Gateway Selection via Composite Weighted Metric
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for selecting gateways in wide area network communications systems, such as LoRa, primarily rely on Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) without considering factors like gateway loading, messaging load, operator preferences, and application priorities, leading to issues like message loss, sub-optimal resource usage, and limited network flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A network server selects a gateway for downlink communication based on a composite weighted metric (CWM) that incorporates RSSI, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), gateway loading, backhaul network loading, device type, application type, priority, and operator policies, among other factors, to ensure optimal resource allocation and differentiated services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gateway selection is based solely on RSSI, then the selection process is simple, but message loss occurs due to gateway overloading and resource utilization is sub-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the gateway selection process from using a single parameter (RSSI) to using multiple parameters including gateway load, backhaul network load, device type, application type, and operator policies. This multi-parameter approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining selection simplicity through automated composite scoring while improving message delivery reliability through comprehensive resource status consideration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite gateway selection metric that combines multiple factors (RSSI, gateway load, backhaul load, device characteristics, application requirements, and operator policies) into a unified selection criterion. This composite approach prevents gateway overloading and improves message delivery reliability while keeping the selection process manageable through automated computation.
2Productivity
If gateway selection considers multiple factors like gateway loading and backhaul network loading, then resource utilization is optimized, but the selection process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The network server automatically performs the complex multi-factor evaluation and gateway selection process without manual intervention. The system self-services by computing composite scores based on gateway load, backhaul network load, device types, application types, and operator policies, thereby optimizing network resource utilization while keeping the operational complexity hidden from users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network server continuously monitors gateway load and backhaul network load status, and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust gateway selections. This feedback loop enables optimized resource utilization through automated decision-making based on real-time network conditions.
3Ease of operation
If the network uses standardized gateway selection, then operational simplicity is maintained, but network flexibility and differentiated services are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic gateway selection that adapts to different device types, application types, and operator policies. The system dynamically adjusts selection criteria based on specific service requirements, enabling differentiated services while maintaining ease of operation through automated policy enforcement. Operators can define custom policies without manual network reconfiguration.
4Device complexity
If gateways are selected based on highest RSSI, then the process is straightforward, but gateway overloading occurs leading to message loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation layer (the composite scoring mechanism) between the simple RSSI measurement and the final gateway selection decision. This intermediary considers gateway load and backhaul network load status, preventing direct selection of overloaded gateways even when they have the highest RSSI, thereby improving message delivery success rate while keeping the algorithm manageable through automated computation.
Data Source
AI summary
A network server selects a gateway, from among a plurality of alternative candidate gateways, to use for downlink wireless communication to an end node (EN) based on additional factors in addition to RSSI. Exemplary additional factors include: SNR, gateway loading, message loading, backhaul network loading, device type, application type, application priority, operator preferences, device/application black-lists, white-lists, and red-lists, number of devices, number of transmitting devices in a given time interval, operator rules and priorities. In some embodiments, the network server calculates a composite weighted metric (CWM) for each of the alternative candidate gateways which may be used for downlink, subject to operator policy rules, and selects to use a gateway based on the results, e.g. selects the gateway with the highest CWM.