Ad Hoc Network Protocol with Self-Assigned Hierarchy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless ad hoc networks face challenges in transmitting and receiving node information due to low power requirements and adverse environmental conditions, such as obstacles and noise, and do not allow for efficient error handling or transmission of extensive data within assigned time slots.
Innovation Solution
A timely organized ad hoc data communications network with media-independent communication links and a self-assigned hierarchy among network nodes, allowing multiple time slots for data transmission and using dynamic self-routing protocols to optimize data transmission paths and reduce the number of intervening transmissions, even in adverse conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If each network node is assigned only one time slot during the time-slotted communications interval, then the network structure is simple and easy to implement, but the node cannot report more information than can fit within the assigned time slot and error handling is disadvantaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time-slotted communications interval into multiple sub-intervals or opportunities within a single time slot assignment. A node assigned one time slot can transmit multiple data packets or information units sequentially during that time slot, effectively dividing the information transmission task across multiple segments within the same allocated time resource, thereby increasing information capacity without requiring additional time slot assignments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary error detection and correction mechanisms within the single time slot transmission framework. Error handling codes and redundancy information are prepared and transmitted along with the data in advance, allowing error detection and correction to occur within the same time slot without requiring additional time slots, thus maintaining simple network structure while improving error handling capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If nodes transmit data through multiple intervening transmissions (hops), then the network can cover larger areas and reach more destinations, but the transmission time increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces media-independent network nodes (MINNs) as intermediaries that operate at a higher layer than the wireless medium. MINNs can receive data from multiple wireless nodes and forward it through media-independent communication links, reducing the number of wireless hops required. This intermediary layer allows data to bypass congested or obstructed wireless paths, thereby maintaining network coverage while improving transmission efficiency by reducing the number of intervening transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the network architecture by introducing media-independent communication links alongside the traditional wireless medium. This creates a multi-dimensional communication space where data can be transmitted through different media types (wireless and media-independent links), allowing optimization of transmission paths by selecting the most efficient medium for each segment, thus reducing overall transmission hops and improving efficiency while maintaining coverage.
3Reliability
If nodes wait for packet acknowledgment before transmitting the next packet, then transmission accuracy is maintained, but the time required to transmit multiple packets increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary error detection codes and redundancy information within each transmitted packet, allowing the receiver to detect and correct errors autonomously without requiring extensive acknowledgment exchanges. This preliminary preparation of error-handling mechanisms enables faster transmission by reducing the time spent on multiple acknowledgment rounds, thus maintaining reliability while reducing total transmission time for multiple packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous transmission of multiple packets by implementing mechanisms that allow overlapping transmission and reception operations. Nodes can begin transmitting the next packet before the previous packet's acknowledgment is fully processed, utilizing pipelining techniques where transmission preparation occurs in parallel with reception and acknowledgment processing, thereby maintaining accuracy through error codes while minimizing idle waiting time and achieving continuous useful action.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention comprises a plurality of timely organized ad hoc data communications networks and a method for data communication. A network from the plurality of networks includes media-independent communications links and plurality of network nodes, where a network node in the plurality could be coupled to at least one other network node via a media independent communication link, and a plurality of access points, where each access point in the plurality is coupled to at least one other access point via another media-independent communications link. The network communicates during a data collection cycle that includes a broadcast interval, a time-slotted communications interval and a random access time-slotted communications interval. The plurality of network nodes are arranged in a self-assigned hierarchy where one or more nodes in the plurality of network nodes can be assigned more than one time slot to transmit the network information messages.