Ad Hoc Network Node Energy Reduction via Predictive Scheduling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In ad hoc networks, communication devices often spend excessive energy in an idle receive state due to low network traffic, leading to inefficient energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with communication devices that use a modified TDMA protocol, featuring two transceivers and a communications control processor to predict availability and power down unless scheduled to receive messages, utilizing pseudorandom number generators to dynamically adjust thresholds based on network traffic and topology changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If communication devices remain in a powered receive state continuously to be ready for incoming messages, then message reception capability is maintained, but energy consumption increases significantly in low traffic environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scheduling actions where nodes broadcast their intended transmission times in advance. This allows other nodes to predict when messages will arrive and power up their receivers only at those predetermined times, rather than continuously monitoring. The scheduling protocol enables nodes to prepare their receivers in advance for expected transmissions, eliminating the need for continuous powered receive state.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements periodic scheduling where nodes wake up at predetermined periodic intervals to transmit and receive messages, then return to sleep mode. This periodic operation replaces continuous monitoring with intermittent checking at scheduled times. The protocol uses time-division multiplexing with assigned time slots for each node, creating a rhythmic pattern of activity that significantly reduces average power consumption while maintaining communication reliability.
2Reliability
If communication devices use periodic TDMA protocols with continuous powered receive state, then communication reliability is maintained, but energy waste increases in low network traffic environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the scheduling protocol based on network conditions. Nodes can modify their transmission schedules and wake-up times according to actual traffic patterns and network topology changes. The protocol adapts the periodicity and timing parameters dynamically, allowing nodes to optimize between reliability and energy efficiency based on current network state rather than following a fixed schedule.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms where nodes acknowledge received messages and report their operational status. This feedback allows the scheduling system to adjust future wake-up times and transmission schedules based on actual communication success rates. Nodes can learn from previous transmissions and modify their behavior to reduce unnecessary wake-ups while ensuring reliable message delivery, thereby reducing energy waste without compromising reliability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If communication devices power down transceivers when not scheduled to receive messages, then energy consumption is reduced, but the complexity of scheduling and coordination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the communication timeline into discrete time slots assigned to specific nodes. Each node is allocated specific periods when it should be awake to transmit or receive, separated from other nodes' active periods. This temporal segmentation simplifies coordination by creating clear, non-overlapping schedules that reduce the complexity of managing multiple active transceivers simultaneously. The protocol divides the communication cycle into manageable segments that each node can independently track.
Solution Approach 2:
The scheduling protocol serves multiple functions simultaneously: it coordinates transmission timing, manages receiver wake-up schedules, prevents collisions, and optimizes energy consumption. By making the scheduling mechanism multi-functional, the system reduces the need for separate complex control mechanisms. The same scheduling data structure handles timing information, node identification, and power management decisions, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the power-down strategy.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to communications devices for reduced energy communications in an ad hoc network. The communication device includes a first low-powered transceiver for initiating communications with other communications devices and a second transceiver for transmitting data messages to the other communications devices once communication is initiated. The communication device also includes a communications control processor for determining times at which the other communications devices will be available to receive communications based on scheduling data received from those communication devices. The communications control processor can also take into account requests for reserved bandwidth.