Industrial Network Timing Control for Isochronous Wired-Wireless Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional industrial networks fail to provide reliable, isochronous data transmission between industrial devices, especially in cellular and fixed infrastructure, leading to operational delays and inefficiencies due to asynchronous data transmission, limited communication links, and inability to integrate wired and wireless infrastructure effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for isochronous data transmission in industrial networks using pre-scheduled time slots, integrating cellular and fixed networks, with a network controller generating timing information for synchronized data transmission, and utilizing a first wireless device and routing means to aggregate multiple communication links for reliable, low-latency data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cellular infrastructure is used for industrial device connectivity, then wireless coverage and device attachment flexibility are improved, but data transmission reliability and timing synchronization deteriorate due to random link assignment and lack of pre-scheduled communication slots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pre-scheduled uplink time slots and pre-assigned communication links for industrial devices before data transmission occurs. The network controller allocates specific time slots and communication links to devices in advance, ensuring that devices know exactly when and how to transmit data, thereby eliminating random access conflicts and ensuring reliable, synchronized communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cellular network resources into dedicated uplink time slots and downlink time slots, with further segmentation into multiple communication links (e.g., different carriers or frequency resources). This segmentation allows simultaneous multiple devices to transmit without conflict while maintaining overall synchronization, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and reliability.
2Quantity of substance
If more industrial devices are attached to the cellular infrastructure, then network coverage and device connectivity are improved, but available communication links become depleted leading to connection rejections and operational delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the time dimension by implementing multiple uplink time slots and downlink time slots within each radio frame. Instead of limiting devices by the number of simultaneous communication links, the system allows devices to access the network across different time dimensions, effectively multiplying the capacity to support more devices without degrading throughput for existing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic radio frames with repeating patterns of uplink and downlink time slots. This periodic structure allows the network to handle bursts of data from multiple devices in an organized manner, where each device gets scheduled access in its designated time slots within each frame, enabling scalable support for large numbers of devices while maintaining consistent throughput.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wired and wireless industrial devices are integrated into a single network, then network versatility and remote operation capability are improved, but timing synchronization and isochronous data transmission deteriorate due to different transmission mediums and protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal timing synchronization mechanism that works across both wired and wireless devices. The network controller generates and distributes timing information (frame structures, time slot assignments) that both wired Ethernet devices and wireless cellular devices can interpret and follow, enabling isochronous communication across heterogeneous mediums by providing a common timing reference framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The network controller acts as an intermediary that translates and coordinates between wired and wireless communication domains. It generates unified timing information and distributes it to both wired devices (via Ethernet) and wireless devices (via cellular downlink), mediating the synchronization between these different transmission mediums and ensuring they operate in a coordinated, time-synchronized manner.
4Reliability
If downlink data is transmitted as unicast to individual devices, then data transmission reliability is improved, but broadcast capability and simultaneous data delivery to multiple devices deteriorate compared to Ethernet broadcast
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges unicast and broadcast capabilities by implementing downlink time slots that can carry data intended for multiple devices simultaneously. The network controller can transmit broadcast data during designated downlink time slots where all wireless devices are synchronized to receive, achieving efficient broadcast delivery while maintaining the reliability of the cellular downlink channel, thus combining the advantages of both unicast reliability and broadcast efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a method for isochronous data transmission in industrial network. The industrial network comprises first sub-network comprising first industrial devices and first base station, second sub-network comprising second industrial devices and first routing means, first wireless device configured to provide a communication between the first industrial devices and the first base station, a network controller coupled to the first base station and to the first routing means, and a reference clock. The method comprising providing first timing information to the first sub-network and second timing information to the second sub-network, configuring the first wireless device to transfer data from the first industrial devices to the network controller based on the first timing information, receiving the data from the first sub-network and transferring the received data from the network controller to the second industrial devices of the second sub-network via routing means using the second timing information.