A configuration agent based on the time-triggered paradigm for real-time networks

Distributed cyber-physical systems are growing in size and functionality and deterministic communication is an important requirement for those systems. The existing solutions based on the time-triggered paradigm pose certain limitations in regards to the configuration. Usually configuration is seen as a one-time event during the installation of the network. Future realtime networks need to be able to adapt more easily to changes in the network. Thus, the configuration becomes an ongoing service, e.g., as for network maintenance and re-configuration to add and remove new, respectively old, equipment. We postulate that configuration will emerge to a continued service that accompanies a real-time network throughout its different life-cycle phases. In this context of evolving and dynamic networks, we introduce the concept of a configuration agent for real-time networks and demonstrate the concept by a realization based on the time triggered paradigm.