Hybrid PLC-RF Packet Routing Under Sliding RF Duty Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
The G3-PLC Hybrid PLC & RF standard lacks flexibility in selecting the communication medium between two hybrid nodes, as the choice is fixed during network construction or reconstruction, limiting the dynamic use of powerline and radio frequency communication.
Innovation Solution
A transmission method that dynamically selects the communication medium by powerline or radio frequency based on a sliding time window, allowing each IP packet to be transmitted using radio frequency only if the usage is below a threshold, switching to powerline if necessary, and optimizing fragment transmission across both mediums to respect usage limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the communication medium choice is fixed during network construction or reconstruction, then the network implementation is simplified, but the flexibility and adaptability of the network is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic medium selection by allowing hybrid nodes to switch between PLC and RF communication media based on real-time network conditions, node availability, and transmission requirements. The routing protocol enables on-the-fly reselection of communication media without requiring network reconstruction, thus achieving adaptability while maintaining implementation simplicity through standardized protocol mechanisms.
2Reliability
If radio frequency transmission is used extensively, then network coverage and resilience are improved, but the maximum use time constraint on sliding time window is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring and evaluation of RF usage against the maximum use time constraint within the sliding time window. The routing protocol periodically assesses whether RF transmission would exceed the duty cycle limit and dynamically adjusts medium selection accordingly, allowing intensive RF usage only when within constraints and switching to PLC when limits are approached, thus maintaining reliability while respecting temporal constraints.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic medium selection is implemented for each IP packet, then network flexibility is maximized, but the complexity of transmission control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the routing protocol continuously monitors network conditions, transmission success rates, and RF usage constraints, then uses this feedback to dynamically select the optimal communication medium for each IP packet or packet fragment. This feedback-driven approach maximizes flexibility while controlling complexity through systematic decision-making based on real-time information rather than ad-hoc control logic.
4Area of stationary object
If IP packets are transmitted using both powerline and radio frequency, then network coverage is enhanced, but the management of transmission constraints becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing IP packets into fragments that can be transmitted through different communication media (PLC and RF) independently. The routing protocol manages each fragment separately, selecting the appropriate medium based on current constraints and conditions, which simplifies constraint management compared to managing entire packets while still achieving enhanced coverage through multi-medium transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission method for transmitting a packet from a first node device to a second node device of an electrical supply network, the transmission method includes the following steps performed by the first node device: transmitting the IP packet by radio frequency in the case where a level of use by the first node device of the transmission by radio frequency calculated on a sliding time window with respect to a maximum use time is below a first threshold, the first threshold being below a second threshold beyond which any transmission by radio frequency is interrupted; transmitting the IP packet by powerline otherwise, and, in the case where the powerline transmission fails, transmitting the IP packet by radio frequency in the case where the level of use is below the second threshold.