliable.

[0004] As is well known, the term TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking) refers to a set of standards that extend the Ethernet network to meet the stringent requirements of real-time communications. TSN standards were originally designed for Ethernet networks, but there is currently a growing demand for wireless and hybrid wired-wireless TSN networks. In particular, when it comes to wireless networks, these are 5G networks (as defined by the 3GPP organization) or any later version.

[0005] A hybrid wired-wireless network may, for example, have two Ethernet TSN domains connected by a 5G domain in the middle. Such a network can be observed, for example, in a smart factory, where the robots in the factory are controlled by controllers deployed in a remote center, and this center is connected to the factory via the 5G network. The 5G network includes, for example, user equipment (UE), switches (e.g., gNB, Next Generation NodeB), and a user plane function (UPF). The transmission from the controller to the user equipment is called the downlink, and the reverse transmission is called the uplink.

[0006] When applying TSN standards for Ethernet, wired links offer high reliability in terms of loss, delay and jitter.

[0007] However, when this ETHERNET TSN network coexists with a wireless network, for example, 5G, this application of TSN standards becomes less resilient and reliable due to unexpected losses, high delays and jitter.

[0008] To address this issue, the use of network-side translators, called Network-Side TSN Translator (TSN NW-TT), and device-side translators, called Device-Side TSN Translator (TSN DS-TT), has been proposed in the art. These translators transform the 5G domain into a TSN virtual switch, which allows TSN mechanisms to operate over this interconnected 5G-Ethernet network. However, these TSN translators only allow TSN mechanisms to operate, without considering resilience and reliability, which are critical issues in a hybrid wired-wireless network.

[0009] The present invention aims to resolve these problems and in particular to propose a hybrid wired-wireless network making it possible to meet the resilience and reliability requirements, as imposed by TSN standards in wired networks.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a hybrid wired-wireless network comprising a user equipment; a communication node; a plurality of switches connected by a wired network of the ETHERNET TSN type to the communication node and a wireless network of the 3GPP type to the user equipment, the user equipment implementing an equipment-side translator and one or more user plane functions, the or each user plane function implementing a network-side translator.

[0011] The network is characterized in that the translator is configured to replicate each AS and / or Qbv type frame originating from the communication node or user equipment to transmit replicas of this frame via the wireless network using different paths, said different paths being formed by at least two different switches.

[0012] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the network comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0013] - each translator is further configured to add a label to each replicated frame;

[0014] - wherein each translator is further configured to recognize within a predetermined time window each replicated frame and to transmit at least one of these frames to the user equipment or the communication node;

[0015] - the user equipment implements a single equipment-side translator, said equipment-side translator being associated with a single network-side translator;

[0016] - a TSN AF service comprising a topology of the wireless network and configured to determine said different paths;

[0017] - the TSN AF service is able to configure each translator dynamically;

[0018] - said translator is further configured to associate a priority level with each frame to send it via the wireless network;

[0019] - said priority level corresponds to the QFI value of the frame to be sent via the wireless network; - said priority level is defined according to a priority level of this frame in the wired network and advantageously corresponds to one of the following values ​​of this frame:

[0020] - the DSCP value;

[0021] - the PCP value.

[0022] - the or each equipment-side translator defines a different schedule from that of the or each network-side translator, said schedules being offset by an offset value;

[0023] - the offset value corresponds to an average residence time of the frames in the wireless network;

[0024] - the average residence time is determined statistically;

[0025] - the offset value is determined by the TSN AF service;

[0026] - the user equipment belongs to a wired network different from said wired network, the two wired networks being interconnected by the wireless network.

[0027] The invention also relates to a method for communicating a hybrid wired-wireless network as described above, the method comprising a step of replicating each AS and / or Qbv type frame originating from the communication node or the user equipment to transmit replicas of this frame via the wireless network using different paths.

[0028] The invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0029] - [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a hybrid network according to the invention;

[0030] - [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a hybrid network according to an embodiment of the invention different from that of Figure 1; and

[0031] - [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is an example of mapping different priority levels in the hybrid network of Figure 1 or Figure 2.

[0032] Figure 1 illustrates a hybrid network 10 according to the invention. Such a network is, for example, deployed at least partially in a factory and makes it possible, for example, to connect the machines in this factory to a remote control center. Of course, many other examples of applications of such a network are also possible.

