Gateway-Based Network Architecture for Multi-Hop Bandwidth Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional network systems face limitations in handling large numbers of devices due to bandwidth constraints and high overhead in mesh networks, particularly in applications like Smart Grid and Home Automation, where data aggregation leads to a rapidly decreasing capacity known as the multi-hop problem.
Innovation Solution
A network system comprising a plurality of devices capable of transmitting and receiving data, with at least one gateway that can communicate with a substantial portion of the devices without additional infrastructure, optimizing routes and resource allocation to reduce transmission overhead and increase available bandwidth, allowing for efficient data transmission and handling of a large number of devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional mesh networks are used to interconnect a large number of devices, then device interconnection capability is improved, but bandwidth capacity decreases rapidly due to data aggregation in multi-hop routes
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into multiple independent single-hop star networks, each managed by its own access point. This segmentation prevents data aggregation in multi-hop routes, as each device communicates directly with its designated access point without relaying through intermediate devices. The segmentation resolves the bandwidth capacity problem while maintaining device interconnection capability through the coordinated operation of multiple access points.
Solution Approach 2:
Access points serve as intermediaries between devices and the network backbone, eliminating the need for devices to communicate directly with each other in multi-hop fashion. Each access point manages a star network of devices and handles all communications locally, preventing bandwidth aggregation issues. The intermediary approach allows direct device-to-access-point communication while maintaining network-wide connectivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If access points manage large numbers of devices in traditional networks, then device management capability is improved, but infrastructure requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The network infrastructure is segmented into multiple independent access points, each managing a portion of the total devices. This segmentation allows the system to scale to millions of devices without requiring any single access point to handle all devices, thereby reducing individual infrastructure complexity while maintaining overall device management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single hierarchical dimension (one access point managing all devices) to a multi-dimensional architecture where multiple access points operate in parallel, each managing its own star network. This dimensional change allows linear scaling of device management capability without proportional increases in individual infrastructure complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional routing protocols are used in mesh networks, then route flexibility is improved, but transmission overhead increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for complex routing protocols by adopting star network topology where all devices communicate directly with their designated access point. This extraction of multi-hop routing functionality removes the associated transmission overhead while maintaining route flexibility at the access point level, which can still perform intelligent routing to other access points when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is related to systems, methods, and processor readable media for distributing digital data over networks. Certain embodiments relate to systems, methods, and devices used within such networks where at least a substantial portion of the interconnected devices are capable of interacting with one or more neighboring devices, and then to form such a network either with no gateway and/or control point, with a single gateway and/or control point or with a number of gateways and/or control points.