Time-Aware Network Gate Control for Low Latency and Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) systems face challenges in providing low latency and scalable gate control, as well as configuring multiple time-sensitive applications to share the same physical network link while maintaining energy efficiency and time-awareness.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a time-aware network architecture that utilizes Precision Time Protocol (PTP) and IEEE TSN standards to achieve low latency and scalable gate control. This includes configuring multiple time-sensitive applications to share the same physical network link, and implementing energy-efficient network communication by using techniques such as low power idle modes and scheduled traffic timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple time-sensitive applications share the same physical network link, then network resource utilization is improved, but gate control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gate control functionality by introducing separate gate control lists (GCLs) for different traffic classes or applications sharing the same physical network link. Each GCL independently manages transmission gates for its specific traffic, allowing multiple applications to share the link without interfering with each other's timing requirements. This segmentation resolves the complexity issue while maintaining resource sharing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic gate control where transmission gates can be opened or closed based on real-time scheduling decisions. The gate control mechanism dynamically adjusts which queues can transmit at any given time slot, enabling flexible resource allocation among multiple time-sensitive applications without static configuration complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gate control is made scalable to handle more applications, then system capacity is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring gate control lists with scheduled transmission time slots for different traffic classes. The gate control mechanism reads these pre-scheduled time slots and automatically opens/closes gates at the appropriate times without requiring real-time processing decisions. This allows scalable support for multiple applications while minimizing processing time during actual data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous gate control operation by maintaining persistent gate control lists that are loaded into hardware registers. Once configured, the gate control mechanism continuously executes the scheduled operations without repeated software intervention, enabling scalable multi-application support with minimal processing overhead during runtime.
3Use of energy by moving object
If low power idle modes are used for energy efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic wake-up mechanisms where network interfaces transition to low-power idle modes between scheduled transmission periods. The gate control lists specify precise wake-up times before each transmission slot, allowing the system to cycle between power-saving idle states and active transmission states. This periodic action reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining deterministic latency through advance wake-up scheduling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by scheduling wake-up events in advance based on the gate control list timing. The system wakes up exactly when needed for transmission, avoiding unnecessary early wake-ups that would increase latency. This advance scheduling of power state transitions enables energy-efficient operation with minimal impact on transmission latency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides techniques for controlling transmissions in time-sensitive networks (TSNs) and/or for time-sensitive applications (TSAs), including techniques for providing low latency and scalable gate control for TSNs and TSAs, configuring multiple TSAs to share the same physical network link, and enabling TSNs/TSAs to utilize Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) mechanisms.