Batched CoAP Signalling for IoT Transaction Ordering
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) for constrained devices and networks faces inefficiencies in sequential message transmission due to the need for sequential acknowledgement of transactions, leading to long delays and increased power consumption in devices with sleep modes, especially in networks with long round-trip times.
Innovation Solution
A method where a node receives instructions with sequence identifiers for performing multiple actions in a specific order and sends a single acknowledgement upon completion, allowing for parallel transmission and reduced signalling overhead, even in the presence of transmission delays or losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sequential acknowledgement of transactions is used to ensure proper ordering of actions, then reliability of action execution is improved, but communication time and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate CoAP transactions into a single batched transaction. Instead of sending and acknowledging each transaction sequentially (transaction 1 → acknowledgment 1 → transaction 2 → acknowledgment 2), the invention bundles multiple transactions (transactions 1, 2, 3) into one batched request that receives a single cumulative acknowledgment, thereby reducing communication time while maintaining action ordering through sequence numbers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by including sequence numbers and ordering information in the batched transaction request before transmission. The ordering requirements are predetermined and embedded in the request message itself, allowing the receiving node to process and execute actions in the correct sequence without requiring intermediate acknowledgments between transactions.
2Reliability
If nodes wait for acknowledgements before sending next transactions, then proper ordering is achieved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple sequential transactions into a single batched transaction with improved throughput. By combining transactions 1, 2, and 3 into one batched request that is acknowledged once, the system achieves both proper ordering (through embedded sequence numbers) and higher productivity (by eliminating multiple round-trip delays).
Solution Approach 2:
The batched transaction approach enables continuous transmission of multiple transactions in one go, rather than interrupting for individual acknowledgments. This continuity maintains the useful action of data transmission while improving overall productivity through reduced idle waiting time.
3Productivity
If multiple transactions are sent in parallel, then productivity improves, but reliability of sequential execution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple transactions into a single batched transmission that is sent in parallel as one unit, improving productivity. Simultaneously, it embeds sequence numbers and ordering information within the batched request, ensuring that upon receipt, the actions are executed sequentially in the correct order, thus maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ordering information and sequence numbers are preliminarily established in the batched transaction request before transmission. This preliminary action ensures that even though transactions are transmitted in parallel as a batch, the receiving node can reliably execute them in the correct sequential order based on the pre-defined ordering information.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a first node in a communication network, the first node being a first end-point of signaling with a second node in the communication network, the second node being a second end-point in the signaling. The method comprises receiving signals from the second node, the received signals comprising instructions for the first node to perform a plurality of actions as well as an indication for in which order the actions should be performed. The method also comprises performing the actions in order. The method also comprises sending signals to the second node, the sent signals comprising an acknowledgement that the plurality of actions have been performed.