Method for operating a deterministic network by means of an electronic computing device, computer program product, computer-readable storage medium, and electronic computing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a network (10) by means of an electronic computing device (12), the method comprising the following steps: providing a first deterministic communication connection (18) between a deterministic function unit (20) and a terminal device (14) of the electronic computing device (12); providing a third communication connection (22) between a radio access network (16) of the electronic computing device (12) and the terminal device (14) by means of the electronic computing device (12); providing a second deterministic communication connection (24) between the radio access network (16) and a deterministic network (26) by means of the electronic computing device (12); and transmitting a data packet from the deterministic function unit (20) to the deterministic network (26), or vice versa, by means of the electronic computing device (12). The invention also relates to a computer program product, to a computer-readable storage medium, and to an electronic computing device (12).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method for operating a deterministic network by means of an electronic computing device, computer program product, computer-readable storage medium and electronic computing device

[0003] The invention relates to a method for operating a deterministic network by means of an electronic computing device according to the applicable patent claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program product, a computer-readable storage medium and an electronic computing device.

[0004] A well-known technology in the art is DetNet, short for Deterministic Networking, developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). This technology was developed to enable deterministic communication at Layer 3 of the OSI model. This means that data packets are transmitted with predictable and guaranteed latency, minimal packet loss, and in the correct order. DetNet is particularly relevant for industrial applications where reliability and real-time communication are critical.

[0005] DetNet plays a key role in industrial environments, particularly in automation and the Internet of Things (IoT). In modern factories, machines and control systems must communicate with each other in real time. DetNet enables control signals and sensor data to be transmitted with minimal delay and high reliability. This is especially important for applications such as motion control, which require precise and time-critical control. In the process industry, control systems must continuously and reliably receive and send data from sensors and actuators. DetNet ensures that these data streams are transmitted without interruptions and with guaranteed latency, which is crucial for the safety and efficiency of processes. Many industrial applications employ mobile robots that must communicate with each other and with central control systems.DetNet enables reliable and time-critical communication between these robots, which is essential for cooperative tasks such as shared load carrying or synchronous task execution. Modern industrial plants are increasingly adopting edge computing solutions, where data is processed and analyzed locally before being transferred to the cloud. DetNet enables seamless and deterministic communication between edge devices and central cloud systems, improving the efficiency and responsiveness of the entire plant. DetNet thus provides a robust foundation for the integration and interoperability of industrial networks by harnessing the advantages of deterministic communication in IP-based networks. This is especially important in the 5G era, where demands for reliability and real-time communication continue to increase.

[0006] It is already known from the state of the art to implement deterministic networks, or DetNets, over mobile data networks, for example, 5G systems. The SG system acts like a DetNet transmission node and thus assumes the functionalities of a DetNet forwarding sublayer.

[0007] 3GPP's design strategy for 5G DetNet was to reuse as many 5G TSN functions as possible. No new network functions were introduced in the 5G network. Like 5G TSN, 5G DetNet only supports a centralized controller architecture.

[0008] In particular, the following DetNet functionalities are not provided by 5G DetNet: The service sublayer, which in particular has packet replication, elimination, and ordering functions; furthermore, the sublayer forwarding, for which explicit routing is provided, is not known; furthermore, the 5G variant lacks a fully managed router; furthermore, the 5G variant does not support DetNet edge nodes and DetNet nodes behind the user equipment (UE), which is also referred to as end device.

[0009] Based on the 3GPP's 5G DetNet design strategy outlined above, 3GPP Release 18 investigated whether and how 3GPP support for DetNet could be enabled, providing a mapping between a DetNet controller and the 5G system. The SG system is configured as one of the DetNet nodes in the DetNet domain model.

