METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PLACING UNITS FOR EXECUTING AN APPLICATION IN A DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM

• US 20120099477A1
• Filed: 03/26/2010
• Published: 04/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Buckl, Christian, Heuer, Jörg, Schmitt, Anton, Scholz, Andreas, Winter, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 8,724,510 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0833 for reduction of network energy consumption
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/145 involving simulating, designing, planning or modelling of a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/10 based on available power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/246 Connectivity information discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

in a method and a device for placing units, such as motes, for executing an application in a distributed system, a placement of the units by a service layer and a communication between the units by a communication layer are provided. One field of application is for example process automation, such as in industrial or building management installations. Such installations have sensors and actuators with communication interfaces. The method and the device allow the energy demand of the installation to be reduced. Communication is preferably performed wirelessly. Network management is for example conducted according to the wireless HART protocol.

Claims

1. A method for placing units for executing an application in a distributed system, the application being able to be divided into at least two sub-applications and the units being able to communicate at least partially with one another via a network with communication connections, the method comprising the following steps:

assigning the respective sub-application to one of the respective first units of the units, such that

(a) the respective first unit is able to execute the assigned sub-application,

(b) a number of units is reduced to the communication connections for connecting the first units;

determining the respective connection parameters for the respective communication connections;

determining the communication connections for connecting two of the first units; and

configuring the network according to the determination of the communication connections.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when assigning the respective sub-application it is further ensured that the respective connection parameter of one of the communication connections for connecting two of the first units implements at least one respective requirement for exchanging information between the sub-applications assigned to two of the first units.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the communication connections which is not used for exchanging information between two of the first units is deactivated.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein information which has to be transmitted from one of the first units to two of the first units, is transmitted at least via a partial connection to one of the units by means of a single message and is then forwarded as two separate messages for transmitting to two of the first units.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the assignment of the respective sub-application and the determination of the communication connections through a service layer and the determination of the respective connection parameters and the configuration of the network through a communication layer are executed by exchanging information.

6. A device for placing units for executing an application in a distributed system, the application being able to be divided into at least two sub-applications and the units being able to communicate at least partially with one another via a network with communication connections comprising:

first means for assigning the respective sub-application to one of the respective first units of the units such that

(a) the respective first unit is able to execute the assigned sub-application,

(b) a number of units may be reduced to the communication connections for connecting the first units;

second means for determining respective connection parameters for the respective communication connections;

third means for determining the communication connections for connecting two of the first units;

fourth means for configuring the network according to the determination of the communication connections.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the first means is further designed such that when assigning the respective sub-application it may further be ensured that the respective connection parameter of one of the communication connections for connecting two of the first units implements at least one respective requirement for exchanging information between the sub-applications assigned to two of the first units.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the fourth means is further designed such that at least one of the communication connections which is not used for exchanging information between two of the first units may be deactivated.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein in the device further comprises a fifth means which is designed such that information which is to be transmitted from one of the first units to two of the first units, may be transmitted at least via a partial connection to one of the units by means of a single message and then may be forwarded as two separate messages for transmitting to two of the first units.

10. The device according to claim 6, wherein the assignment of the respective sub-application and the determination of the communication connections through a service layer and the determination of the respective communication parameters and the configuration of the network through a communication layer may be executed for exchanging information.

11. A method for placing units for executing an application in a distributed system, the application being able to be divided into at least two sub-applications and the units being able to communicate at least partially with one another via a network with communication connections, the method comprising the following steps:

assigning a sub-application to one of the units, such that

(a) the selected unit is able to execute the assigned sub-application,

(b) the selected unit provides for shortest communication connections to further units required for communication according to the sub-application;

determining connection parameters for respective communication connections;

determining the communication connections for connecting two units; and

configuring the network according to the determination of the communication connections.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein when assigning the respective sub-application it is further ensured that the respective connection parameter of one of the communication connections for connecting two units implements at least one respective requirement for exchanging information between the sub-applications assigned to the two units.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the communication connections which is not used for exchanging information between two units is deactivated.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein information which has to be transmitted from one of the units to the two units, is transmitted at least via a partial connection to one of the units by means of a single message and is then forwarded as two separate messages for transmitting to the two units.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the assignment of the sub-application and the determination of the communication connections through a service layer and the determination of the respective connection parameters and the configuration of the network through a communication layer are executed by exchanging information.