Layer-3 Tunneling for Mining Machine Safety Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication protocols in mining machinery, such as Profinet and Modbus, are sensitive to network disturbances, leading to unreliable operations and frequent shutdowns of mining machines, especially in IP networks using LTE and 5G, causing productivity loss and equipment wear.
Innovation Solution
Encapsulating safety critical data in layer-3 transport data packets to mitigate interference on layer-2 packets, ensuring reliable communication and reducing accidental shutdowns by creating a dedicated network overlay for critical data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If safety critical data is transmitted using traditional protocols (Profinet/Modbus) over wireless networks, then communication can be established, but the system becomes highly sensitive to network disturbances causing frequent shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tunneling mechanism that encapsulates safety critical data within standard IP packets. This intermediary layer (the tunneling protocol) shields the sensitive safety data from direct exposure to wireless network disturbances, allowing reliable transmission over LTE/5G networks while maintaining compatibility with industrial safety protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication into two distinct layers: a reliable transport layer using tunneling for safety critical data, and a standard IP network layer for general communication. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently, with the transport layer providing disturbance-resistant transmission while the network layer handles routing and addressing
2Reliability
If mining machines use sensitive safety systems with short response times, then functional safety requirements are met, but unnecessary shutdowns occur frequently causing productivity loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements prior cushioning by using tunneling to pre-protect safety critical data packets from network disturbances before transmission. This preventive measure cushions the safety system against wireless network imperfections, eliminating the need for reactive shutdowns and maintaining continuous productive operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If industrial communication protocols are used in IP networks, then integration is achieved, but protocol compatibility and noise resilience issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The tunneling mechanism serves as an intermediary that translates between industrial protocols (Profinet, Modbus) and standard IP networking. This intermediary layer handles protocol conversion and noise filtering, enabling seamless integration of legacy industrial equipment into modern IP-based wireless networks while maintaining protocol compatibility and resilience
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to, for example, a method performed by a network node (14) for mediating to a mobile node (15) in a communication network (1), safety critical data for controlling a mining machine, wherein the mobile node (15) is associated with the mining machine (10), and wherein the network node (14) and/or the mobile node (15) comprises a function for triggering a shutdown of the mining machine upon fulfilment of one or more requirements. The network node obtains a data packet carrying safety critical data for controlling the mining machine, wherein the data packet is a layer-2 data packet. In addition, the network node (14) further creates a layer-3 transport data packet comprising the layer-2 data packet, wherein the layer-3 transport data packet encapsulates the layer-2 data packet; and transmits the layer-3 transport data packet over the communication network to the mobile node (15).