Association solutions for wireless communication networks

Abstract

The present application relates to an association system for a wireless communication network. The system includes an association initiator device and an association target device. Each association target device transmits a beacon message including load data of the association target device, the load data including data indicating the number of router devices currently associated with the association target device. After receiving the beacon messages from the association target devices, each association initiator device determines whether to attempt association with the association target device based at least in part on the load data included in the beacon message received from the association target device, and transmits an association request message to each of the association target devices with which the association initiator device determines to attempt association.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the technical field of wireless communication networks. In particular, the present invention relates to the association process in wireless communication networks.

Background Art

[0002] Typically, in a wireless communication system (e.g., 3G, LTE, 3GPP®, or IEEE802.11), a wireless device, a user equipment (UE) (e.g., in a 3GPP® system), or a station (STA) (e.g., in an IEEE802.11 system) starts a wireless connection to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP) based on wireless measurements, optimizes the link performance, and transmits an association request (e.g., called an RRC request in a 3GPP® system) to the selected BS / AP. The BS / AP is responsible for its load control by approving or rejecting the received association request. Similar association techniques can also be applied to wireless multi-hop networks such as wireless sensor networks (WSN), wireless mesh networks, DECT-2020 (Digital European Cordless Telecommunication 2020) - based networks, etc. However, for example, in a wireless multi-hop network having a plurality of devices typically with limited resources such as a battery or processing power caused by relatively low-cost and simple components (e.g., wireless communication devices, processors, etc.), it is intended to avoid unsuccessful association attempts. Transmitting an association request message and an association rejection message is power-consuming and time-consuming for both the device starting the association and the device responding to the association message. For example, a failed association attempt increases the time used in the association process.

[0003] Due to practical limitations of technology and the environment, wireless communication networks typically consist only of devices that can generate data (non-router devices) and devices that can participate in routing application data through the network. Router devices may have limitations on how many association devices they can serve. Devices served by router devices may be router devices or non-router devices. Typically, router devices may no longer be relevant, and all association devices may be non-router devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 7,830,838 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 10,499,264 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an association system, association method, association apparatus, computer program, and computer-readable medium for wireless communication networks. Another object of the present invention is to enable the association system, association method, apparatus, computer program, and computer-readable medium for wireless communication networks to at least reduce unnecessary association request messages and association response messages indicating rejection of association requests.

[0006] The object of the present invention is achieved by an association system, association method, association apparatus, computer program, and computer-readable medium as defined by each independent claim. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The following is a simplified overview to provide a basic understanding of several aspects of various embodiments of the invention. This overview is not a comprehensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify any important or essential elements of the invention or to delineate its scope. The following overview merely presents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0008] According to the first embodiment, an association system for a wireless communication network is provided. The system includes at least one association initiator and at least one associated device, wherein at least one association initiator and at least one associated device belong to a plurality of communication devices, each communication device of the plurality of communication devices is a radio node device configured to provide bidirectional radio communication with at least one of the plurality of communication devices, each associated device is configured to send a beacon message including load data of the associated device, which includes at least data indicating the number of router devices currently associated with it, and after receiving the beacon message from at least one associated device, each association initiator determines whether to attempt to associate with the at least one associated device from which the beacon message was received, based on the load data at least partially included in the beacon message received from at least one associated device, and sends an association request message to each of the at least one associated device that the association initiator attempts to associate with.

[0009] The decision may depend on the operational role of the association initiator, which may be a router role or a non-router role.

[0010] The load data may further include data indicating the maximum number of permitted association devices, and / or data indicating the number of currently associated non-router devices.

[0011] The load data may further include one or more performance parameters, including random access channel (RACH) load data, channel load data, traffic load data, and / or route cost data.

[0012] If the beacon message is received from at least two associated devices, each association initiator may be configured to select at least one most appropriate associated device based on at least one selection criterion.

[0013] At least one of the selection criteria may include the load data of at least two of the associated devices, which is at least partially included in the beacon message received from at least two of the associated devices.

[0014] At least one of the selection criteria may further include link quality data, the ability to use higher-order modulation, the minimum bitrate provided to one association device, guaranteed end-to-end latency characteristics, and / or the availability of a route to a sink device.

[0015] The association request message may include data indicating the operational role of the association initiator.

[0016] The association request message may further include data indicating the energy saving mode of the association initiator, data indicating the number of devices currently associated with the association initiator, and / or data indicating the traffic load of the association initiator.

[0017] In response to receiving the association request message from at least one association initiator, each associated device may be configured to decide whether to approve the association request from at least one association initiator based on data indicating the maximum number of associated devices for the associated device, and if the maximum number of each permitted associated device is reached, each associated device may be further configured to decide whether to approve the association request from at least one association initiator using data contained in the association request message received from at least one association initiator.

[0018] If the number of authorized association devices reaches the maximum number and the associated device decides to accept an association request from at least one association initiating device operating in the router role, each associated device may be configured to disassociate at least one currently associated non-router device.

[0019] The wireless communication network may be a wireless sensor network (WSN), a DECT-2020 (Digital European Cordless Telecommunication 2020) based network, or a wireless mesh network.

[0020] According to a second aspect, an association method for a wireless communication network is provided. The method presents at least one association initiator and at least one associated device belonging to a plurality of communication devices operating as wireless node devices, each communication device of the plurality of communication devices provides bidirectional wireless communication with at least one of the plurality of communication devices, each associated device transmits a beacon message including load data of the associated device, which includes at least data indicating the number of router devices currently associated with it, and after receiving the beacon message from at least one associated device, each association initiator determines whether to attempt to associate with the at least one associated device from which the beacon message was received, based at least partially on the load data included in the beacon message received from the at least one associated device, and each association initiator transmits an association request message to each of the at least one associated device that the association initiator has decided to attempt to associate with.

