Management Device for Ethernet Priority Data Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In Ethernet-based Local Area Networks, priority data transmission is delayed by accumulated non-priority data in general-purpose switching hubs, which are unable to differentiate between priority and non-priority data transmission phases.
Innovation Solution
A management device that investigates the status of transmission waiting data and dynamically specifies the length of transmission permitted and prohibited periods to prevent priority data delay, using an investigation unit and period specification unit to adjust communication periods based on the number and retention status of non-priority data in communication devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a general-purpose switching hub is used to increase the number of terminals in the network, then the network capacity is improved, but the priority data transmission is delayed by accumulated non-priority data
Solution Approach 1:
The communication cycle is segmented into distinct phases: a first phase for priority data transmission and a second phase for non-priority data transmission. The management device controls each terminal to transmit only non-priority data during the second phase, preventing it from blocking priority data transmission in the first phase. This temporal segmentation resolves the contradiction by ensuring priority data is never delayed by accumulated non-priority data while still allowing both types of data to be transmitted through the general-purpose switching hub.
2Loss of time
If time-division control is implemented to separate priority and non-priority data transmission phases, then priority data transmission is protected from delay, but a dedicated switching hub is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables general-purpose switching hubs to perform time-division controlled transmission by having the management device send control signals to each terminal. The terminals are instructed to transmit non-priority data only during designated second phases, effectively making the general-purpose hub function as a time-division controlled hub without requiring dedicated hardware. This universality principle resolves the contradiction by achieving phase-separated transmission using existing general-purpose equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The management device acts as an intermediary between the terminals and the switching hub. It sends control signals to terminals to regulate when they transmit non-priority data, thereby mediating the interaction between priority and non-priority data transmission. This intermediary control mechanism enables time-division multiplexing through general-purpose equipment, resolving the contradiction between protected priority transmission and avoidance of dedicated hubs.
3Productivity
If non-priority data is transmitted during priority data generation, then network utilization is improved, but priority data transmission is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements periodic action by dividing the communication cycle into alternating first phases (for priority data) and second phases (for non-priority data). During first phases, only priority data is transmitted; during second phases, non-priority data is transmitted. This periodic structure ensures that non-priority data transmission never blocks priority data transmission, while still achieving high network utilization by keeping the network active in both phases. The management device coordinates this periodic transmission pattern across all terminals.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication master device (101) manages a plurality of communication slave devices (102). An investigation unit (301) investigates status of retention of transmission waiting data in the plurality of communication slave devices (102). A period specification unit (302) specifies a length of a transmission permitted period in which transmission of the transmission waiting data is permitted and a length of a transmission prohibited period in which the transmission of the transmission waiting data is prohibited, based on the status of the retention of the transmission waiting data in the plurality of communication slave devices (102).