Industrial Multicast Data Filtering Without Network Stack Overload
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face inefficiencies in message filtering and data processing due to the limitations of common network adapters that only support filtering on lower protocol layers, leading to unnecessary load on subscriber systems.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a method where first automation devices send payload data to multicast groups, and second automation devices register as subscribers, using Express Data Path sockets to forward datagrams to a filter unit, allowing for pre-filtering based on predefined criteria without processing by the operating system, utilizing widely available and inexpensive network cards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If common network adapters are used for message filtering, then hardware cost is reduced, but message filtering capability is limited to lower protocol layers causing unnecessary load on subscriber systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the message filtering function into two segments: hardware-based filtering at the network adapter level (using vendor-specific offload mechanisms) and software-based filtering at the application level (using socket options). This segmentation allows common network adapters to handle basic filtering while applications perform sophisticated filtering, resolving the contradiction between hardware cost and filtering efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (vendor-specific offload mechanisms and socket options) that bridges the gap between common network adapters and application-level filtering requirements. This intermediary enables enhanced filtering capabilities without requiring specialized expensive hardware, thus resolving the contradiction between hardware cost and filtering efficiency.
2Productivity
If specialized network adapters with comprehensive filtering capabilities are used, then message filtering efficiency is improved, but hardware cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex filtering logic from the network adapter hardware and relocates it to the software layer (application level). This extraction allows common, simple network adapters to be used while maintaining sophisticated filtering capabilities through software, thus resolving the contradiction between filtering efficiency and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements software-based filtering that replicates the functionality of hardware-based filtering. By copying the filtering logic to the software layer, the system achieves comprehensive filtering capabilities without requiring expensive specialized hardware, resolving the contradiction between filtering efficiency and device complexity.
3Reliability
If all payload data is sent to all subscribers, then data availability is improved, but network traffic and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary filtering at multiple levels (hardware offload, socket options, application level) before data is fully processed and delivered to subscribers. This preliminary action ensures that only relevant data is transmitted and processed, maintaining data availability for subscribed topics while reducing unnecessary network traffic and processing load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial filtering where data is filtered based on subscription relevance at multiple levels. Instead of filtering all data completely before transmission, the system applies filtering progressively, ensuring data availability for needed topics while reducing overall network traffic by eliminating obviously irrelevant data early in the processing chain.
Data Source
AI summary
Automation device, method and system for transmitting data within an industrial automation system, wherein at least one first automation device makes available payload data comprising control, measurement and/or status data for reception by control applications executing in second automation devices, where the first automation device sends datagrams comprising the payload data or a selection of payload data to at least one multicast group, the second automation devices register themselves selectively as subscribers at least in a multicast group and each have at least one network adapter that forwards received datagrams associated with the multicast groups, via a socket assigned to a network protocol stack functional unit of an operating system of the respective second automation device, to a filter unit of the respective second automation device.