Bluetooth Mesh Network Diagnostics via Test Message Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bluetooth mesh networks are challenging to assess and diagnose due to their opaque nature, making it difficult to identify issues such as message loss and network bottlenecks, as only source and destination nodes can typically detect lost messages, while intermediate nodes lack information.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where test messages with specific identifiers and parameters are transmitted through the network, allowing intermediate nodes to identify and store information about these messages, which are then recreated and propagated further, enabling comprehensive network assessment by logging and analyzing the test messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flooding technique is used for message propagation in Bluetooth mesh networks, then network simplicity and resistance to topology changes are improved, but message loss detection capability deteriorates as intermediate nodes cannot identify lost messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces test messages as an intermediary mechanism that enables intermediate nodes to participate in diagnostics. These special messages carry identifiers that allow intermediate nodes to track and report message propagation status, effectively making them mediators between the source and destination for diagnostic purposes without changing the flooding propagation mechanism itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses message type identifiers as a form of 'color coding' to distinguish test messages from regular data messages. This allows intermediate nodes to identify and process test messages differently, enabling diagnostic functionality while maintaining the simplicity of the flooding mechanism for regular traffic.
2Productivity
If routing technique is used for message propagation in Bluetooth mesh networks, then network capacity and interference reduction are improved, but device complexity and route finding requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing test message propagation paths before actual diagnostics are needed. Test messages are sent in advance to map the network topology and identify functional nodes, so that when real message loss occurs, the diagnostic information is already available from previous test message tracking.
3Use of energy by moving object
If intermediate nodes forward messages without identification capability, then power consumption is reduced, but network diagnostic capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the diagnostic function from the message forwarding process itself. Instead of requiring intermediate nodes to actively analyze and diagnose network issues (which would consume power), the system extracts identification information from test messages and uses this extracted data for diagnostics, allowing intermediate nodes to remain in a low-power forwarding state.
Solution Approach 2:
Test messages serve themselves by carrying their own identification and routing information. Intermediate nodes simply forward these self-identifying messages without needing to perform complex analysis, and the messages themselves provide the diagnostic data needed to assess network performance and identify bottlenecks.
4Ease of operation
If Bluetooth mesh network operates as black-box for applications, then application simplicity is maintained, but network troubleshooting capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having intermediate nodes report back information about test message reception and forwarding. This feedback loop provides applications with visibility into network internal states and performance metrics, enabling troubleshooting while maintaining application simplicity through automated diagnostic reporting rather than requiring complex application-side network analysis.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments support obtaining of information regarding a Bluetooth mesh network (100) operating according to a set of rules, e.g. flooding or routing, for propagating messages in the network (100). It is transmitted (204), from said test originator node (101) in accordance with said set of rules, a sequence of test messages towards said test target node (105). Each of said test messages includes: parameters comprising a test message identifier being an identifier of the test message in the sequence, and a type identifier identifying the test message as a certain type associated with said parameters.