[0010] The architectural assumptions for the Release 18 study include that IP-based DetNet traffic is transmitted in IP-type Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions, and the mapping functionality for DetNet is implemented in a Time Sensitive Communication Time Synchronization Function (TSCTSF). Solutions should reuse the functionality of the TSC framework defined in Release 17, and the granularity of an SG System DetNet node should be defined per user plan unit (UPF) for each network instance. Solutions must not impact the 5G access network (AN) and the user equipment (UE). Patent application WO 2023 / 212872 A1 teaches the operation of a DetNet controller that can configure explicit routes and reserve resources along these routes to establish an end-to-end (E2E) deterministic path for DetNet data flows according to application requirements.The 5G system is being extended to support the UE being part of a logical SG system DetNet node and thus not being a standalone DetNet node or end system. An example 5GS DetNet node architecture includes modules such as the UE / DS-TT module, the radio access network (RAN), and various core network elements such as the UPF / NW-TT module, SMF, AMF, UDM, TSCTSF, PCF, and NEF. The TSCTSF can be connected to a DetNet controller via the NEF. The UE / DS-TT module provides an external IP interface of the 5GS DetNet node to the DetNet node or end system, while the UPF / NW-TT module provides another external IP interface. These interfaces are referred to as device-side and network-side IP interfaces and are collectively considered external IP interfaces of a DetNet node.

[0011] It is therefore desirable to provide a method in which all DetNet functions can be deployed without the significant delays caused by the current 3GPP strategy of emulating DetNet functions in the 5G system. Furthermore, an alternative basis for 5G DetNet should be created. This can mitigate the second-party problem and, in particular, make 5G systems more cost-effective.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a method, a computer program product, a computer-readable storage medium and an electronic computing device by means of which a deterministic network can be operated in an improved manner.

[0013] This object is achieved by a method, a computer program product, a computer-readable storage medium, and an electronic computing device according to the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

[0014] One aspect of the invention relates to a method for operating a deterministic network using an electronic computing device. A first deterministic communication connection is provided between a deterministic functional unit and a terminal device of the electronic computing device. A third deterministic communication connection is provided between a radio access network of the electronic computing device and the terminal device using the electronic computing device. A second deterministic communication connection is provided between the radio access network and a deterministic network using the electronic computing device, and a data packet is transmitted from the deterministic functional unit to the deterministic network or vice versa using the electronic computing device.

[0015] In particular, this makes it easier to operate a deterministic network.

[0016] In particular, the basic idea of ​​the invention is to replace as many functions as possible in the 5G data plane and control plane by DetNet functionality.

[0017] In particular, it is intended that the 5G network, which is provided in particular by the electronic computing device, acts as a logical DetNet node. In this case, the 5G system does not receive a data plane function (User Plane Function, UPF). In particular, a DetNet forwarding sublayer is thus implemented via the terminal device-radio access network combination.

[0018] The deterministic functional unit can be designed as a deterministic network or as a deterministic terminal device or the like.

[0019] In particular, it is proposed to replace 5G functions with DetNet services. This would solve the problems described in detail.

[0020] In particular, the terminal device is also referred to as user equipment (UE). The radio access network can also be referred to as RAN (Radio Access Network).

[0021] Deterministic communication connections are, in particular, communication connections for data transmission at the data level. Connections are also mentioned below, which are, in particular, control connections for controlling functions that are not found at the data level. According to the invention, a first connection is provided between the terminal device and a mobility management function of the electronic computing device. The mobility management function is, in particular, the so-called AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function). The main tasks here include registration management, connection management, accessibility management, mobility management, and various functions related to security, access management, and authorization.In particular, it authorises network access and forms the link between the so-called core network and the radio access network.

[0022] According to the invention, a second connection is provided between the radio access network and a mobility management function of the electronic computing device. The mobility management function is also, in particular, the so-called AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) of the electronic computing device.

[0023] According to the invention, a third connection is provided. In particular, the session management function (SMF) is also referred to as the SMF. This is a component that plays a fundamental role in the 5G service-oriented architecture. The SMF is primarily responsible for controlling the data plane, such as creating, updating, and deleting protocol data unit sessions, and also managing the session context.

[0024] According to the invention, a fourth connection is provided between the session management function and a policy control function of the electronic computing device. The policy control function is, in particular, the so-called PCF (Policy Control Function), with which policies can be easily created and deployed within a 5G network.

