TSN Stream Path Calculation via Virtual Channel Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) systems, data streams with incompatible periods often cannot share the same physical links due to limited configurability of port real-time schedules, leading to communication bottlenecks and inefficiencies in industrial automation networks.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a gathering device to collect resource utilization information from TSN switches and a tool device to calculate optimal stream paths and establish channel multiplexing, allowing for efficient allocation of resources and improved throughput by analyzing conflicts and suggesting necessary multiplexing of ports, either centrally or distributedly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If port real-time schedules are configured for specific periods, then deterministic data transmission is achieved, but streams with incompatible periods cannot share the same physical link
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple virtual channels (VC0-VC7) that can be independently configured with different schedule periods. Each virtual channel can carry streams with specific period requirements, allowing multiple streams with incompatible periods to coexist by assigning them to different virtual channels while sharing the same physical link.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual channel dimension to resolve the period compatibility issue. Instead of limiting streams to a single physical link with fixed period constraints, streams can be routed through different virtual channels, adding a dimensional degree of freedom for period management and enabling multi-period stream coexistence.
2Productivity
If multiple streams share the same physical link, then network resource utilization is improved, but path calculation becomes complex due to resource conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary path calculation and virtual channel assignment during the configuration phase, before actual data transmission begins. The system pre-calculates optimal paths and assigns virtual channels to avoid future conflicts, reducing real-time computational complexity while maximizing resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual channels as an intermediary layer between physical links and data streams. This intermediary abstraction simplifies path calculation by providing a structured framework for resource allocation, where the complexity is managed at the virtual channel level rather than at the raw physical link level.
3Ease of manufacture
If port schedules have limited configurability, then implementation is simplified, but flexibility to accommodate different stream periods is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal port schedule structure that serves multiple functions: it maintains simple fixed-period scheduling for basic operation while simultaneously supporting multiple virtual channels with different periods through the virtual channel abstraction. This multi-functional design achieves both implementation simplicity and schedule flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for enabling Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN)-stream configuration of a TSN network includes: a gathering device for gathering resource utilization information from TSN switches of the TSN-stream configuration as gathered resource utilization information; and a tool device for providing a TSN stream path calculation based on the gathered resource utilization information and allocating stream paths and establishing channel multiplexing in the TSN network based on the gathered resource utilization information.