Wireless Ad Hoc Network Node Circuit Deactivation for Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) face challenges in energy efficiency due to dynamic node addressing and the need for continuous communication, which consumes battery power in battery-powered devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a time-slotted barrage relay network with nodes configured for TDMA frames, where each node transmits and receives data in assigned time slots, deactivating circuits during unused slots to conserve energy, and using management data to manage hop counts and configure the network efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nodes continuously monitor and transmit data in MANET, then data communication reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by organizing communication into discrete TDMA frames with time slots. Nodes activate their circuits only during assigned time slots and deactivate them during other slots, transforming continuous monitoring and transmission into periodic operations. This maintains data communication reliability through structured periodic exchanges while significantly reducing energy consumption by keeping circuits inactive during non-assigned periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the communication timeline into distinct TDMA frames, each containing multiple time slots assigned to different nodes. This segmentation allows each node to operate independently during its assigned slots while remaining inactive during others, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable communication and reducing energy consumption through selective activation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If nodes are dynamically added or removed from MANET, then network adaptability is improved, but addressing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assigning specific time slots to specific nodes before communication begins. Each node receives a predetermined time slot assignment within the TDMA frame structure. When nodes are dynamically added or removed, the system can reconfigure time slot assignments without requiring complex addressing changes, as the temporal structure provides a framework for organized communication even as membership changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the TDMA frame structure and time slot assignments adaptable to changing network conditions. The system can dynamically reassign time slots when nodes are added or removed, maintaining the structured approach while accommodating network changes. This dynamic reconfiguration capability allows the system to maintain low complexity while achieving high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method is disclosed for a wireless ad hoc network having a plurality of nodes, each node including a RX circuit and a TX circuit configured to receive or transmit data packages based on time division multiple access (TDMA) frames, respectively. The TDMA frames include time slots that are unambiguously assigned to one of the nodes, respectively. The communication method includes: transmitting, by at least one node of the plurality of nodes, at least one data package in a subset of time slots of a TDMA frame, respectively, wherein the subset of time slots is assigned to a subset of nodes of the plurality of nodes; and deactivating, by the at least one node, the RX circuit and/or the TX circuit of the at least one node during the subset of time slots of subsequent TDMA frames.