Network Planning Apparatus for IoT Control Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large-scale, complex distributed control systems face challenges in deploying and configuring distributed functions and network resources effectively, particularly in achieving high reliability and proper time slot management in control networks.

Innovation Solution

A network planning apparatus that allocates resources based on distributed function requirements, using IEEE standards like TSN and OpenFlow, to manage communication bandwidth, time slots, and redundancy, ensuring efficient communication and control in control systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If distributed control systems are made large-scale and complex to achieve high reliability through redundancy, then system reliability improves, but the difficulty of deploying distributed functions and configuring network resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoiddeployment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network planning apparatus as an intermediary between system requirements and actual network configuration. This apparatus automatically performs deployment planning and resource allocation, mediating between the complex redundancy requirements and the actual configuration of distributed functions, thereby maintaining high reliability while reducing deployment complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary deployment planning and resource allocation before actual system deployment. The network planning apparatus pre-configures time slots, bandwidth allocation, and function distribution in a planned manner, avoiding complex on-site configuration work and reducing deployment difficulty while ensuring reliability through predetermined redundancy arrangements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If time slot communication is used to improve time determinability in control networks, then communication delay determinability improves, but the complexity of configuring network resources such as time slots increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication delay determinabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network planning apparatus serves as an intermediary that automatically manages time slot configuration and network resource allocation. It translates communication requirements into specific time slot assignments and bandwidth allocations, maintaining precise communication delay determinability while eliminating manual configuration complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements automatic feedback mechanisms where the network planning apparatus continuously monitors network status and communication requirements, then automatically adjusts time slot allocations and resource distribution. This feedback loop maintains precise timing control while adapting to changing conditions without manual intervention, reducing configuration complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3955520B1IoT control network planning
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 HITACHI LTD
  • EP3955520B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3955520B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3955520B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Example implementations described herein generate plans for the deployment of functions involving the distribution function and the allocation of network resources based on the requirements of the distributed functions on the control system and the network information constituting the control system. Example implementations involve gathering requirements of the distributed functions constituting the distributed control system, information of the network, and information of the plurality of communication devices, and generating a plan for deployment of the distributed functions to corresponding ones of the plurality of communications devices and allocation of network resources to the corresponding ones of the plurality of communication devices based on the gathered requirements and the information of the network.