Datagram Reliability via Application Layer Acknowledgment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network protocols for home devices often face challenges in providing reliability for datagram messages, which are essential for efficient communication between devices in home environments, especially when devices have low power consumption requirements and may be in a 'sleepy' state, lacking inherent reliability features.
Innovation Solution
Implementing reliability functionality at higher OSI layers, such as the application layer, within the fabric network to ensure reliable communication between devices, using protocols like IPv6 and TLV formatting for compact data transmission, and employing a General Message Protocol (GMP) with acknowledgment mechanisms for reliable messaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reliability functionality is added to datagram messages, then communication reliability is improved, but protocol overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments reliability functionality into optional acknowledgment messages that can be selectively added to datagram communications. Instead of implementing full TCP-like reliability at the transport layer, the patent introduces lightweight acknowledgment mechanisms at the application layer that can be enabled only when needed, keeping the base datagram protocol simple and low-overhead while providing reliability on-demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary acknowledgment mechanism that mediates between simple datagram transmission and full reliability protocols. This intermediary layer adds minimal confirmation messages between sender and receiver, providing reliability without the complexity of full TCP handshakes, acknowledgments, and retransmission protocols.
2Reliability
If acknowledgment messages are implemented, then message delivery confirmation is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic acknowledgment behavior where devices can adjust their acknowledgment messaging based on current power availability and communication requirements. Devices in low-power modes can reduce or eliminate acknowledgment transmissions, while devices with sufficient power can use full acknowledgment mechanisms, allowing flexible adaptation to power conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of acknowledgment messages based on power conditions, including adjusting acknowledgment frequency, message size, and transmission timing. This allows the system to maintain reliability when needed while minimizing power consumption during battery-operated or low-power operations.
3Use of energy by moving object
If devices operate in sleepy mode to conserve power, then energy efficiency is improved, but communication responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary actions where devices prepare acknowledgment buffers and message templates in advance while in sleepy mode, so that when awakened, they can respond quickly without full processing delays. Devices can pre-configure their acknowledgment behavior and maintain minimal network presence to provide fast responses while remaining in low-power states most of the time.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods relating to communication over relatively low power protocols by adding reliability functionality are presented. Sent messages having reliability functionality include an acknowledgment request flag that indicates that the message includes a request to acknowledge the request once received and an application payload that includes data for the message. The acknowledgment request flag causes responding devices to send an acknowledgment message to the sending device indicating that the sent message has been received.