Dynamic Multihoming for Safety-Critical Data Link Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems struggle to dynamically adjust communication links to meet the varying latency and error rate requirements of different data streams, particularly in safety-critical applications, leading to potential operational downtime, intellectual property theft, human injury, and safety vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method for dynamic multihoming that involves classifying data streams into different classes based on safety state information, accessing policies defining target conditions, and selecting optimal communication links to transmit data streams, including safety-critical data, while monitoring and transitioning links to maintain performance and power efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single communication link is used for all data streams, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates because the system cannot meet varying latency and error rate requirements of different data classes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments communication links into different types (first communication links for safety-critical data, second communication links for non-safety data) and segments data streams into different classes (safety data class, non-safety data class). This segmentation allows each data class to be transmitted over appropriate communication links, ensuring reliability for safety-critical transmissions while managing complexity through structured classification and policy-based routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of communication link selection based on data class characteristics. Policies define target conditions (latency thresholds, error rate thresholds) that differ between data classes. The system dynamically selects communication links by evaluating whether their performance parameters meet the required thresholds for each data class, thereby adapting link selection to match transmission requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication links are maintained for different data classes, then adaptability improves, but loss of energy increases due to monitoring and maintaining multiple links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes communication link parameters based on data class requirements. Instead of maintaining all links at full readiness, the system adjusts link monitoring and activation based on the current data transmission needs. Policies define when links should be active or standby based on target condition thresholds, reducing energy consumption while maintaining adaptability to switch links when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic link selection and transition mechanisms. The system continuously monitors communication link performance parameters and dynamically transitions between links based on whether current links meet the target conditions for the data class being transmitted. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain adaptability while conserving energy by only actively managing links when needed.
3Productivity
If communication links are frequently transitioned to meet latency requirements, then productivity improves, but loss of time increases due to transition overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary evaluation of communication link performance before initiating data transmission. Policies define target conditions that are assessed in advance to determine suitable links for each data class. By pre-evaluating link suitability based on latency thresholds and error rate thresholds, the system avoids frequent last-minute link transitions, thereby improving productivity while minimizing transition overhead time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: accessing first data in a data stream, the first data including an encoded value representing a safety state of an emergency stop device; classifying the data stream into a first data class based on the encoded value; accessing a policy, associated with the first data class, defining first target conditions; selecting a first communication link as a first active communication link for the data stream, the first communication link exhibiting first conditions corresponding to the first target conditions; transmitting the first data via the first communication link; in response to detecting a difference between the first conditions and the first target conditions, selecting a second communication link as a second active communication link for the first data stream, the second communication link exhibiting second conditions corresponding to the first target conditions; and transmitting second data in the data stream via the second communication link.