Gateway-Based Autonomous Network Interconnection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for interconnecting autonomous communication networks are time-consuming and require specialized technical skills, making them unsuitable for urgent scenarios like emergencies where quick and non-technical user intervention is necessary.

Innovation Solution

A communication network system with a common gateway that allows users to select and interconnect autonomous networks through a graphic user interface, enabling rapid activation and deactivation of connections without needing technical specialists, using predefined configurations and a computer program to manage router elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual interconnection methods are used by network specialists, then reliable network connection is achieved, but time consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork connection reliabilityVSAvoidtime to establish connection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures multiple autonomous networks and their interconnection parameters before emergencies occur. During emergencies, users simply activate pre-defined connection profiles rather than configuring connections manually, thus achieving both reliability through pre-planning and speed through immediate activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates virtual copies of network connection configurations that can be rapidly deployed. Instead of manually setting up each connection parameter, the system replicates pre-tested connection profiles across multiple networks, ensuring reliable connections are established quickly without requiring specialists to reconfigure everything from scratch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If manual configuration by specialists is performed, then proper network interconnection is achieved, but operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork interconnection qualityVSAvoiduser friendliness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables non-technical users to perform network interconnection tasks themselves through simplified interfaces. Users can select networks and activate connections without needing specialized knowledge, as the system handles the complex configuration automatically based on pre-defined profiles, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining connection quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary layer between users and the complex network configuration processes. This intermediary automatically translates simple user selections into proper technical configurations, shielding users from complexity while ensuring reliable interconnections are established through professionally designed connection profiles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional network management systems are used, then comprehensive control is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork control capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the complex network management functionality into modular components: network discovery modules, profile management modules, activation modules, and monitoring modules. Each module handles a specific aspect of network interconnection, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities through coordinated operation of these segmented functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a universal platform that can manage multiple autonomous networks with different protocols and configurations through a single interface. Rather than requiring separate management systems for each network type, the platform provides multi-functional capabilities to discover, configure, and control diverse networks uniformly, thus reducing complexity while enhancing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2958267B1Communication network structure, method of interconnecting autonomous communication networks and computer program implementing said method
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE LTD
  • EP2958267B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2958267B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2958267B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A communication network structure, in particular data communication network structure, comprises a plurality of autonomous communication networks (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), in particular data communication networks, wherein each autonomous communication network (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) comprises at least one network node (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60), wherein said node () of each communication network (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) is connected or connectable to a common gateway (7) and wherein said common gateway (7) is designed to selectively connect at least two of said nodes (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60) in order to provide intercommunication ability between the related communication networks (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). A method of interconnecting autonomous communication networks, each communication network having at least one network node connected or connectable to a common gateway, wherein the method comprises the steps of - selecting networks or network nodes to be interconnected from a list of available networks or network nodes or selecting a preset configuration of inter-node connections; - Activating an interconnection between the selected networks or network nodes by creating an access-list using the IP-addresses defined for each node; - applying the access-list on a router element provided in said gateway, thus connecting the nodes/networks to each other.