[0025] According to the invention, a deterministic data plane is provided between the radio access network and the deterministic network. In particular, the UPF is thus replaced according to the prior art by a router that implements the functionality of the data plane, in other words, the data plane functionality. The combination of the terminal device and the radio access network functions as a DetNet node. The PCF contains the functionality of the DetNet controller plane and interacts with the DetNet controller for the configuration and control of the DetNet flow. The UPF replacement and the terminal device-radio access network combination implement at least the DetNet forwarding sublayer. According to the invention, a seventh connection is provided between the deterministic data plane and the session management function.In other words, the session management function can control or regulate the UPF replacement, especially the deterministic data plane function.

[0026] It has proven advantageous if a fifth connection is provided between the policy control function and a control device for the deterministic network provided externally to the electronic computing device. In particular, the PCF thus contains the functionality of the DetNet controller plane and interacts with the DetNet controller, which is provided outside the electronic computing device. The DetNet controller, in turn, is connected in particular to the deterministic network. A Network Exposure Function (NEF) can also be formed between the policy control function and the control device, in particular the DetNet controller. In particular, the PCF then communicates with the NEF via the fifth connection, and a sixth connection is provided between the NEF and the control device.

[0027] In a further advantageous embodiment, the first communication connection is provided with a non-deterministic functional unit configured as a capillary network. The terminal device thus serves as a DetNet edge node between the deterministic network and a capillary network. In particular, it can be coupled to other terminal devices that, for example, do not have DetNet compatibility.

[0028] Capillary networks are used in various fields, particularly in industrial environments and the Internet of Things (IoT). Here, they are used to connect a multitude of sensors, actuators, and other devices. By using a capillary network, end devices that are not DetNet compatible can still be integrated into the overall system with its rigid industrial clock and timing requirements. This enables seamless communication and interoperability between different devices and systems, which is particularly advantageous in complex and dynamic environments.

[0029] Capillary networks can also be used to extend the capabilities of cellular networks to restricted networks while enabling connectivity between wireless sensor networks and cellular networks. A capillary network can therefore provide local connectivity for devices using short-range radio access technologies while connecting to the wider cellular network.

[0030] It has also proven advantageous if the deterministic communication between the deterministic functional unit and the deterministic network is implemented using multi-protocol label-switching communication, time-sensitive networking communication, or Internet Protocol communication. Thus, communication can be provided via the electronic computing device using different protocol types.

[0031] It has also proven advantageous to use a primary network clock to provide synchronization within the communication. This allows a time-sensitive network to be configured via the control device.

[0032] It is also advantageous if a deterministic sublayer for deterministic communication is configured using the electronic computing device. In particular, the electronic computing device can thus function as a DetNet node. In particular, 5G functionalities can thus be provided in the deterministic network.

[0033] The method presented is, in particular, a computer-implemented method. Therefore, a further aspect of the invention relates to a computer program product with program code means that, when the program code means are processed by the electronic computing device, cause an electronic computing device to perform a method according to the preceding aspect.

[0034] Yet another aspect of the invention also relates to a computer-readable storage medium having at least one computer program product according to the preceding aspect.

[0035] Furthermore, the invention also relates to an electronic computing device for a deterministic network, comprising at least one terminal and a radio access network, wherein the electronic computing device is designed to carry out a method according to the preceding aspect. In particular, the method is carried out by means of the electronic computing device. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a deterministic network comprising at least one electronic computing device according to the preceding aspect.

[0036] Advantageous embodiments of the method are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the computer program product, the computer-readable storage medium, the electronic computing device and the deterministic network.

[0037] The electronic computing device and the deterministic network have the necessary characteristics to carry out the corresponding procedural steps.

[0038] A computing unit / electronic computing device can be understood in particular as a data processing device that contains a processing circuit.

[0039] The computing unit can therefore, in particular, process data to perform arithmetic operations. This may also include operations to perform indexed access to a data structure, such as a look-up table (LUT).

