Industrial Ethernet Priority Windows for Deterministic Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial control systems face challenges in maintaining deterministic and reliable data communications while accommodating flexibility and ease of expansion, as existing protocols require complex scheduling and reconfiguration with increasing system complexity.
Innovation Solution
An industrial Ethernet network utilizing the IEEE 802.3 standard with multiple priority windows and transmit priority queues, where data packets are transmitted based on a defined schedule, ensuring deterministic delivery without collisions, and allowing flexibility in scheduling and expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If highly scheduled communications protocols are used to ensure reliable data transmission, then communication reliability is improved, but system flexibility and ease of expansion deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The communication schedule is segmented into multiple priority windows (e.g., real-time window, non-real-time window) rather than a single monolithic schedule. Each window can be independently configured and managed, allowing flexible allocation of time slots to different communication priorities without affecting the entire schedule, thus maintaining reliability while enabling adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic schedule adjustment capabilities where priority windows can be modified, added, or removed based on changing system requirements. The transmission controller can adaptively allocate time slots within each window based on current traffic conditions and device needs, allowing the system to evolve without requiring complete schedule reconfiguration.
2Reliability
If complex scheduling optimization routines are implemented to accommodate increasing devices, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and setup difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The complex scheduling problem is divided into simpler sub-problems by creating discrete priority windows with specific time allocations. Instead of optimizing a single complex schedule for all devices, the system manages multiple simpler windows that can be independently configured, reducing the complexity of scheduling optimization routines.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows configuration of priority windows through parameter changes such as time duration, priority level, and device assignment rather than requiring complex recursive optimization. This parameter-based approach simplifies the setup process while maintaining reliable communication through deterministic time slot allocation.
3Reliability
If the entire schedule must be reconfigured for system expansion, then communication reliability is maintained, but ease of operation and setup time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
When new devices need to be added to the system, only the specific priority window(s) requiring the new devices need to be modified, rather than reconfiguring the entire schedule. This segmented approach allows incremental expansion while preserving the reliability of existing communication slots through their unchanged status.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows pre-definition of multiple priority windows with flexible time allocations before devices are fully deployed. This preliminary structuring enables future expansion by simply assigning new devices to existing window structures or creating new windows as needed, avoiding the need to redesign the entire scheduling framework.
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject matter disclosed herein describes a method to allocate and prioritize data communications on an industrial control network. A transmission schedule (28) including multiple priority windows and multiple queues (Q) is established. Each queue (Q) is assigned to at least one priority window, and each priority window may have multiple queues (Q) assigned thereto. A control device (10) communicating on the control network (12) transmits data packets according to the transmission schedule (28). Within each priority window, data packets corresponding to one of the queues (Q) assigned to the priority window may be transmitted. The data packets may be transmitted at any point during the priority window, but will only be transmitted if no data packet from a higher queue (Q) is waiting to be transmitted.