[0021] According to a third aspect, an association initiator is provided for participating in an association process in a wireless communication network. The association initiator comprises control means and wireless communication means (536) for operating as a wireless node device, wherein the wireless communication means is configured to provide bidirectional wireless communication with at least one of a plurality of communication devices, and after the wireless communication means receives a beacon message from at least one associated device, the association initiator determines whether the control means will attempt to associate the beacon message with the at least one associated device from which the beacon message was received, based on load data at least partially contained in the beacon message received from the at least one associated device, the beacon message includes load data of the associated device, which includes at least data indicating the number of router devices currently associated, and the wireless communication means transmits an association request message to each of the at least one associated device that the association initiator has decided to attempt to associate.

[0022] According to a fourth aspect, an association method is provided for an association process in a wireless communication network. The method includes wireless communication means of an association initiator operating as a wireless node device, which provides bidirectional wireless communication with at least one of a plurality of communication devices, and after receiving a beacon message from at least one associated device, control means of the association initiator determine whether to attempt to associate with at least one of the associated devices based on load data at least partially contained in the beacon message received from the at least one of the associated devices, the beacon message including the load data of the associated device, which includes at least data indicating the number of router devices currently associated, and the wireless communication means of the association initiator transmits an association request message to each of the at least one of the associated devices that the association initiator has decided to attempt to associate with.

[0023] According to a fifth aspect, an associated device is provided for participating in an association process in a wireless communication network. The associated device comprises control means and wireless communication means for operating as a wireless node device, wherein the wireless communication means is configured to provide bidirectional wireless communication with at least one of a plurality of communication devices, and the wireless communication means is configured to transmit a beacon message, which includes load data of the associated device, including at least data indicating the number of router devices currently associated with the associated device.

[0024] According to a sixth aspect, an association method for an association process in a wireless communication network is provided. The method includes: a wireless communication means of an association target device operating as a wireless node device providing bi-directional wireless communication with at least one of a plurality of communication devices; and the wireless communication means of the association target device transmitting a beacon message including load data of the association target device, the load data including data indicating the number of currently associated router devices.

[0025] According to a seventh aspect, a computer program is provided, which includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute at least the association method according to claim 15 or 17.

[0026] According to an eighth aspect, a tangible non-volatile computer-readable medium is provided, which includes the computer program according to claim 18.

[0027] Various exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be best understood from the following description of specific exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with additional objects, advantages, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, both as to structure and method of operation.

[0028] As used herein, verbs such as "comprising" and "including" are used as open limitations that do not require or exclude the presence of features not recited. Features described in the dependent claims can be freely combined with each other unless otherwise specified. Further, throughout this specification, it is to be understood that the use of the singular form, such as "one", does not exclude the plural.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] Schematically shows an association system in a wireless communication environment. [Figure 2]A flowchart illustrating the association method is provided below. [Figure 3] A schematic example of the format of load data included in a beacon message is shown below. [Figure 4] A schematic example of the determination process performed by the associated device is shown below. [Figure 5] This shows the operating part of a wireless communication device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings as examples, not as limitations.

[0031] Figure 1 shows an association system 100 operating in a wireless communication environment. The environment comprises a wireless communication network (system) 102 having multiple wireless communication devices (nodes) 104. The devices 104 operate on the same spectrum, for example, having one or more frequency bands in the same geographic area within the presented environment. The use of the same spectrum enables bidirectional wireless communication between devices 104 in the network 102, where a wireless transmission sent by one device 104 can be received by another device 104, and vice versa.

[0032] System 100 can be applied to any wireless radio communication network 102 that uses packet transmission in communication, i.e., in data exchange. Preferably, System 100 can be applied to any wireless radio communication network that can be used for multi-hop communication between devices 104, i.e., packets can be delivered over at least two consecutive radio links. System 100 can be applied to a wireless communication network 102 that conforms to the DECT-2020 (Digital European Cordless Telecommunication 2020) standard. Some non-limiting examples to which System 100 can be applied include, but are not limited to, wireless multi-hop networks, wireless mesh networks, e.g., wireless sensor networks (WSNs), Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) mesh networks, Zigbee® networks, thread networks, public land mobile networks (PLMNs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), low-power wide area networks (LPWANs), cellular-based local area networks, cellular networks, and / or any other wireless networks. An example of a WSN is described in Patent Document 1 (U.S. Patent No. 7,830,838).

[0033] Device 104 is capable of receiving transmissions using one wireless technology, such as BLE transmission or WLAN transmission, all of which are transmissions from the same network 102. However, at least one of the devices 104, for example, one, two, three, four, or more devices, may all be capable of receiving transmissions using at least two wireless technologies, such as BLE transmission and WLAN transmission, all of which are transmissions from the same network 102.

