OPC UA Network Modeling for Deterministic TSN Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial and automotive networks face challenges in ensuring deterministic real-time data delivery due to the limitations of Ethernet technology, leading to complex network management and monitoring when integrating Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) with OPCUA, SNMP-MIB, and NETCONF-YANG protocols.
Innovation Solution
Extend OPCUA capabilities to network devices managed using NETCONF-YANG and SNMP-MIB protocols by implementing a Centralized User Configuration (CUC) and Centralized Network Controller (CNC) with OPCUA models to facilitate TSN parameter determination and provisioning, allowing translation between OPCUA, YANG, and MIB parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Ethernet technology is used for network backbone to support IoT/IIoT connectivity, then interoperability and cost are improved, but deterministic real-time data delivery is not guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network management into two distinct layers: a standardized OPC UA layer for device-level communication and a TSN layer for network-level deterministic traffic management. This segmentation allows OPC UA applications to benefit from Ethernet interoperability while TSN mechanisms ensure deterministic real-time delivery through traffic classification, prioritization, and timing synchronization at the network switch level.
2Reliability
If TSN is introduced to ensure deterministic real-time delivery, then reliability is improved, but network management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation mechanism that converts TSN network management parameters into OPC UA data models. This intermediary layer allows existing OPC UA tools and protocols to manage TSN networks without requiring separate complex TSN-specific management systems. The translation maps TSN concepts like traffic classes, bandwidth profiles, and timing parameters into equivalent OPC UA structured data types and methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends OPC UA's multi-functional capability to handle both traditional industrial device communication and TSN network management. By defining comprehensive OPC UA information models that encompass TSN parameters, the system uses a single unified protocol for both application-level data exchange and network-level deterministic traffic management, eliminating the need for multiple specialized protocols.
3Ease of operation
If OPCUA is extended to network devices managed using NETCONF-YANG and SNMP-MIB, then ease of operation is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates copied representations of TSN network management data within the OPC UA address space by mapping NETCONF-YANG and SNMP-MIB data structures into equivalent OPC UA information models. This copying approach allows OPC UA clients to access and manipulate TSN parameters using familiar OPC UA mechanisms while the underlying TSN network management systems continue to use their native protocols, effectively duplicating the interface in a compatible format.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods/systems are provided for extending the capabilities of OPCUA to network devices that are otherwise configured and managed using NETCONF-YANG and SNMP-MIB protocols. The extension of OPCUA allows these devices to be described in network communications in the same manner as MIB or YANG. The systems/methods provide a CUC configured to request a TSN connection on the industrial network, the CUC including an OPCUA model therein. The CUC interacts with and configures an OPCUA based industrial controller connected to the industrial network, and an OPCUA based industrial device connected to the industrial network, to determine TSN parameters required for the TSN connection. The systems/methods further provide a CNC configured to provision the TSN connection on the industrial network upon request by the CUC. In some embodiments, the CNC includes an OPCUA model therein. Alternatively, the CUC may translate the TSN parameters from OPCUA parameters to YANG-MIB parameters for the CNC.