TSN Network Simulation for Non-Ideal DCS Traffic Behavior
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Solution Overview
Problem
The deployment and configuration of Time Sensitive Networks (TSN) in distributed control systems (DCS) for industrial plants can be complex and time-consuming, often leading to unexpected behavior due to assumptions of ideal network performance, which can cause ad-hoc solutions and further problems.
Innovation Solution
A TSN simulator is used to simulate realistic network traffic behavior, allowing for the identification of deviations from ideal performance and enabling troubleshooting and configuration of DCS to tolerate such deviations, using a simulation unit that modifies and delays network traffic to mimic real-world conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If TSN network is assumed to perform ideally according to specification, then deployment configuration becomes simpler, but unexpected behavior occurs due to real-world deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a TSN simulator that models real-world network behavior before actual DCS deployment. The simulator performs preliminary testing and validation of control applications against realistic TSN traffic patterns, timing characteristics, and error conditions. This allows identification and resolution of potential issues before field deployment, eliminating the need to assume ideal network performance while maintaining deployment simplicity.
2Reliability
If TSN network configuration is made realistic to account for non-ideal behavior, then prediction accuracy of DCS behavior improves, but configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary TSN simulator that mediates between the simplified deployment process and the need for realistic network behavior modeling. The simulator acts as a virtual test environment that encapsulates complex TSN configurations, traffic patterns, and error conditions, allowing users to test DCS applications without directly configuring complex real-world TSN networks. This intermediary layer provides realistic testing while maintaining ease of use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple TSN participants are added to the network, then network functionality and control capability improve, but configuration time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by creating virtual copies of TSN network participants and traffic patterns in the simulator. Instead of configuring each physical TSN device and participant manually, the simulator generates representative virtual instances that model the behavior of multiple network participants. This allows rapid testing of various network configurations and participant scenarios without the time-consuming process of physically configuring each device, thus maintaining high network functionality while reducing configuration time.
Data Source
AI summary
A time sensitive network (TSN) simulator for connecting a first device of a distributed control system (DCS) for an industrial plant to at least one second device of the DCS that is configured as a TSN client, comprising a first interface that is connectable to the first device; a second interface that is connectable to the second device; and a simulation unit that is configured to forward network traffic between the first interface and the second interface and to modify and/or delay network traffic during this forwarding, thereby simulating the behavior of a real, non-perfect TSN that provides communication between the first device and the second device.