Hop-Aware Multicast Engine for Mesh Network Content Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In areas with limited connectivity to broadband Internet infrastructure, existing technologies face challenges in efficiently distributing digital content to users, particularly in developing nations where broadband rollout is slow or absent, leading to inadequate content delivery and high bandwidth demands on existing infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A wireless mesh network (WMN) architecture utilizing hop-aware multicast and multi-radio, multi-channel (MRMC) mesh network devices that cooperate to distribute content files, employing hop-limit values and multiple radios to manage traffic and scale effectively, even in environments with limited connectivity, thereby providing a self-contained content delivery system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional broadband infrastructure is used for content distribution, then content delivery is reliable, but bandwidth capacity is insufficient and infrastructure cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the content distribution function across multiple mesh network devices instead of relying on a single broadband infrastructure. Each device acts as an independent node that can receive, cache, and redistribute content, dividing the overall distribution load across many small units rather than requiring one large-capacity infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh network devices perform self-service by automatically routing content requests through the network, caching content locally, and redistributing it to neighboring devices without requiring centralized control or traditional broadband infrastructure. The network self-organizes and self-manages content distribution among its nodes
2Area of stationary object
If mesh network size is increased to improve content distribution coverage, then service coverage is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh network employs dynamic routing where content requests are forwarded through intermediate devices based on real-time network conditions and device capabilities. The routing paths adapt dynamically as devices are added or removed from the network, allowing the network to scale flexibly without requiring complex static routing configurations
Solution Approach 2:
Each mesh network device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a content consumer and a content distributor. Devices can simultaneously act as clients requesting content and as routers forwarding content to other devices, eliminating the need for specialized infrastructure devices and simplifying network architecture as it scales
3Loss of energy
If hop-limit values are used to control multicast propagation, then network traffic is optimized, but content delivery time may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-caching content at multiple mesh network devices before actual content requests occur. When content is requested, it can be delivered from nearby cached copies rather than propagating through the entire network, reducing both the hop count and delivery time while maintaining efficient traffic patterns
Data Source
AI summary
A mesh network device includes a radio and an application processor including a hop-aware multicast engine to: determine a mesh header time to live (TTL) value for a broadcast frame in a data link layer. The mesh header TTL value is the lessor of an internet protocol (IP) header TTL value of the first broadcast frame in an IP layer and a predefined value. The broadcast frame includes a request for a service or a resource to be sent. The hop-aware multicast engine sends the broadcast frame to a first set of mesh network devices being defined by the mesh header TTL value. The hop-aware multi-case engine determines that a response was not received within a time period; increases the mesh header TTL value; and sends a broadcast frame to a second set of one or more additional mesh network devices being defined by the increased mesh header TTL value.