Application Layer Sleep Information for Constrained Network Nodes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Constrained networks with sleeping nodes face challenges in power management and message delivery due to lack of sleep-aware mechanisms at the application layer, leading to inefficiencies and potential disconnections.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a proxy node with resource management functions to handle sleep information, including inserting sleep information into message headers or payloads, and using URI-based methods to manage and synchronize sleep states of nodes, thereby optimizing power usage and message delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nodes periodically wake up to listen to RF channels to detect pending messages, then message delivery reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having nodes exchange sleep schedule information in advance before actual sleep periods begin. This allows receiving nodes to proactively buffer incoming messages during known sleep intervals, eliminating the need for periodic wake-ups to check for messages. The sleep schedule information is embedded in application layer messages, enabling the network to anticipate and prepare for node unavailability, thus maintaining reliable message delivery while nodes remain asleep.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary buffering mechanism at the application layer that mediates between sending and sleeping nodes. Instead of direct node-to-node communication requiring synchronized wake-ups, messages are buffered at an intermediary (the receiving node's memory) during sleep periods and delivered when the node wakes. This intermediary buffer decouples the communication timing, allowing nodes to sleep longer without compromising message delivery reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If nodes spend most time in sleep mode to conserve battery, then power consumption is reduced, but message latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces message latency while maintaining low power consumption by performing preliminary actions: nodes publish their sleep schedules in advance, and receiving nodes prepare buffers before sleep periods begin. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for nodes to wake up early or frequently to check for messages, allowing them to sleep through entire sleep intervals without missing time-sensitive communications. The latency is reduced because messages are already buffered and ready for immediate delivery upon wake-up.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where nodes exchange sleep schedule information and acknowledgment messages. Sending nodes receive feedback about the receiver's sleep schedule and adjust their transmission timing accordingly. This feedback loop allows the network to optimize message delivery timing, reducing latency by sending messages just before expected wake-up times or buffering them appropriately, while the receiving node maintains its extended sleep schedule to conserve power.
3Device complexity
If application layer protocols lack sleep-aware mechanisms, then protocol simplicity is maintained, but network efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances network efficiency by introducing sleep-aware parameters at the application layer without fundamentally changing protocol architecture. Specific parameters added include sleep schedule information (publishing intervals, sleep durations, wake-up times) embedded in existing message structures. These parameter additions allow protocols to adapt to node sleep patterns, enabling efficient message buffering and timing adjustments while maintaining overall protocol simplicity and compatibility with existing constrained network frameworks.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems providing application layer support for one or more sleeping nodes in constrained networks are contemplated. Embodiments contemplate inserting sleep information in a header option or payload of an application layer message. The application layer message may be conveyed in a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) or a constrained application protocol (CoAP). Embodiments contemplate communicating the application layer message to a server, which may serve as a caching and/or buffering proxy.