[0033] Referring to Figure 1, the hybrid network 10 comprises a user equipment 12, a communication node 14, a plurality of switches 16A, 16B (two in Figure 1) and one or more user plane functions 18A, 18B. These different components of the network 10 or at least some of them are also called nodes. The user equipment 12, also known as “User Equipment” or “UE”, represents any equipment connected to a wireless network 20 as will be explained in more detail later. For this purpose, the user equipment 12 comprises means of communication with the wireless network 20, for example radio communication means.

[0034] Advantageously, the user equipment 12 is also connected to a first wired network 21. This first wired network 21 is of the ETHERNET TSN type insofar as the frames circulating in this network comply with at least one of the following standards, advantageously all of the following standards: IEEE 802.1AS, 802.1Qbv, 802.1CB and 802.1Qcc (current version or any later version). The first wired network 21 comprises, for example, a plurality of connected devices 23. The connected devices 23 may, for example, be of the same nature or of different natures. For example, each connected device 23 presents, for example, a robot performing predetermined tasks, for example in a factory.

[0035] The communication node 14 has, for example, remote equipment making it possible to remotely control the operation of the connected devices 23. It will subsequently be called “controller 14”.

[0036] The controller 14 thus has, for example, a server connected to the connected devices 23 to control their operation remotely. The controller 14 is also connected to the user plane functions 18A, 18B via a second wired network 22. In a manner analogous to the first wired network 21, the second wired network 22 is also of the ETHERNET TSN type. This second wired network 22 can be extended by any other equipment connected in a wired manner to this network 22. For example, such equipment can be formed by any additional controller usable to control at least some of the tasks executable by the connected devices 23.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first and second wired networks 21, 22 comprise equipment of different natures. This means that the first wired network 21 may comprise one or more controllers similar to that described in relation to the second wired network 22 and / or that the second wired network 22 may comprise one or more connected devices similar to those described in relation to the first wired network 21.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first and second wired networks 21, 22 are connected to each other via the wireless network 20 which comprises the switches 16A, 16B connected to the controller 14 via the user plane functions 18A, 18B. Each user plane function 18A, 18B, also known as a “UPF” for “User Plane Function”, defines a set of transmission protocols which are used to transmit frames between the wireless network 20 and the second wired network 22. In other words, each user plane function 18A, 18B has a communication interface between the wired network 22 and the wireless network 20. Each user plane function 18A, 18B can be implemented by one or more computers.

[0039] Each switch 16A, 16B, known as “gNB” for “Next Generation NodeB”, has a switch implementing wireless communication within the network 20. Thus, each switch 16A, 16B is connected wired to one of the user plane functions 18A, 18B and wirelessly to another switch 18A, 18B or to the user equipment 12.

[0040] Generally, the number of switches 16A, 16B in the wireless network 20 varies depending on the topology of the network, the number of user devices, the number of controllers, the distance between the wired networks, etc. Thus, FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the network 10 comprising three switches 16A, 16B, 16C and two user devices 12A, 12B associated with the same controller 14. Of course, many other exemplary embodiments of the network 10 are possible.

[0041] Furthermore, within the wireless network 20, different switches form different paths to transmit data streams. The length of these paths depends on the network topology.

[0042] The paths defined by the wireless network 20 form different links between the wired networks 21, 22. In the remainder of the description, any link from the second wired network 22 to the first wired network 21 is called a downlink and any link from the first wired network 21 to the second wired network 22 is called an uplink.

[0043] The wireless network 20 is of the 3GPP type insofar as all of the frames circulating in this network comply with one of the 4G, 5G and future 6G standards (as defined by the “3GPP” organization) in their current version or any later version. Advantageously, the wireless network 20 is of the 5G type.

[0044] To configure its various components, the network 10 further comprises a CUC service 31, a CNC service 32 and a TSN AF service 33, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Each of these services is for example implemented by an independent computer or by a computer shared for example with another service.

[0045] The CUC 31 service, known as “Centralized User Configurator”, makes it possible to establish a set of requirements in terms of communication and quality of service in the network 10. The CUC 31 service also makes it possible to determine data flows that must transit via the network 10.

[0046] The CNC 32 service, known as the "Centralized Network Configurator", allows you to configure all the network nodes so that they can meet the needs defined by the CUC 31 service.

