Virtual Slotframe Scheduling for Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial wireless sensor networks face inefficiencies in scheduling due to fixed slotframe lengths, which struggle to accommodate various traffic patterns from multiple application services, leading to energy waste, memory overhead, and difficulty in handling diverse data transmission cycles.
Innovation Solution
A virtual slotframe scheduling apparatus and method that allows distributed scheduling, using a packet classifier, transmission record analyzer, virtual slotframe schedule generation manager, and schedule converter to adaptively generate schedules suitable for each application service's traffic pattern, enabling efficient data transmission with low latency and reduced control overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the slotframe length is adjusted to match a specific application service's traffic cycle, then that service's data transmission efficiency is improved, but other services with different traffic patterns experience resource waste or require multiple schedules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scheduling problem by introducing virtual slotframes that are logically separated from the physical slotframe structure. Each application service can have its own virtual slotframe with customized length matching its traffic cycle, while the physical slotframe remains fixed. This segmentation allows independent optimization for each service without affecting others.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a virtualization dimension to the scheduling architecture. Instead of changing the physical slotframe length (one dimension), it creates virtual slotframes (another dimension) that map multiple physical slotframes together. This dimensional transformation enables flexible logical scheduling while maintaining fixed physical timing.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the slotframe length is increased to accommodate services with longer traffic cycles, then those services can transmit data less frequently, but services with shorter traffic cycles require multiple schedules and consume more memory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scheduling management by allowing each device to independently configure its own virtual slotframe parameters based on its specific traffic patterns. This segmentation prevents the need for centralized management of multiple global schedules, reducing memory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by customizing virtual slotframe characteristics (length, structure) according to each application service's local traffic requirements. Each service receives scheduling parameters optimized for its specific needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the slotframe length is frequently changed to adapt to varying traffic patterns, then scheduling adaptability is improved, but network overhead increases and network interruption may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring virtual slotframe parameters based on analyzed traffic patterns before actual data transmission begins. The system monitors traffic characteristics and prepares appropriate scheduling configurations in advance, applying them without disrupting ongoing communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual slotframes as an intermediary layer between the fixed physical slotframe structure and the variable traffic requirements. This intermediary absorbs the adaptability requirements, allowing the physical layer to remain stable while the virtual layer provides flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a scheduling apparatus and method using a virtual slotframe in an industrial wireless sensor network in which devices on the network generate schedules that are efficient with regard to data traffic having various cycles by performing scheduling in a distributed manner through a virtual slotframe scheme, the scheduling apparatus and method including a packet classifier configured to manage, in a list, a point in time when a packet was generated by referring to a packet transmission record, a transmission record analyzer configured to analyze a traffic pattern on the basis of a list indicating the point in time when the packet was generated, a virtual slotframe schedule generation manager configured to generate a virtual slotframe schedule according to the traffic pattern when the traffic pattern is classified, and a schedule converter and aggregator configured to perform a conversion and an aggregation for a direct link schedule to be used for TSCH (Time Slotted Channel Hopping) operation.