Forced Forward Addressing Mesh Network Traffic Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mesh networks face high network traffic and power consumption issues when broadcasting messages to multiple nodes, and unicast messaging requires unique addressing for each node, increasing traffic and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of forced forward addressing, where a node transmits a single message with a forced forward address, allowing it to be forwarded to all neighboring child nodes in a sub-tree, reducing the need for multiple message transmissions and listening windows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If broadcast service is used to transmit messages to multiple nodes, then message delivery to all nodes is achieved, but network traffic and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broadcast message delivery into a hierarchical structure where the access point sends messages to child nodes, which then forward to their respective child nodes. This segmentation allows targeted message delivery to specific sub-trees rather than broadcasting to all nodes, reducing overall network traffic and power consumption while maintaining reliable message delivery to intended recipients.
2Reliability
If unicast messaging is used to send messages to each node, then unique addressing is achieved, but network traffic and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple unicast message transmissions into a single broadcast message that is forwarded through hierarchical child nodes. Instead of sending separate unicast messages to each node, the system uses a single message that is propagated through the tree structure, combining the delivery function of multiple unicast transmissions into one efficient operation, thereby reducing network traffic while maintaining unique addressing capabilities.
3Reliability
If broadcast service is used for firmware downloads, then all nodes receive the message, but listening window requirements increase complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broadcast listening window management into hierarchical levels where each child node manages its own listening window for receiving messages from its parent. This segmentation allows each node to independently manage its listening window rather than requiring coordinated broadcast window management across the entire network, simplifying the overall system complexity while ensuring reliable message reception at all levels.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments disclosed herein provide communication techniques using forced forward addressing. In various embodiments, a method includes receiving, by a first node of a mesh network, a first unicast message from a second node, wherein the first node is coupled to one or more of child nodes that are neighbor nodes to the first node; determining, by the first node, that a destination address of the first unicast message is a forced forward address; and in response to determining that the destination address is a forced forward address, forwarding, by the first node, the first unicast message to the one or more of child nodes by transmitting respective second unicast messages to the one or more of child nodes.