[0047] The CUC 31 and CNC 32 services are, for example, at least partially defined by the 802.1Qcc standard.

[0048] Finally, the TSN AF 33 service, known by the English name of “TSN Application Function”, makes it possible to configure in particular the components ensuring the transition between the wireless network 20 and each of the wired networks 21, 22.

[0049] The CUC 31, CNC 32 and TSN AF 33 services make it possible, in particular, to impose and enforce the AS, Qbv, CB and Qcc standards in network 10.

[0050] The AS standard (or more generally IEEE 802.1 AS) uses the Generalized Precision Time Protocol (gPTP), which is based on the Precision Time Protocol (PTP). This protocol allows the different nodes of the network 10 to synchronize their clocks with that of a grandmaster (GM). According to this standard, the node having the master role announces its clock as a reference to the other nodes that have the slave role. The node that plays the master role is called the Grandmaster (GM), while the other nodes play the slave role. To do this, and as will be explained in more detail later, the nodes of the network 10 are configured to constantly exchange PTP or gPTP messages, then calculate the difference between their clocks and that of the GM grandmaster, to adjust their clocks. When acting as a slave, a node receives and accepts PTP SYNC messages. When acting as a master, a node broadcasts PTP SYNC messages.Subsequently, frames carrying gPTP messages are called "AS-type frames." According to TSN standards, AS-type frames correspond to Layer 2 frames. Data streams carrying AS-type frames are called "AS-type flows."

[0051] The Qbv standard (or more generally IEEE 802.1Qbv) allows 16A to 16C switches to perform QoS-aware scheduling, for example, to ensure the quality of traffic with different priority levels. In other words, the Qbv standard allows each node to have a schedule according to which frames with different priority levels must be transmitted. Such a schedule is defined by frames of a particular type, called "Qbv-type frames". According to TSN standards, Qbv-type frames correspond, for example, to user data transmitted by the network. Data streams transmitting Qbv-type frames are called "Qbv-type flows". The CB standard (or more generally IEEE 802.1 CB) defines frame replication and discard for reliability (called "FRER" frames) that improve the reliability of a TSN ETHERNET network.This reliability relies on redundancy, where a frame is replicated, sent over multiple paths, then only one replica is received and accepted, while all other replicas are discarded.

[0052] The Qcc standard (or more generally IEEE 802.1Qcc) describes a network control plane 10, specifying network management and configuration of other standards such as AS, Qbv and CB.

[0053] The principles of implementing these standards within the framework of the hybrid network 10 will be explained in more detail below.

[0054] In particular, to implement these standards in the wireless network 20, each user plane function 18A, 18B implements a network-side translator 28A, 28B making it possible, for each downlink, to encapsulate the frames coming from the second wired network 22 in a format compliant with the 5G protocol and, for each uplink, to decapsulate the frames coming from the wireless network 20 so that they comply with the ETHERNET TNS protocol. Similarly, the or each device 12, 12A, 12B implements a device-side translator 32, 32A, 32B making it possible, for each uplink, to encapsulate the frames coming from the first wired network 21 in a format compliant with the 5G protocol and, for each downlink, to decapsulate the frames coming from the wireless network 20 so that they comply with the ETHERNET TNS protocol.

[0055] According to the invention, the or each user equipment 12, 12A, 12B implements a single equipment-side translator 32, 32A, 32B. In addition, for this equipment-side translator 32, 32A, 32B, a single network-side input translator 28A, 28B is chosen. In other words, the single equipment-side translator 32, 32A, 32B may correspond to several switches and several user plane functions 18A, 18B. However, among these several user plane functions 18A, 18B, a single function 18A, 18B and consequently a single network-side translator 28A, 28B is chosen as the entry point for each uplink or downlink. Such an architecture makes it possible to simplify the configuration of the translators, for example by the TSN AF service 33.

[0056] Furthermore, according to the invention, the translators are configured to ensure on the one hand the resilience of the AS and Qbv standards, and on the other hand the reliability of the Qbv standard, as explained below.

[0057] Resilience of AS and Qbv standards a. Multi-path

[0058] According to the invention, for each downlink, each network-side translator 28A, 28B is configured to replicate each AS and / or Qbv type frame originating from the second wired network 22 to transmit it via the wireless network 20 using different paths. Advantageously, each network-side translator 28A, 28B at least duplicates each AS and / or Qbv type frame to have at least two replicas of the same frame.

