Edge computing system
An edge computing system comprises: a cloud computing system; an edge processing function; a connection between the edge processing function and the cloud computing system; a backend server within the cloud computing system. An assessment module is configured to receive information about processing goals, and processing capabilities of the backend server and the edge processing function. The assessment module derives a set of possible interfaces and corresponding functionality splits defining a division of processing activity between the backend server and the edge processing function. Based on a received measurement of bandwidth and/or of latency on the connection, the assessment module selects an interface and corresponding functionality split, and downloads them to the edge processing function and the backend server.
1. An edge computing system, comprising:
a cloud computing system, a backend server within the cloud computing system, an edge processing function circuit, and a connection between the edge processing function circuit and the cloud computing system;
an assessment module circuit, the assessment module circuit configured to:
create, appropriate to a first measurement of bandwidth and/or of latency on the connection, a first application programming interface, API,
create, corresponding to the first API, first functionality for the edge processing function circuit and first functionality for the backend server; and
create, appropriate to a second measurement of bandwidth and/or of latency on the connection, a second API,
create, corresponding to the second API, second functionality for the edge processing function circuit and second functionality for the backend server;
download the first and second API to both the edge processing function circuit and the backend server;
download, to the edge processing function circuit, the first and second functionality for the edge processing function circuit, corresponding to the first and second APIs;
download, to the backend server, the first and second functionality for the backend server, corresponding to the first and second APIs;
the edge processing function circuit and/or the backend server being configured to select an API and corresponding functionality based on their respective processing goals and processing capability.
2. The edge computing system of claim 1 , wherein the edge processing function circuit is configured to:
(i) receive a measurement of bandwidth and/or of latency on the connection and a derived corresponding functionality split between the edge processing function circuit and the backend server; and
(ii) select the first or second API and corresponding first and second functionality for the edge processing function circuit, in dependence on the measurement of bandwidth and/or of latency on the connection and the derived corresponding functionality split.
3. The edge computing system of claim 1 , wherein the backend server is configured to:
(i) receive a measurement of bandwidth and/or of latency on the connection and a derived corresponding functionality split between the edge processing function circuit and the backend server; and
(ii) select the first or second API and corresponding first and second functionality for the backend server, in dependence on the measurement of bandwidth and/or of latency on the connection and the derived corresponding functionality split.
4. The edge computing system of claim 1 , wherein:
the backend server and edge processing function circuit are configured to work together to select the first or second API, in dependence on a measurement of bandwidth and/or of latency on the connection, their respective processing goals and processing capability, and derived corresponding functionality splits.
5. The edge computing system of claim 4 , further comprising:
one of the backend server and edge processing function circuit receiving the measurement of bandwidth and/or of latency on the connection and the derived corresponding functionality splits.
6. The edge computing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
the assessment module circuit being further configured to receive information about a battery cost of sending data over the connection, for a battery of the edge processing function circuit.
7. The edge computing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
the assessment module circuit being further configured to receive information about a battery cost of performing processing at the edge processing function circuit, for a battery of the edge processing function circuit.
8. The edge computing system of claim 1 , wherein:
the assessment module circuit further comprises a software development functionality for deriving the first and second APIs and corresponding functionality splits; and
a software image reception functionality in the edge processing function circuit configured to receive the first and second APIs and corresponding functionality splits for the edge processing function circuit; and
a software image reception functionality in the backend server configured to receive the first and second APIs and corresponding functionality splits for the backend server.
9. The edge computing system of claim 1 , further comprising:
the assessment module circuit being configured to receive information concerning bandwidth and/or latency on the connection, and using the information to derive APIs and corresponding splits of functionality between the edge processing function circuit and backend server.
10. The edge computing system of claim 9 , wherein:
the received information concerning bandwidth and latency on the connection is based on historical measurements, present values, and/or predictions based on future load or activity levels.