Network Interface Apparatus Protocol Timing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently interfacing networks operating on different protocols, such as Ethernet and CAN, particularly in ensuring proper timing and spacing of messages across these networks.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus is designed to provide an interface between networks operating on different protocols by receiving messages encoded according to one protocol, extracting and identifying messages belonging to the same flow, and transmitting these messages on the second network with a time spacing greater than a predetermined minimum, ensuring compliance with the second protocol's timing requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If messages are transmitted continuously between networks without timing control, then communication efficiency is improved, but protocol compliance and timing requirements are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus dynamically adjusts the time spacing parameter between transmitted messages based on protocol requirements. For CAN protocol messages, it enforces minimum time spacing of 125 microseconds between messages, while allowing more flexible timing for Ethernet protocol messages. This parameter adaptation enables continuous communication while maintaining protocol compliance.
2Device complexity
If messages from different flows are transmitted without flow identification, then device complexity is reduced, but message ordering and flow control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus segments messages into different flows based on their destination node and protocol type. It maintains separate transmission queues and timing controls for different flows, ensuring that messages within the same flow are transmitted with appropriate spacing while allowing different flows to be handled independently. This segmentation enables precise flow control without requiring complex centralized management.
3Ease of operation
If protocol-specific timing requirements are not enforced, then ease of operation is improved, but communication reliability between protocols is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway apparatus acts as an intermediary between Ethernet and CAN networks, automatically translating timing requirements between the two protocols. It receives Ethernet messages with their own timing characteristics and transforms them into CAN messages that comply with CAN's minimum 125 microsecond spacing requirement, and vice versa. This intermediary function maintains ease of operation while ensuring reliable interoperability.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for providing an interface between a first network that operates based on a first protocol and a second network that operates based on a second protocol, comprising: a receive terminal configured to receive one or more first messages encoded according to the first protocol, said first messages encapsulating a plurality of second messages; and wherein said apparatus is configured to: extract said encapsulated second messages; determine, for each of said extracted second messages, and based on flow identifying information of each of said extracted second messages, a flow to which the extracted second message belongs; and for said extracted second messages of the flow, provide for transmission of said extracted second messages on the second network encoded based on the second protocol with a time spacing therebetween greater than a predetermined minimum time spacing.