Frame Transmission Shaping for TSN–EEE Latency Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wired communication networks face incompatibility between energy-efficient Ethernet (EEE) and Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) standards, leading to unacceptable latencies and inefficient idle periods due to EEE-induced delays and fragmented burst emissions, which are not compatible with stringent real-time requirements.
Innovation Solution
A shaping method for data frame transmission that groups queues into critical cyclic and delay tolerant classes, calculates delays, and sets network controllers to idle mode based on these classifications, optimizing idle periods and energy savings while maintaining real-time frame transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) is enabled to reduce energy consumption during low link utilization periods, then energy savings are achieved, but transmission latencies are introduced that are incompatible with stringent real-time requirements of TSN data flows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the EEE LPI entry/exit behavior based on TSN traffic requirements. The network controller monitors queue states and selectively prevents LPI mode during periods when TSN frames require timely transmission, while allowing LPI mode during periods with only non-time-sensitive traffic. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making energy savings conditional on real-time performance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the network controller by introducing configurable thresholds and timing parameters that control when EEE LPI mode can be activated. By adjusting these parameters based on traffic characteristics, the system optimizes the balance between energy consumption and transmission latency, allowing deeper energy savings when latency tolerance is higher and maintaining lower latency when time-sensitive traffic is detected.
2Loss of energy
If EEE LPI mode is activated to save energy, then power consumption drops significantly, but frame transmission delays occur due to waking-up periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by checking the state of transmission queues and predicting future traffic patterns before allowing EEE LPI mode activation. The network controller evaluates whether activating LPI mode would cause time-sensitive frames to miss their transmission deadlines, and prevents LPI entry when such delays would occur. This predictive approach ensures that energy savings are achieved without compromising real-time frame transmission requirements.
3Reliability
If TSN scheduling with multiple traffic classes is implemented to ensure deterministic messaging, then real-time delivery is improved, but idle periods are fragmented and EEE efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the TSN scheduling mechanism with EEE LPI mode control by integrating queue state monitoring into the LPI decision-making process. Instead of treating TSN scheduling and EEE operation as separate mechanisms, the patent combines them into a unified control framework where the same information about queue states and traffic priorities that drives TSN scheduling also drives LPI mode activation decisions. This merging allows the system to achieve both deterministic messaging and improved EEE efficiency simultaneously.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for shaping the transmission of data frames within a communication network. The method involves the following steps: - determining (S01), for at least one current queue (Qk) of a set of transmission queues (Q1, Q2; ..., Qn), frames to be transmitted for this at least one current queue (Qk), - calculating (S02), as a function of the number of frames to be transmitted for this at least one current queue (Qk), at least one delay (ST) between the end of a transmission of frames to be transmitted and the beginning of a next time slot for transmission of frames of the at least one current queue (Qk), and comprising: - when the at least one delay is greater than a predetermined amount of time (STp), setting (S11) a network controller to an idle mode as a function of the at least one delay.