[0059] Conversely, for each uplink, each equipment-side translator 32, 32A, 32B is configured to replicate each AS and / or Qbv type frame coming from the first wired network 22 to transmit it via the wireless network 20 using different paths.

[0060] Different conditions may be used to choose the different paths. For example, according to the invention, for each user equipment 12, 12A, 12B connected to two switches 16A to 16C of the wireless network 20, two paths that satisfy the following three conditions are selected:

[0061] (1) each path passes through one of these two switches 16A to 16C,

[0062] (2) the number of common wireless links is minimized, and

[0063] (3) these are the paths with the best quality in terms of latency and jitter that satisfy conditions (1) and (2).

[0064] Best quality means lowest latency and most stable jitter possible. Condition (3) means that there are no other pairs of paths that are strictly better and also satisfy conditions (1) and (2).

[0065] Furthermore, each translator (network side 28A, 28B or equipment side 32, 32A, 32B) is adapted to add a label to each replicated frame. Advantageously, this label corresponds to the R-TAG value of the corresponding frame. Thus, the R-TAG values ​​of the replicas of the same frame are identical.

[0066] For the downstream links, the or each equipment-side translator 32, 32A, 32B is configured to recognize each replicated frame in a predetermined time window and to transmit at least one of these frames in the first wired network 21.

[0067] Similarly, for uplinks, the or each network-side translator 28A, 28B is configured to recognize each replicated frame within a predetermined time window and to transmit at least one of these frames into the second wired network 21.

[0068] When a replica is received outside this time window, it is considered an independent frame for the translator. Each translator on the equipment or network side is further configured to identify each frame according to clause 6 of 802.1 CB of the TSN standards. In other words, each translator uses the "IP identification" function. In this way, each translator can identify both AS-type frames (layer 2 frames) and Qbv-type frames (layer 3 frames).

[0069] At least some translators can be configured to replicate (and thus recognize) only AS-type frames. This is usable when Qbv compliance is not required (occasionally or across the entire network). b. Network configuration

[0070] The configuration of network 10 to ensure the resilience of AS and Qbv standards is done using the CUC 31, CNC 32 and TSN AF 33 services.

[0071] In particular, to do this, the TSN AF service 33, which has knowledge of the information relating to the wireless network 20, sends this information to the CNC service 32. This information includes in particular the topology of the wireless network 20, the support for traffic prioritization and the average residence time in this network 20. Then, the CNC service 32 combines this information with information received from the CUC service 31 on the data flows circulating in the network to calculate the TSN configuration. In particular, during this calculation, the CNC service 32 considers the wireless network 20 as a virtual switch. Then, the CNC service 32 sends this configuration to the TSN AF service 33, which forms a control plane of the wireless network 20.

[0072] Furthermore, for Qbv type flows, the TSN AF service 33 is configured to monitor and then select the paths traversing the wireless network 20 and the ingress user plane function (and therefore the corresponding network-side translator). This is done due to the mobility of the user equipments and the network dynamics, in order to update the Qbv ordering in the translators.

[0073] The TSN AF 33 service is also configured to enable / disable AS and Qbv standards-related features dynamically within each translator. In other words, this TSN AF 33 service is able to configure each translator dynamically.

[0074] In addition, this TSN AF 33 service is configured to enable / disable the features related to AS and Qbv standards selectively on each translator according to its needs and the needs of the corresponding user equipments. For example, in Figure 2, due to their different operations, user equipments 12A, 12B have different needs, for example: user equipment 12A needs the features of AS standard and user equipment 12B needs the features of Qbv standard. Thus, the TSN AF 33 service can enable the features of AS standard on the translator on the equipment side 32A and the features of two standards on the translator on the equipment side 32B (since the features of Qbv standard require those of AS standard to operate).In addition, on the side of the second wired network 22, only one network-side translator (for example, translator 28A) can be activated and chosen as the input translator. Indeed, the second translator 28B is not necessary in the example shown.

[0075] The dynamic activation / deactivation of the AS and Qbv functionalities within each translator can be decided by an administrator of the network 10 and / or automatically, depending for example on the observed quality of the radio communication in the wireless network 20.

