Software-Defined Edge Redundancy for Industrial Network Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial automation systems face challenges with communication interruptions leading to system malfunctions, production stoppages, and increased errors due to the difficulty in retrofitting or changing redundancy functions in hardware-dependent communication networks.
Innovation Solution
An edge device with software-based redundancy functions that can be configured and updated independently of hardware, allowing for quick and cost-effective implementation of redundancy protocols like MRP, HSR, and PRP, enabling flexible operation in industrial communication networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundancy functions are implemented using FPGA or firmware, then reliability of communication network is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of modification increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware-based redundancy functions (FPGA, firmware) with a software-based solution. The edge device executes redundancy management as software applications, eliminating the need for specialized hardware components while maintaining network reliability through virtualized redundancy protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge device is designed with universal software-based redundancy management that can handle multiple redundancy protocols (MRP, HSR, PRP) and serve different network configurations. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would traditionally require multiple specialized hardware components into a single versatile platform.
2Reliability
If redundancy functions are implemented using FPGA or firmware, then reliability of communication network is improved, but ease of manufacture and retrofitting worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hardware-based redundancy functions (FPGA, firmware) with a software-based solution. The edge device executes redundancy management as software applications, eliminating the need for specialized hardware components while maintaining network reliability through virtualized redundancy protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The redundancy management system is designed to be dynamic and adaptable through software updates. The edge device can load, unload, and update redundancy management software dynamically, allowing manufacturers to produce standard hardware that can be configured for different redundancy requirements through software rather than requiring complex hardware customization during manufacturing.
3Productivity
If message traffic with large number of short messages is handled, then productivity of industrial automation system is improved, but communication connection stability worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The edge device acts as an intermediary between the high-speed message traffic and the redundancy management system. It buffers, aggregates, and manages short messages efficiently while coordinating with redundancy protocols to maintain connection stability, preventing message overload from compromising network reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An edge device (1) according to the invention comprises - a first communications connection (2) to a first network (3), in particular a public network, - at least two second communications connections (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) to a second network (20, 30), in particular a private industrial network, and - application software (12), which can be loaded via the first connection (2) into the edge device (1), the edge device (1) being designed and set up in such a way that the second communications connections (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) can be configured by means of the application software (12) for redundant operation of the second network (20, 30) according to an industrial redundancy protocol, and the application software (12) being designed and set up to execute redundancy functions of the redundancy protocol. A quick and simple way of providing, changing or retrofitting redundancy functions for a redundantly operated industrial communications network is hereby possible.