Device Network Cluster Formation for Wireless Range Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Point-to-point wireless communication technologies have limitations in communication range and the number of interconnected devices, making them unsuitable for environments requiring extended coverage or multiple device connections.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a device network by determining peer devices within communication range and forming device clusters, allowing devices to maintain concurrent connections and propagate network state information to extend range and capacity, with each device belonging to multiple clusters and maintaining connections with one less than the maximum allowable to reserve an open channel for new devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If point-to-point wireless communication technologies are used, then devices can connect and exchange data without intermediary network devices, but the communication range and number of interconnected devices are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple device clusters, where each cluster operates independently with a maximum number of members. This segmentation allows the overall network to support more devices than a single point-to-point connection could handle, while maintaining manageable complexity within each cluster.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional point-to-point connections to a multi-dimensional mesh network structure where devices can connect to multiple peers simultaneously across different clusters. This dimensional expansion enables extended communication range and increased device capacity beyond the limitations of simple point-to-point topology.
2Productivity
If a device maintains concurrent connections with maximum number of devices, then communication capacity is maximized, but no open channel remains for new devices to join
Solution Approach 1:
Devices intentionally maintain fewer than the maximum number of concurrent connections, deliberately operating at partial capacity. This partial action strategy reserves communication channels for new device joins, ensuring network adaptability while maintaining sufficient communication throughput for current members.
Solution Approach 2:
The network preemptively reserves communication channels before new devices need to join. By maintaining open slots in advance rather than waiting for connection requests, the network can quickly accommodate new devices without disrupting existing communications, thus maintaining both productivity and adaptability.
3Area of stationary object
If device clusters are formed to extend network range, then communication coverage increases, but network state information propagation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Gateway devices serve as intermediaries between device clusters, handling the propagation of network state information. Instead of requiring direct peer-to-peer communication between all devices across clusters, gateways mediate the information exchange, simplifying the propagation process while enabling extended coverage through multiple clusters.
Solution Approach 2:
The network implements feedback mechanisms where devices periodically exchange network state information and adjust their cluster memberships accordingly. This feedback loop allows the network to dynamically adapt to changes in device availability and network conditions, maintaining optimal communication coverage while managing information propagation complexity through iterative refinement.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for establishing a device network using a wireless communication protocol is described. The technique may include determining peer devices within a communication range of a communication device, and determining whether any of the peer devices is part of a device cluster having less than a maximum number of device members. When a peer device within the communication range is determined to be part of an existing device cluster having less than the maximum number of device members, that existing device cluster can be updated to include the communication device. When each peer device within the communication range of the communication device is determined to be part of a full device cluster having the maximum number of device members, a new device cluster can be created to include the communication device and a plurality of peer devices meeting a signal strength criteria.