Dual-Radio Redundancy for Low-Latency Industrial Network Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industry automation systems face challenges in achieving low latency and high reliability, particularly in time-critical processes, as existing wireless networks lack efficient redundancy features for swift failover and reliable communication in industrial settings.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of disjoint redundancy groups for networking entities in a mobile communication system, where each industry automation apparatus has two radio interfaces connected to different redundancy groups, enabling instant switching between communication paths in case of failure, thereby ensuring continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired field networks with PROFINET are used for industry automation, then reliability and communication stability are improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication technology. The industry automation apparatus uses radio interfaces (first and second radio interfaces) to establish wireless connections to the communication network, eliminating the need for physical cable connections while maintaining communication reliability through redundant wireless paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the communication interface into multiple independent radio interfaces (first radio interface and second radio interface), each capable of establishing separate connections to the network. This segmentation allows independent failure modes and enables switchover between interfaces, improving reliability without requiring a completely different system architecture.
2Reliability
If redundant network connections are implemented using traditional protocols (RSTP, MRP), then fault tolerance is improved, but switchover time remains too long for time-critical processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes both first and second radio interfaces and their corresponding network connections in advance, before any failure occurs. The system maintains ready-state redundant connections with pre-configured parameters, allowing immediate activation upon failure without the delays associated with traditional protocol-based redundancy establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switchover capability where the system can rapidly transition between first and second radio interfaces based on real-time connection status. The controlling module dynamically monitors connection health and executes switchover decisions, enabling adaptation to changing network conditions with minimal latency.
3Ease of operation
If single radio interface is used to reduce device complexity, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the industry automation apparatus multi-functional by equipping it with both first and second radio interfaces that can independently communicate with the network. Each interface serves as a potential communication path, and the system can universally operate through either interface depending on availability, providing redundancy while maintaining operational simplicity through automated interface management.
Data Source
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AI summary
A technique for providing a redundant network connection for an industry automation apparatus is provided. In one aspect of the present disclosure, a network controller is provided that is configured to control a redundant connection of the industry automation apparatus via a communication network to another apparatus. The industry automation apparatus has a first radio interface and a second radio interface. The communication network comprises two or more functionally equivalent network entities grouped in a first entity set and a second network entity set disjoint to the first network entity set, wherein the first network entity set and the first radio interface are associated with a first redundancy group and wherein the second network entity set and the second radio interface are associated with a second redundancy group. The network controller is configured to connect the first radio interface, in response to determining that the first radio interface belongs to the first redundancy group, via the first network entity set to the other apparatus. Moreover, the network controller is configured to connect the second radio interface, in response to determining that the second radio interface belongs to the second redundancy group, via the second network entity set and in parallel to the first radio interface to the other apparatus.