[0034] The DECT-2020 standard is a wireless access technology developed by ETSI. DECT-2020 supports Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC) and Ultra-High Reliability Low Latency Communications (URLLC). On the physical (PHY) layer, key technical components of DECT-2020 are orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), adaptive modulation and coding schemes (MCS), modern channel coding methods (Turbo, LDPC, convolutional coding), hybrid automatic retransmission requests (HARQ) for both scheduled and competition-based transmissions, and support for multi-antenna transmission with different multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) streams. On the media access (MAC) layer, and from a system perspective, key technical components of DECT-2020 are support for numerous IoT (Internet of Things) sensors, actuators, and other industrial applications, support for mesh network topologies, support for URLLC communications with very low latency (a typical application could be wireless microphones), operation on license-exempt frequencies, and support for multiple overlapping non-cooperative networks with cognitive radio capability for sharing spectral resources across multiple networks.

[0035] System 100 is used to establish associations between devices 104 in order to enable data routing over network 102. System 100 is mainly described by using three devices 104a, 104b, and 104c that belong to system 100 and operate within network 102, forming a group of devices 104a, 104b, and 104c. However, these devices 104a, 104b, and 104c correspond to device 104. Network 102 may also include several other devices 104 that are also involved in forming the group, in which case the group comprises devices 104, 104a, 104b, and 104c.

[0036] As described above, each device 104 can provide bidirectional wireless communication with at least one other device 104 by its wireless communication device 436. This means that each device 104 can operate as a transmitter, a receiver, or a transmitter-receiver, such that each device 104 can send at least one message to another device 104 and receive at least one message from another device 104 in the network 102.

[0037] System 100 may also comprise at least one gateway device 105, for example, one, two, three, four, or more gateway devices. Each gateway device 105 acts as a gateway between network 102 and other external networks 106 (e.g., the Internet), distributing data from and to network 102. Each gateway device 105 communicates with at least one sink device (node) 104a, for example, one, two, three, four, or five or more sink devices, each sink device 104a acting as a wireless interface for gateway devices 105 in network 102. Each sink device 104a may be physically located in connection with gateway device 105 or may be located separately in different parts of network 102. If gateway 105 comprises several sink devices 104a, they may be located separately in different parts of network 102 in relation to gateway device 105 and others.

[0038] While sink device 104a is a fixed router device (router), other node devices 104 can operate in different fixed or non-fixed roles in network 102. Other devices 104 in system 100 are router devices, i.e., devices that operate in a router role, and non-router devices, i.e., devices that operate in a non-router role depending on whether device 104 needs to participate in data transfer. One method for selecting router and non-router roles can follow the method described, for example, in Patent Document 2 (U.S. Patent No. 10,499,264).

[0039] Each router device 104 maintains the connectivity of the system 100 and routes (forwards) data from other devices 104 when necessary. Each non-router device 104, like the sink and router devices 104, can provide bidirectional communication to transmit its own data and receive data directed to it, but non-router devices 104 do not route data from other devices 104. Each of the devices 104 can operate as at least a router or a non-router device.

[0040] System 100 includes devices 104, and in this case, multilink (multihop) communication between each device 104 and the sink device 104 is required because all devices 104 cannot communicate directly with the sink device 104 (gateway device) 105 due to the wide distance between the device 104 and the limited wireless range.

[0041] Figure 2 shows the association process, or association method, for the association procedure, by the aforementioned association system 100 in the wireless communication network 102. The purpose of the association process is to initiate bidirectional communication, i.e., data exchange, between two devices 104. One device 104 can simultaneously have active associations with multiple other devices 104. Once an association is established, it can be maintained until explicitly released by either party. Here, we will use one association initiator 104b and one associated device 104c as an example. The system 100 may further include at least one other association initiator, for example, one, two, three, four, or five or more other association initiators, in addition to the association initiator 104b. System 100 may further include one, two, three, four, or five or more other associated devices, for example, one associated device 104c. The association initiator 104b, i.e., the device attempting to initiate at least bidirectional communication, may be a router device or a non-router device. In other words, each router device and each non-router device in network 102 may act as an association initiator 104b of system 100. The associated device 104c, i.e., the device attempting to establish at least an association, may be a sink device 104a or a router device. In other words, each sink device 104a and each router device in network 102 may act as an associated device 104c of system 100.

[0042] In step 202, the associated device 104c periodically transmits a beacon message containing load data of the associated device 104c via its wireless communication means 536. In other words, in step 202, each associated device 104c is configured to periodically transmit a beacon message containing load data to distribute the load data within the network 102. The beacon message may be, for example, a network beacon message or a cluster beacon message. The load data includes at least data indicating the number of router devices currently associated with the associated device 104c. The data indicating the number of currently associated router devices may include, for example, the number of currently associated router devices expressed as an exact number and / or a percentage value. "Currently associated devices of the device" means throughout this application that the device has an association with the associated device 104c substantially at that moment. However, the number of currently associated devices can be considered a subjective view by the associated device 104c, as there may be some delay in noticing that one or more associated devices have released their association with the associated device 104c.

