Dynamic Communication Protocol for Sensor Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication protocols between network entities are costly and complex, requiring significant microprocessor resources and being prone to external interference, especially when dealing with many devices gathering data and sending it to a smaller group of users, where higher-level protocols are not efficient and low-level methods are unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A communication protocol that allows entities to communicate using a data structure stored in a public memory area, with information like length and version details, enabling dynamic adaptation and checksum verification, allowing for efficient and secure data transfer between entities without prior knowledge of data content and format, and supporting unequal data transfer rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If higher-level protocols (HTTP, Wi-Fi) are used for data transmission, then data availability and compatibility are improved, but microprocessor resource requirements and device cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments communication functionality into two parts: a simple protocol handler in the sensor device for basic data transmission, and a protocol translation layer in the gateway for converting to higher-level protocols. This allows sensor devices to maintain simplicity while still enabling sophisticated communication through the gateway's translation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary device that receives simple protocol messages from sensor devices and translates them into higher-level protocols (HTTP, Wi-Fi) for communication with remote systems. This mediator handles the complexity of protocol conversion, allowing sensor devices to remain simple while achieving versatile communication.
2Device complexity
If extremely low-level communication methods (analog signals) are used, then device cost is reduced, but reliability and performance deteriorate due to external interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates checksum fields and error detection mechanisms in the communication protocol to cushion against transmission errors and external interference. These protective measures are built into the protocol structure, allowing the system to maintain reliability while using simple, low-cost communication hardware.
3Productivity
If many devices gather and send data using sophisticated protocols, then data processing capability is improved, but overall system cost increases due to device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables sensor devices to autonomously format and transmit data using a simple, standardized protocol without requiring sophisticated local processing. The devices self-serve by embedding necessary identification and data structure information directly in their transmissions, allowing centralized processing at the gateway rather than requiring complex processing at each device.
4Reliability
If protocol information is hard-coded in devices, then communication reliability is improved, but adaptability to new devices and protocol versions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the communication protocol dynamic by incorporating version identification fields and data structure descriptors that allow devices to advertise their capabilities. The gateway dynamically adapts to different device types and protocol versions by reading these descriptors and adjusting its translation behavior, maintaining reliability through structured communication while enabling broad adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect relates to a communication protocol for communicating between one or more entities, such as devices, hosts or any other system capable of communicating over a network. A protocol is provided that allows communication between entities without a priori knowledge of the communication protocol. In such a protocol, for example, information describing a data structure of the communication protocol is transferred between communicating entities. Further, an authentication protocol is provided for providing bidirectional authentication between communicating entities. In one specific example, the entities include a master device and a slave device coupled by a serial link. In another specific example, the communication protocol may be used for performing unbalanced transmission between communicating entities.