Ethernet Switch Channel Arbitration for Industrial Control Data

The Ethernet network is segmented into multiple priority channels (Channel 0 to Channel 7) based on real-time requirements. Industrial control data is assigned to high-priority channels (Channel 4-7) while video and call data use lower-priority channels (Channel 0-3). The switch performs channel arbitration to ensure high-priority channels receive preferential transmission rights, resolving the bandwidth-time contradiction by spatial segmentation of traffic flows.

The patent changes the transmission parameter by introducing channel priority levels. Each data frame is tagged with a channel level indicating its transmission priority. The switch uses these parameters to dynamically adjust transmission scheduling, allowing high-priority industrial control data to preempt lower-priority video/call data during channel allocation, thus ensuring real-time transmission without sacrificing overall bandwidth utilization.

The patent implements preliminary anti-action by establishing channel arbitration mechanisms before attacks occur. The switch pre-configures priority channels and arbitration rules that automatically prevent ordinary data from occupying high-priority transmission paths. When data frames arrive, the channel arbitration component checks their priority levels and admits only authorized high-priority control data to critical channels, blocking potential attack traffic in advance rather than reacting after intrusion.

The channel arbitration component acts as an intermediary between incoming data frames and the transmission medium. It mediates access to priority channels by evaluating channel levels and arbitration results, allowing legitimate high-priority control data to pass while filtering out unauthorized ordinary data attempts to occupy critical transmission paths. This intermediary layer provides security without adding noticeable delay to authorized control data.

The patent merges control data traffic and ordinary data traffic into a single Ethernet network infrastructure while maintaining logical separation through channel prioritization. Instead of requiring physically isolated networks, the switch combines both traffic types on shared physical media but enforces strict channel arbitration rules that guarantee control data receives dedicated transmission resources. This merging approach achieves the security and real-time performance of separate networks while eliminating the cost and complexity of dual network deployments.

The Ethernet switch performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a standard Ethernet switch for ordinary data while also functioning as a priority queueing mechanism for control data. The channel arbitration component provides universal service to all data types but applies different transmission policies based on channel levels. This multi-functionality allows a single network infrastructure to serve both best-effort ordinary traffic and real-time control traffic without requiring separate specialized networks.