Energy Factor-Based Routing for Communication Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks lack efficient mechanisms for energy utilization-aware routing, which can lead to suboptimal energy usage and increased environmental impact, as they do not effectively incorporate energy usage data into routing decisions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an energy factor-based routing system that utilizes energy usage indicators to select routing paths based on energy efficiency metrics, allowing for the integration of renewable energy sources and energy-efficient network elements, and establishes a secure control channel for metadata exchange to support these decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional routing protocols are used, then routing decisions are made based on conventional metrics, but energy usage is not optimized and environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (routing decision maker) that separates the energy evaluation function from the routing protocol. This intermediary collects energy usage data, evaluates routing options based on energy metrics, and provides recommendations to the routing protocol without requiring the protocol itself to be modified. This resolves the contradiction by enabling energy-efficient routing while maintaining the simplicity of existing routing protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables network elements to self-report their energy usage characteristics and allows the routing system to automatically evaluate and select energy-efficient paths without manual intervention. The routing decision maker continuously monitors energy metrics and dynamically adjusts routing decisions based on current network conditions,实现ing self-service energy optimization.
2Loss of energy
If energy usage data is collected and processed, then energy-efficient routing decisions can be made, but additional processing overhead and system complexity are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The routing decision maker acts as an intermediary that centralizes the complex task of energy data collection, processing, and evaluation. Instead of distributing this complexity across multiple network elements, the intermediary consolidates the processing overhead in a single component, reducing the complexity burden on the overall system while still achieving energy-efficient routing decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of routing options based on energy usage data before actual packet forwarding occurs. By pre-calculating and ranking routing paths according to energy efficiency metrics, the system avoids the need for complex real-time calculations during packet forwarding, thereby reducing processing overhead while maintaining energy optimization.
3Reliability
If a secure control channel is established for metadata exchange, then security is enhanced, but additional infrastructure and system complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The routing decision maker serves as an intermediary that establishes and manages the secure control channel for metadata exchange between network elements. This intermediary handles the complexity of security protocol implementation, encryption, and authentication, while presenting a simplified interface to the rest of the system. The secure channel enables reliable energy usage data collection without requiring each network element to independently implement complex security infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A processing system including at least one processor deployed in a communication network may obtain at least a first energy usage indicator of at least a first network element of the communication network, obtain a selection of an energy factor-based routing for at least one packet, and route the at least one packet in response to the selection of the energy factor-based routing, where the energy factor-based routing is based upon the at least the first energy usage indicator of the at least the first network element.