[0043] The load data may further include data indicating the maximum number of authorized associated devices for the associated device 104c, and / or data indicating the number of non-router devices currently associated with the associated device 104c. The data indicating the number of currently associated non-router devices may include, for example, the number of currently associated non-router devices, expressed as an exact number and / or a percentage value. The data indicating the maximum number of authorized associated devices may include, for example, the maximum number of authorized associated devices, expressed as an exact number and / or a percentage value. The maximum number of authorized associated devices defines the maximum number of authorized associated devices for the associated device 104c, both for router and non-router devices. The maximum number of authorized associated devices may depend, for example, on the underlying radio technology, spectral resources, time and frequency allocation of network 102, implementation memory limitations, and / or the type and amount of application data desired in network 102. Therefore, the maximum number of permitted association devices may be defined per implementation and / or may be different maximum numbers of permitted association devices used by different associated devices 104c within the same network 102. In other words, all associated devices 104c of system 100 within network 102 may have the same maximum number of permitted association devices. Alternatively, at least one associated device 104c of system 100 within network 102 may have a device-specific, i.e., its own maximum number of permitted association devices. If the maximum number of permitted association devices is the same for all devices 104 within network 102, i.e., the maximum number of permitted association devices is constant for all devices 104 within network 102, then the data indicating the maximum number of permitted association devices may be defined as a network configuration parameter.Data indicating the maximum number of permitted associated devices, defined as a network configuration parameter, can be pre-provisioned for each device 104 in network 102. If data indicating the maximum number of permitted associated devices is defined as a network configuration parameter, it may, but does not necessarily, be included in the beacon message. In particular, if the maximum number of permitted associated devices is not device-specific, i.e., not the same for all devices 104 in network 102, it is preferable that each associated device 104c include data indicating the maximum number of permitted associated devices for that associated device 104c in the load data included in the beacon message. Each associated device 104c may maintain a count of the number of router and non-router devices currently associated with it.

[0044] The load data may further comprise one or more performance parameters of the associated device 104c. These one or more performance parameters of the associated device 104c may include, for example, random access channel (RACH) load data, channel load data, traffic load data, and / or route cost data. Each associated device 104c may define one or more performance parameters, for example, by observing transmissions by its associated device and / or by at least one other associated device.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a non-limiting exemplary format of load data 300 that may be included in a beacon message in a DECT 2020-based wireless communication network 102. While the example in Figure 3 shows possible exemplary parameters included in the load data 300, as mentioned above, the load data 300 included in a beacon message may include at least data indicating the number of associated router devices, and other parameters of the load data 300 included in a beacon message may be optional. The definition of the load data 300 shown in Figure 3 is given in Table 1.

[0046] Table 1: Definition of an example of the load data 300 format in Figure 3.

[0047] [Table 1]

[0048] As step 204, the association initiator 104b receives a beacon message from at least one associated device, for example, associated device 104c, via its wireless communication means 536. The received beacon message includes load data of the associated device 104c, as described above.

[0049] In step 208, after receiving a beacon message from at least one associated device 104c in step 204, the association initiating device 104b, by its control means 530, determines whether to attempt to associate with the at least one associated device 104c from which the beacon message was received, based on load data that is at least partially included in the beacon message received from the at least one associated device 104c. As described above, the load data may include at least data indicating the maximum number of authorized associated devices, in addition to data indicating the number of router devices currently associated. If the maximum number of authorized associated devices is device-specific, the data indicating the maximum number of authorized associated devices is included in the load data included in the beacon message. Alternatively, or in addition, if the maximum number of authorized associated devices is the same for all devices in the network 102, the data indicating the maximum number of authorized associated devices is defined as a network configuration parameter and does not necessarily have to be included in the beacon message. Therefore, load data from at least one associated device 104c may be included at least partially, i.e., partially or entirely, in the received beacon message from at least one associated device 104c.

[0050] For example, the decision in step 208 may depend on the operational role of the association initiator 104b. That is, the determination process in step 208 differs depending on whether the association initiator 104b is a router device or a non-router device.

[0051] Next, several examples of the decision process in step 208 are disclosed. In these examples, the association initiator 104b receives a beacon message from one associated device 104c. However, if the association initiator 104b receives beacon messages from two or more associated devices 104c, a similar decision process in step 208 may be applied to each associated device 104c.

[0052] For example, if the association initiator 104b is a router device, it may decide to attempt an association with the association target device 104c if the number of router devices currently associated with the association target device 104c, expressed as a percentage, is less than 100%.

[0053] In another example, if the association initiator 104b is a router device, it may decide to attempt association with the association target device 104c if the number of router devices currently associated with the association target device 104c is less than the maximum number of authorized association devices for the selected association target device 104c. The maximum number of authorized association devices for the association target device 104c may be included in the load data contained in the received beacon message, as described above. Alternatively, the maximum number of authorized association devices for the association target device 104c may be defined as a network configuration parameter, as described above.

[0054] Alternatively, for example, if the association initiator 104b is a non-router device, for instance, if the number of router devices currently associated with the associated device 104c, expressed as a percentage value, is less than 100%, it may be decided to attempt to associate with the associated device 104c. Alternatively, a stricter restriction may be implemented to decide to attempt to associate with the associated device 104c, for example, if the number of router devices currently associated with the associated device 104c, expressed as a percentage value, is less than 75%.

[0055] In another example, if the association initiator 104b is a non-router device and the load data further includes data indicating the number of non-router devices currently associated with the associated device 104c, then if the sum of the number of router devices currently associated with the associated device 104c, expressed as a percentage, and the number of non-router devices currently associated with the associated device 104c, expressed as a percentage, is less than 100%, then it may decide to attempt association with the associated device.

[0056] In yet another example, if the association initiator 104b is a non-router device and the load data further includes data indicating the number of non-router devices currently associated with the associated device 104c, then if the sum of the number of router devices currently associated with the associated device 104c and the number of non-router devices currently associated with the associated device 104c is less than the maximum number of allowed associated devices for the selected associated device 104c, then it may be decided to attempt to associate with the associated device 104c. The maximum number of allowed associated devices for the selected associated device 104c may be included in the load data contained in the received beacon message, as described above. Alternatively, the maximum number of allowed associated devices for the associated device 104c may be defined as a network configuration parameter, as described above.

