Bus Coupler Byte-Level Forwarding for Ring Network Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network configurations, particularly in optical ring networks, inefficiently utilize ring structures as they often operate like line structures, leading to long switching times and unnecessary data forwarding due to the inability to immediately recognize and remove redundant data packets.
Innovation Solution
A bus coupler with a control unit that generates and transmits bus output data including bus control data, allowing for direct forwarding of data packets without evaluating the sender or recipient, and enabling byte-by-byte transmission with control data to manage forwarding decisions, thus preventing data from circulating unnecessarily.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data is forwarded after receiving a larger number of bytes per telegram, then data transmission reliability is improved, but forwarding time is delayed and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission process into individual byte processing. Instead of waiting for complete telegrams, each byte is processed independently and forwarded immediately after reception, enabling parallel processing and eliminating the bottleneck of complete packet assembly before forwarding.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit performs preliminary actions by immediately forwarding received bytes before the complete telegram is processed. This preliminary forwarding of individual bytes or small data units enables the system to move data through the network faster without waiting for complete packet reception or validation.
2Reliability
If the entire ring is used for data transmission, then network redundancy is improved, but switching time increases due to error detection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit uses feedback from the bus control data to make immediate forwarding decisions. The control data contains information about the telegram's origin and destination, allowing the coupler to determine whether forwarding is necessary without waiting for error detection around the entire ring, thus reducing switching time while maintaining redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of bus control data immediately upon reception, making forwarding decisions before data circulates around the entire ring. This preliminary decision-making based on control data eliminates the need to wait for complete ring traversal or error detection, significantly reducing switching time.
3Productivity
If data is forwarded without evaluating sender and recipient, then forwarding speed is improved, but data may circulate unnecessarily increasing bandwidth usage
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary evaluation of bus control data immediately upon reception, making forwarding decisions before data circulates around the entire ring. This preliminary decision-making based on control data eliminates the need to wait for complete ring traversal or error detection, significantly reducing switching time.
4Device complexity
If the ring configuration is operated like a line structure, then addressing complexity is reduced, but the ring structure is wasted and switching times are long
Solution Approach 1:
The bus coupler is designed to perform multiple functions: it processes user data, evaluates bus control data, makes forwarding decisions, and manages error detection. This multi-functionality allows the system to utilize the ring configuration effectively for both data transmission and control, improving switching efficiency without increasing addressing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit uses feedback from the bus control data to make immediate forwarding decisions. The control data contains information about the telegram's origin and destination, allowing the coupler to determine whether forwarding is necessary without waiting for error detection around the entire ring, thus reducing switching time while maintaining redundancy.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a bus coupler (1) for a network, in particular for an optical ring network, comprising a bus participant interface (1a) for data communication with at least one bus participant device (11, 12); a bus receive interface (1b) for receiving bus input data via a bus line (10); and a bus transmit interface (1c) for sending bus output data via the bus line (10); as well as a control unit (1d) configured to generate bus output data based on participant input data received via the bus participant interface (1a), wherein the bus transmit data includes bus control data, and to transmit it to another bus coupler (5) via the bus transmit interface (1c);wherein the control unit (1d) is further configured to determine a control signal based on the bus input data received via the bus receiver interface (1b) and to forward the bus input data to the further bus coupler (5) based on the determined control signal. The invention further relates to a method for operating a bus coupler.