Ad Hoc Service Switch for IoT Latency and Scalability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ad hoc wireless network communication schemes, including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), face challenges in managing large-scale IoT deployments due to inadequate support for privacy, security, scalability, latency, and bandwidth, particularly in real-time applications that require control over application execution and lack of IP protocol stack in small-footprint devices.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an Ad Hoc Service Switch (AHSS) apparatus that establishes ad hoc wireless network communication links between devices, enabling rule-based control and flexible, policy-based switching, allowing for the establishment of ad hoc links beyond the communication range of devices and providing in-network operations through programmable AHSS nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cloud-based solutions are used for IoT service creation and management, then centralized control and service orchestration are improved, but latency, bandwidth requirements, and dependency on external infrastructure worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice orchestrationVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway device serves as an intermediary between ad hoc devices and the cloud infrastructure. It performs local service orchestration and transaction management, reducing the need for direct cloud communication while maintaining centralized control capabilities. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling centralized service management locally at the gateway, thereby reducing latency while preserving orchestration benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If ad hoc devices are configured and reconfigured to comply with dynamic relationships, then service flexibility and adaptability are improved, but system complexity and manageability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice flexibilityVSAvoidsystem manageability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complexity of service orchestration and device management from individual ad hoc devices and concentrates it in the gateway device. The gateway maintains service profiles, manages device relationships, and handles configuration updates centrally. This extraction resolves the contradiction by preserving service flexibility through centralized service profile management while reducing system manageability burden from individual devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway device performs multiple functions including service orchestration, packet filtering, transaction management, and device configuration. This multi-functional approach consolidates management complexity into a single universal node that can handle diverse service requirements, resolving the contradiction between service flexibility and system manageability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If IP protocol stack is implemented in IoT devices for cloud connectivity, then network functionality and service capabilities are improved, but device footprint and resource requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork functionalityVSAvoiddevice footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway acts as an intermediary that provides IP protocol stack functionality and cloud connectivity services to ad hoc devices without requiring these devices to have full IP stacks. The gateway handles protocol translation and network layer functions, enabling lightweight ad hoc devices to access cloud services and IP networks while maintaining their small footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Use of energy by moving object

If ad hoc communication range is limited to direct device-to-device links, then network simplicity and energy efficiency are improved, but network coverage and device interconnectivity worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoiddevice interconnectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway serves as a mediator that extends the ad hoc network beyond direct device-to-device communication ranges. It receives packets from devices within its range, performs local routing and filtering, and forwards packets to remote devices or cloud services. This intermediary approach maintains energy efficiency for individual devices while significantly expanding network coverage and interconnectivity capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11363653B2Ad hoc service switch-based control of ad hoc networking

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 NOKIA OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

An apparatus may implement an ad hoc service switch to establish an ad hoc link between ad hoc devices, such that the apparatus is a transparent node in an ad hoc link between the ad hoc devices. The apparatus may implement rule-based control of at least one ad hoc device, based on processing a data packet received from an ad hoc device via the ad hoc link. Rule-based control may include performing at least one operation of selectively forwarding the data packet, selectively inhibiting the data packet from being forwarded, modifying the data packet, and generating and transmitting a new data packet. The apparatus may establish the ad hoc link via an initial ad hoc link between the apparatus and the first device, a network communication link between the apparatus and an external apparatus, and an ad hoc link between the external apparatus and the second device.