[0040] The computing unit can in particular contain one or more computers, one or more microcontrollers and / or one or more integrated circuits, for example one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or one or more single-chip systems (SoCs). The computing unit can also contain one or more processors, for example one or more microprocessors, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more graphics processing units (GPUs), and / or one or more signal processors, in particular one or more digital signal processors (DSPs). The computing unit can also contain a physical or virtual network of computers or other of the aforementioned units.

[0041] In various embodiments, the computing unit includes one or more hardware and / or software interfaces and / or one or more memory units.

[0042] A memory unit can be a volatile data memory, for example a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or a static random access memory (SRAM), or a non-volatile data memory, for example a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory or flash EEPROM, a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), a magnetoresistive random access memory,MRAM (magnetoresistive random access memory) or phase-change random access memory (PCRAM).

[0043] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the method and which are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, in accordance with the method, an error message and / or a request to enter user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0044] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

[0045] Further features and combinations of features of the invention will become apparent from the figures and their description, as well as from the claims. In particular, further embodiments of the invention do not necessarily have to contain all features of one of the claims. Further embodiments of the invention may have features or combinations of features not mentioned in the claims.

[0046] Showing:

[0047] FIG 1 shows a schematic block diagram according to a first embodiment of a deterministic 5G network with a first embodiment of an electronic computing device;

[0048] FIG 2 shows a second schematic block diagram according to a further embodiment of a deterministic 5G network with a further embodiment of an electronic computing device;

[0049] FIG. 3 shows a gNB architecture for a deterministic network; FIG. 4 shows an interface protocol structure according to the embodiment of FIG. 3;

[0050] FIG 5 shows a further interface protocol structure for the embodiment of FIG 3; and

[0051] FIG 6 shows a further interface protocol structure for an embodiment according to FIG 3.

[0052] The invention is explained in more detail below using specific embodiments and associated schematic drawings. In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent elements may be provided with the same reference numerals. The description of identical or functionally equivalent elements may not necessarily be repeated for different figures.

[0053] FIG 1 shows a schematic block diagram according to one embodiment of a network 10 with an electronic computing device 12. The electronic computing device 12 has at least one terminal 14 and a radio access network 16. The terminal 14 can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), and the radio access network 16 can also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN).

[0054] In particular, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the method for operating the network 10. A first deterministic communication connection 18 is provided between a deterministic functional unit 20 and the terminal device 14 by means of the electronic computing device 12. A third deterministic communication connection 22 is provided between the terminal device 14 and the radio access network 16. A second deterministic communication connection 24 is provided between the radio access network 16 and a deterministic network 26. The data packet is then transmitted from the deterministic functional unit 20 to the deterministic network 26, or vice versa, by means of the electronic computing device 12.

[0055] The deterministic communication connections 18, 22, and 24 are located in the so-called user plane. The connections listed below, however, are located in the so-called control plane.

[0056] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG 1, in particular a first connection 28 is provided between the terminal device 14 and a mobility management function 30, which is also referred to as an Access Mobility Management Function (AMF). Furthermore, a second connection 32 is provided between the radio access network 16 and the mobility management function 30 of the electronic computing device 12. Furthermore, a third connection 36 is provided between the mobility management function 30 and a session management function 34, which is also referred to as a Session Management Function (SMF), of the electronic computing device 12. Furthermore, it is provided, for example, that a fourth connection 40 is provided between the session management function 34 and a policy control function 38, which can also be referred to as a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0057] Furthermore, it is shown that a fifth connection 44, for example in the form of a fourth communication connection, is provided between the policy control function 38 and a control device 42 provided externally to the electronic computing device 12. In particular, an NEF (Network Exposure Function) 82 is also shown between the policy control function 38 and the control device 42, which is connected to the policy control function 38 via the fifth connection 44 and to the control device 42 via a sixth connection 84. The control device 42 is in turn coupled to the deterministic network 26 via a fifth communication connection 46.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of the electronic computing device 12. In contrast to FIG. 1, this figure shows that a deterministic data plane function 48 is provided between the radio access network 16 and the deterministic network 26. The deterministic data plane 48 can also be referred to as a data plane. In particular, it can be provided that a seventh connection 50 is provided between the deterministic data plane function 48 and the session management function 34.

