TSN Control System QoS Pathway Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems in powered systems, such as locomotives and power plants, face challenges in ensuring timely and accurate data communication, leading to potential failures and safety issues due to the reliance on dedicated wired communication paths or networks, which are costly and complex to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A control system that determines Quality of Service (QoS) parameters and selects communication pathways and times within an Ethernet network configured as a Time Sensitive Network (TSN) to ensure timely data delivery, allowing for dynamic allocation of communication links between devices and satisfying QoS requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated wired communication paths are used between devices, then data delivery timeliness and reliability are improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple communication functions into a single shared Ethernet network infrastructure. Instead of having separate dedicated wired paths for different data types, the system combines control data, sensor data, and other communications into one network that uses intelligent scheduling to ensure timeliness for critical data while sharing the physical infrastructure with other devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic communication pathway selection and time slot allocation that adapts to varying data priorities and network conditions. The system dynamically assigns communication channels and time windows based on real-time requirements, allowing critical control data to receive guaranteed bandwidth while less critical data uses available capacity, thereby maintaining timeliness without requiring static dedicated paths for all communications.
2Reliability
If separate communication networks are constructed for different data types, then data communication reliability is improved, but system cost and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal Ethernet network infrastructure that handles multiple types of data communications (control commands, sensor readings, diagnostic information, etc.) through a single network platform. The system uses multi-functionality to serve different communication needs by implementing QoS mechanisms, virtual channels, and priority scheduling that allow one network to reliably handle both time-critical control data and less time-sensitive information without requiring separate physical networks.
3Manufacturing precision
If dedicated communication wires are used, then data delivery accuracy is improved, but system cost and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual copying of dedicated communication channels within the shared Ethernet network. Instead of physically duplicating dedicated wires for each data stream, the system creates virtual copies or logical channels that simulate dedicated path behavior through software-based scheduling and prioritization. This allows multiple virtual communication paths to share the same physical infrastructure while maintaining the accuracy and reliability characteristics of dedicated paths for critical data.
Data Source
AI summary
A control system (e.g., that controls operations of a powered system) includes one or more processors configured to determine quality of service (QoS) parameters of devices communicating data with each other in an Ethernet network configured as a time sensitive network (TSN). The one or more processors also are configured to determine available communication pathways in the TSN through which the devices are able to communicate the data, and to select one or more of the available communication pathways and to designate communication times at which the data is communicated between the devices in order to satisfy the QoS parameters of the devices.