Fictitious Topology Elements for Ad Hoc Network Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ad hoc radio communication networks face challenges with low throughput, long access times, non-permanent connectivity, and high bandwidth consumption due to frequent topology changes and the need for explicit information retransmission in scenarios like new participant entry or network splits/mergers.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using fictitious topology elements to convey application data, allowing the modulation of network topology without modifying existing protocols, thereby reducing bandwidth consumption and improving service availability by leveraging existing topology discovery mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If explicit information retransmission is used for topology updates and application data, then reliability of information delivery is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation delivery reliabilityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges topology update information and application data into a single message structure. When a node discovers topology changes, it bundles both the topology update and any pending application data together in one transmission, eliminating the need for separate retransmission protocols and reducing overall bandwidth consumption while maintaining delivery reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal message structure that can carry multiple types of information (topology updates, application data, acknowledgments) in a single transmission unit. This multi-functional message format allows nodes to convey different types of information efficiently without requiring dedicated protocols for each type, thereby reducing bandwidth usage while ensuring reliable delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If dedicated channel headers and access protocols are used for application data exchanges, then data transmission reliability is improved, but bandwidth usage increases and exchange speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddata exchange speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines application data with topology discovery messages, allowing application-layer information to be transmitted alongside network-layer topology updates. This merging eliminates the need for separate dedicated channel access protocols and reduces overhead, thereby improving data exchange speed while maintaining transmission reliability through the existing robust topology protocol.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a universal message structure that serves multiple purposes: it functions as both a topology update carrier and an application data transport mechanism. This multi-functional approach allows the system to leverage the existing reliable topology protocol for data transmission without requiring additional dedicated protocols, thus improving productivity while preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If topology discovery protocols are run frequently to maintain up-to-date network topology knowledge, then network topology accuracy is improved, but bandwidth consumption and resource access time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork topology accuracyVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary bundling of application data with topology update messages. Before topology changes occur, nodes prepare and bundle application data with anticipated topology update messages. This preliminary action ensures that when topology discoveries are made, both the topology information and application data are transmitted together in a single operation, maintaining topology accuracy while minimizing additional bandwidth consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If application data is transmitted separately from topology updates, then data transmission control is improved, but overall transmission efficiency decreases due to increased message overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission controlVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges application data transmission with topology update processes by bundling both types of information into single messages. This merging maintains operational control through the structured message format while dramatically improving transmission efficiency by eliminating redundant message overhead and reducing the total number of transmissions required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3675562B1Data processing methods in an ad hoc radio communication network, associated mobile radio communication stations and computer programs
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 THALES SA
  • EP3675562B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3675562B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3675562B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A data processing method, in an ad hoc radio communication network comprising radio communication stations, each constituting a node of the ad hoc network, according to which: - a station performs a dynamic topology discovery function comprising the transmission from the station of topology elements; - an application generates application data intended to be transmitted by said station to another station in the network, said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: - reception of the application data by an electronic processing block of the station and translation, by said block, of said application data into fictitious topology elements according to a predetermined rule base; - insertion of the fictitious topology elements into the topology elements, said topology elements transmitted by the station comprising said fictitious topology elements inserted.