Configuring Limited Nodes in Wireless Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless networks, particularly in ZigBee networks, nodes with limited energy supply, such as ZigBee Green Power Devices, face challenges in receiving updates to network configuration parameters due to unpredictable and short reception opportunities, leading to exclusion from the network and requiring manual intervention for reintegration.

Innovation Solution

A method is proposed to configure limited nodes by detecting the need for updates and modifying their behavior to increase reception opportunities, allowing for the delivery of updated configuration parameters during subsequent reception periods, thereby avoiding manual intervention and ensuring network integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If limited nodes operate with restricted reception opportunities to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but network configuration updates cannot be delivered reliably

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidconfiguration update delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by buffering configuration updates at intermediate nodes (coordinators, routers, end devices) before the limited node needs them. The update is prepared and stored in advance, then delivered during the next available reception opportunity without requiring the limited node to be actively receiving at the moment of update generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Intermediary nodes (coordinators, routers, or other end devices) are introduced to buffer and forward configuration updates to limited nodes. These intermediaries store updates temporarily and transmit them during appropriate reception windows, decoupling the update generation time from the limited node's reception availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If configuration updates are delivered immediately when needed, then network consistency is maintained, but limited nodes may miss updates due to unavailable reception windows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork consistencyVSAvoidupdate delivery delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Configuration updates are prepared and buffered in advance at intermediary nodes before the limited node's next reception opportunity. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the reception window opens, the update is already ready for immediate transmission, maintaining network consistency without requiring real-time synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system leverages the periodic nature of limited node reception opportunities. Updates are scheduled and buffered to align with these periodic reception windows, ensuring delivery occurs at predictable intervals when the node is available, thus balancing network consistency with the node's operational constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of information

If reception opportunity duration is extended to accommodate full configuration packets, then complete updates can be received, but energy consumption increases and reception window availability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration packet completenessVSAvoidreception energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration update delivery process is segmented into preparation (buffering at intermediary nodes) and transmission (during reception opportunities). This segmentation allows the limited node to receive only essential acknowledgment signals during brief reception windows, while the actual update data is already prepared and can be transferred efficiently when the node is available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

During the limited reception opportunity, only partial action is performed - the node receives acknowledgment commands or small data packets rather than complete configuration updates. The full update is delivered in subsequent interactions when the node has sufficient energy and reception availability, avoiding the need to extend brief reception windows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9948504B2Method for configuring a node

Publication Date: 2018.04.17 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

This invention relates to a method for configuring a limited node in a network, said limited node being able to receive data only within limited reception opportunities, the method comprising at a first node: (a) detecting that an update of a network configuration parameter value for the limited node is required; (b) deciding on whether to change a limited node behavior from a first behavior based at least partly on communication characteristics of the limited node, said change of behavior including increasing reception opportunity at the limited node; (c) depending on decision at step (b), triggering delivery of a request of behavior change to the limited node during a first reception opportunity; (d) triggering delivery of the updated network configuration parameter value to the limited node during a second reception opportunity of the limited node.