Method for optimizing a link schedule
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- identifying a plurality of function blocks requiring execution;
identifying the function blocks as members of multiple groups;
prioritizing the groups such that each group has a priority;
scheduling the groups containing at least one unscheduled function block for communication on a network to produce a schedule, the groups scheduled in an order based on the priority of the groups; and
initiating execution of the function blocks by one or more processor devices based on the schedule;
wherein identifying the function blocks as members of multiple groups comprises;
following one or more connections in a series of connected function blocks;
adding each unique function block in the series to a first of the groups; and
preventing function blocks in the series that have already been added to the first group from being added to the first group again.
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Abstract
A method for improving a link schedule used in a communications network is disclosed. While the method applies generally to networks that operate on a scheduled communications basis, it is described in the context of a Foundation FIELDBUS. The method includes: scheduling sequences and their associated publications according to their relative priority, per application; minimizing delays between certain function blocks, and between certain function blocks and publications; and grouping certain publications. Accordingly, advantages such as latency reduction, schedule length reduction, and improved communications capacity are gained.
32 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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identifying a plurality of function blocks requiring execution; identifying the function blocks as members of multiple groups; prioritizing the groups such that each group has a priority; scheduling the groups containing at least one unscheduled function block for communication on a network to produce a schedule, the groups scheduled in an order based on the priority of the groups; and initiating execution of the function blocks by one or more processor devices based on the schedule; wherein identifying the function blocks as members of multiple groups comprises; following one or more connections in a series of connected function blocks; adding each unique function block in the series to a first of the groups; and preventing function blocks in the series that have already been added to the first group from being added to the first group again. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method comprising:
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identifying a plurality of function blocks requiring execution; identifying the function blocks as members of multiple groups; prioritizing the groups such that each group has a priority; scheduling the groups containing at least one unscheduled function block for communication on a network to produce a schedule, the groups scheduled in an order based on the priority of the groups; and initiating execution of the function blocks by one or more processor devices based on the schedule; wherein scheduling the groups comprises; adding non-back-calculation publications associated with the function blocks to the schedule, wherein any non-back-calculation publications associated with one of the groups are added to the schedule before any non-back-calculation publications associated with lower priority groups are added to the schedule; and adding back-calculation publications associated with the function blocks to the schedule after the non-back-calculation publications have been added to the schedule. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method comprising:
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identifying a plurality of function blocks requiring execution; identifying the function blocks as members of multiple groups; prioritizing the groups such that each group has a priority; scheduling the groups containing at least one unscheduled function block for communication on a network to produce a schedule, the groups scheduled in an order based on the priority of the groups; and initiating execution of the function blocks by one or more processor devices based on the schedule; wherein scheduling the groups comprises; identifying a multi-input function block that has multiple inputs provided by multiple preceding function blocks; and scheduling execution of the function blocks so that execution of the multiple preceding function blocks coincide with one another. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification