Cloud-Based Multi-Hop Path Selection for Mobile Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cloud robotics systems face challenges in real-time communication between mobile robots and the cloud due to distance, mobility, obstacles, and limited computational and communication power, especially in multi-hop networks where robots lack sufficient knowledge about next-hop devices for optimal path selection, leading to energy inefficiency and reduced network performance.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based system determines an optimal multi-hop path for mobile robots by computing forward and backward link cost functions using subnet information from Access Points, offloading complex computations to the cloud to reduce energy consumption and improve path selection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If robots perform path selection computation locally, then path selection can be made autonomously, but energy consumption increases and computational capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud platform as an intermediary between robots and path selection computation. The cloud platform receives subnet information from access points, performs the complex path selection computations centrally, and returns optimal paths to robots. This mediator approach allows robots to maintain autonomous operation while offloading energy-intensive computations to the cloud, resolving the contradiction between autonomous path selection and energy consumption.
2Device complexity
If direct communication between robots and cloud is used, then communication is simple, but communication is limited due to distance, mobility, and obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication path between robots and cloud into multiple hops through access points. Instead of requiring direct robot-to-cloud communication, the system divides the communication journey into sequential segments: robot to access point, access point to cloud, and reverse paths. This segmentation enables communication in environments with distance, mobility, and obstacle constraints while maintaining system simplicity through standardized interface protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
Access points serve as intermediaries that relay communications between robots and the cloud platform. The access points receive subnet information, forward it to the cloud, and transmit path selection results back to robots. This intermediary mechanism overcomes direct communication limitations imposed by distance, mobility, and physical obstacles while maintaining communication reliability.
3Area of stationary object
If multi-hop communication through relay robots is used, then communication coverage is extended, but intra-robot communication becomes difficult due to robot mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional multi-hop approach where mobile robots relay communications. Instead, stationary access points perform the relay function, and robots communicate directly with their associated access point. The access points handle the multi-hop routing to the cloud, eliminating the complexity of mobile-to-mobile communication while maintaining extended coverage through the access point network.
Solution Approach 2:
Stationary access points act as intermediaries that receive communications from mobile robots and forward them through the network to the cloud. This intermediary approach extends communication coverage without requiring complex intra-robot communication protocols, as robots only need to communicate with their local access point while the access point handles multi-hop routing.
4Power
If cloud platform performs path selection, then computation power is sufficient and energy consumption is reduced, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having access points continuously collect and forward subnet information to the cloud platform before path selection is needed. The cloud platform maintains updated network topology knowledge in advance, so when a robot requests a path, the computation can be performed quickly using pre-gathered information. This preliminary information gathering reduces the communication overhead and time required for path selection.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates generally to a method and system for multi-hop path selection for mobile robots based on cloud platform providing an optimal path for end-to-end communication in the multi-hop network. Multi-hop path selection for mobile robots, conventionally performed at mobile robot end, may not provide an optimal path as mobile robots are unaware of the global scenario of the multi-hop network. Further, computation at mobile robot end is not an energy efficient solution. The disclosed cloud system communicates the optimal path to the source mobile robot to reach the destination mobile robot through the plurality of Access Points (APs). Multi-hop path selection for mobile robots, currently performed at mobile robot end, may not provide an optimal path as mobile robots are unaware of the global scenario of the multi-hop network. The optimal path computed at cloud system increases the life-time of robotics network there by increasing the efficiency.