Redundant Message Transmission in Industrial Mesh Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current redundant communication protocols in industrial networks, such as HSR and PRP, are limited to ring structures and separate redundant networks, failing to provide seamless media redundancy in meshed topologies, which can lead to communication failures and production standstills due to message loss and system overload.
Innovation Solution
A method and communication device with transmitting and receiving units, a coupling element, and a signal processing unit using Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) to duplicate and filter messages with duplicate identifiers, enabling seamless media redundancy in meshed network topologies by determining independent paths and using virtual local area networks for redundant message transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HSR or PRP protocols are used for redundant message transmission, then message duplication and seamless redundancy are achieved, but the network topology is limited to ring structures and separate redundant networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends HSR/PRP protocols to support meshed network topologies in addition to ring structures. The system can determine multiple independent paths between source and destination nodes in meshed topologies and transmit redundant messages through these paths, making the protocol universally applicable to various network topologies including meshed, ring, and hybrid structures
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines independent paths between network nodes based on the actual network topology. The path determination is not fixed but adapts to the specific meshed structure, allowing flexible routing of redundant messages through multiple possible paths depending on network conditions and topology
2Reliability
If message duplication is implemented for seamless redundancy, then fault tolerance is improved, but communication link load increases causing system overload
Solution Approach 1:
The system transmits redundant messages only on paths that are actually needed for redundancy, rather than duplicating all messages on all possible paths. The independent path determination identifies the minimum necessary paths for achieving fault tolerance, avoiding excessive message transmission and reducing unnecessary load on communication links
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent paths are determined for redundant message transmission in meshed topologies, then topology-independent media redundancy is achieved, but path determination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs path determination in advance before actual message transmission is needed. Independent paths between network nodes are pre-calculated and stored, so that when message transmission is required, the redundant paths are already identified and ready for use, reducing the complexity during actual operation
Data Source
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AI summary
For redundant message transmission in an industrial communication network with an arbitrarily complex mesh topology, independent paths are determined for at least partially redundant communication links between two network nodes within the industrial communication network. These independent paths comprise separate network nodes within a single communication network. Messages with duplicate identifiers are exchanged between sending and receiving units of communication devices within the industrial communication network according to forwarding rules corresponding to the determined paths.