Ring Network Error Location Detection via Packet Relay Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ring networks face challenges in promptly identifying the location of communication errors, such as breaks in communication lines or failures in relay functions, which can lead to system failures and prolonged downtime.
Innovation Solution
A ring network architecture that includes nodes with packet send-out and relay units, and a communication error detector capable of identifying error locations by analyzing the source node IDs and number of relays in transmission packets, along with switches that can reroute packets to bypass faulty nodes, allowing for swift error detection and minimization of downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional communication error detection methods are used in ring networks, then system simplicity is maintained, but error location identification time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring each node with its unique identification information and establishing the ring network structure in advance. When a communication error occurs, the error detection device can immediately utilize the pre-established packet relay relationships and node identification information to quickly identify the error location without needing to perform complex sequential testing, thus reducing error location identification time while maintaining reasonable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an error detection device as an intermediary that collects and analyzes packet relay information from multiple nodes. This intermediary device processes the communication data to identify error locations, separating the detection function from the normal communication function and enabling efficient error localization without significantly increasing the complexity of individual nodes
2Reliability
If sequential bypass testing is performed to identify communication errors, then comprehensive error detection is achieved, but network downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having each node continuously send packets containing its identification information through the ring network and collect relay information from other nodes. The error detection device analyzes this feedback information to identify communication errors. This continuous feedback mechanism ensures comprehensive error detection while enabling parallel analysis of multiple node statuses simultaneously, thereby reducing network downtime compared to sequential testing methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by having the error detection device focus analysis on specific suspicious nodes identified through packet relay information patterns, rather than requiring exhaustive testing of every node in the network. This approach achieves sufficient error detection coverage while significantly reducing the time required compared to complete sequential bypass testing of all nodes
3Reliability
If communication error location identification is not implemented, then network structure simplicity is maintained, but system failure impact expands to the entire network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the ring network into functional segments: normal communication nodes that transmit data, and a dedicated error detection device that monitors for failures. This segmentation allows the error detection function to be performed independently without affecting normal communication operations, improving network availability while keeping the complexity increase localized to the detection mechanism rather than affecting all nodes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling nodes to automatically include their identification information in transmitted packets and autonomously relay packets from other nodes. This self-identifying behavior provides the error detection device with the necessary information to locate failures without requiring additional manual intervention or complex external testing equipment, thereby improving reliability with minimal added complexity
Data Source
AI summary
In a ring network including multiple nodes connected in a ring via communication lines, each node includes: a packet send-out unit configured to generate transmission packets each containing at least a number of relays and a source node ID and send out the transmission packets according to a predetermined repeating pattern; and a packet relay unit configured to receive input packets, and when a node indicated by the source node ID of each input packet is other than an own node, send out the input packet as a relay packet after adding one unit to the number of relays. At least one of the nodes is provided with a communication error detector for detecting a communication error in the ring network. The communication error detector identifies a location of the communication error by referring to the source node IDs of the input packets received by a corresponding node.