AVB Protection Ring for Sub-50ms Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current AVB networks in automotive environments face challenges in achieving fast failover recovery, as existing methods like Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol and AVB Stream Reservation Protocol are slow and complex, failing to meet the requirement of less than 50 ms recovery time, especially in dynamic LAN environments where devices frequently join or leave the network.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a protection ring configuration with a logical loop-free topology, where devices independently generate and maintain a static database of network topology and flow characteristics, allowing for rapid reconfiguration of AVB stream reservations without using spanning tree protocols, enabling quick failover recovery by designating a protection link and re-routing traffic based on pre-stored information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol and AVB Stream Reservation Protocol are used for failover recovery, then network reliability is improved, but failover recovery time exceeds 50 ms requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures protection links and establishes backup paths before failures occur. Each device maintains a database of alternative paths and pre-computes failover actions, enabling immediate switching when a link fails without requiring complex real-time protocol negotiations, thus achieving sub-50ms recovery time while maintaining high reliability
2Stability of the object's composition
If spanning tree protocols are used for topology management, then network stability is improved, but device complexity and protocol complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex spanning tree protocol mechanisms from the system. Instead of using STP for topology management, the invention implements a simplified protection ring mechanism where devices independently manage their own failover logic based on pre-configured protection links, eliminating the need for complex inter-device protocol negotiations while maintaining topology stability
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic topology rebuilding is performed upon link failure, then network adaptability is improved, but failover recovery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes protection links and alternative paths during network initialization, storing them in local databases before failures occur. When a link fails, devices immediately switch to pre-configured protection links without performing dynamic topology discovery or negotiation, achieving both fast failover and network adaptability through pre-computed alternative routes
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to provide a protection ring in an Audio Visual Bridging (AVB) network is provided. The method includes the steps of monitoring a first status of links coupled to a plurality of devices in a ring network, receiving a second status of links of other devices in the ring network, and signaling devices in the ring network to generate a logical loop-free topology based upon a stored static physical configuration, the first status of the links and the second status of links of other network devices in the ring network. The method also includes the step of determining an allocation of flows to links based on stored flow characteristics. Determining an allocation of flows to links includes programming a transmit scheduler to provide a first percentage of bandwidth for Audio Video Bridging (AVB) flows while reserving a second percentage of bandwidth for non-AVB flows. The method further includes programming a forwarding unit to forward flows to their destination based on the logical loop-free topology.