Method and device for time-controlled data transmission in a time-sensitive network

A time-sensitive network in accordance with a time-sensitive network standard, the time-sensitive network comprising:

• a plurality of individual network elements,
• wherein a time sequence in each network element is divided into pre-scheduled, equal-sized time windows,
• wherein each network element has independent timer that is not synchronized with timers of other network elements, and
• wherein the equal-sized time windows for all network elements start and end at same time points,
• wherein each data packet to be transmitted is assigned to a data stream and characterized by a unique StreamID,
• wherein a transmission of data packet by a network element to a successive network element of the plurality of individual network elements is configured to take place in a time window which follows a time window in which the data packet was received by a preceding network element,
• wherein each network element is configured to know a start time of a time window that belongs to a data stream, and
• wherein each network element is configured to determine, based on a delay value and the independent timer of the respective network element that is not synchronized with timers of other network elements, at what time point a next time window for transmitting begins and/or ends by calculating the delay value in a transmitting network element depending on an associated data stream and transmitting the calculated delay value to the receiving network element.

A device comprising:

• a plurality of network elements;
• and
• a transmitting network element,
• wherein the device is configured to:
• determine, by each network element of the plurality of network elements, a start time of a time window that belongs to a data stream;
• calculate a required delay value in the transmitting network element in dependence on an assigned data stream;
• transmit the calculated delay value in a data packet to a receiving network element;
• and
• determine, by each network element, at what time point a next time window for transmitting begins and/or ends, wherein the determination is based on the calculated delay value and an independent timer of the respective network element, which is not synchronized with timers of other network elements.