Dynamic Node Selection for LLN Machine Learning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Low Power and Lossy Networks (LLNs) face challenges such as lossy links, low bandwidth, and complex network management due to a large number of nodes, making it difficult to implement effective routing, Quality of Service (QoS), security, and traffic engineering, and existing approaches are inefficient for using machine learning algorithms to predict network behavior.

Innovation Solution

The technique dynamically determines significant nodes in the network based on calculated significance factors and area of influence, correlating these nodes with deteriorated network regions to apply learning machine mechanisms for performance improvement, using a combination of geo-location triangulation and centrality metrics to select nodes that can effectively represent the network state and improve health.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If machine learning algorithms are applied to predict network behavior in LLNs, then network performance can be improved, but the complexity of network management increases due to the large number of nodes and parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidnetwork management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the most significant nodes from the entire LLN by calculating node significance based on centrality metrics and area of influence. Instead of managing all nodes uniformly, the system identifies and focuses on a subset of critical nodes that represent the network state, thereby reducing management complexity while maintaining predictive accuracy for network performance improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different management strategies to different nodes based on their significance. Significant nodes (those with high centrality and large area of influence) receive specialized ML-based attention, while less significant nodes are managed with simpler approaches. This local differentiation allows the system to improve network performance where it matters most without overwhelming computational resources across all nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If all nodes are monitored and sampled to understand network state, then accurate prediction of network behavior is achieved, but the processing burden on nodes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork state representation accuracyVSAvoidnode processing burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts a representative subset of significant nodes that collectively capture the essential network state. By calculating node significance metrics (centrality and area of influence), the system identifies nodes whose states are most indicative of overall network conditions. Monitoring and sampling only these extracted significant nodes provides sufficient accuracy for prediction while dramatically reducing the total processing burden compared to monitoring all nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses significant nodes as representative copies or proxies for the entire network state. Instead of directly monitoring every node, the system samples and monitors a subset of significant nodes that serve as informative copies of the network's overall state. These representative nodes allow accurate prediction of network behavior while distributing the processing burden more efficiently across the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If static routing protocols are used in LLNs, then network management is simplified, but the network cannot adapt to changing conditions and requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork management simplicityVSAvoidnetwork adaptability to changing conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic elements to network management by continuously calculating node significance metrics and updating the set of significant nodes based on current network conditions. This dynamic identification of critical nodes enables the network to adapt to changing conditions (such as link failures, traffic patterns, or node join/leave events) while maintaining a manageable level of complexity through automated, data-driven decision making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where network performance data and node state information are continuously collected, processed through ML algorithms, and used to update routing decisions and node significance assessments. This closed-loop feedback system allows the network to learn from past performance and adapt its behavior to changing conditions, moving beyond static protocols while keeping management simplified through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2954644B1Dynamically determining node locations to apply learning machine based network performance improvement
Publication Date: 2017.06.14 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC
  • EP2954644B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2954644B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2954644B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one embodiment, techniques are shown and described relating to dynamically determining node locations to apply learning machine based network performance improvement. In particular, a degree of significance of nodes in a network, respectively, is calculated based on one or more significance factors. One or more significant nodes are then determined based on the calculated degree of significance. Additionally, a nodal region in the network of deteriorated network health is determined, and the nodal region of deteriorated network health is correlated with a significant node of the one or more significant nodes.