Energy Adaptive Resource Allocation in Energy Harvesting Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Framed Slotted ALOHA (F-ALOHA) protocol is inefficient in energy harvesting IoT networks due to its fixed frame length, leading to wasted radio resources and reduced data transmission efficiency, as the number of IoT devices attempting data transmission varies with energy changes, causing collisions and idle slots.
Innovation Solution
The Energy-adaptive Hybrid Medium Access Control (EH-MAC) protocol dynamically allocates non-competition and competition slots based on the energy queue state and average energy harvesting rate of IoT devices, allowing flexible resource allocation and adapting frame length to the number of devices attempting transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed frame length is used in F-ALOHA protocol, then the protocol structure is simple and easy to implement, but radio resources are wasted and data transmission efficiency is reduced when the number of IoT devices varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the frame length variable instead of fixed. The access point determines the frame length dynamically based on the number of IoT devices that successfully transmitted data in the previous frame. This allows the system to adapt to changing network conditions and device counts, improving resource utilization and transmission efficiency while maintaining implementation simplicity through a straightforward adaptation mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the frame length is increased to accommodate more devices, then more devices can transmit data, but more idle slots are created when fewer devices are active
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of frame length from a fixed value to a variable parameter that adapts to network conditions. The access point adjusts the frame length based on the actual number of active devices, ensuring that the frame length matches the network demand. This prevents both resource wastage from overly long frames and insufficient capacity from overly short frames, optimizing the balance between adaptability and energy efficiency.
3Productivity
If IoT devices transmit data frequently, then data transmission efficiency is high, but energy consumption increases and may deplete the energy storage device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where IoT devices report their energy status to the access point, and the access point uses this information to adjust resource allocation. The system monitors energy levels and adapts transmission opportunities accordingly, allowing frequent transmission when energy is abundant and reducing transmission frequency when energy is low. This feedback loop balances data transmission efficiency with energy conservation, enabling continuous operation of energy-harvesting devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for energy adaptive resource allocation in energy harvesting network are provided. The method includes: allocating, by an energy adaptive resource allocation apparatus, non-competition slots of a next frame to at least one first wireless communication device whose energy queue state exceeds a predetermined threshold value among wireless communication devices succeeded in data transmission; and allocating, by the energy adaptive resource allocation apparatus, competition slots of the same number as that of at least one third wireless communication device expected to attempt data transmission to the next frame in consideration of a harvested energy amount and an average energy harvesting rate of at least one second wireless communication device.