Ethernet over Cellular via Traffic Class Bearer Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial control networks relying on wired Ethernet face challenges such as high deployment and maintenance costs, compatibility issues with wireless networks, and safety hazards near moving machinery, as well as the need for interoperability between cellular systems and Ethernet networks in IoT scenarios.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a cellular node with a traffic flow template module and bearer mapping module to identify and map Ethernet frames to corresponding bearers for transport, enabling Ethernet over cellular communication by using a forwarding database for routing and auto-negotiation of port speeds based on link parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired Ethernet connections are used in industrial control networks, then high performance requirements (low latency, high reliability, high redundancy, high determinism) are met, but deployment and maintenance costs increase and safety hazards occur near moving machinery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork reliabilityVSAvoidsafety hazards near moving machinery

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired Ethernet connection system with a wireless cellular communication system. The cellular node receives Ethernet frames wirelessly via cellular signals, eliminating the need for physical cables in hazardous environments while maintaining network functionality through protocol mapping between Ethernet and cellular protocols

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If wired Ethernet connections are deployed, then high performance requirements are met, but deployment and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoiddeployment and maintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes expensive wired Ethernet infrastructure with wireless cellular infrastructure. The cellular node maps Ethernet frames to cellular bearers, enabling wireless transmission of industrial control traffic and eliminating costs associated with cable deployment, installation, and maintenance in difficult-to-reach locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cellular node performs multiple functions including receiving Ethernet frames, identifying traffic classes, mapping to appropriate cellular bearers, and transmitting via cellular network. This multi-functional device consolidates what would otherwise require separate wired Ethernet infrastructure, reducing overall system complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If complete replacement of industrial control networks with wireless networks is attempted, then safety hazards and cable issues are avoided, but equipment and machinery configured to use Ethernet may not be compatible with wireless networks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable hazardsVSAvoidcompatibility between Ethernet equipment and wireless networks

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cellular node serves as an intermediary device between traditional Ethernet equipment and wireless cellular networks. It receives standard Ethernet frames from existing industrial control equipment, processes them through traffic classification and bearer mapping, and transmits them wirelessly, thereby enabling compatibility without modifying the original Ethernet equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the physical Ethernet connection mechanism with a wireless cellular communication mechanism while maintaining protocol compatibility through the cellular node's frame mapping capabilities, allowing legacy Ethernet equipment to operate in wireless environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11006311B2Ethernet over cellular

Publication Date: 2021.05.11 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A plurality of Ethernet devices may transmit Ethernet frames through a cellular network. The Ethernet devices may be coupled to the cellular network via a cellular node. The cellular node may receiver Ethernet frames from the Ethernet devices, identify a traffic class to the Ethernet frames, and map the Ethernet frames to bearers based at least in part on the traffic classes. The cellular node may transmit the Ethernet frames to other cellular nodes using the bearers. At a core network, a mapping between the cellular node and the MAC addresses of the associated Ethernet devices may be stored to allow Ethernet frames to be routed through the cellular network.