Composite Data Rate Calculation for Wireless Link Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless network links face challenges in determining reliable and stable link costs due to variable bandwidth and transient disruptions, which are not effectively addressed by existing protocols that rely on reciprocal data rate assignments.
Innovation Solution
A method for calculating a composite data rate using weighted averages, geometric mean, and minimum data rates, with hysteresis thresholds to determine when to advertise new link costs, thereby stabilizing link cost determination and ignoring small fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If link cost is determined using reciprocal data rate assignment, then routing protocols can function, but transient disruptions propagate throughout the network due to wireless bandwidth variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating composite data rates using multiple metrics (average, geometric mean, and minimum data rates) before routing decisions are made. This pre-computation approach allows the system to have stable link cost values ready in advance, reducing the need for frequent updates and thereby minimizing transient disruptions when bandwidth conditions change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials principle by combining multiple data rate measurements (average, geometric mean, and minimum) into a single composite data rate metric. This composite approach creates a more stable and representative link cost value that better reflects overall link quality, reducing sensitivity to temporary fluctuations and thereby reducing transient disruptions in routing protocols.
2Measurement precision
If link cost updates are propagated frequently to reflect bandwidth changes, then routing accuracy improves, but network convergence time increases due to repeated updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the single data rate parameter into a composite parameter that incorporates multiple data rate metrics with different weights. This transformation allows the system to maintain accurate link cost representation without needing frequent updates, as the composite metric is more robust to short-term variations. The system can update less frequently while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
By pre-computing the composite data rate using multiple metrics, the system prepares accurate link cost values in advance. This preliminary computation reduces the need for frequent update cycles, thereby decreasing network convergence time while maintaining accuracy. The pre-computed composite values serve as stable references for routing decisions.
3Device complexity
If simple reciprocal data rate assignment is used, then protocol complexity is low, but it fails to account for wireless link variability and transient disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a composite data rate metric that combines multiple measurement approaches (average, geometric mean, minimum). This composite metric provides a more reliable representation of wireless link quality without requiring complex protocol mechanisms. The combination of simple measurement methods into a composite approach achieves reliability enhancement while maintaining relative protocol simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing a composite data rate calculation that serves multiple functions simultaneously: it accounts for link variability, reduces transient disruptions, and provides accurate routing information. This multi-functional approach achieves improved reliability without proportionally increasing protocol complexity, as the same composite metric serves multiple purposes in the routing decision-making process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for efficient and stable link cost determination in wireless networks, reducing transient disruptions and accommodating varying network conditions by using a composite data rate that considers average, geometric mean, and minimum data rates, thus improving routing and loop prevention protocols.
Implementation Method 1
computing, by the station, a pair of hysteresis thresholds for a previous composite data rate, determining, by the station, whether the new composite data rate exceeds one of the pair of hysteresis thresholds
Data Source
AI summary
A link cost determining method including computing, by a station, a new composite data rate using a set of data rates including an average data rate, a geometric mean data rate, and a minimum data rate for data samples, computing, by the station, a pair of hysteresis thresholds for a previous composite data rate, determining, by the station, whether the new composite data rate exceeds one of the pair of hysteresis thresholds, and advertising, by the station, the new composite data rate when the new composite data rate exceeds one of the pair of hysteresis thresholds.