TSN Switch Gate Control Lists for Deterministic Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Configuring Time Sensitive Networks (TSNs) to achieve deterministic and fault-tolerant data transmission with reduced network congestion, as existing centralized methods are inefficient and require Frame Isolation Constraint (FIC), which increases queue usage and reduces throughput.
Innovation Solution
A switch device and control device that store and process configurations for frame timing, allowing frames to be transmitted only according to specified schedules, eliminating the need for FIC by ensuring deterministic behavior and optimizing queue usage, thereby improving network reliability and resource efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centralized configuration method is used to compute gate control lists for TSN switches, then network-wide scheduling control is achieved, but configuration complexity and computation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized configuration process into distributed components. Each switch independently computes its own gate control lists based on local flow requirements and network topology information, eliminating the need for a single centralized computation entity. This segmentation reduces configuration complexity while maintaining deterministic scheduling through localized decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-computing gate control lists during network initialization and re-computing them only when topology or flow requirements change. This approach avoids continuous centralized reconfiguration, reducing computation time and complexity while ensuring deterministic behavior is maintained through periodic updates.
2Reliability
If Frame Isolation Constraint (FIC) is applied to ensure fault tolerance, then frame loss tolerance improves, but queue usage increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the FIC constraint from the scheduling system and replaces it with a simpler mechanism where switches independently verify frame timing against pre-computed gate control lists. This removal of FIC eliminates the need for isolated queues per flow, reducing queue usage and increasing throughput while maintaining fault tolerance through timing verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the scheduling parameter from FIC-based flow isolation to timing-based gate control. By using precise timing parameters in gate control lists that specify when each gate should open for each flow, the system achieves fault tolerance without requiring isolated queues, thereby improving throughput while maintaining reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If switches store and check timing configuration for each frame, then deterministic transmission is ensured, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the timing verification function into the existing gate control mechanism. Instead of separate timing checks, the gate control lists themselves encode the timing information, and the gate opening/closing actions inherently enforce timing precision. This merging reduces processing overhead by eliminating redundant verification steps while maintaining deterministic transmission.
4Productivity
If centralized network controller configures all switches, then global optimization is achieved, but network responsiveness to changes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling switches to autonomously recompute gate control lists when topology changes or new flows are added. This dynamic local adaptation allows the network to respond quickly to changes without waiting for centralized reconfiguration, improving responsiveness while maintaining global optimization through consistent distributed computation algorithms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a device and method for a switch to operate as an intermediate node in a Time Sensitive Network wherein the switch transmits a frame at a time if it is the right frame to be transmitted at the time according to a configuration stored by the switch. The switch does not transmit the frame at the time if it is not the right frame to be sent at the time according to the configuration. The present disclosure further relates to a device and method for scheduling transmission of a data packet from a talker node to a listener node and sending a configuration to each switch of a subset of switches in the network comprising information on the flow and a timing when it is to be output from the switch.