Bluetooth Mesh Forwarding for Low-Capability Leaf Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bluetooth devices with limited hardware capabilities cannot fully support the Bluetooth Mesh Profile, restricting their ability to connect to Bluetooth mesh networks.
Innovation Solution
Implement a novel Bluetooth network architecture where non-leaf nodes have forwarding capabilities and leaf nodes operate in a Bluetooth advertising mode, allowing communication beyond their signal coverage through forwarding by non-leaf nodes, reducing hardware requirements for leaf nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If Bluetooth Mesh Profile is implemented to extend communication range, then network coverage is improved, but hardware capability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the Bluetooth network into two distinct node types: leaf nodes with simple advertising functionality and non-leaf nodes with full mesh capabilities including forwarding. This segmentation allows resource-constrained devices to participate in mesh networks as leaf nodes without requiring full mesh profile implementation, thereby extending network coverage while maintaining low hardware requirements for some devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Non-leaf nodes act as intermediaries that perform data forwarding between leaf nodes. This intermediary mechanism enables leaf nodes to communicate beyond their direct advertising range by relaying data through non-leaf nodes, effectively extending the network coverage area without requiring leaf nodes to have advanced hardware capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If full mesh profile is supported by all nodes, then network functionality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional characteristics to different nodes based on their capabilities and roles. Leaf nodes operate in advertising mode with lower power consumption suitable for battery-powered devices, while non-leaf nodes handle forwarding operations. This differentiated approach maintains comprehensive network functionality while optimizing power consumption for each node type.
Solution Approach 2:
Leaf nodes perform only the essential advertising function rather than implementing the complete mesh profile, which reduces their power consumption. Non-leaf nodes perform the additional forwarding function when needed. This partial action approach ensures full network functionality is available through non-leaf nodes while leaf nodes conserve energy by performing only necessary operations.
3Area of stationary object
If communication range is extended through mesh networking, then network coverage is improved, but computational burden on nodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments computational responsibilities by assigning full mesh protocol processing and data forwarding computations to non-leaf nodes, while leaf nodes perform only simple advertising operations. This segmentation extends communication range through multi-hop networking while preventing computational overload on resource-constrained leaf nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
Non-leaf nodes serve as computational intermediaries that handle the complex tasks of data reception, processing, and forwarding to multiple destinations. This intermediary approach enables extended communication range through the network while concentrating computational burden on non-leaf nodes that have sufficient processing capabilities, leaving leaf nodes with minimal computational requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a Bluetooth network, a communication method, an apparatus, and a storage medium thereof. In the embodiments of the disclosure, a Bluetooth network comprises a Bluetooth node configured with a forwarding capability and serving as a non-leaf node, and a Bluetooth node functioning in a Bluetooth advertising mode to serve as a leaf node. Each leaf node is connected to at least one of one or more non-leaf nodes. Via the forwarding capability of the non-leaf node, the leaf node communicates with other leaf nodes or non-leaf nodes not within its signal coverage, thereby extending a communication range of a Bluetooth node.