Communication Module Bypassing Data Processing Unit for Low Latency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial communication modules experience significant latency in transmitting time-critical data, which can exceed acceptable limits in real-time applications, affecting the correct functioning of devices in high-speed industrial networks.
Innovation Solution
A communication module that bypasses the data processing unit for real-time data, using communication circuitry to directly transmit time-critical data from the network interface to the device interface, thereby minimizing latency, and employing a triple buffer and synchronization signals to manage data flow efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If data is transmitted through the data processing unit in the communication module, then data processing and protocol translation are performed, but latency increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module is segmented into two distinct data paths: a fast path for time-critical data that bypasses the data processing unit, and a normal path for other data that goes through the data processing unit. This segmentation allows time-critical data to be transmitted with minimal latency while other data receives full processing, resolving the contradiction between processing accuracy and transmission speed.
Solution Approach 2:
A data selector acts as an intermediary component that receives data from the network interface and directs it to either the fast path (bypassing the data processing unit) or the normal path (through the data processing unit) based on data type. This intermediary enables intelligent routing that prioritizes time-critical data without compromising the processing of other data types.
2Reliability
If all data is processed through the data processing unit, then protocol translation is accurate, but transmission speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module dynamically adjusts the data transmission path based on the type of data being transmitted. Time-critical data is routed through the fast path for high-speed transmission, while other data is routed through the normal path for reliable protocol translation. This dynamic routing strategy optimizes both speed and reliability according to data requirements.
3Loss of time
If latency is reduced by bypassing the data processing unit, then real-time performance improves, but data processing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
Different quality levels of data processing are applied to different data types. Time-critical data receives minimal processing (fast path) to achieve low latency, while other data receives full processing (normal path) to ensure protocol translation accuracy. This local quality differentiation allows the system to optimize for speed where necessary while maintaining processing capability where appropriate.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An communication module for providing data communication between an industrial network and an electric device, said communication module is disclosed. The communication module comprises a network interface for connecting the communication module to the industrial network, the network interface being arranged to receive first data from the industrial network, a data processing unit connected to the network interface and arranged to receive second data, comprising at least a portion of said first data, from the network interface, the data processing unit being arranged to process said second data, a device interface for connecting the communication module to the electric device, the device interface being connected to the data processing unit and arranged to receive third data, comprising at least a portion of said second data, from the processing unit, wherein the communication module comprises communication circuitry interconnecting the network interface and the device interface, the communication circuitry being arranged to transmit fourth data comprising at least a portion of said first data different from said second data from the network interface to the device interface.