TsSDN Controller Path Determination for Guaranteed Delay
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current Ethernet technology cannot guarantee timely delivery of critical data across networks, which is essential for industrial and automotive applications with strict timing requirements, such as high-speed cheese slicing systems and autonomous driving, where delays can lead to productivity loss and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Time-Sensitive Software-Defined Network (TsSDN) system that integrates time domain management into the SDN controller to differentiate between time-sensitive, time-aware, and best-effort data packets, ensuring deterministic real-time communication by determining network paths with guaranteed end-to-end delay and considering latency through multiple layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Ethernet technology is used for network backbone, then connectivity and flexibility are improved, but deterministic real-time delivery cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments network traffic into different priority levels (time-sensitive, time-aware, best-effort) and routes them through different paths or with different handling mechanisms. This segmentation allows Ethernet to maintain its flexibility while providing deterministic delivery for critical traffic through dedicated resources and priority scheduling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of traffic handling by introducing time sensitivity awareness into the SDN controller, which dynamically adjusts routing decisions based on timing requirements. This transforms standard Ethernet from non-deterministic to deterministic for time-sensitive traffic while maintaining general connectivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard SDN routing is used, then network flexibility is maintained, but timing requirements cannot be satisfied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and pre-reserving network paths that satisfy timing requirements before time-sensitive traffic arrives. The SDN controller proactively identifies and secures low-latency routes, ensuring that when time-critical data needs to be transmitted, the path is already prepared and ready for immediate use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time-aware SDN controller as an intermediary between standard Ethernet infrastructure and time-sensitive applications. This intermediary translates timing requirements into routing decisions, mediating between the flexibility of standard SDN and the determinism required for real-time communication.
3Loss of time
If network paths are optimized for low latency, then timing requirements are met, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the network to self-service by implementing time domain management within the SDN controller that automatically detects time-sensitive traffic, calculates appropriate paths considering latency through multiple layers, and configures routing without manual intervention. This automation reduces the perceived complexity for users while maintaining optimized low-latency paths.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A system and method for determining a network path through a network that is managed by a software defined network (Ts SDN) controller incorporating time management are disclosed. In some embodiments, the SDN controller can determine that a data packet originating from a transmitting device and directed to a receiving device is associated with one of: time-sensitive, time-aware or best effort characteristic. The controller can then determine a network path for transport of the data packet from the transmitting device to the receiving device with a guaranteed end to end delay to satisfy the characteristic. The end to end delay considers latency through each layer the data packet transitions through after being conjured at an application layer of the transmitting device. The data packet is then transmitted from the transmitting device via the network path to the receiving device.