Time-Window Scheduling for Time-Critical Industrial Data Streams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face issues with communication interruptions and inefficient resource utilization due to time-critical data transmission requirements, leading to potential production downtime and suboptimal use of network resources.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a communication system that synchronizes periodic time intervals for data transmission, uses quality of service parameters to reserve resources, and allocates individual time windows for control applications, ensuring efficient resource utilization and flexible adaptation to varying requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If credit-based shapers are used to monitor bandwidth and enforce transmission pauses, then bandwidth limitation is achieved, but transmission of control data frames is delayed or interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the communication network into two distinct types: industrial automation communication devices that handle time-critical control data, and Ethernet communication devices that handle standard data traffic. This segmentation allows each type to operate with its own transmission rules, preventing Ethernet devices from imposing pauses on industrial automation traffic while still enforcing bandwidth limits where applicable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different transmission characteristics for different device types. Industrial automation communication devices are granted exempt status from credit-based shaper enforcement, enabling them to transmit control data frames without forced pauses. This local differentiation ensures that bandwidth monitoring is applied where appropriate while protecting time-critical communications from degradation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If Ethernet-based communication networks transmit data frames with large payloads, then network versatility is improved, but resources for real-time data streams are depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the network into two distinct types: industrial automation communication devices that handle time-critical control data, and Ethernet communication devices that handle standard data traffic. This segmentation allows each type to operate with its own transmission rules, preventing Ethernet devices from depleting resources needed for real-time industrial automation data streams while maintaining network versatility for handling various data types.
3Measurement precision
If communication interruptions occur in industrial automation systems, then error detection is improved, but production continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing a protected communication infrastructure for industrial automation devices before problems occur. By pre-defining exempt status for these devices and configuring them to operate independently from credit-based shaper enforcement, the system ensures continuous operation of time-critical control data transmission. This preventive approach maintains production continuity while still allowing error detection mechanisms to function.
Data Source
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AI summary
For data streams running on terminal devices (201, 202) and assigned to selected control applications, an individual time window (411-417) is specified within predefined time intervals. Each time window has an individual cycle duration, which is a multiple of or equal to the general cycle duration. First and second communication devices (101, 102) check for the selected control applications whether a specified time window is available for data transmission. If a time window (411-417) is available, information about the start of the time window within the predefined time intervals is transmitted to the terminal device (201, 202) on which the respective selected control application is running. Data streams assigned to selected control applications are then transmitted according to the information about the start of the individual time window.