Wireless Control Timing Adjustment for Industrial Latency Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated wireless industrial communication systems face challenges in managing latency due to interference and variability in wireless communication environments, which can lead to unacceptable delays in monitoring and controlling physical processes.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for managing latency in automated wireless industrial systems by using a control node to issue control communications with inserted time delays, measuring communication time, comparing it to an expected time, and adapting the time delays to maintain stable and predictable latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used to replace field buses in automated industrial systems, then ease of installation and flexibility are improved, but communication latency becomes unpredictable and may exceed acceptable limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidcommunication latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by inserting time delays (tk) into control communications before actual control actions are executed. This anticipatory timing adjustment ensures that even with wireless communication variability, the control actions arrive at the field devices within acceptable latency limits, preventing system failures due to excessive delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control node continuously monitors communication latency and adapts time delays (tk) based on observed communication conditions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to dynamically adjust timing parameters to maintain acceptable latency despite changes in the wireless environment, such as interference from moving objects or varying signal conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If time delays are inserted to manage communication timing, then communication stability is improved, but response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs dynamic time delays (tk) that are not fixed but are adapted based on actual communication conditions. The control node adjusts these delays in real-time according to observed latency patterns, making the timing mechanism flexible rather than rigid. This allows the system to maintain stability while minimizing unnecessary time additions to control communications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the timing parameter (time delay tk) dynamically based on communication conditions. By adjusting this parameter according to observed latency and environmental factors, the system optimizes the balance between maintaining stable communication timing and minimizing overall response time, avoiding both excessive delays and timing instability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12292733B2Latency management

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method for use in an automated wireless industrial system comprising a device configured to act as a control node and at least one field level device, wherein the method comprises: issuing a control communication; inserting at least one time delay (tk) to the control communication; noting the communication time (TCL) for the communication; comparing the time for communication (TCL) to an expected time for communication (TR); and determining if any of the at least one time delay (tk) should be adapted, and if so, adapting at least that time delay.