[0076] Reliability of the Qbv standard a. Association of priority levels

[0077] To ensure the reliability of the Qbv standard, each translator (network side or equipment side) is further configured to associate a priority level with each frame sent via the wireless network 20 from one of the wired networks 21, 22. In addition, each translator is adapted to associate such a priority level as a function of the priority level of this frame in the corresponding wired network. Conversely, each translator is further configured to associate a priority level with each frame received from the wireless network 20 to be sent to one of the wired networks 21, 22. In addition, each translator is adapted to associate such a priority level as a function of the priority level of this frame in the wireless network 20. In other words, according to the invention, there is a correspondence between the priority levels defined in the wireless network 20 and those defined in the wired networks 21, 22.This correspondence is known to each translator and imposed for example by the TSN AF 33 service depending on the nature of the flows circulating in the network (for example TSN (critical), “best effort”, etc.).

[0078] For example, each translator is adapted to assign a QFI (“QoS flow identifier”) value to each frame transiting via the wireless network 20 based on one of the following values ​​relating to this flow in the wired networks 21, 22:

[0079] - DSCP value (“Differentiated Services Code Point” in English) inside its IP packet; - PCP value (“Priority Code Point” in English, which defines the priority of a flow) inside its ETHERNET frame.

[0080] By default, each network-side translator uses, for example, the DSCP value to assign the QFI value within the wireless network 20. This is advantageous because the range of DSCP values ​​is more fine-grained and granular (ranging from 0 to 63) than that of PCP values ​​(ranging from 0 to 7). If DSCP values ​​are not available, the translator uses the PCP value.

[0081] An example of assignment of priority levels by the translators 28A and 32 is illustrated in FIG. 3. According to this example, the data flows A, B and C corresponding for example respectively to the flows of type TSN, "best effort" and AS, have the PCP values ​​respectively equal to 5, 1 and 6. Thus, when sending these flows via the wireless network 20, the network-side translator 28A associates these PCP values ​​5, 1 and 6 respectively with the QFI values ​​6, 5 and 1. Upon reception of each frame received from the wireless network 20, the equipment-side translator 32 performs the reverse operation. In other words, this translator 32 associates the PCT values ​​5, 1 and 6 respectively with the QFI values ​​6, 5 and 1. b. Realignment of the Qbv ordering

[0082] According to the invention, the equipment-side translators 32, 32A, 32B do not have the same ordering as the network-side translators 28A, 28B.

[0083] In particular, for the downlinks, the scheduling of the equipment-side translators 32, 32A, 32B is offset relative to that of the network-side translators 28A, 28B, by an offset value. This offset value corresponds, for example, to an average residence time of the frames in the wireless network 20. This residence time is, for example, calculated statically and constantly maintained by the TSN AF service. To do this, the residence time is calculated regularly by the equipment-side translators 32, 32A, 32B and then transmitted regularly to the TSN AF service 33 in order to calculate the average residence time statistically.

[0084] Furthermore, advantageously according to the invention, for the downlinks, the scheduling of each node located downstream of the equipment-side translators 32, 32A, 32B is also shifted by the same shift value. In other words, the scheduling of each node of the first wired network 21 is also shifted by the shift value.

[0085] Conversely, for the uplinks, the scheduling of the network-side translators 28A, 28B is offset relative to that of the equipment-side translators 32, 32A, 32B, by an offset value. As in the previous case, this offset value corresponds, for example, to an average residence time of the frames in the wireless network 20. This residence time is calculated regularly by the network-side translators 28A, 28B and then transmitted regularly to the TSN AF service 33 in order to calculate the average residence time statistically.

[0086] Furthermore, advantageously according to the invention, for the uplinks, the scheduling of each node located downstream of the network-side translators 28A, 28B is also shifted by the same shift value. In other words, the scheduling of each node of the second wired network 22 is also shifted by the shift value.

[0087] To determine the scheduling for each node of the network 10, the CNC service 32 considers the wireless network 20 as a virtual switch. This service therefore calculates the scheduling relating to each switch in the network (including the virtual switch) and sends it to all switches in the same way. However, before the Qbv scheduling reaches the wireless network 20, it passes through the TSN AF service 33. Then, to configure the alignment of the Qbv scheduling, after receiving the Qbv scheduling from the CNC service 32, the TSN AF service 33 adds the average residence time to the schedules, and then sends these configurations to the translators.