[0057] In both cases, i.e., if the association initiator 104b is a router device or a non-router device, the association initiator 104b may further use one or more performance parameters of the associated device 104c included in the load data in its decision in step 208 whether to attempt to associate with the associated device 104c. These one or more performance parameters included in the load data may include RACH load data, channel load data, traffic load data, and / or route cost data, as described above. Alternatively, or in addition, the association initiator 104b may further use at least one additional performance parameter, for example, link quality data, in its decision on whether to attempt to associate with the associated device 104c. The association initiator 104b may define link quality data, for example, based on the signal strength of a beacon message received from the associated device 104c.

[0058] The decision in step 208 to attempt to associate with the association target device 104c makes it possible to at least reduce or even avoid unnecessary association request messages and rejection signaling.

[0059] If the association initiator 104b receives beacon messages from at least two associated devices 104c in step 204, the association initiator 104b may, in step 206, select at least one most appropriate associated device 104c by its control means 530 based on at least one selection criterion, for example, at least one selection parameter. The selection may be performed before the decision in step 208 as an optional step, as shown in Figure 2. After selecting at least one most appropriate associated device 104c, the association initiator 104b may, in step 208, decide whether to attempt to associate with at least one selected (i.e., most appropriate) associated device 104c based on load data at least partially contained in the beacon messages received from the selected associated device 104c. In other words, the association initiator 104b may first select at least one most appropriate associated device 104 in step 206, and after the selection, perform the process of determining at least one selected (most appropriate) associated device 104c in step 208 described above. Alternatively, the selection may be performed after the decision performed in step 208. In that case, the association initiator 104b may first decide in step 208 whether to attempt association with at least two associated devices 104c from which beacon messages are received as described above. After the decision in step 208, the association initiator 104b may further select at least one most appropriate associated device 104c in step 206 based on at least one selection criterion. In other words, the association initiation device 104b first performs a determination process for at least two association target devices 104c in step 208 described above, and in step 206, after the determination, it can select at least one most appropriate association target device 104.

[0060] At least one selection criterion may be that load data for at least two associated devices 104c is included at least partially in the received beacon message from at least two associated devices 104c. As described above, the load data may include at least data indicating the maximum number of authorized associated devices, in addition to data indicating the number of router devices currently associated. If the maximum number of authorized associated devices is device-specific, the data indicating the maximum number of authorized associated devices is included in the load data included in the beacon message. Alternatively, or in addition, if the maximum number of authorized associated devices is the same for all devices in network 102, the data indicating the maximum number of authorized associated devices is defined as a network configuration parameter and does not necessarily have to be included in the beacon message. Thus, load data for at least two associated devices 104c may be included at least partially, i.e., partially or entirely, in the received beacon message from at least two associated devices 104c as described above. By using load data from at least two associated devices 104c as at least one selection criterion in step 206 for selecting at least one most appropriate associated device 104c, it becomes possible to balance the system load between different router devices 104.

[0061] At least one selection criterion may further comprise one or more additional parameters of at least two associated devices 104c. These one or more additional parameters of each associated device 104c may include, for example, link quality data, the associated device's ability to use higher-order modulation, the minimum bitrate provided to one of the associated devices, the guaranteed end-to-end latency characteristics of the link, the availability of a route for the associated device to a sink device, and / or any other additional parameters. For example, an association initiator 104b may first select one or more candidates for at least one most suitable associated device by using load data of at least two associated devices as described above, and then select at least one most suitable associated device from among the one or more candidate devices by using one or more additional parameters of the at least two associated devices as described above. Each association initiator 104b may define one or more additional parameters based, for example, on a beacon message received from the associated device 104c.

[0062] The selection of at least one most appropriate associated device 104c in step 206 may, for example, involve a comparison between at least one selection criterion for each of at least two associated devices 104c and the selection of at least one most appropriate associated device from among the at least two associated devices 104c based on the results of the comparison. For example, the association initiator 104b may compare each of the selection criteria for at least two associated devices 104c, such as their respective load data or each of their one or more additional parameters, and, for example, select at least one most appropriate associated device 104c based on the results of a comparison between, for example, at least one associated device with the best selection parameter, the lowest selection parameter value, a selection parameter exceeding a predefined limit, or, depending on the at least one selection parameter used, a selection parameter whose selection parameter is below a predefined limit. For example, if at least one selection criterion used is the number of router devices currently associated, the association initiator 104b may compare the number of router devices currently associated with at least two associated devices 104c with each other and select at least one associated device 104c that, for example, has the highest number of router devices currently associated or whose number of currently associated router devices exceeds a predefined limit.

[0063] For example, at least one selection criterion may take precedence. For instance, at least one selection criterion may take precedence over at least one other selection criterion when defining at least one selection criterion to be used in the selection in step 206. Alternatively, for example, if two or more selection criteria are used, the order in which the selection criteria are used in the selection in step 206 may take precedence.

[0064] Next, several examples of the selection process in step 206 are disclosed. In these examples, it is assumed that the association initiator 104b receives beacon messages from two associated devices 104c, namely, associated device A and associated device B. However, if the association initiator 104b receives beacon messages from two or more associated devices 104c, a similar selection process in step 206 may also apply. The selection process in these examples is disclosed by using a single selection criterion, but the association initiator 104b may also use two or more selection criteria in the selection process. The selection process may also be performed by using at least one selection criterion other than the selection criterion used in these examples.

