Shared-Media Packet Scheduling for Collision-Free Priority Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data transmission networks experience collisions and inefficiencies due to unmanaged prioritization of data packets, leading to bandwidth degradation, unpredictable latency, and jitter, particularly in time-sensitive applications like industrial automation and automotive networks.

Innovation Solution

A coordinated data packet transmission system utilizing a transmission controller that allocates non-overlapping times for data packet transmission through a prioritization scheme and a jamming mechanism to manage network bandwidth, employing Frame Start Markers and error correction to prevent collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If nodes transmit data packets simultaneously on shared network media, then network utilization is improved, but data packet collisions occur causing transmission errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork utilizationVSAvoidtransmission accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the media state before transmission and establishing transmission schedules in advance. Nodes monitor the shared media to detect silence or ongoing transmissions, and the coordinator pre-allocates transmission opportunities to nodes based on priority levels, preventing collisions before they occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A coordination packet mechanism acts as an intermediary between nodes and the shared media. The coordinator node generates coordination packets that contain transmission schedules and priority information, mediating access to the shared media to prevent collisions while maintaining high network utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If high-priority packets are transmitted first, then latency for critical data is reduced, but lower-priority packets experience bandwidth monopolization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket latencyVSAvoidbandwidth utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different transmission qualities to different packets based on their priority levels. High-priority packets are allocated preferential transmission opportunities with guaranteed access, while lower-priority packets receive transmission opportunities only when high-priority queues are empty, ensuring each packet type receives appropriate service quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The coordinator node periodically generates coordination packets that re-evaluate and re-allocate transmission opportunities. This periodic action allows the system to dynamically adjust bandwidth allocation, preventing monopolization by ensuring that previously lower-priority packets can access the media in subsequent periods when conditions allow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If nodes monitor network traffic to detect silence, then collision detection is improved, but transmission latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision detection accuracyVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Nodes perform preliminary monitoring of the network medium to detect silence or ongoing transmissions before attempting to transmit. This advance detection allows nodes to prepare transmission buffers and synchronize timing, improving collision detection accuracy while minimizing actual transmission delay

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where nodes continuously monitor the shared media for transmission signals from other nodes. This real-time feedback allows nodes to adjust their transmission timing dynamically, ensuring accurate collision detection while maintaining efficient network utilization through rapid response

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4362401B1Device, method and computer readable program for coordinated data packet transmission on multi-point wireline or optical shared physical media
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD
  • EP4362401B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4362401B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4362401B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A media access control layer (MAC) or device for shared bus network system for collision-less data packet transmission, the media access control layer includes a transmission controller, priority queues, timestamper, and optional coordinator packet generator. The transmission controller is configured to decode a coordination packet received from the physical layer. The transmission controller is further configured to extract control information from the coordination packet. The transmission controller is further configured to generate a data packet transmission schedule and allocate non-overlapping time intervals to transmit the plurality of data packets with collision avoidance.