Ring Network Module for Redundant Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data networks, such as Ethernet, are not redundant and deterministic, making them unsuitable for transmitting safety-critical information in airplanes, where high data transmission rates and reliability are required, especially with the increasing number of sensors and electronic components generating significant data.
Innovation Solution
A network module with a processor that connects to a ring structure via two network interfaces, allowing for redundant data transmission by creating copies of data packages and managing them independently, ensuring sufficient transmission rate and determinism, and is compatible with existing AFDX protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional Ethernet networks are used for data transmission in airplanes, then sufficient data transmission rate can be achieved, but the network is not redundant and not deterministic, making it unsuitable for safety-critical information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates duplicate copies of data packages and transmits them through different paths in the ring network. Each node receives copies from both directions, ensuring that if one path fails, the other path can deliver the data. This copying mechanism provides redundancy without sacrificing transmission rate, as both copies can be processed in parallel.
Solution Approach 2:
The network is segmented into multiple independent transmission paths forming a ring structure. Data packages are divided into segments that can be transmitted simultaneously through different segments of the ring. This segmentation allows parallel transmission, maintaining high data transmission rates while providing multiple redundant paths for safety-critical information.
2Reliability
If redundant network structures are implemented to ensure reliability, then safety-critical information can be transmitted reliably, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ring network structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides redundant transmission paths, enables deterministic timing through synchronized token passing, and maintains high data transmission rates through parallel channels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate redundant systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the redundancy mechanism with the data transmission protocol itself. The ring structure combines error detection, redundancy, and data forwarding functions into a unified system where data packages carry identification information that enables automatic routing and verification. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed, limiting complexity increase.
3Reliability
If data packages are transmitted through a ring structure with multiple interfaces, then redundancy and determinism are achieved, but the processing complexity at each node increases
Solution Approach 1:
Data packages are pre-marked with identification information indicating their source and destination before entering the ring. This preliminary action allows receiving nodes to quickly determine whether to forward or process the package without complex real-time analysis. The pre-configured identification system reduces processor complexity by enabling simple comparison-based routing decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The data packages themselves carry the information needed for routing and verification, making the transmission process self-service. Each package includes source address, destination address, and identification number that enable automatic routing decisions at intermediate nodes. This self-service mechanism reduces the processing burden on network nodes, limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining determinism.
Data Source
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AI summary
A network module for sending and/or receiving of data packages from a network arrangement which is located in a network with ring structure is provided, wherein the data package comprises at least one data package segment, a source address, a destination address and an identification number, the network module comprising a first network interface for receiving and/or sending of data packages via the ring structure; a second network interface for receiving and/or sending of data packages via the ring structure; a processor configured to determine, based on the destination address, if data packages received with the first network interface and/or the second network interface are directed to the network module and to determine if the source address and/or the destination address are contained in a predefined list of the network participants; wherein the processor is further configured to determine, based on the source address and the identification number, if a copy of a data package directed to the network module is already created in a memory; wherein the processor is further configured to create a copy of the data package as well as the source address and the identification number in the memory if the determination results in that the received data package is directed to the network module and a copy of the data package has not yet been created in the memory; and wherein the processor is further configured to unpack the data package segment comprising at least one header and a payload from the created copy of the data package and to provide the data package segment to an application.