Redundant Message Transmission via Sparse Timebase
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing redundancy management in distributed real-time systems faces challenges in distinguishing between new and redundant messages, particularly when using sequence numbers, which can lead to issues with message overflow and synchronization inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a redundancy mechanism that utilizes a synchronized 'sparse timebase' to create alternating activity and idle phases, allowing messages with the same identity to be recognized as redundant by being sent only during active phases, thus eliminating the need for sequence numbers and enhancing system robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sequence numbers are used to distinguish redundant messages, then message identification is possible, but message overflow and synchronization inaccuracies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission of redundant messages using a timebase divided into activity periods and idle periods. Messages are transmitted only during activity periods, creating a periodic pattern that eliminates the need for sequence numbers. This periodic action resolves the contradiction by providing reliable message identification through temporal positioning rather than numerical sequencing, thereby avoiding synchronization inaccuracies and overflow issues.
2Reliability
If redundant messages are transmitted continuously, then message delivery reliability is improved, but system resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic transmission by dividing the timebase into alternating activity periods and idle periods. Redundant messages are transmitted only during activity periods, while idle periods provide silence for conflict resolution. This periodic approach maintains message delivery reliability through redundant transmission while significantly reducing system resource consumption compared to continuous transmission, as the communication channels remain inactive during idle periods.
3Productivity
If activity periods are extended to accommodate more messages, then message throughput increases, but time for conflict resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent structures the timebase with defined activity periods and idle periods. The idle periods serve as dedicated conflict resolution intervals where no messages are transmitted, allowing the system to process and resolve any conflicts from the preceding activity period. This periodic structure balances message throughput during activity periods with adequate conflict resolution time during idle periods, preventing the trade-off from becoming problematic.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the redundant transmission of messages in a distributed real-time system. The real-time system comprises two or more computing nodes (101-108) and one or more star couplers (201-209). The computing nodes (101-108) are connected to the star couplers (201-209) by means of bidirectional communication lines (301, 302, 303), and the star couplers (201-209) are connected to one another by means of bidirectional communication lines (310). The star couplers (201-209) connected by means of the communication lines (310) form a network infrastructure (200), wherein one or more star couplers (201-209) of the network infrastructure (200) carry out one or more activity rasters (1000). An activity raster (1000) consists of alternating active phases (502) and rest phases (501), and precisely one activity raster (1000) is assigned to each message transmitted in the network infrastructure. The invention further relates to an infrastructure and to a real-time system with such a network infrastructure.