Avionic Ethernet Switch Synchronous Asynchronous Traffic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Avionic networks require a solution to effectively manage both synchronous and asynchronous communications, as existing standards like ARINC 664 primarily focus on deterministic, synchronous data transfer, leaving a gap in accommodating asynchronous communications efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that synchronize and allocate synchronous messages to predetermined time slots, creating unoccupied portions for asynchronous messages, using a processor and memory to manage periodic and aperiodic communications in an Ethernet network, ensuring efficient data transfer by prioritizing and routing messages based on their type and availability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a synchronous communication bus is used with predetermined time slots, then deterministic data transfer is improved, but the network cannot accommodate asynchronous communications efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeterministic data transferVSAvoidaccommodation of asynchronous communications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines synchronous and asynchronous communication protocols into a single Ethernet-based avionic network. The switch integrates both ASCB (synchronous) and ARINC 664 (asynchronous) communication modes, allowing the network to handle both deterministic periodic traffic and event-driven aperiodic traffic through the same infrastructure, thereby achieving both reliability and versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The Ethernet switch is designed to perform multiple functions: it handles both synchronous ASCB communications with predetermined time slots and asynchronous ARINC 664 communications with bounded determinism. This multi-functional capability allows a single device to serve both communication paradigms, eliminating the need for separate dedicated networks for each protocol type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If asynchronous communication is accommodated in a synchronous network, then communication versatility is improved, but latency and jitter increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication types supportedVSAvoidlatency and jitter

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network traffic into synchronous and asynchronous streams, with the switch maintaining separate handling mechanisms for each. Synchronous traffic retains its predetermined time slot allocations for deterministic delivery, while asynchronous traffic is routed through alternative paths or mechanisms that do not interfere with the timing-critical synchronous communications, thereby minimizing latency and jitter for both types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different quality of service (QoS) characteristics are applied to different communication types within the same network. Synchronous communications receive guaranteed bandwidth and strict timing enforcement, while asynchronous communications operate with best-effort delivery or bounded determinism, allowing each type to optimize its performance characteristics locally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If predetermined time slots are allocated for synchronous messages, then data transfer determinism is improved, but network utilization decreases when time slots remain unoccupied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer determinismVSAvoidnetwork utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic allocation mechanisms where the switch can adaptively adjust time slot assignments and bandwidth allocations based on actual traffic demands. When synchronous traffic load is low, previously unoccupied time slots or bandwidth can be dynamically reallocated to asynchronous traffic, ensuring high network utilization while maintaining determinism for time-critical synchronous communications when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8315274B2System and method for supporting synchronous system communications and operations

Publication Date: 2012.11.20 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling synchronous and asynchronous communications in an avionic network. The method includes receiving one or more asynchronous messages and one or more synchronous messages, allocating each of the synchronous messages to a corresponding predetermined time slot while producing an unoccupied portion in at least one of the predetermined time slots, and allocating the asynchronous messages to one or more of the unoccupied portions of the predetermined time slots.