5G Industrial Automation Uplink Scheduling for Isochronous Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial automation systems face challenges in achieving isochronous operation with stringent latency requirements for closed-loop control applications due to limited capacity and adaptation possibilities in resource allocation, particularly in 5G networks, leading to potential collisions and inefficiencies in uplink and downlink message transmissions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where an access node allocates a set of shared resource profiles for uplink message transmissions based on predefined cycle times, using terminal device-specific indicators to avoid collisions and ensure timely responses within the closed-loop control cycle, leveraging 5G's capabilities for ultra-reliable and low-latency communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional resource allocation methods are used in 5G networks for industrial automation, then the system can support basic communication, but it cannot meet the stringent latency requirements and isochronous operation needed for closed-loop control applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring uplink resource allocations and associating them with downlink messages before actual communication occurs. The network control entity pre-establishes resource profiles and terminal device-specific indicators that will be used during time-critical control operations, eliminating the need for real-time resource allocation decisions and thus meeting stringent latency requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the resource allocation process into distinct components: downlink message configurations, uplink resource profiles, and terminal device-specific indicators. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and pre-configured, enabling efficient assembly during operation without compromising the overall latency performance or isochronous reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more resource allocation options are provided for uplink transmissions, then adaptability improves, but the complexity of resource management and collision avoidance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces terminal device-specific indicators as an intermediary mechanism that simplifies resource management. These indicators act as a mediator between the network control entity and terminal devices, providing a straightforward method for allocating adaptive uplink resources without requiring complex negotiation or management protocols. The indicators directly map terminal devices to pre-configured resource profiles, reducing management complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
3Reliability
If individual resource allocation is used for each terminal device, then collision avoidance is improved, but the signaling overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual terminal device resource allocations into group-based configurations. Multiple terminal devices are assigned to shared resource profiles with device-specific indicators, combining the collision avoidance benefits of individual allocation with the signaling efficiency of group management. This merging reduces the overall signaling overhead while maintaining reliable collision-free transmissions through the use of device-specific indicators within the grouped structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
As an aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including a computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: obtain, by an access node from a network control entity, at least one service flow configuration for a plurality of terminal devices in an industrial automation system, the configuration indicating an association between downlink and uplink message transmissions and a cycle time requirement with regard to communication between the network control entity and the plurality of terminal devices; allocate resources as a group of shared resources for the uplink message transmission for each of the plurality of terminal devices based on the association and according to the cycle time requirement, and transmit information on the allocation to the plurality of terminal devices, the information comprising a terminal device-specific resource indicator for each of the plurality of terminal devices for avoiding collision in the uplink message transmission.