[0088] The scheduling realignment process is transparent to the CNC service 33 and all translators. However, when the CNC service 33 needs to know the residence time within the wireless network 20, it can request it from the TSN AF service 33.

[0089] Communication process

[0090] The communication method implemented in network 10 will now be explained.

[0091] This method comprises a preliminary step of configuring all the components of the network 10 using the CUC 31, CNC 32 and TSN AF 33 services. In particular, this step comprises the configuration of each switch of the wireless network 20 and of each translator (equipment side and network side) for the implementation of the AS standard and advantageously of the Qbv standard, as explained previously. This configuration is then transmitted to the switches and translators concerned by the TSN AF 33 service.

[0092] In a next step, when for example a frame of type AS or Qbv is to be transmitted from the controller 14 to a connected device 23, this frame first reaches a network-side translator, for example the network-side translator 28A which is then chosen as the entry point. This translator replicates this frame, associates the same label with each of the replicas and sends them via different paths through the wireless network 20. Then, in a next step, the equipment-side translator 32 receives each replica of this frame and identifies these replicas using the label. Then, in a next step, it can optionally compare these frames and when they are identical, eliminate one of the frames. Then, in a next step, it transmits this frame to the connected device 23 concerned.

[0093] Communication in the reverse direction (i.e. via the uplink) is carried out in the same way.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Hybrid wired-wireless network (10) comprising: - user equipment (12; 12A, 12B); - a communication node (14); - a plurality of switches (16A, 16B, 16C) connected by a wired network (22) of the ETHERNET TSN type to the communication node (14) and a wireless network (20) of the 3GPP type to the user equipment (12; 12A, 12B), the user equipment (12; 12A, 12B) implementing a translator on the equipment side (32; 32A, 32B); - one or more user plane functions (18A, 18B), the or each user plane function (18A, 18B) implementing a network-side translator (28A, 28B); characterized in that the translator (32; 32A, 32B, 28A, 28B) is configured to replicate each AS and / or Qbv type frame originating from the communication node (14) or the user equipment (12; 12A, 12B) to transmit replicas of this frame via the wireless network using different paths, said different paths being formed by at least two different switches (16A, 16B, 16C).

2. The network (10) of claim 1, wherein each translator (32; 32A, 32B, 28A, 28B) is further configured to add a label to each replicated frame.

3. Network (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each translator (32; 32A, 32B, 28A, 28B) is further configured to recognize in a predetermined time window each replicated frame and to transmit at least one of these frames to the user equipment (12; 12A, 12B) or to the communication node (14).

4. Network (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user equipment (12; 12A, 12B) implements a single equipment-side translator (32; 32A, 32B), said equipment-side translator (32; 32A, 32B) being associated with a single network-side translator (28A, 28B).

5. Network (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a TSN AF service (33) comprising a topology of the wireless network and configured to determine said different paths.

6. Network (10) according to claim 5, in which the TSN AF service (33) is capable of configuring each translator (32; 32A, 32B, 28A, 28B) dynamically.

7. Network (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said translator (32; 32A, 32B, 28A, 28B) is further configured to associate a priority level with each frame for sending it via the wireless network (20).

8. Network (10) according to claim 7, wherein said priority level corresponds to the QFI value of the frame to be sent via the wireless network (20).

9. Network (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said priority level is defined as a function of a priority level of this frame in the wired network (22) and advantageously, corresponds to one of the following values of this frame: - the DSCP value; - the PCP value.

10. Network (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each equipment-side translator (32; 32A, 32B) defines a different ordering than that of the or each network-side translator (28A, 28B), said orders being offset by an offset value.

11. The network (10) of claim 10, wherein the offset value corresponds to an average residence time of the frames in the wireless network (20).

12. Network (10) according to claim 11, wherein the average residence time is determined statistically.

13. Network (10) according to any one of claims 10 to 12 taken in combination with claim 5 or 6, wherein the offset value is determined by the TSN AF service (33).

14. Network (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user equipment (12; 12A, 12B) belongs to a wired network (21) different from said wired network (22), the two wired networks (21, 22) being interconnected by the wireless network (20).

15. A method of communicating a hybrid wired-wireless network (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising a step of replicating each AS and / or Qbv type frame originating from the communication node (14) or the user equipment (12; 12A, 12B) to transmit replicas of this frame via the wireless network using different paths.

Images