[0065] For example, if the traffic load of associated device A is, for example, 90%, and the traffic load of associated device B is, for example, 20%, the association initiating device 104b may select associated device B as the optimal associated device 104c.

[0066] In another example, if the link quality data of associated device A shows better link quality than the link quality data of associated device B, the association initiating device 104b may select associated device A as the optimal associated device 104c.

[0067] In yet another example, if associated device A has, for example, five currently associated router devices and associated device B has, for example, eight currently associated router devices, the association initiating device 104b may select associated device A as the most appropriate associated device 104c.

[0068] The selection of at least one most appropriate associated device in step 206 makes it possible to at least reduce or even avoid unnecessary association request messages and rejection signaling, i.e., association response messages indicating rejection of an association request. Unnecessary association request messages and rejection signaling consume energy and spectral resources.

[0069] In step 210, the association initiator 104b transmits an association request message via its radio communication means 536 to each of the at least one associated device 104c that the association initiator 104b decides to attempt to associate with in step 208. The association request message includes at least data indicating the operational role of the association initiator 104b. Each association initiator 104b is aware of its operational role, i.e., whether the association initiator 104b is operating in a router role or a non-router role. The content of the association request message may be divided into one or more radio link messages, such as packets or protocol data units (PDUs).

[0070] 2 / 27 In step 212, the associated device 104c receives an association request message by its wireless communication means 536 from at least one association initiator, for example, from association initiator 104b. Each received association request message includes, at least, data indicating the operational role of the association initiator 104b from which the association request message is received, as described above.

[0071] In step 214, in response to receiving an association request message from at least one association initiator, for example from association initiator 104b, in step 212, each associated device, for example, associated device 104c, determines by its control means 530 whether to approve the association request received from at least one association initiator 104b based on data indicating the maximum number of authorized associated devices for associated device 104c. If the maximum number of authorized associated devices is not reached, associated device 104c may decide in step 214 to approve all received association requests, independently of the operational role of association initiator 104b. If the maximum number of authorized associated devices is reached, the associated device 104c may, in step 214, use further data contained in the association request message received from at least one association initiating device 104b to decide whether to approve the association request from at least one association initiating device 104b.

[0072] In step 214, in response to a decision on whether to approve an association request from at least one association initiator 104b, the associated device 104c transmits an association response message to at least one association initiator 104b in step 216, or in step 218, depending on the decision made, using its wireless communication means 536, indicating either approval of the association request or rejection of the association request. If the associated device 104c decides in step 214 to approve an association request from at least one association initiator 104b, the associated device 104c transmits an association response message to the at least one association initiator 104b in step 216, including instructions to approve the association request. Alternatively, if in step 214 the associated device 104c decides to reject the association request from at least one association initiator 104b, the associated device 104c sends an association response message containing an instruction to reject the association request to the at least one association initiator 104b in step 216. The content of the association response message may be divided into one or more radio link messages, such as packets or protocol data units (PDUs).

[0073] When the associated device 104c decides in step 214 whether to approve an association request from at least one association initiator 104b, it may prioritize router devices over non-router devices. For example, the associated device 104c may deassociate at least one currently associated non-router device, reaching the maximum number of allowed associated devices, and the associated device 104c decides to approve an association request from at least one association initiator 104b operating in the router role. In another example, if the maximum number of allowed associated devices has been reached, the associated device 104c may decide not to approve an association request from at least one association initiator 104b operating in the non-router role. When deciding whether to approve an association request from at least one association initiator 104b, prioritizing router devices over non-router devices improves the routing performance of network 102.

[0074] An association request message may further include data indicating the energy-saving mode of the association initiator 104b (e.g., Low Energy (LE) / Low Latency (LL) mode), data indicating the number of devices currently associated with the association initiator 104b, and / or data indicating the traffic load of the association initiator 104b. In LL mode, the association initiator 104b is always active, i.e., not in sleep mode, so that it can receive low-latency data to be routed (forwarded). An association initiator 104b operating in LL mode attempts to optimize the use of its radio communication means 536 to enable the routing of low-latency data. An association initiator 104b operating in LL mode does not attempt to conserve power. Each association initiator 104b is aware of its energy-saving mode, defines its traffic load, and maintains a count of the number of devices currently associated with it. The associated device 104c may further use this additional data contained in the association request message to determine whether to accept the association request from at least one association initiator 104b. For example, an association initiator 104b operating in a mains-powered router role (i.e., operating in LL mode) may be preferred over other association initiators 104b operating in router roles. In another example, an association initiator 104b operating in a router role (i.e., operating in LE mode) may be preferred over a more capable association initiator operating in a router role, as it would require less energy to explore alternative connections with fewer battery resources.

