# US 10,313,268 B2 · Network arrangement and method prioritization of real-time telegrams in a convergent network > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,313,268 B2 - Document ID: US10313268B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/930,379 - Filed: 2015-11-02 - Published: 2016-05-05 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2014-11-04 - Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft - Applicants: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft - Inventors: Franz-Josef Götz; Dieter Klotz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10313268B2 ## CPC - H04L 49/15: Interconnection of switching modules - H04L 45/42: Centralised routing - H04W 72/566: of the information or information source or recipient - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract A method for the prioritization of real-time telegrams in a convergent network, in particular in an industrial network and/or a “time-sensitive network” (TSN), wherein the convergent network has a central distribution infrastructure and a decentralized distribution infrastructure, and within the convergent network a service sends and/or receives real-time telegrams, and wherein the convergent network has a switching node forming a central network node for connection of central distribution infrastructure and decentralized distribution infrastructure, and which has a coupling port via which the switching node is connected to the decentralized distribution infrastructure, wherein the switching node has central network ports via which the switching node is integrated into the central distribution infrastructure, where real-time telegrams received at central network ports of the switching nodes are assigned a higher priority level than the real-time telegrams received at the coupling ports so as to provide efficient prioritization of real-time telegrams. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for the prioritization of real-time telegrams in a convergent network having at least one central distribution infrastructure and at least one decentralized distribution infrastructure, at least one service in the convergent network at least one of sending and receiving real-time telegrams, the method comprising: receiving the real-time telegrams at a central network port of the switching nodes within the at least one central distribution infrastructure, the convergent network including at least one switching node forming a central network node which interconnects the at least one central distribution infrastructure and the at least one decentralized distribution infrastructure and including at least one coupling port of the at least one switching node via which the at least one switching node is connected to the at least one decentralized distribution infrastructure, and the at least one switching node including central network ports via which the at least one switching node is integrated into the at least one central distribution infrastructure; and assigning a higher priority level than real-time telegrams received at the coupling ports of the at least one switching node within the at least one central distribution infrastructure such that the real-time telegrams in the convergent network having the at least one central distribution infrastructure and at least one decentralized distribution infrastructure are efficiently prioritized. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the real-time telegrams received at the coupling ports are assigned a lower priority level than the real-time telegrams received at the central network port of the switching nodes within the at least one central distribution infrastructure. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein each real-time telegram at additional central network ports is assigned a higher priority level. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each real-time telegram at additional central network ports is assigned a higher priority level. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein priority levels of the real-time telegrams are dynamically assigned. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the assignment of the priority levels of the real-time telegrams is load-dependent. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein prioritization of the real-time telegrams is performed by a respective receiving network port. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the convergent network is an industrial network. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A network arrangement performing the method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network arrangement includes at least one central distribution infrastructure having at least one switching node; and at least one decentralized distribution infrastructure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The network arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the central distribution infrastructure essentially has a ring structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The network arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the central distribution infrastructure essentially has a comb-like structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The network arrangement as claimed in claim 10, wherein the network arrangement one of (i) forms part of an industrial automation system and (ii) is connectable to the industrial automation system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The network arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the central distribution infrastructure essentially has a comb-like structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The network arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the network arrangement one of (i) forms part of an industrial automation system and (ii) is connectable to the industrial automation system. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A network device for performing the method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network device comprises one of a switch, hub, router, network adapter and network distributor.