Hybrid Mesh Network Using Multiple Access Technologies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mesh networks are limited by the performance characteristics of a single access technology, requiring costly expansions or reduced performance to address deployment and capacity challenges, lacking flexibility in rerouting and link length constraints.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid mesh network system that integrates multiple access technologies, providing redundant paths using different transport mediums such as fiber, wireless, and wireline technologies, allowing for dynamic management and optimization of network performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If more mesh nodes are added to address deployment and capacity challenges, then network capacity and coverage are improved, but network cost greatly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple mesh networks using different access technologies (wireless, common carrier, free space optics, wireline) into a unified hybrid mesh network. This merging allows the network to leverage existing infrastructure from different providers and technologies, achieving increased capacity and coverage without proportionally increasing cost, as the solution utilizes rather than creates all network components.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid mesh network design enables a single network infrastructure to perform multiple functions by integrating diverse access technologies. The network can route traffic through different media types (wireless, wired, optical) depending on requirements, making the system universally applicable to various deployment scenarios and capacity needs without requiring dedicated infrastructure for each function.
2Area of stationary object
If more mesh nodes are added to address deployment and capacity challenges, then network coverage is improved, but network cost greatly increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple existing mesh networks with different access technologies into a hybrid architecture, the patent achieves extended network coverage without the need to deploy completely new infrastructure. The solution leverages existing coverage from wireless, common carrier, and wireline networks, thereby expanding area while controlling cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If single access technology mesh networks are used, then network simplicity is maintained, but flexibility in rerouting and link length is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid mesh network implements dynamic routing capabilities that automatically adapt to changing network conditions. The system can dynamically select optimal paths through different access technologies based on real-time factors such as link availability, quality, and requirements, providing flexible rerouting while managing complexity through automated decision-making rather than static configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes in network routing by allowing dynamic adjustment of path selection based on varying network conditions. The system can change routing parameters such as preferred access technology, path length, and quality metrics in response to real-time network state, thereby achieving adaptability without requiring complex manual reconfiguration.
4Productivity
If single access technology is used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but performance characteristics are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple access technologies (wireless, common carrier, free space optics, wireline) into a unified hybrid mesh network architecture. This combination enables the network to achieve superior overall performance by leveraging the strengths of each technology while mitigating their individual limitations, such as using wireline for high-performance backbone and wireless for last-mile connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid mesh network functions as a composite system that integrates different access technologies to create a network with enhanced overall performance characteristics. Just as composite materials combine different materials to achieve properties superior to individual components, the network combines diverse access technologies to achieve performance levels that would be unattainable with any single technology alone.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for interconnecting multiple mesh transport medium technologies is disclosed. Two nodes are part of a mesh sub-network using a first access technology. The two nodes have at least two paths using the first access technology that couple the two nodes together. A third path using a second access technology also couples the two nodes together.