Frequency-Hopped Control Channel for Robust Multi-Hop Ad Hoc Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networks face severe data channel outages in dynamic real-world environments due to high throughput requirements and lack of robustness, especially when control functionality is embedded in the data channel.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Software-Defined Heterogeneous Mobile Ad hoc Network (SD-H-MANET) with a physically and logically decoupled control plane and data plane, utilizing a frequency-hopped control channel for network management and data forwarding, respectively, to enhance link-level and network-level robustness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If control functionality is embedded in the data channel, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to severe data channel outages in dynamic environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network functionality into separate control plane and data plane components. The control plane operates independently on a dedicated control channel, while the data plane handles data transmission on data channels. This separation allows the control plane to maintain network management functions reliably even when data channels experience outages, resolving the contradiction between simplified integration and reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dedicated control channel as an intermediary between network elements for control plane communications. This control channel is specifically designed with robustness features to maintain reliable control signaling independent of data channel conditions, serving as a mediator that ensures control functionality remains operational even when data channels fail.
2Productivity
If high throughput requirements are implemented, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to severe data channel outages in dynamic environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates control plane operations from data plane operations, allowing high-throughput data transmission on data channels while independent control plane operations on robust control channels ensure reliable network management. This segmentation enables high productivity without sacrificing reliability, as control functions remain stable even during data channel outages.
3Reliability
If a dedicated control channel with frequency-hopping operation is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to physical and logical decoupling of control plane and data plane
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by separating control plane and data plane into distinct functional components operating on different channels. While this increases architectural complexity, it enables the control plane to utilize frequency-hopping spread spectrum techniques on a dedicated control channel, achieving superior link-level robustness that justifies the added complexity in dynamic electromagnetic environments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The SD-H-MANET provides high link-level robustness and unified routing with minimal communication overhead, ensuring reliable wireless network connectivity even in adverse conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a control channel that has a first bandwidth, implements a frequency-hopping operation, and operates at in a first frequency band
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices and systems that use a control channel to coordinate quality of data communications in software-defined heterogenous multi-hop ad hoc networks are described. In some embodiments, an example apparatus for wireless communication in a network includes performing, using a control plane, network management functions over a control channel that has a first bandwidth, implements a frequency-hopping operation, and operates at in a first frequency band, and performing, using a data plane that is physically and logically decoupled from the control plane, data forwarding functions, based on a routing decision, over at least one data channel that has a second bandwidth and operates in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band.