Groupcast Packet Forwarding Sequence Number Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-hop wireless networks, groupcast operations often lead to redundancy, contention, and collision issues known as 'broadcast storms,' which can shut down the network due to the mobile nature of ad hoc networks and the lack of effective sequence number management for forwarding groupcast packets in the presence of proxies.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using sequence numbers for groupcast packets, where a routable device can choose to use its own sequence number or the initiator node's sequence number for forwarding, adapting to scenarios involving mobile and static nodes, and considering the behavior of higher layers and media access control layers to minimize duplicate packet transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If groupcast packets are forwarded using proxies in mobile ad hoc networks, then network coverage and connectivity are improved, but broadcast storms and network shutdowns occur due to redundancy and collision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assigning sequence numbers to groupcast packets before forwarding. The originator node assigns a unique sequence number to each groupcast packet, and this sequence number is preserved and used by all proxy nodes during forwarding. This preliminary assignment prevents duplicate packet transmission and broadcast storms by enabling intermediate nodes to identify and filter duplicates based on the pre-assigned sequence numbers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through the sequence number mechanism that provides continuous information about packet identity and transmission status. Each proxy node uses the sequence number feedback to determine whether to forward a packet or discard it as a duplicate, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents broadcast storms while maintaining network coverage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sequence numbers are managed by proxy nodes for groupcast packets, then forwarding flexibility is improved, but duplicate packet transmission and broadcast storms increase due to lack of coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sequence number management function from the proxy nodes and centralizes it at the originator node. The originator node alone is responsible for assigning sequence numbers to groupcast packets, while proxy nodes simply preserve and forward these pre-assigned sequence numbers without generating their own. This extraction eliminates the harmful effect of uncoordinated sequence number generation by multiple proxies while maintaining forwarding flexibility.
3Length of stationary object
If intermediate nodes relay packets in multi-hop networks, then communication range is extended, but routing information overhead and network traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by having intermediate proxy nodes simply copy the sequence number from the incoming groupcast packet header and place it in the outgoing packet header, rather than generating new routing information or performing complex routing decisions. This copying mechanism extends communication range through multi-hop forwarding while minimizing the quantity of routing information processed and transmitted.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-hop wireless network includes an originator node, a proxy node, and at least one other node. The originator node generates a data packet and transmits the data packet to the proxy node. The proxy node receives and forwards to the at least one other node the data packet including an originator node address and a proxy node sequence number for an end-to-end groupcast sequence number.