[0075] Figure 4 shows an example of the determination process performed by the association target device 104c in step 214. In the example in Figure 4, router devices are given priority over non-router devices in each step. Figure 4 also shows optional prioritization (optional steps 410-414, shown by dashed lines in Figure 4), where, among multiple router devices, router devices operating in non-energy-saving mode are given priority over router devices that do not operate in non-energy-saving mode, i.e., router devices operating in energy-saving mode. In step 402, in response to receiving an association request message from the association initiator device 104b in step 212, the association target device 104c checks whether it has reached the maximum number of permitted association devices. If the maximum number of authorized association devices is not reached, the associated device 104c decides to approve the association request and sends an association response message to the association initiator 104b containing instructions to approve the association request (216). If the maximum number of authorized association devices is reached in step 402, the associated device 104c then defines in step 404 whether the association initiator 104b that received the association request message is a router device or a non-router device. If the association initiator 104b is a non-router device, the associated device 104c decides to reject the association request and sends an association response message to the association initiator 104b containing instructions to reject the association request (218). If the association initiating device is a router device, the associated device 104c checks in step 406 whether the number of currently associated router devices is full, that is, whether it has reached the maximum number of currently associated router devices.If the number of currently associated router devices is not full in step 406, the associated device 104c decides to approve the association request and, in step 408, deassociate at least one currently associated non-router device and send an association response message to the association initiator 104b containing instructions to approve the association request (216). If the number of currently associated router devices is full in step 406, the associated device 104c may send an association response message to the association initiator 104b containing instructions to reject the association request (218). Alternatively, once the number of currently associated router devices is reached in step 406, the associated device 104c may use further data contained in the association request message to determine whether to accept the association request from the association initiator 104b, for example, by checking in step 410 whether the association initiator 104b from which the association request message is received is operating in a non-energy-saving mode, such as LL mode. If the association initiator 104b is operating in energy-saving mode, i.e., not in a non-energy-saving mode, the associated device 104c may decide in step 410 to reject the association request and send an association response message to the association initiator 104b containing an instruction to reject the association request (218). In step 410, if the association initiator 104b is operating in non-energy-saving mode, the associated device 104c may further check in step 412 whether the number of currently associated devices operating in non-energy-saving mode is full, that is, whether the maximum number of currently associated devices operating in non-energy-saving mode has been reached.In step 412, if the number of currently associated devices operating in non-energy-saving mode is reached, the associated device 104c may decide to reject the association request and send an association response message to the association initiator 104 containing instructions to reject the association request (218). If the number of currently associated devices operating in non-energy-saving mode is not reached in step 412, the associated device 104c may decide to accept the association request and, in step 414, deassociate at least one currently associated router device operating in energy-saving mode and send an association response message to the association initiator 104b containing instructions to accept the association request (216).

[0076] Figure 5 shows devices 104 (104a, 104b, 104c) that can communicate within the network 102 and perform the relevant features (steps) of the association method as described above. In other words, a device 104 that operates as an association initiator 104b and can perform the features of the association method associated with the association initiator 104b as described above has been described, or a device 104 that operates as an associated target device 104c and can perform the features of the association method associated with the associated target device 104c as described above has been described.

[0077] The device 104 includes a control means (control unit) 530 that controls the operation of its parts 532, 534, 536, 538, and 540 so that the device 104 operates as described above.

[0078] The control means 530 includes a processor (processor unit) 532 that executes operator start commands and / or computer program start commands and processes data to run the application. The processor 532 may include at least one processor, for example, one, two, three, four, or five or more processors.

[0079] The control means 530 also includes a memory (memory section) 534 for storing and maintaining data. The data may be instructions, computer programs, and data files. The memory 534 comprises at least one memory, for example, one, two, three, four, or five or more memories.

[0080] The device 104 also includes wireless communication means (wireless communication unit, data transfer unit) 536 and antenna (antenna unit) 538 used by control means 530 to transmit commands, requests, messages, and data to at least one entity in system 100, for example, the device 104, via antenna 538. The wireless communication means 536 also receives commands, requests, and data from at least one entity in system 100, for example, the device 104, via antenna 538. Communication between the wireless communication means 536 of the device 104 and other entities in system 100 is provided wirelessly via antenna 538.

[0081] The device 104 may further include a power supply (power supply unit) 540. The power supply 540 includes components for supplying power to the device 104, such as a battery and a regulator.

[0082] The memory 534 stores at least a wireless communication application 542 for operating (controlling) the wireless communication means 536 and a power supply application 544 for operating the power supply 540.

[0083] Memory 534 also stores computer programs (computer software, computer applications) 546 which, when executed (operated) by control means 530, for example, in a computer within the device 104, use at least one of parts 536, 538, and 540 to perform at least the operations of the device 104 described above in relation to the previous figure.

[0084] The computer program 546 may be stored on a tangible, non-volatile, computer-readable storage medium, such as a compact disc (CD) or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) type storage device.

[0085] The specific examples provided in the above description should not be construed as limiting the applicability and / or interpretation of the attached claims. The list and group of examples provided in the above description are not exhaustive unless otherwise specified.

Claims

1. An association system (100) for a wireless communication network (102), At least one association initiator (104b), At least one association target device (104c), Includes, At least one association initiator (104b) and at least one association target device (104c) belong to a plurality of communication devices (104, 104a, 104b, 104c), Each of the multiple communication devices (104, 104a, 104b, 104c) is a wireless node device configured to provide bidirectional wireless communication with at least one of the multiple communication devices (104, 104a, 104b, 104c), Each associated device (104c) is configured to send a beacon message that includes load data of the associated device (104c), which includes at least data indicating the number of router devices currently associated with it. After receiving the beacon message from at least one associated device (104c), each association initiator (104b) shall: Whether to attempt to associate the beacon message with at least one of the associated devices (104c) that receives it, based on the load data at least partially included in the beacon message received from at least one of the associated devices (104c), The association initiator (104b) sends an association request message to each of the at least one of the association target devices (104c) that it attempts to associate. Association system (100).

2. The decision depends on the operational role of the association initiation device (104b), The operational role of the association initiator (104b) is either a router role or a non-router role. The association system (100) according to claim 1.

