Ultra-Reliable, Real-Time, Highly Secure Wireless
Discover the mechanics behind EchoRing's innovative wireless protocol
Introduction
WHAT IS ECHORING?
EchoRing is, in function, a wireless industrial cable. It’s an ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) network that can easily handle the performance requirements of manufacturing, logistics and aerospace, while freeing operators from the engineering and operational limits of wired systems. In this way EchoRing provides a keystone technology of Industry 4.0.
Core Concepts
DETERMINISM
REAL-TIME CONTROL THROUGH DETERMINISM – THE “RING” IN ECHORING
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EchoRing ensures stable real-time performance through a deterministic “token ring” system
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A station within a token ring network can only transmit data when it receives the token (a small control packet), preventing signal interruptions from other stations
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A station holds the token for a predefined duration (THT: Token Holding Time) before passing it along to the next station
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As individual THTs are known and controllable, the overall system latency is also knowable as their sum total (TTRT: Total Token Rotation Time)
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Intelligent methods allow for immediate recovery in the event of a token loss

COOPERATION
RELIABILITY THROUGH COOPERATION
– THE “ECHO” IN ECHORING
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Stations within an EchoRing network cooperate independently and interchangeably, rather than as sub-units directed by a controller
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Signal reliability is ensured through a flexible "echo station” protocol – should an information packet fail to deliver on the first attempt, the sender’s echo station immediately relays it instead
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Echo stations are assigned automatically, based on algorithms held within the token
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The echo station system is far more efficient than the standard re-transmission process employed by other wireless protocols

In-depth topics
6 min read
Wireless Challenge 5: ROAMING - HOPPING FROM NETWORK TO NETWORK IN REAL-TIME
by Xavier Bush
4 min read
Wireless Challenge 3: INTERFERENCE - HOW UNRELATED TRANSMISSIONS AFFECT EACH OTHER
by Xavier Bush
4 min read
Wireless Challenge 2: Avoiding Collisions - Adding Determinism to a Network
by Xavier Bush
8 min read
Wireless Challenge 1: Propagation Effects and Their Impact on Reliable Transmissions
by Prof. James Gross
3 min read
Wireless Challenges Intro: Wireless Networks and Industrial Automation
by Prof. James Gross
Technology FAQ
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In which frequencies can EchoRing operate?
EchoRing currently operates in the license-free 5.8 GHz radio band in the EU and Australia and the 5.2 and 5.8 GHz bands in the US and Canada, in accordance with CE, ACMA, FCC and ISED standards respectively. Further frequencies (such as 2.4 GHz or the so-called 5G campus bands) will be available in the future.
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What is EchoRing’s maximum range?
EchoRing’s network range (the maximum distance where nodes can communicate) depends on an application’s required reliability, transmission power, installed antennas, environmental conditions and the local radio regulations. For example, an application in the EU that requires high reliability within a harsh industrial environment and strict safety protocols would have a range of approximately 25-30m. The same application in the US would have a range of around 75m, as the US region has a higher transmit power threshold. Transmission ranges can easily be expanded with EchoRing's seamless roaming features, assuring scalability.
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What is EchoRing’s maximum data rate?
EchoRing’s data rate depends on a series of tradeoffs between a network’s set packet length, its packet periodicity, asymmetrical load distribution, target latency and reliability, number of network participants and so on. EchoRing's maximum data rate for priority traffic is 5 Mbit/s when aggregated for an entire network running on a 20 MHz channel bandwidth. Maximum data rate for the best effort meanwhile can be up to 36 Mbit/s. Future software updates will introduce optimization controls to increase the maximum data rate further for priority traffic.
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What is EchoRing’s minimum latency?
EchoRing channel states are updated at the end of every token rotation cycle, which can be as short as 2ms in a small network. This creates a variable “speed limit” based on the application's set token rotation time (TRT). Exact application cycle time latencies can be found by contacting our Technical Sales or Application Engineering team, or by running network tests.
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What industrial protocols does EchoRing support?
EchoRing is an industrial-grade wireless solution that transmits data transparently over a decentralized network architecture. On a technical level, it is a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer protocol that performs the same function as an Ethernet cable within industrial systems. EchoRing is currently in its initial product version and can be employed for Ethernet-based traffic (i.e. PROFINET, PROFIsafe, Ethernet IP, SafetyNET). It is also set to be compatible with other physical (e.g. M.2) and logical interfaces (e.g. USB or Serial) in the future.
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Is EchoRing a proprietary technology?
Yes, EchoRing is developed in-house here in Berlin and is a protected international IP. Its software stack integrates easily with existing industrial communications standards and can operate on standard commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware.
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What is EchoRing’s network topology?
EchoRing is a fully-meshed wireless network, therefore all network nodes are transceivers in equal standing and can communicate with each other directly. This is in contrast to Wi-Fi networks, where every signal must pass through a central wireless access point. An EchoRing network can also be configured for asymmetrical load distribution - an often essential feature in industrial communications networks.
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Can several EchoRing networks be deployed at once?
Yes – EchoRing is compatible with seven unique radio channels in the EU and ten in the US, all in the 5 GHz range. Further channel flexibility (such as 2.4 GHz or so-called 5G campus networks) is currently under development.
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Does EchoRing support roaming and, if so, which roaming latencies are available?
EchoRing currently supports roaming for location-based awareness, which allows nodes to leave one network and join another. Roaming latency is identical to network join times. A seamless roaming feature is also under development and will be released via a future software update. This feature will enable uninterrupted connectivity within an application's set cycle times.
Further Questions?
