Network Design for Efficient Video Data Transmission With Real-Time Traffic Constraints in Networked Control Systems

Published in IEEE Xplore: 17 March 2025
Authors: Moustafa M. Awad, Tarek Refaat, Ramez Daoud, Hany M. Elsayed, Hassanein H. Amer
The network architecture consists of three interconnected workcells, each containing controllers, sensors, actuators, and cameras, all connected to a cell switch. These cell switches are further linked to a central core switch, which serves as the hub for communication and data aggregation. The core switch connects to a supervisor, which oversees the network and ensures smooth operation.

This paper addresses the challenge of efficiently transmitting video data in networked control systems while meeting stringent real-time constraints such as low latency and minimal packet loss. The objective is to develop a simple yet scalable network architecture that minimizes end-to-end delays for critical watchdog traffic, ensuring system reliability and performance. The proposed design includes three interconnected workcells with sensors, controllers, actuators, and cameras, and is capable of managing bandwidth-intensive video data alongside time-sensitive control traffic. Using delay calculations and Riverbed simulations, the study evaluates transmission, propagation, queuing, and processing delays. By implementing traffic management strategies like phase-shifting camera traffic, the solution achieves a significant improvement in delay reduction, decreasing end-to-end delays for watchdog traffic by over 95%, demonstrating its effectiveness in mitigating congestion and ensuring timely data delivery.