3. The load data further includes data indicating the maximum number of permitted association devices, and / or data indicating the number of currently associated non-router devices. The association system (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The load data further includes one or more performance parameters, including random access channel (RACH) load data, channel load data, traffic load data, and / or route cost data. The association system (100) according to claim 3.

5. When the beacon message is received from at least two associated devices (104c), each association initiator (104b) is configured to select at least one most appropriate associated device (104c) based on at least one selection criterion. The association system (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. At least one of the selection criteria includes the load data of at least two of the associated devices (104c), which is at least partially included in the beacon message received from at least two of the associated devices (104c). The association system (100) according to claim 5.

7. At least one of the selection criteria further includes link quality data, the ability to use higher-order modulation, the minimum bitrate provided to one association device, guaranteed end-to-end latency characteristics, and / or the availability of a route to a sink device. The association system (100) according to claim 6.

8. The association request message includes data indicating the operational role of the association initiator (104b), The association system (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2.

9. The association request message further includes data indicating the energy saving mode of the association initiator (104b), data indicating the number of devices currently associated with the association initiator (104b), and / or data indicating the traffic load of the association initiator (104b). The association system (100) according to claim 8.

10. In response to receiving the association request message from at least one association initiator (104b), Each associated device (104c) is configured to determine whether or not to approve an association request from at least one of the association initiating devices (104b) based on data indicating the maximum number of associated devices of the associated device (104c), When the maximum number of permitted association-targeted devices is reached, Each associated device (104c) is further configured to determine whether or not to approve the association request from at least one association initiator (104b) using data contained in the association request message received from at least one association initiator (104b). The association system (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2.

11. When the number of authorized association devices reaches the maximum number and the associated device (104c) decides to accept an association request from at least one association initiating device (104b) operating in the router role, each associated device (104c) is configured to disassociate at least one currently associated non-router device. The association system (100) according to claim 10.

12. The association system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wireless communication network (102) is a wireless sensor network (WSN), a DECT-2020 (Digital European Cordless Telecommunication 2020) based network, or a wireless mesh network.

13. An association method for a wireless communication network (102), The present invention provides at least one association initiator (104b) and at least one association target device (104c) belonging to a plurality of communication devices (104, 104a, 104b, 104c) operating as wireless node devices, Each of the communication devices (104, 104a, 104b, 104c) of the plurality of communication devices provides bidirectional wireless communication with at least one of the plurality of communication devices. Each associated device (104c) transmits a beacon message (202) that includes load data of the associated device (104c), which includes at least data indicating the number of router devices currently associated with it. After receiving the beacon message from at least one associated device (104c) (204), each association initiating device (104b) determines whether to attempt to associate with the at least one associated device (104c) from which the beacon message was received (208), based on the load data at least partially contained in the beacon message received from the at least one associated device (104c). Each association initiator (104b) sends an association request message to each of the at least one of the association target devices (104c) that the association initiator (104b) has decided to attempt to associate with. Association methods.

14. An association initiation device (104b) for participating in an association process in a wireless communication network (102), The association initiation device (104b) is, Control means (530), Wireless communication means (536) for operating as a wireless node device, Equipped with, The association initiation device (104b) is configured such that the wireless communication means (536) provides bidirectional wireless communication with at least one of a plurality of communication devices. After the wireless communication means (536) receives a beacon message from at least one association target device (104c), the association initiation device (104b) The control means (530) determines, based on load data at least partially contained in the beacon message received from at least one associated device (104c), whether to attempt to associate the beacon message with at least one associated device (104c) from which it was received. The beacon message includes load data of the associated device (104c), which includes at least data indicating the number of router devices currently associated with it. The association initiator (104b) decides to attempt to associate with each of the at least one of the association target devices (104c), and the wireless communication means (536) transmits an association request message to each of them. Association initiator (104b).

15. An association method for an association process in a wireless communication network (102), The wireless communication means (536) of the association initiator (104b) operating as a wireless node device provides bidirectional wireless communication with at least one of a plurality of communication devices. After receiving a beacon message (204) from at least one associated device (104c), the control means (530) of the association initiation device (104b) decides whether or not to attempt to associate with at least one associated device (104c) based on load data that is at least partially included in the beacon message received from at least one associated device (104c) (208). The beacon message includes the load data of the associated device (104c), which includes at least data indicating the number of router devices currently associated with it. The wireless communication means (536) of the association initiation device (104b) transmits an association request message (210) to each of the at least one of the association target devices (104c) that the association initiation device (104b) has decided to attempt to associate. Association methods.

16. An association target device (104c) for participating in the association process in a wireless communication network (102), The aforementioned association target device (104c) is: Control means (530), Wireless communication means (536) for operating as a wireless node device, Equipped with, The associated device (104c) is configured such that the wireless communication means (536) provides bidirectional wireless communication with at least one of a plurality of communication devices. The associated device (104c) is configured such that the wireless communication means (536) transmits a beacon message including load data of the associated device, which includes at least data indicating the number of router devices currently associated with the associated device. Association target device (104c).

17. An association method for an association process in a wireless communication network (102), The wireless communication means (536) of the associated device (104c) operating as a wireless node device provides bidirectional wireless communication with at least one of a plurality of communication devices. The wireless communication means (536) of the associated device (104c) transmits a beacon message (202) which includes load data of the associated device (104c) that includes at least data indicating the number of router devices currently associated with it. Association methods.

18. When executed by a computer, the instructions include causing the computer to execute at least the association method described in claim 15 or 17. Computer program.

19. The computer program described in claim 18 includes, A tangible, non-volatile, computer-readable medium.

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