Gateway Device Routing Ad-hoc and Permanent Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems for ad-hoc networks do not provide a mechanism for users to seamlessly switch between ad-hoc and permanent communication networks, limiting the ability to communicate with both team members and external personnel efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a communication device and a gateway device that run routing protocols to connect ad-hoc and permanent networks, allowing users to determine communication paths through pre-determined control actions, with the ability to convert data formats for seamless communication between networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users communicate only through ad-hoc network, then communication with team members is efficient, but communication with external personnel is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between the ad-hoc network and permanent network. The gateway runs the same routing protocol (OLSR) as ad-hoc nodes, seamlessly bridging the two network types. This allows fire fighters to communicate with both team members (via ad-hoc) and external personnel (via permanent network through gateway) without increasing device complexity at the fire fighter's end.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users can switch between ad-hoc and permanent networks, then communication flexibility is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device is designed with multi-functionality, running the OLSR routing protocol to participate in ad-hoc network routing while simultaneously providing access to the permanent network. This universal approach allows a single device to handle both ad-hoc and permanent network communications, reducing the need for separate specialized devices and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Speed
If direct ad-hoc communication is used, then communication speed is fast, but communication distance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication path into two parts: short-range high-speed ad-hoc communication for team members within range, and long-range permanent network communication for external personnel. The OLSR routing protocol intelligently routes packets through intermediate nodes (including the gateway) when direct ad-hoc paths are unavailable, maintaining communication speed while extending effective range through multi-hop routing.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method and arrangement for connecting an ad-hoc communication network (101) to a permanent communication network (102), e.g. to a cellular mobile communication network. The ad-hoc communication network is established between communication devices (103-106) and a gateway device (107) using a routing protocol that is run in the gateway device and in the communication devices. A protocol address that is associated in a communication device with a protocol data unit is determined on the basis of a control action given by a user of the communication device. In a gateway device, the protocol data unit is relayed to the permanent communication network if the protocol data unit is provided with a pre-determined protocol address. The user of the communication device can determine with the aid of the control action whether he is communicating only inside the ad-hoc communication network or via the permanent communication network.