Multi-Hop Lighting Node Firmware Update Propagation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-hop networks used in lighting systems face inefficiencies in firmware updates due to limited bandwidth, leading to updates taking several hours for a large number of connected lighting modules.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a node in the multi-hop network that can receive and analyze firmware updates, determine compatibility, and autonomously propagate the updates to neighboring nodes, acting as a distributed server to efficiently update all nodes of the same type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If firmware updates are transmitted through multi-hop network with limited bandwidth, then all nodes can be updated, but the update process takes several hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the firmware update process by dividing the network into groups based on node types. Each node acts as a server for its own type, simultaneously updating multiple target nodes of the same type. This segmentation allows parallel update operations across different node groups, dramatically reducing the total update time while ensuring all nodes receive updates through their designated server nodes.
2Reliability
If a centralized OTA server updates each node individually, then firmware updates are reliable, but multiple servers are needed and resource usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling each node to function as a firmware server for nodes of its own type. When a node receives firmware updates, it automatically stores them locally and uses them to update other nodes of the same type in its vicinity. This eliminates the need for multiple centralized servers, as each node serves itself and its peers, reducing system complexity while maintaining update reliability through distributed verification.
3Productivity
If firmware is propagated through neighboring nodes, then update time is reduced, but bandwidth limitations of multi-hop network constrain transmission speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the update propagation by having each node transmit firmware only to nodes of the same type, rather than broadcasting to all neighbors. This type-based segmentation reduces unnecessary bandwidth consumption on the multi-hop network while maintaining fast update propagation, as each transmission is targeted and efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple update transmissions into single firmware packages. Each node receives the complete firmware package once and then propagates it to multiple target nodes simultaneously or in sequence, reducing the total number of transmissions required across the network and minimizing bandwidth consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A node for a multi-hop communication network may include a wireless communication interface, configured to exchange data with the multi-hop communication network. The node moreover includes a processing unit, configured to drive the operation of the node as a function of the commands received via the wireless communication interface, and a memory storing a firmware for the processing unit. The node is configured to receive, via the wireless communication interface, an updated firmware, and to store the updated firmware into the memory. Moreover, the node is configured to detect, via the wireless communication interface, other nodes that are in the vicinity of the node, and to send (1010) the firmware stored in the memory to one or more of said nodes.