Content Centric Cross-Layer Scheduling for Industrial Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-hop wireless networks face challenges in assigning timeslots and channels to minimize latency and maximize reliability, particularly in industrial applications requiring low-latency and high-reliability communications, where existing scheduling algorithms fail to optimize routing and scheduling effectively, leading to congestion and interference.

Innovation Solution

The CONtent CentrIc cross-layer SchEduling (CONCISE) approach creates content-specific routes and schedules, implementing non-conflict multi-hop scheduling and data aggregation, which differentiates network traffic by content type, using a centralized cross-layer algorithm to optimize routing and scheduling, and introduces a content-dependent immediate processing function and premium timeslot reservation mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If TDMA scheduling is used to avoid collisions and reduce latency, then communication reliability is improved, but the system still suffers from multi-path fading and interference from other devices in the ISM band

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidinterference from other devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication resource into multiple channels (frequency bands) and divides transmission times into timeslots. By combining channel hopping across multiple channels with TDMA timeslot allocation, the system segments the risk of interference - if one channel experiences interference from ISM band devices, transmissions can switch to another channel while maintaining the scheduled timeslot structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic channel hopping where the transmission channel changes at regular intervals defined by the timeslot structure. This periodic switching across multiple channels ensures that no single channel is continuously exposed to interference from external devices, thereby maintaining reliability while avoiding persistent interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If channel hopping is implemented to avoid external interference, then communication reliability is improved, but network traffic volume increases due to repeated transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork traffic volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges data from multiple sensor nodes at intermediate relay nodes before forwarding to the sink node. This data aggregation reduces the total number of transmissions required across the network. By combining redundant or related data streams, the system maintains reliability through multiple transmission paths while significantly reducing overall network traffic volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Intermediate relay nodes perform multiple functions: they receive data from upstream nodes, aggregate and process the data, forward aggregated data downstream, and participate in channel hopping transmissions. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of dedicated transmission nodes, thereby reducing overall network traffic while maintaining the channel hopping reliability mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If content-specific routing and scheduling is implemented to optimize traffic flow, then network efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to centralized cross-layer algorithm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidalgorithm complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary that centralizes the complex cross-layer routing and scheduling decisions. The controller receives data type information from sensor nodes, determines optimal routing paths and timeslot assignments, and manages channel hopping sequences. This centralization shifts algorithmic complexity from individual nodes to a dedicated controller, simplifying node implementation while achieving optimized network-wide efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the organizational parameter of the scheduling system from distributed node-based decisions to centralized controller-based decisions. By consolidating the scheduling intelligence in a network controller, the system achieves optimized content-specific routing and channel allocation without requiring complex algorithms at each individual node, thus improving network efficiency while managing overall system complexity centrally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10305781B2Content centric cross-layer scheduling for industrial applications

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

Arrangements described herein implement a CONtent CentrIc cross-layer SchEduling (CONCISE) approach in which content specific routes and schedules are created, resulting in an overlaid routing structure and multiple content based schedules. In CONCISE, not only is non-conflict multi-hop scheduling implemented but also data aggregation along the routing path is taken into account during the scheduling process. This therefore provides a new way to route and aggregate data in a deterministic and timely manner via scheduling.