Cluster-Wise Re-Association for Wireless Sensor Network Self-Healing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ZigBee wireless sensor network self-healing technique is inefficient in handling frequent networking damage due to the orphan propagation phenomenon, where child devices become orphaned and require lengthy and power-consuming network re-association processes.
Innovation Solution
An orphan device in a cluster-tree structured wireless communication network maintains packet transmission with its child devices and re-associates with a new parent in a cluster-wise mode, updating its address and reducing power consumption by determining suitable parent candidates based on network depth and signal power, allowing child devices to continue synchronization during re-association.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an orphan device performs individual network re-association process, then the device can be re-associated to the network, but the network re-association takes long time and consumes large power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual re-association processes into a single cluster-wise re-association operation. When a parent device becomes orphaned, it re-associates together with all its child devices as a cluster, rather than each device re-associating separately. This is achieved by having the parent device transmit a re-association request that includes information about its child devices, allowing them to be re-associated in one coordinated action, thereby reducing overall re-association time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the orphaned parent device maintain packet transmission and reception with its child devices during the re-association process. This keeps the child devices synchronized and ready for quick re-association, rather than allowing them to drift out of synchronization. The parent device prepares the cluster for re-association in advance by maintaining communication links, which accelerates the overall re-association process.
2Reliability
If an orphan device performs individual network re-association process, then the device can be re-associated to the network, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple re-association operations into a single cluster-wise operation. Instead of each device individually performing scanning, authentication, and address allocation sequences, the entire cluster (parent and children) is re-associated in one coordinated process. This reduces the total number of communication rounds and signaling messages, thereby reducing power consumption during the re-association process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables child devices to automatically update their addresses by themselves after receiving a beacon signal including the new address of their parent device. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for individual address allocation signaling between each child device and the parent, reducing signaling burden and power consumption. The child devices autonomously adapt to the parent's new address without requiring separate re-association protocols.
3Reliability
If an orphan device stops packet transmission during re-association, then re-association can be performed, but child devices become orphaned and propagation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the orphaned parent device continue transmitting beacon signals and maintaining packet communication with its child devices during the re-association process. This keeps the child devices synchronized and prevents them from becoming orphaned. By maintaining these communication links in advance and throughout the re-association, the parent device ensures that child devices remain part of the network cluster and do not trigger orphan propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the parent device monitors the status of its child devices during re-association and adjusts its behavior accordingly. The parent device receives feedback from child devices about their synchronization status and uses this information to coordinate the cluster-wise re-association. This feedback loop ensures that child devices remain synchronized and prevents orphan propagation by allowing the parent to take corrective actions if synchronization is lost.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a network self-healing method in which, when a link between a parent device and a child device breaks down in a wireless communication network of a cluster-tree structure in which a main communication device (referred to an access point (AP)) manages network operation, routers that are devices capable of having their child devices, and end devices that are devices incapable of having their child devices are associated with each other in a parent-child device relationship, the link is restored. When a router becomes an orphan device, the router makes network re-association in a cluster unit while maintaining synchronized operation with its child devices, and thus time, energy and signaling burden for network self-healing is largely reduced.