Distributed Synchronous Shared Beacon Protocol for Ad Hoc Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless ad hoc network protocols face challenges in achieving true autonomous operation, network topology discovery, time synchronization, energy-efficient power management, simultaneous node operation in shared RF environments, packet latency reduction, and reliable data transfer across multi-hop networks, particularly in remote and energy-constrained settings.

Innovation Solution

The Distributed Synchronous Shared Beacon (DSSB) protocol establishes a flat, peer-to-peer network topology where every node acts as a gateway, using pilot beacons for synchronization and scan algorithms to rapidly acquire frequency hopping spread spectrum signals, enabling true peer-to-peer mesh topologies and minimizing single points of failure. This protocol includes mechanisms for network-wide synchronization, efficient data transfer, and quality of service guarantees.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a centralized master node coordinates the network, then time synchronization and network management are simplified, but single points of failure occur and scalability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coordinationVSAvoidsingle point of failure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network coordination function is segmented and distributed to multiple nodes instead of centralized in a single master node. Each node can independently perform synchronization and coordination tasks, eliminating the single point of failure while maintaining network management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having a master node coordinate others, the invention inverts the relationship where any node can act as a coordinator for its neighbors. This peer-to-peer approach distributes authority and improves reliability while maintaining synchronization through mutual coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Use of energy by moving object

If nodes operate in low power sleep states, then energy consumption is reduced, but packet latency increases due to wake-up delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidpacket latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Nodes perform preliminary actions by pre-synchronizing their wake-up schedules and maintaining buffered data during sleep periods. This allows nodes to wake up at predetermined times with minimal latency while remaining in low-power states for the majority of the time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network employs periodic wake-up cycles where nodes alternate between sleep and active states in a coordinated manner. This periodic operation reduces average energy consumption while ensuring that at least some nodes are always awake to handle packet transmission, reducing effective latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If multiple nodes transmit simultaneously in a shared RF medium, then network throughput increases, but packet collision rate increases due to hidden node problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidpacket collision rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention resolves conflicts by adding temporal and spatial dimensions to channel access. Nodes transmit on different time slots and different frequency channels simultaneously, transforming the single-dimension collision problem into a multi-dimensional coordination system that increases throughput while reducing collisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Synchronization beacons act as intermediaries that coordinate transmissions between nodes. These beacons provide timing and channel assignment information that enables nodes to transmit simultaneously without collisions, mediating the shared RF medium access to maintain both high throughput and low collision rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If nodes continuously monitor the network for discovery, then topology maintenance is improved, but energy consumption increases due to idle listening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetopology discoveryVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Nodes perform network discovery and topology monitoring periodically rather than continuously. By synchronizing their monitoring cycles with network beacons and entering sleep modes between cycles, nodes maintain adequate topology awareness while dramatically reducing energy consumption from idle listening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8385322B2Distributed ad hoc network protocol using synchronous shared beacon signaling

Publication Date: 2013.02.26 INNOVATIVE WIRELESS TECH

AI summary

A method for forming a protocol structure for use in an ad hoc, distributed, scaleable wireless sensor node network which enables nodes to join the network autonomously without there being a designated, permanent central time reference and for enabling such nodes to synchronize timing with each other and with other nodes in the network. The method involves discovering the active channel changing sequence used by the network, synchronizing communications of a new node with the remainder of the nodes in the network and scanning communications channels to detect merging clusters of nodes.