[0059] Furthermore, it can be provided, in particular, that the first deterministic communication connection 18 is provided with the functional unit 20 embodied as a capillary network 52. In other words, the terminal device 14 can function as a DetNet edge node for the capillary network 52.

[0060] Furthermore, it can be provided that the communication between the deterministic functional unit 20 and the deterministic network 26 is carried out using multi-protocol label switching communication, time-sensitive networking communication, or Internet Protocol communication. Furthermore, it can be provided that a time signal for synchronization within the communication is provided by means of the deterministic network 26, the electronic computing device 12, or the deterministic functional unit 20. Furthermore, it is shown in particular that a deterministic sublayer for the DetNet communication is provided by means of the electronic computing device 12.

[0061] FIG 3 again shows a schematic block diagram for an embodiment, wherein the communication between gNB central units 54, 56 and gNB (fifth generation base station) distributed units 58, 60 can be carried out on the basis of DetNet.

[0062] Especially in the case of F1-C and E1, this requires a replacement of the IP layer and optionally also of STCP with DetNet.

[0063] FIG 4 shows the control layers for F1-C. In particular, the application layer 62 and a transport network layer 64 are shown. The application layer 62 is again implemented as an F1-AP layer 80, while the transport network layer 64 comprises an SCTP layer 66, an IP layer 68, a datalink layer 70, and a physical layer 72.

[0064] FIG 5 again shows the control layers for E1 communication. The application layer 62 is implemented as the E1 AP layer 74, and the transport network layer 64 includes the SCTP layer 66, the IP layer 68, the datalink layer 70, and the physical layer 72.

[0065] FIG. 6 again shows a protocol according to the prior art, where the GTP-II and UTP layers can be replaced by DetNet. Here, the transport network layer 64 again comprises a GTP-U layer 76, a UDP layer 78, the IP layer 68, the data link layer 70, and the physical layer 72.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for operating a network (10) by means of an electronic computing device (12), comprising the steps: - providing a first deterministic communication connection (18) between a deterministic functional unit (20) and a terminal (14) of the electronic computing device (12); - providing a third communication connection (22) between a radio access network (16) of the electronic computing device (12) and the terminal (14) by means of the electronic computing device (12); - providing a second deterministic communication connection (24) between the radio access network (16) and a deterministic network (26) by means of the electronic computing device (12); - transmitting a data packet from the deterministic functional unit (20) to the deterministic network (26) or vice versa by means of the electronic computing device (12); - wherein a first connection (28) is provided between the terminal (14) and a mobility management function (30) of the electronic computing device (12); - wherein a second connection (32) is provided between the radio access network (16) and a mobility management function (30) of the electronic computing device (12); - wherein a third connection (36) is provided between the mobility management function (30) and a session management function (34) of the electronic computing device (12); - wherein a fourth connection (40) is provided between the session management function (34) and a policy control function (38) of the electronic computing device (12); characterized in - that a deterministic data plane function (48) is provided between the radio access network (16) and the deterministic network (26), and; - that a seventh connection (50) is provided between the deterministic data plane function (48) and the session management function (34).

2. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that a fifth connection (44) is provided between the policy control function (38) and a control device (42) for the deterministic network (26) provided externally to the electronic computing device (12).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first communication connection (18) is provided with the deterministic functional unit (20) designed as a capillary network (52).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a multi-protocol label switching communication or a time-sensitive networking communication or an Internet protocol communication is carried out as communication between the deterministic functional unit (20) and the deterministic network (26).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a time signal for synchronization within the communication is provided by means of a primary clock of the network (10).

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a deterministic sublayer for communication is configured by means of the electronic computing device (12).

7. A computer program product comprising program code means which cause an electronic computing device (12) to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 6 when the program code means are processed by the electronic computing device (12).

8. A computer-readable storage medium comprising at least one computer program product according to claim 7.

9. Electronic computing device (12) for a deterministic network (10), having at least one terminal (14) and a radio access network (16), wherein the electronic computing device (12) is designed to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 6.

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