Ethernet Frame Transmission Over Synchronous Daisy-Chain Bus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Ethernet communication systems in vehicles require costly and complex solutions, such as Ethernet switches and audio clock regeneration, which are not suitable for low-latency, high-bandwidth applications in daisy-chained networks, and do not efficiently utilize existing audio synchronous communication infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A daisy-chain communication system that uses a flexible payload to transmit Ethernet frames over a full-duplex bus link, employing a unique token exchange mechanism and carrier-based modulation scheme to enable bi-directional, synchronous communication without the need for Ethernet switches or audio clock regeneration, allowing nodes to dynamically participate in Ethernet tunnels and prioritize token transmission based on priority schemes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Ethernet switches and audio clock regeneration are used in daisy-chained networks, then Ethernet communication capability is provided, but system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The existing audio synchronous communication infrastructure is made multi-functional by enabling it to carry both traditional audio data and Ethernet frames simultaneously. The daisy-chained network topology and full-duplex bus links are repurposed to transport Ethernet packets using token-based access control, eliminating the need for separate Ethernet switches and reducing system complexity while maintaining Ethernet communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges Ethernet communication functionality into the existing audio communication infrastructure. By combining Ethernet frame transmission with the audio synchronous protocol using the same physical medium (full-duplex bus links) and timing mechanism (superframes), the system eliminates redundant components like Ethernet switches and audio clock regeneration devices, thereby reducing both cost and complexity
2Reliability
If store-and-forward communication is used between nodes, then data transmission reliability is improved, but transmission latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous data flow through the daisy-chained network by eliminating store-and-forward delays. Nodes forward Ethernet frames immediately as they receive them, maintaining continuous transmission without interruption. The token-based access control ensures orderly transmission while preserving the low-latency characteristic of direct transmission, achieving both reliability through protocol control and low latency through continuous action
3Productivity
If dedicated Ethernet infrastructure is deployed, then Ethernet communication performance is ensured, but wiring complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing audio communication wiring infrastructure is made universal by enabling it to carry both audio data and Ethernet frames. The full-duplex bus links originally designed for audio synchronization are repurposed to transport Ethernet packets using superframe structures and token-based access control, eliminating the need for separate Ethernet cabling and reducing wiring complexity while maintaining Ethernet performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges Ethernet communication into the existing audio communication medium. By combining Ethernet frame transmission with audio synchronous protocols over the same full-duplex bus links, the system eliminates redundant wiring infrastructure while ensuring Ethernet communication performance through dedicated protocol handling and token-based access control
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system includes a plurality of nodes connected in a daisy-chain via respective bus links. The plurality of nodes are configured for full-duplex, synchronized communication over the bus links for transmission of Ethernet frames within a flexible payload of superframes on the bus links. A node is configured to: determine that the node has a transmit token; transmit an Ethernet frame within a tunnel on the full-duplex bus links in at least one of an upstream direction towards a main-node or a downstream direction towards an end-sub-node; receive, while transmitting the Ethernet frame, a request for the transmit token from one or more other nodes in the tunnel on at least one of the full-duplex bus links in a direction opposite the Ethernet frame; and transmit the transmit token to a next node based on an order of priority of the one or more other nodes.