Adaptive Priority Scheduling for Industrial Network Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network management systems in industries like oil and gas, power, and utilities face challenges in integrating multiple automation applications (AAs) on a single network due to high-speed bandwidth requirements, proprietary solutions, and lack of technology to manage different applications on shared infrastructure, leading to separate deployments and inefficiencies in resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an integrated Internet protocol (IP) based network platform that combines application logic and network logic control layers, enabling adaptive priority scheduling and dynamic resource allocation across devices, supporting multiple applications and interfaces, and reducing hardware and space requirements through a unified Ethernet network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple automation applications are deployed separately on standalone network elements, then each application can operate independently with dedicated resources, but floor space requirements increase, power usage increases, and wiring duplication occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple standalone automation applications onto a shared network infrastructure using Internet Protocol (IP) based communication. Multiple AAs are consolidated onto common network elements such as IP switches and routers, eliminating the need for separate dedicated network hardware for each application. This consolidation reduces floor space requirements while maintaining application independence through virtualization and priority-based scheduling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal network platform that can support multiple different automation applications simultaneously. The shared IP-based network infrastructure provides multi-functional capability to handle various AA types (process control, safety systems, operator interfaces) on the same physical network elements, eliminating wiring duplication and reducing overall system footprint.
2Reliability
If multiple automation applications are deployed separately, then each application has dedicated network resources, but power usage increases and wiring duplication occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple dedicated network infrastructures into a single shared IP-based network platform. By merging separate network elements into common IP switches and routers, the system eliminates redundant power consumption from multiple standalone hardware systems while maintaining application independence through logical separation and quality of service mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal network platform provides multi-functional support for multiple automation applications using shared hardware resources. This approach reduces overall power usage by having a single network infrastructure serve multiple applications simultaneously, rather than each application requiring its own dedicated power-consuming network elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate deployments are used for different automation applications, then application specialization is maintained, but the number of network elements and computing systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into different virtual channels or priority queues within the shared IP infrastructure. Different automation applications are assigned to specific priority levels or virtual circuits, allowing application specialization to be maintained through logical segmentation rather than physical separation. This reduces the number of physical network elements while preserving application-specific requirements.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple automation applications share a common network infrastructure, then floor space and power usage are reduced, but bandwidth requirements and switching speed requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic priority-based scheduling and quality of service mechanisms that adaptively allocate network bandwidth and switching resources based on real-time application requirements. Critical automation applications receive higher priority handling with guaranteed bandwidth, while less critical traffic receives lower priority service. This dynamic resource allocation enables multiple applications to share the network infrastructure effectively without compromising switching speed or bandwidth requirements for time-sensitive communications.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, computer-implemented methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer program stored therein can provide adaptive priority scheduling of communications over a communication network and dynamic resources allocation among a plurality of devices positioned in the communication network. A system according to an embodiment can include an automation application provisioning module (AAPM) to configure and provision relationships among automation application (AA) devices and non-AA devices; an automation application control module (AACM) to control network resources allocation responsive to the AAPM; a network infrastructure interface module (NIIM) to interface with and measure performance of the devices; a network performance analysis module (NPAM) to analyze performance of the devices and identify optimal network topologies responsive to the NIIM; and a network resources allocation platform module (NPM) to control network resources allocation responsive to the AAPM, the AACM, and the NPAM thereby to enhance coexistence of the AA and non-AA devices within the network.