MAC Segmented Data Frames for Sensor Network Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor networks face significant delays in transmitting large data, such as image files, due to low data transfer rates and inefficient MAC layer processing, which can take several tens of seconds to several minutes, making them unsuitable for real-time applications like security systems.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to divide data into segments, generate MAC segmented data frames with sequence numbers, and retransmit missing segments based on negative acknowledgement frames, reducing the overall transmission time by optimizing the MAC layer processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If data is transmitted using conventional MAC layer processing with segmentation, then data can be transmitted through the sensor network, but the transmission time becomes extremely long (several tens of seconds to several minutes)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments large data into multiple small packets at the MAC layer and transmits them sequentially. Each packet includes sequence information to track transmission status. This segmentation enables efficient retransmission of only failed packets rather than retransmitting entire large data sets, significantly reducing total transmission time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an acknowledgment (ACK) mechanism where the receiving node sends feedback to the transmitting node to confirm successful receipt of data packets. The transmitting node waits for ACK within a specified duration (macAckWaitDuration) and retransmits packets that fail to receive acknowledgment. This feedback loop ensures reliable delivery while minimizing unnecessary retransmissions.
2Reliability
If the sensor node waits for macAckWaitDuration after each transmission to ensure receipt, then data transmission reliability is improved, but the total transmission time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent sets a predetermined acknowledgment waiting duration (macAckWaitDuration) in advance before transmission begins. This allows the system to prepare timing parameters beforehand, enabling the transmitting node to efficiently manage when to expect ACKs and when to initiate retransmissions without ad-hoc delays during the transmission process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic transmission of data packets with regular intervals, where each packet transmission is followed by a standardized waiting period for ACK. This periodic structure creates a predictable transmission rhythm, allowing the system to efficiently alternate between transmitting new packets and processing acknowledgments, thereby reducing overall waiting time compared to irregular transmission patterns.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the MAC frame size is limited to 128 bytes as per IEEE 802.15.4 standards, then compliance with the standard is maintained, but the number of transmissions required for large data increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides large data into multiple 128-byte MAC frames that comply with IEEE 802.15.4 standards. Each frame is sequentially transmitted with proper sequence numbering. This segmentation approach maintains strict standard compliance while enabling efficient transmission of large data sets through multiple standardized packets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple small MAC frames into a complete large data set at the receiving node. By maintaining sequence information in each frame, the receiving node can reassemble the original large data from the transmitted segments. This merging process enables the system to work within standard frame size limitations while achieving effective large data transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A large data transmission method in a sensor network based on a media access control (MAC) is provided. The method includes dividing data to be transferred into a plurality of data segments; generating a plurality of media access control (MAC) segmented data frames by including in each data segment an indication that the data is generated by segmentation and assigning a sequence number to the data segment; transmitting the generated MAC segmented data frames sequentially; receiving a MAC reception failure frame indicating reception failure for a predetermined period of time from a receiving sensor node after completing the transmitting of all the MAC segmented data frames; and retransmitting the MAC segmented data frames which correspond to at least one sequence number included in the received MAC reception failure frame. Accordingly, large data transmission times can be reduced in a MAC for a sensor network.