Transfer Device for Frame Preemption Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fragmented frames cannot be recognized and are discarded at bridge nodes not implementing the Frame Preemption (FP) scheme, leading to incorrect transfer of normal frames in communication networks with both FP and non-FP bridge nodes present.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device and method that separates and defragments standard service signals, assigns header information, and delays their transfer until priority service signals are sent, allowing fragmented frames to be transmitted across general-purpose bridge nodes, including a reception unit, separation unit, signal defragmentation unit, multiplexing unit, buffer unit, priority control unit, header information copy unit, transmission unit, interrupt transfer processing unit, signal fragmentation unit, and transmission delaying unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the Frame Preemption (FP) scheme is implemented to minimize queuing delay for Express frames, then the e2e delay for priority services is improved, but fragmented frames cannot be recognized at bridge nodes not implementing the FP scheme and are discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the FP scheme with fragmentation) that enables priority traffic to interrupt standard traffic at certain nodes. However, this intermediary creates incompatibility with non-FP bridge nodes that cannot process fragmented frames. The solution involves making the fragmentation information visible in standardized header fields so that all bridge nodes, regardless of FP capability, can correctly handle and forward fragmented frames without discarding them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters used to identify fragmented frames from proprietary FP-specific fields to standardized Ethernet header fields (such as using specific values in existing header structures). This parameter change allows fragmented frames to be recognized and processed by general-purpose bridge nodes that implement standard Ethernet protocols, eliminating the compatibility issue while preserving the FP functionality at nodes that support it.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fragmented frames are transmitted across general-purpose bridge nodes, then compatibility is improved, but additional header information processing and defragmentation operations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the fragmentation identification mechanism universal by using standardized header fields that all Ethernet-compliant bridge nodes can interpret. This allows the same header structure to serve dual purposes: standard frame identification for all nodes and fragmentation identification for FP-capable nodes, eliminating the need for separate processing paths and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying of header information from the original frame to identify fragmentation status. By placing fragmentation identifiers in standardized header fields that are naturally copied and forwarded with frames, the system avoids complex processing at intermediate nodes while ensuring that fragmentation information is preserved throughout the network path.
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer device for coupling a priority signal and a standard signal and transferring the signal includes a reception unit that receives a plurality of signals transmitted from a device connected to an opposite side of a transfer route, a separation unit that separates the signal into the priority signal and the standard signal, a signal defragmentation unit that defragments the plurality of standard signals, a multiplexing unit that multiplexes each of the priority signal and the standard signal, a priority control unit that determines a transfer order of the signals, a header information copy unit that copy header information of the standard signal, a transmission unit that transmits the signal to a device connected to the transfer route, an interrupt transfer processing unit that perform an interruption process when the priority signal arrives during the transfer of the standard signal, a signal fragmentation unit that fragments the standard signal, a header information assignment unit that assigns the header information to the standard signal, and a transmission delaying unit that delays the transfer of the standard signal until the priority signal has been transferred.