Deterministic Ethernet I/O via IEEE 802.1p Priority Tagging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial networks require predictable message travel times to maintain deterministic processes, but widespread communications protocols like TCP/IP fail to provide consistent behavior, leading to the use of specialized hardware.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing standard Ethernet hardware and IEEE 802.1 D/Q message routing to ensure predictable message travel times, with devices capable of attaching, removing, or altering priority tags on traffic to prevent interference between high-priority and low-priority messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized communications hardware is used to achieve predictable message travel times, then message travel time predictability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses standard Ethernet hardware copies that replicate the functionality of specialized industrial communication hardware. By implementing priority tagging and classification mechanisms on commodity Ethernet switches rather than requiring dedicated industrial communication hardware, the system achieves deterministic message travel times using copies of standard equipment, thereby reducing cost and complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of standard Ethernet hardware by implementing IEEE 802.1p priority tagging and classification. By modifying how standard hardware handles traffic (through priority queues and tagging mechanisms) rather than requiring specialized hardware, the system achieves predictable message travel times using conventional equipment, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If low-priority traffic is allowed on the network, then network versatility and ease of operation are improved, but message travel time for high-priority traffic may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic into different priority levels using IEEE 802.1p tagging. By dividing traffic into high-priority and low-priority categories with separate handling mechanisms (priority queues), the system allows diverse traffic types to coexist while ensuring high-priority messages receive preferential treatment, thus maintaining deterministic message travel times even with mixed traffic loads
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces priority tags as an intermediary mechanism between different traffic types. These tags act as mediators that enable standard Ethernet hardware to differentiate and prioritize traffic without requiring specialized protocols. The tagging system allows low-priority traffic to share the network while high-priority traffic maintains predictable travel times through priority-based scheduling
Data Source
AI summary
A networking system is discussed. The system may be used for industrial networks, where deterministic behavior is often valued. Bounded message travel times may be achieved for a first set of network traffic. Additional traffic may be routed over the networking system without interfering with the message travel times associated with the first set of network traffic. Systems and methods for assigning priority to various sets of network traffic are discussed.