Sum Frame Aggregation for Real-Time Ethernet Bandwidth Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Real-time capable Ethernet data networks face inefficiencies in bandwidth utilization due to short data packets, leading to wasted bandwidth and prolonged cycle times, as existing sum frame methods require dedicated components and complex implementations.
Innovation Solution
A method where a collector node aggregates data from multiple slaves into a sum frame packet and transmits it to the master, allowing conventional Ethernet nodes to participate without additional functionality, reducing implementation costs and achieving shorter cycle times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If short data packets are transmitted in real-time capable Ethernet networks, then data communication between master and slaves is enabled, but bandwidth utilization deteriorates due to overhead and padding data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple short data packets from different slaves into a single sum frame packet. The master node aggregates data from multiple slaves that would otherwise require separate transmissions, merging them into one efficient packet that reduces overhead and padding requirements, thereby improving bandwidth utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The sum frame packet serves multiple functions simultaneously: it carries data from multiple different slaves, maintains real-time communication capabilities, and optimizes bandwidth usage. This multi-functional approach allows a single packet structure to handle diverse data transmission needs efficiently.
2Loss of energy
If sum frame methods are implemented to reduce overhead, then bandwidth utilization improves, but device complexity increases due to dedicated components requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The master node performs multiple functions: it acts as both a regular data recipient and an aggregation point for sum frames. The same Ethernet infrastructure and protocol handling mechanisms are used for both individual packet reception and sum frame processing, avoiding the need for dedicated specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own existing resources and capabilities to implement the sum frame function. The master node's existing data processing and packet handling infrastructure is leveraged to aggregate and process sum frames, eliminating the need for external dedicated components or additional hardware.
3Ease of operation
If individual data packets are transmitted from each slave, then data communication is simple to implement, but cycle time increases due to repeated overhead
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individual data transmissions are merged into a single sum frame transmission cycle. Instead of each slave transmitting separately with full overhead, the master aggregates data from multiple slaves into one packet, reducing the total number of transmission cycles required and thereby reducing overall cycle time.
4Loss of energy
If sum frame packets are used to reduce overhead, then bandwidth utilization improves, but device complexity increases due to specialized components
Solution Approach 1:
The sum frame implementation uses the same Ethernet hardware and protocol processing capabilities that already exist in standard Ethernet nodes. The master node's existing Ethernet interface and packet processing logic handle sum frames without requiring specialized components, making the solution compatible with conventional Ethernet infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
In order that in a real-time capable Ethernet data network protocol the cycle time of the transmission cycles in a real-time capable Ethernet data network can be shortened, according to the invention a plurality of slaves (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) is combined into a sum frame group (SG) and a slave (S2, S4) of the sum frame group (SG) is specified as collector node (SK) and all other slaves (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) of the sum frame group (SK) transmit their data in each case with a collective data packet (DPS1, DPS2, DPS3, DPS4, DPS5) to the collector node (SK) transmit, the collector node (SK) inserts the data of the other slaves (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) of the sum frame group (SG) into a sum frame data packet (DPSR) and the collector node (SK) transmits the sum frame data packet (DPSR) to the master (M).