Air Conditioner Hierarchical Wireless Network for Reduced Routing Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioner wireless communication networks face challenges in scalability due to increased costs and calculation loads, particularly in tree structures where nodes require large storage for routing tables, making it difficult to maintain efficient signal transfer and handle signal blockages effectively.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a wireless communication scheme where units operate as master and slave nodes, with the master node storing routing information for all units and slave nodes only storing information on parent and child nodes, reducing network traffic and calculation loads, and using sub-giga band frequencies for efficient communication across layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a wireless communication network is configured with multiple units distributed at different layers, then the system can achieve broader coverage and distributed operation, but signal transmission time increases and signal blockage becomes more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless network is segmented into hierarchical levels (rooftop units, intermediate floor units, ground floor units) where each segment handles local communication. This reduces the average transmission distance and time while maintaining broad coverage through the distributed hierarchical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Intermediate units on floor levels act as mediators or relay nodes between rooftop units and ground floor units. They forward signals locally, reducing the need for long-distance direct transmissions and minimizing signal blockage impacts by providing alternative local paths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tree structure with master-slave nodes and routing tables is implemented, then data routing capability is improved, but storage capacity requirements and calculation load increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The routing table is segmented and distributed across multiple units rather than concentrated in a single master node. Each unit maintains only the routing information necessary for its local segment, reducing individual storage requirements and calculation loads while collectively providing comprehensive routing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing approach transitions from a centralized two-dimensional master-slave hierarchy to a multi-dimensional distributed structure where routing information is spread across hierarchical levels (rooftop, intermediate, ground floors), reducing the burden on any single node.
3Reliability
If complex routing schemes are applied to handle signal blockages, then signal transfer reliability improves, but system complexity and response time worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes multiple routing paths and relay nodes before signal blockages occur. When a blockage is detected, alternative pre-configured paths are already available, enabling rapid switching without complex real-time calculations, thus maintaining reliability while reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing scheme is made dynamic and adaptive, allowing units to automatically adjust their communication paths based on real-time signal conditions. This enables the system to handle blockages efficiently through simple local decisions rather than complex centralized routing calculations.
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner and a method for controlling an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include a plurality of units including an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, the plurality of units being distributed at a plurality of layers or levels or floors in a building; and a controller configured to monitor and control the plurality of units. The controller and the plurality of units may include a communication unit configured to transmit/receive data in a wireless communication scheme, respectively. One of the plurality of units may be configured as a master node, and remaining units except for the unit configured as the master node may be configured as slave nodes, respectively, so that the slave node stores information on an upper parent node and a lower child node in a routing table to transmit data.