A Real-time Network at Home

This paper proposes a home network which integrates both real-time and non-real-time capabilities for one coherent, distributed architecture. Such a network is not yet available. Our network will support inexpensive, small appliances as well as more expensive, large appliances. The network is based on a new type of real-time token protocol that uses scheduling to achieve optimal tokenrouting through the network. Depending on the scheduling algorithm, bandwidth utilisations of 100 percent are possible. Token management, to prevent token-loss or multiple tokens, is essential to support a dynamic, plug-and-play configuration. Small appliances, like sensors, would contain low-cost, embedded processors with limited computing power, which can handle lightweight network protocols. All other operations can be delegated to other appliances that have sufficient resources. This provides a basis for transparency, as it separates controlling and controlled object. Our network will support this. We will show the proposed architecture of such a network and present experiences with and preliminary research of our design.