Frequency Hopping Protocol for Wireless Mesh Network Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Establishing and maintaining large wireless networks is challenging due to power consumption and network congestion issues, particularly in ad hoc mesh networks where devices frequently change batteries and experience data packet collisions, leading to degraded quality of service.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a frequency hopping protocol where devices communicate using predefined activation times and dormant periods, exchanging information with neighboring nodes through a preamble that includes timing and frequency data, allowing nodes to schedule communications effectively and reduce collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequency hopping is implemented by synchronizing all devices to follow the same frequency sequence and enter communication mode at the same time, then communication coordination is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of maintenance increase particularly for large networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency hopping process by allowing different devices to operate on different frequency sequences and timing schedules. Instead of requiring all devices to synchronize to a single master sequence, each device can independently manage its own frequency hopping pattern, reducing the complexity of maintaining network-wide synchronization while still achieving coordinated communication.
2Speed
If nodes remain active for longer durations to maintain communication, then network responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic activation where nodes wake up at predetermined intervals to perform communications and then return to dormant states. This periodic action allows nodes to maintain network responsiveness by regularly checking for and transmitting data while minimizing power consumption by remaining dormant between activation periods.
3Use of energy by moving object
If nodes activate frequently with short durations to save power, then power efficiency is improved, but network capacity and bandwidth are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing frequency diversity as an additional dimension. Nodes activate frequently with short durations to save power, but by hopping across multiple frequency channels, they effectively increase network capacity. The frequency dimension compensates for the time limitation, allowing multiple nodes to communicate simultaneously on different frequencies without interfering with each other.
4Ease of operation
If all nodes communicate simultaneously on the same frequency, then communication simplicity is maintained, but data packet collisions increase leading to degraded quality of service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic frequency assignment where nodes can be assigned different frequency sequences and hopping patterns based on network conditions, device priorities, and communication requirements. This dynamic approach maintains operational simplicity through automated assignment while preventing collisions by ensuring that simultaneous communications occur on different frequencies.
Data Source
AI summary
A first device communicates with a wireless network that includes nodes that are active for predefined activation times and that are at least partially dormant when not active. The communication method includes identifying a start of communication via a message that exceeds a maximum activation time of nodes on the wireless network by a factor N, where N is equal to at least a maximum number of frequencies on the wireless network, and exchanging information with a second device comprising a node on the wireless network that is within a transmission range of the first device, where the information is exchanged following the message and includes frequency hopping data for the second device.