Ethernet Frame Control for HPNA Network Communication

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for transmitting control information between an Ethernet controller and a home phone line network require additional wires or special interfaces, making them impractical.

Innovation Solution

A method that generates Frame Control Frames and Frame Status Frames with conventional Ethernet data frame structures to transmit and receive control information, allowing the Ethernet controller to process them without additional hardware or interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional wires or special interfaces are installed to transmit control information, then control information can be transmitted between Ethernet controller and HPNA network, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol information transmissionVSAvoidhardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The existing Ethernet data frame structure is made multi-functional by embedding control information within its fields. The destination address field, source address field, and data field are repurposed to carry both traditional Ethernet data and HPNA control information (priority, payload encoding, frame control/status), eliminating the need for separate control wires or interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the control information transmission function with the existing Ethernet data frame transmission function. By combining control fields (frame control field, destination address field, source address field) and data fields into a single Ethernet data frame structure, the system transmits both control and data information through the same existing hardware interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional Ethernet data frame structure is used without modifications, then compatibility with Ethernet controller is maintained, but control information cannot be transmitted

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEthernet controller compatibilityVSAvoidcontrol information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The HPNA control information is nested within the Ethernet data frame structure. The frame control field, destination address field, source address field, and data field of the Ethernet frame are used to encapsulate control information such as priority, payload encoding, and frame control/status bytes, allowing control information to be transmitted within the existing Ethernet frame format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Loss of information

If HPNA data frame structure with additional control fields is used, then control information is preserved, but Ethernet controller cannot process the frames

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol information preservationVSAvoidEthernet controller processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The Ethernet data frame structure is made multi-functional by embedding control information within its fields. The destination address field, source address field, and data field are repurposed to carry both traditional Ethernet data and HPNA control information (priority, payload encoding, frame control/status), eliminating the need for separate control wires or interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the interpretation of existing Ethernet frame parameters rather than adding new fields. By reinterpreting the destination address field to include frame control information, the source address field to include priority and payload encoding, and the data field to include frame control/status bytes, the system makes control information accessible to Ethernet controllers using standard processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8131879B1Use of ethernet frames for exchanging control and status information within an HPNA controller

Publication Date: 2012.03.06 GLOBALFOUNDRIES US INC

AI summary

A method for providing control information between a host and a home phone line network via an Ethernet controller includes: determining if the control information is to be transmitted to the home phone line network or is received from the home phone line network; generating a first home phone line network data frame from a frame control frame (FCF) and a corresponding first Ethernet data frame received from the Ethernet controller, if the control information is to be transmitted to the home phone line network; and generating a second Ethernet data frame and a corresponding frame status frame (FSF) from a second home phone line network data frame received from the home phone line network, if the control information is received from the hoMe phone line network. Control information is thus provided between the host and the HPNA network via an Ethernet controller without requiring additional hardware or special interfaces.