Firmware Update Distribution via Hybrid Long- and Short-Range Links
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transmitting large firmware updates to node devices in networks incur high costs due to limited cellular subscription plans, necessitating a more efficient and cost-effective data transmission method.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize both long-range and short-range communication interfaces in node devices to distribute firmware updates, where a selected node device receives data via long-range communication and transmits it to others via short-range communication, optimizing data distribution and reducing long-range communication costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If firmware updates are transmitted to all node devices via long-range communication, then reliable data transmission is ensured, but cellular subscription costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission process into two stages: first, the firmware is transmitted to a selected node device via long-range communication; second, the selected node device distributes the firmware to other node devices via short-range communication. This segmentation allows the system to leverage the reliability of long-range communication for initial data receipt while using cost-effective short-range communication for local distribution, thereby resolving the contradiction between transmission reliability and cellular cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The selected node device acts as an intermediary between the remote device and other node devices. It receives the firmware via long-range communication from the remote device and then transmits it to other node devices via short-range communication. This intermediary approach enables the system to maintain reliable data receipt while avoiding the high cost of transmitting the same data to all devices through the cellular network.
2Loss of energy
If firmware updates are transmitted to all node devices via short-range communication, then cellular subscription costs are reduced, but data transmission reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission process is segmented such that long-range communication is used for the initial reliable receipt of firmware by the selected node device, while short-range communication is used for local distribution. This ensures that critical reliability requirements are met for data receipt, while cost savings are achieved through efficient local propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The selected node device serves as a trusted intermediary that first validates and receives the firmware reliably via long-range communication before distributing it via short-range communication. This intermediary role ensures that reliability is maintained for the critical initial transmission, while the cost-effective short-range communication is used for subsequent distribution.
3Productivity
If a selected node device receives and redistributes firmware via short-range communication, then data distribution efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The selected node device is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in both receiver mode (receiving firmware via long-range communication) and transmitter mode (redistributing firmware via short-range communication). This universal design enables the node device to perform multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each role, thereby improving data distribution efficiency while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A method of transmitting a block of data to node devices in a network is disclose. The network comprises a plurality of operatively interconnected node devices, each node device supports both long range communication and short range communication. The method comprises the steps of: receiving, by at least one node device selected for receiving the block of data, at least a part of the block of data via long range communication; receiving, by other node devices via long range communication, an indication to receive the at least part of the block of data via short range communication; transmitting, by the at least one selected node device, the at least part of the block of data to other node devices via short range communication; and receiving, by one of the other node devices, the at least part of the block of data via short range communication.